The things we do because we have fibro

I usually will grow my own tomatoes. I'll take seeds from the year before, that I have stored. When it's time I germinate them in a wet paper towel, plant the seeds in very small egg carton type of holder ans as they grow keep changing the pot they are in then plant them in the ground. Last year I had over 100 seeds germinate. I planted 30 plants. It was great but tons of work.....for the first time in years, I didn't plant my tomatoes. I was pretty bummed cause I really enjoy to garden.
I've decided to take this year off and see how I am doing next year.

I also never thought I would put my coffee in the refrigerator to HEAT it up!! The microwave is next to the refrigerator so I was close!! Ha ha

Great topic! I never thought I'd have to ask someone else to lift or move practically EVERY single thing I want moved. It drives me crazy! In my house, everything pretty much stays where it lands - hubby generally cares not one whit. I can only ask for a couple of "favors" (things moved) at a time and so I have to be very well - organized (ha ha) and know exactly what's most important at a given time. Well, I'm chronically NOT organized. And even if I were, there's too much backlog - I can never catch up. I was never what you'd call a clean freak, but when I was younger I never dreamed I'd live in such a messy, dirty house.


I never thought I'd have to pick clothes and shoes based almost entirely on comfort. I could write a huge paragraph on that one, but I'll spare you :) I'm sure a lot of you can relate ~ I get enough negative signals from my body all the time, I'm not about to put up with more because of my clothes!


I never thought I wouldn't be able to have a career, to know the satisfaction of that - and earn almost no money (which has made it hard financially all these years.) I do substitute-teach, but marginally.


Debbie

I'm with Debbie on the clothes and shoes thing. When I was younger, I was somewhat into fashion. Now, it's all about comfort.

I also run around the house with a Body Back Buddy (similar to Theracane). I can't imagine life without one these days.

I drag a chair into the bathroom when I dry my hair, and I am careful not to go anywhere that would require prolonged standing (combo of fibro and back issues).

I never thought I'd wear loose clothes for comfort or go bra less 90% of the time to prevent unbearable pain, or stop taking long walks for exercise or just want to stay home all the time, or especially not even want to go riding horseback because of the pain. We live on a ranch, so giving up riding especially hurt. I also never thought I'd ever get religious, but as I study & pray in RCIA classes to enter the Catholic Church, I find that's the only kind of books I enjoy.

Joy, I had a good laugh thinking about the "hereafter"--so true in my life.

I never thought I would like to travel with an organized tour group, I had always just grabbed a backpack and took off. Now I need someone else to take care of the details and make sure I have a place to sleep at night and an opportunity to rest during the day.

I never thought I would have the patience to let someone help me with lifting and carrying.

I never thought I would walk away from an argument because it causes stress to disagree.

I never thought I would say "I can't, I need to rest."

I never thought I would come to terms with fibro, I have relapses with accepting my new life, but am more at peace than I was 6 years ago.

Thanks to all the lovely people on this forum for sharing their lives and ideas.

Azgram: I enjoy those spiritual books, too. I'm now (slowly) reading The Diary of St. Faustina, once again. Much food for thought, and I find that this type of reading really relaxes me, which is especially good when I'm in the middle of a nasty flare.

I sure agree with all of you who said we gain more compassion, wisdom and patience - what choice do we have, in the long run?

Joy, I have 4 reachers since my spine surgery! I can't get down to the ground at all, so I'm truly dependent on them. A pair for each floor of the house - a longer one for "everything," and a slightly shorter one for "sanitary" purposes (food, etc.) But I still can't pick up anything heavy - it hurts my whole back.

Debbie

Oh! I forgot one! Coincidentally, my ex-husband was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and psoriatic arthritis a year before I was. Having fibro myself has made me actually empathetic with him and we get along better, where our relationship was very contentious for a very long time.

I know, Donna! So many people will say, "Oh, you can put up with a little discomfort sometimes to look better!" They just don't understand that it goes waaay beyond a little discomfort! When you have chronic pain, it really ups the ante.

Debbie