Beautiful Distraction

(Arwork by Artist KellyWatts 2013)

I have seen a number of artists drawing their work in old books... so I decided to try...

 

And...

 

I LOVE IT!

 

 

A book is easy to work in and I love the texture of the pages.

 

I use my art as my beautiful distraction.

It helps me through the pain.

 

Finding new and easier ways to create my art is so much fun!!!

 

In this piece I used my Copic Markers and a black acrylic marker.

 

 

What do you do to distract yourself from the pain?

 

I hope you are having a pain-free day.

 

Many hugs and blessings.

 

 

 

Kelly Watts

 

 

Encouraging Others With Chronic Illnesses

(Artwork by Artist Kelly Watts 2013)

 

I am enamored by all the wonderful ladies I am meeting on Instagram.  The depth of these women is unlike anything that I have before encountered.  There are posts that say things like 'God gives the hardest battles to those who are the strongest'... something like that; after chatting with these ladies I have discovered that they are indeed the strongest.

 

I think about my illness (Fibromyalgia/IBS/Arthritis/Hypermobility of my joints) and I wonder... are illnesses like mine, or like Lupus, Rheumatoid Auto-immune etc., are they more prevailant now than they were say ten years ago?  And if that is the case... why?

 

I know that mankind has ruined our planet, we've destroyed our good healthy foods and stuffed our bodies with chemicals and we have done that pretty much willingly or should I say blindly trusting our Governments to nourish us, not to lie to us about what goes into our foods etc., and we continue to consume these processed foods knowing what is inside of them - DUH!!! 

 

Even me now, I began juicing at the beginning of January and I was feeling the great benefits, I lost 15 pounds and I was feeling so much better.

Then March comes along and I stop juicing as regularily, I start eating bread and meat and everything that I cut out of my diet... I gained back the weight and I am once again feeling crappy.  I know the solution...but do I do it??? 

 

So frustrating!

 

The problem is that I lack willpower and most of all the energy needed to continue juicing as I was before.  So, I have asked my Hubbub to help me by making me a veggie juice in the morning before he goes to work (like he doesn't have enough on his plate!).

 

This has helped me a lot.

 

Next step, due to my juicing and my IBS I have become lacking-in-fiber...

so, actually listening to my Mother's advice and admitting it, I have been taking the refuse from the juicer of the veggies and making homemade soup.  This gives me the fiber I so desperately need in my diet.

 

I am not giving up, because I believe I am strong.  I know that God has given me strength to fight this good fight and if I have to start over a million times I know that one day I will get it right!

 

I pray that all of you lovely peeps out there fighting the good fight with your illness will have the strength to do what you need to do to get through each and every day, may God strengthen you when you feel weak.

 

Much love and many blessings to you.

 

Sincerely;

 

Kelly Watts

Medication and Dental Care

(Artwork by Kelly Watts 2013)

 

So under the 'continuing adventure' of having a Chronic Illness

I have just come from a Dental Check up.

 

And have been told some interesting news...

 

First of all, I have six, Yes, SIX cavities!  I have never had six cavities before!

 

Secondly I have some paradental disease happening in the back of my mouth.

 

What does this have to do with having a Chronic Illness?

 

 

Well, apparently, these cavities and paradental disease is caused by having a dry mouth from some of the medications I am taking.

 

The hygienist had to freeze one quarter of my mouth to clean my teeth and we only finished one quarter of my cleaning.  So I am scheduled to go in

for two more visits!  Oy vay!

 

The wonderful life of living with a Chronic Illness!

 

Do any of you have teeth related issues from your illness or medication?

I would love to hear about them.  Just comment in the comment section

as I love to hear from you.

 

Hugs and blessings my Spoonie Sisters/Brothers

Kelly Watts





Lupus?

Many people suffer from Lupus and I wanted to make myself aware of what this disease is.

 

What is Lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys, and brain. Normally the body's immune system makes proteins called antibodies that protect the body against viruses, bacteria and other foreign invaders. These foreign invaders are called antigens.
In an autoimmune disorder like lupus, the immune system cannot tell the difference between foreign substances and its own cells and tissues. The immune system then makes antibodies that, simply put, attack the body itself. This causes inflammation, pain and damage to various organs.
Inflammation is considered the primary feature of lupus. Inflammation causes pain, heat, redness, swelling and loss of function, inside and/or outside the body.
For many people, lupus can be a manageable disease with relatively mild symptoms. For others, it may cause serious and even life-threatening problems.
Sometimes people with lupus experience a "flare." This occurs when some symptoms appear or get worse for short periods then disappear or get better. Even if you take medicine for lupus, you may find that there are times when the symptoms become worse. Learning to recognize that a flare is coming can help you take steps to cope with it. Many people feel very tired or have pain, a rash, a fever, stomach discomfort, headache, or dizziness just before a flare.
It’s estimated that more than 16,000 Americans develop lupus each year. More than 90 percent of people with lupus are women between the ages of 15 and 45.
In the United States, lupus is more common among African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, and Native Americans than Caucasians.

(http://www.couldihavelupus.gov/what-is-lupus.cfm?)

Symptoms vary from person to person as no two cases are alike (kind of like Fibromyalgia).

Symptoms may include:  Muscle joint pain, butterfly shaped rash on face (not everyone gets this), tips of fingers turn blue when cold, chest pain known as pleurisy, Fever greater than 100, prolonged or extreme fatigue, Anemia,
kidney problems, hair loss, Light sensitivity, abnormal blood clotting, eye disease, seizures, nose or mouth ulcers.

There are similarities to FM such as extreme fatigue, muscle and joint pain, I get chest pain Pleurisy a lot, I am anemic, I do loose a lot of hair...  I wonder if I could have Lupus?  I hope not. 

I am however getting bloodwork done tomorrow:(  I hate getting blood work!

I pray that some genius discovers a cure for both Fibromyalgia and Lupus really soon!  God please heal us!


If you would like to share more on your disease of Lupus please let me know and I can post it for you here.

(Artwork "Joy Tree" by Artist Kelly Watts 2012)

 

May you find joy through the pain today!

 

Many hugs and blessings fellow spoonies!

 

Sincerely;

 

Kelly Watts

Hot or Cold?

(Artwork by Kelly Watts 2011 Words of the Year)

 

This week I received a letter all the way from Australia from a sweet lady named Sharon.  She gave me a lovely card with a letter and made me a beautiful pair of earrings.  Thank you Sharon for your lovely gift, I appreciate it very much.

 

Her letter got me thinking... she mentioned that she was looking forward to the  cooler weather.   As for me... I never look forward to the cooler weather but long for the heat like a lizard in the desert.

 

As you might know I live in Calgary, Alberta Canada and we have had snow on the ground since the beginning of October... I have really been fighting this winter to get heat into my body.

 

We have an infrared sauna (but I do not always have the energy to hold myself up in a sitting position); I can sit in a hot bath for only so long; I have nearly worn out my 'umteenth' magic bag...

 

I need the sunshine and the heat.

 

The cold weather goes directly to my bones and they ache and ache.

 

What do you struggle with?  Hot?  or Cold?

 

What helps you?

 

The sunshine was smiling brightly today and I was in my 'happy place' in my dining room for as long as the sun shone through the window:)

I am very much looking forward to warmer weather as my trip to a warmer climate is on hold due to lack of funds with me not working:(  So sad.

 

I pray you are all having a wonderful low-pain week.  Many many blessings to you.

 

Sincerely;

 

Kelly Watts

 

 

Medication Check

(Artwork By Kelly Watts 2009)

 

What medications do all of you use?

 

What medications have you tried but have had horrible results?

 

I have been on medication since 1997.  I started on medication when my second born was well... born.  I was bedridden for 8 months due to the pregnancy shooting me some overdoses of hormones and all my joints would well... get out of joint!  I couldn't walk, I couldn't sit, I couldn't play with my firstborn on the floor anymore. 

 

That's when my depression kicked in.  When my son was born I felt NOTHING, it was like I was holding someone else's child but even then, it was less than that because I was completely numb and I LOVED BABIES!!!!

 

I had post-partum depression and was hospitalized just 8 weeks after my second child was born for three and 1/2 months. 

 

This is when I entered the medication industry and have been an avid member since 1997 (Unfortunately).

 

Medication for depression and anxiety and sleep were my starter meds coctail.

Paxil (which didn't work alone) so then added Nortriptyline.  Then atavan for the anxiety, and Chlora(Something) for sleep (a small nyquil looking gel pill)

This kept me in my bedroom for four years (literally) and Doctors called that functional???

 

Finally, in 2002 I find a Doctor who refers me to a "Mood Clinic" at the local hospital and they change up my medications being rather surprised that other Doctors just "LEFT" me as a hermet.

 

They put me on EFFEXOR (anti-depressant), Lorazepam (anti-anxiety)

small dose of Seroquel (anti-psychotic but in small dose used for sleep)

Oxazepam (anti-anxiety and used for sleep).

 

Through out my 14 year long depression these are the meds I used to help me through the depression, anxiety and sleep issues.  There were others in there but I cannot remember them.

 

I know that EFFEXOR helped me immensely and I am still on a low dose of this plus Lorazepam to calm my thoughts, Oxazepam to help with anxiety and sleep, and Immovane for sleep also.

 

For pain I am on Celebrex twice a day to help my joints.  I was on VIOXX when it was on the market but they stopped making that.  Now I am on Celebrex but their are side effects with this medication for heart problems.  I am not at risk yet but I will have to start thinking about getting off in a few years time.

 

And now I am on Cessamet, since February 26th so not quite two weeks.  It helps me sleep so well I cannot even tell you.  I have not slept this well in years and years.  I wake up in the mornings refreshed and ready for the day, my joints and FM don't usually bother me at first now whereas I used to have to stretch myself out every morning just to get out of bed.

 

I am able to accomplish a few tasks per day, whereas I wasn't accomplishing anything before.

 

Negative Side Effects:  Cloudy brain, blurry vision, dizziness, lack of motivation and sweet cravings.  I can handle the side effects if it takes my pain away or considerably.

 

I hope you find this information helpful.  If there is anything else you would like to know or if you want to share your specific stories and experiences pleas email me.

 

Sincerely;

Kelly Watts

Pain Management

 

What do you do for pain management when your pain meds just don't seem to take the edge off?

 

A few months back I went for a visit at my girlfriend Tara's house.  She had just had back surgery for a herniated disc in her lower spine.

 

During our conversation it somehow came up that she uses a TENS machine that she purchased from her physiotherapist to help her with her pain.

 

I was surprised!  I had no idea that those little machines work for pain.  Had I known years ago I would have purchased one.

 

My Tens machine cost around $150.00 I think... I love it.

Not only does it help with FM pain but it also works for my joint pain on my arms, as well as placing the pads on my abdomen to help me with Menstrual cramping pain.

 

If you do end up purchasing... beware... it is super easy to shock yourself (Not seriously but enough to hurt).  Make sure you read all the information about this machine so that you are aware of how it works.

 

For me it has allowed me to take part in some activities I wouldn't be able to normally... such as go to the malls with my family, go out for lunch after Church, sit in Church, go over to friends houses for visits.

It works as a distraction from the pain for me.

 

I wanted to share this information for you so that if it can help even just one friend suffering from their chronic illness have a little less pain... then it's all worth it!

 

Many gentle hugs to you my fellow Spoonies!

Much love.

Sincerely,

Kelly Watts

 

 

Check In With Cessamet

(Image from Google Image - Pills)

 

 

So, I am actively taking Cessamet now.  Having gone to the Doctor on Tuesday morning and filling the prescription... I have been taking it for 4 nights.

 

What am I noticing?

 

I am sleeping mostly all the way through the night!  Miracle!!!

 

Still having dizzy side effects when I do wake up in the night or in the morning.

(No problem... I can do dizzy if it helps)

 

I am not having extreme cravings for munching on bad food like I thought I might be getting.  So far anyway...

 

 

I am not sure if this has to do with Cessamet, but I have been feeling low in moods these past few days, harder to motivate myself (but I was able to push through it!)

 

When I wake up in the morning I do not feel a lot of pain... I almost have an adrenaline rush for the first hour anyway.  (I do not know how else to describe it - but I feel like I can accomplish more)

 

 

The first few days I was able to clean up the kitchen and walk on my treadmill for 30 minutes.

 

The last two days... low in energy... hurting... didn't sleep that well the night before...

 

I am hoping to see some sort of pattern emerging so that I can clearly see how this new medication is or is not working for me.

 

Again, if anyone has been on this medication before and would like to share how it worked for them, please contact me via email and you can tell me your story!

 

 

Many hugs and blessings Dear friends.

 

 

Sincerely;

Kelly Watts

Depression With a Chronic Illness

(Artwork By Kelly Watts Copyright 2012)

 

Is it really a surprise that DEPRESSION comes with having a Chronic Illness? I think I have been depressed since I was a young child, around nine years old and I have had physical pain since then also.

 

For me they have gone hand in hand.  I asked my Doctor what he thought and he looked at me as if I was bonkers!  However, all the research that I have done on this subject indicates that they do go hand in hand.

 

This is not a "SHOCKER"! moment for me:

 

It's more of "Well DUH!"

 

Living with a Chronic Illness makes your life journey much more difficult!  Everything becomes centered around your illness and I mean EVERYTHING!

I would much rather say , "Pfft, illness smill-ness!"  "It doesn't effect me!"

but I know I would be lying!

 

Everyday during the week my two teenage sons and my husband head off to either school or work.

 

I sleep in until I wake up which is usually around 9, I stare at the ceiling and monitor my body to determine what kind of day I am going to have, this usually means me monitoring my head also.  I slowly make my way to the bathroom and on the way there I stretch my body and test my mind.

 

"Where am I hurting today?

Did the medicine work? 

Did I sleep last night?

Is my head dizzy?

Can I see things clearly?

How am I feeling overall?"

 

Then I go downstairs and make my tea, shutting off all extra lights left on from my boys.  I fill the kettle with water and I monitor, "does it hurt to lift the kettle?"... "Do I have enough energy to grab the stuff for making tea?"...

Now, "Where am I going to sit where I will hurt the least?"

 

I sit in the same spot drinking my tea and reading my Bible or book every morning.  I take my medicine and vitamins.

 

Now I have to make myself a veggie juice... and I monitor myself again...

"Is it worth it?"  Okay, yes it's worth it... I have to keep this up.

I grab all the veggies out of the fridge and begin separating the amounts I need to wash and add to the juicer.

Getting all this prepared, washing veggies, juicing veggies, even drinking the juice, then washing the juicer ...

 

I have probably used up most of my energy.

 

Now I have to make it back upstairs...

 

All day long I sit, I lay down, I stretch or if I'm lucky I will walk on my treadmill for a few minutes... and I monitor my body and my mind.

 

I get out of the house once maybe twice per week if I'm lucky.

 

Does this sound depressing?  Well, to be honest with you... it darn well is depressing!

 

I have my good days and I have my bad days... some of those days are emotional moody days and some of them are bad pain days...

 

but... then there are those precious few hours where I am OKAY!  These hours are what makes it all worth while.

 

I am blessed.

I would not change a thing,

for I have my God, my Father

and He sends His angels to watch over me!

 

 

I pray that you can find that place of contentment, where you can do all you can possibly do to smile for someone, love someone, allow them to smile at you and love you back.  Allow yourself to know and feel our God who loves us so very much.

 

Sincerely Friends

 

Kelly Watts

 

 

 

 

 

Don't You Just Love Doctor Days?

(Artwork By Kelly Watts 2009)

 

Getting a handle on the pain is essential when dealing with Fibromyalgia.

That is why the Doctors tried me on so many different medications.

 

As you know, this didn't work out so well for me.

 

After experiencing all the side effects imaginable I decided I needed to get off of every pain/inflammation drug they put me on and try going natural.

 

So, I requested a new Doctor at the Chronic Pain Clinic to discuss my options.

 

It was a three hour long appointment in the most uncomfortable room available (why do they make them so uncomfortable, I mean, it's a CHRONIC PAIN clinic... HELLO????)

 

Here are my options:

 

They suggested I talk to my family Doctor in regards to getting an IUD put in.

That's a funny suggestion isn't it?

 

Well, in my case it's actually a very smart suggestion.

 

I am deeply effected by my menstrual cycle for 10 solid days per month, the pain is completely unbearable.

 

So, their suggestion... stop my menstrual flow.

 

I have never used an IUD before.  I do not know much about it.  I will have to research it with my family Doctor.

 

Stopping my menstrual flow should help me with some of the pain.

 

My only concern however, is that I may have an adverse reaction to an IUD. 

 

In the past the Doctors have tried to regulate my menstrual flow with Birth Control pills.  It turns out my body does not handle them well and instead of regulating my cycle it increased my cycle so that I bled all month long.

 

The same thing happened when a Dermatologist tried to help me with hormonal acne... he put me on water pills and it made me have my cycle 4 times during the month 5 days at a time.  Crazy.

 

So, I have much to discuss with my Doctor in these regards, more than likely he will refer me to a Gynecologyst.

 

Secondly, their next suggestion. 

 

The Doctors at the Chronic Pain Clinic discussed with me my options in regards to medications and or medicinal marijuana to fight the pain.

 

It turns out there is a pharmaceutical brand called Cessemet that is supposed to help with the pain.  I am going to discuss this with my Doctor as well.

 

The pain has been very high these past few months since going off of the Lyrica, Baclofen, Tramadol, Codeine etc...

 

Cessamet should be a viable solution for me and I am willing to give it a try.

 

I will let you know my progress as it happens.

 

Have any of you been able to successfully stop your menstrual flow or considered it?

 

Have any of you used Cessamet and experienced relief?

 

I would love to hear from you in these regards.

 

I pray for a pain free day for you.

 

Many hugs and many blessings Dear ones.

 

Kelly Watts

Oops, I Did It Again!

(Artwork by Kelly Watts 2012)

 

Yesterday was a crazy, crazy day!  I had not slept well the night before and then I had to get up early for a Doctors Appointment.

As I was driving with Hubbub downtown to the Chronic Pain Clinic I realized I had forgotten to take my morning medications.

 

Do you ever do that?  Chances are... you do.

 

When that happens to me I usually end the day in tears because of the emotional rollercoaster not taking my meds creates.

 

I am on Effexor, have been for almost 16 years.

I noticed with this medication it really makes a huge difference if I miss a dose.

I have weaned myself down to 37.5mg in the morning and 37.5mg at night.

Even with that small dose, if I miss it I know I am going to break down in the evening... I don't usually realize that I have missed the dose until the tears start flowing and then AHA! it comes to me!

 

Missing a dose was really only a small part of my day yesterday.

My Doctor's Appointment at the clinic went very well, the Doctor's were really nice, they gave us the information we had requested, let us know our options and went through all the information we needed to know.

 

The problem was in my expectations.  I always place high expectations on Doctor's appointments figuring I am going to leave the appointment with relief in hand.  Man do I ever set myself up for disappointment!

 

I do it to myself everytime!  It isn't the Doctor's fault; they are not all out to get me and make my life miserable.  They are just doing their job.  In the end it's our job to make sure we have done our research, have taken care of ourselves to the best of our abilities to help with the disease/illness we have.

 

I know they are there to help us deal with the symptoms of our illnesses.

I guess I would rather them have a "magic" button to take all the symptoms and the disease away!

 

The only one with that 'magic' button is God.  I need to lean on Him for my relief.  I need to not forget to breathe.  I need to put things into logical perspective and I need NOT to think 'worst case scenario'!

 

I have a wonderful friend who helped calm me down last night when all I could think was the worst!  Thanks Rhossana for being there for me!

 

Yes, this illness is hard, yes, it's painful.  I can do it with God who strengthens me and so can you!

 

He has a plan for our lives... Jeremiah 29:¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

 

Many hugs and blessings for your day.

 

Sincerely;

Kelly Watts

Stress and Chronic Illness

(Artwork by Kelly Watts 2012)

 

Lastnight as I was lying in bed preparing myself for sleep I began to have sharp pains in my left arm.  My Husband became worried and I am sure he thought it was a heart attack or something.  After a few minutes the pains went away... then my eldest son came in the room and wanted help preparing his Facebook birthday invitations... the pain came back.  Then my other son came in the room and was coughing... the pain worsened as I began to worry about him.

 

So, after that my husband and I prayed to God for help... my husband then knew it was stress related.  We prayed that God would show me what I was truly stressed about and that I could give it over to Him.

 

There were and are so many things... and stress = pain for me.

 

I do not mean to be this way but I think and believe that I am a chronic worrier.  Inside my brain is a little old lady sitting in a corner just worrying and worrying away (maybe if I art journal a page of what she looks like and what on earth she's so darn worried about I can finally let her go?)

 

 

^{Matthew 6:25} “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[e]?

That last question/verse... "Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"  makes me think a lot!  I would say that the majority of things I worry about are completely out of my control!

 

Will worrying about my Son's birthday party make the work of it any less? No.

 

Will worrying about my Doctor's appointment make it a pleasant experience? No. 

 

Will worrying about my husband putting his back out take his pain away? No.

 

It goes on and on and on and on...

 

Why do I worry so much?

 

Worry=Stress which = PAIN for me.

 

 

Is it that way for you too?

 

 

Let's for fun take a look at the word STRESS.

 

According to Dictionary.com this is the definition.

 

STRESS:  importance attached to a thing. 

Synonyms: significance, meaning, emphasis, consequence; weight, value, worth.

 

 

Stress is the importance WE attach to things... hmmm....

 

So when we attach importance to specific things and worry about those specific things, until those things are accomplished/achieved... we are stressed?

 

That's what I am getting from it anyway. (Just thinking while I am typing this out)...

 

STRESS tenses up our bodies, our muscles, our joints...  when this happens our bodies sieze up.

 

When that happens PAIN happens!

 

So to sum things up:

 

STRESS = PAIN

WORRY = STRESS = PAIN

 

STRESS = BAD

WORRY = BAD

PAIN = BAD

 

I'm so smart;)

 

So in all my smartness I am going to work on not being so darn STRESSED out!

 

I hope that you will join me in the effort!

 

Many hugs and many blessings fellow spoonies!

 

Sincerely;

 

Kelly Watts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are You A Spoonie?

 

 

So as most of you know I have been spending a lot of time on instagram looking at posts from individuals with FM and/or other Chronic Illnesses and I have noticed the hashtag #spoonie under a lot of their posts.  I finally asked one lovely lady (Jill) what #spoonie meant.

She told me to Google "Spoon Theory" and that brought me to Christine Miserandino's site called www.butyoudontlooksick.com

 

Here she describes how the "Spoon Theory" was born and what it meant.

Basically, she was trying to describe to her friend what it was like to have Lupus.

 

Her theory makes so much sense and it explains what life is like having any Chronic illness.  Her information is copyrighted and I do not want to post it without her permission so please go and check out her post here

 

What I learned is that I am definitely a spoonie and if anyone asks me what it's like to live life with FM and other Chronic Illnesses  I am going to go grab a bunch of spoons!!!

 

When I read this information it was an 'aha' moment for me, I hope it will be for you too!

 

Many hugs and blessings to you.

 

Sincerely

Kelly Watts

Why I Am An Artist

(Artwork by Kelly Watts 2011)

 

God has made me a creative spirit.  When I was a young child I used to watch my oldest sister drawing faces and I wanted to be just like her.

Now, she doesn't draw (I don't know why) and I can't get enough of art.

 

(Artwork by Kelly Watts 2010)

 

What does being an artist have to do with my Fibromyalgia/Depression/Anxiety/Joint issues?

 

Well... for one thing God brought me TO it so that I could heal...

then he brought me THROUGH it so that I could share the comfort He gave me to help others heal.

 

When I was in the midst of Depression and anxiety God showed me a way to relax by doodling and art journaling.  I used it to vent those deep seeded emotions that I couldn't handle.  I still use it as a coping mechanism and find it incredibly healing.

(Artwork by Kelly Watts 2012)

 

2Corinthians 1:3 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

 

Today, I use it also as a great distraction from the physical pain and sometimes as a diversion from negative thoughts.

 

Most of my artwork is made from the comfort of my bed, if not, then I am propped us in one of our recliners or on the couch.

 

Last year I had "Issues" dealing with a lady from my previous health insurance when trying to get on long term disability.  She pointed out that since I was able to create art work and blog about it I should be able to work!

 

You and I see the foolishness of that point right?  I do not think there is a job in this world available where I can work from the comfort of my bed, that does not include stress or straining my brain (brain fog).

 

Artwork is my life-line to accomplishing what God has made me to do.  It does not mean that I am not in extreme pain when I do it, or that I am able to accomplish more because I do it!  It is a blessing because it is the only thing I can do right now!

 

People without Chronic Pain have a hard time understanding that!

 

I pray that you all find or have something that can make you feel accomplished, that can be a wonderful distraction or diversion from your pain.

 

You are deeply loved and understood by me:)

 

Kelly Watts