Almost Done Prolotherapy

I haven't posted lately because it has been a tough number of months tiring to recover from Prolotherapy treatments.  I only have one more treatment left out of 12.  I am really looking forward to not going through these painful treatments.

Has Prolotherapy cured me?  Unfortunately not, but it has strengthened my joints and I am able to exercise a little bit.  More than I have in a long time.  It is a slow road to learning how to live in this body of mine.  However, I am determined to feel better no matter what so I will continue to go forward on this journey.

I have learned quite efficiently how to tape my ankles and knees to help with not over stressing the joints.  For my ankles I tape them from bone to bone around the ankle, then from the bottom of my foot upwards around my ankle bones.  This has added a great deal of support.

For my knees I tape them pulling my kneecaps towards the inside of my legs.  This too adds strength to the joints as well as calms down the pain and inflammation.  Every person is different though depending upon the degree of hypermobility, if these particular joints bother you I suggest asking your Physiotherapist if taping your joints in this manner would help you.

Praying you are very blessed and can put this information to good use.

Sincerely 

Kelly Watts

Prolotherapy - Session 5 DONE!

 

 

 

The above photo accurately depicts what it looks like to receive Prolotherapy.  The Nurse Practitioner/ or Doctor uses an Ultrasound Machine to ensure they do not hit any arteries or nerves and directly injects in between muscle and joint in your painful areas.  I am told that Naturalpaths do not use an ultrasound machine and that scares me as Eric (my nurse) has told me when he can see my arteries and nerves and without the machine how would you miss them?  So if you are going to get Prolotherapy, please ensure they use an Ultrasound.

 

Part 1 of my Prolotherapy consists of 6 sessions of injections into four areas of my body.  I have four main places he injects on my upper right spine, three on my upper left.  Then there are about six places he injects into my hip area.  Next he moves on to my left wrist then all five fingers.  Finally, my right ankle in three places.  (Apparently I win the prize for the most prolotherapy in one session before :)

 

Prolotherapy is a slow process and after five sessions (10 weeks time) I am beginning to see changes.  I have developed these bumps in my hips that are tender but feel strong and what I am feeling is the extra strength in that area, it is a good response.  My Physiotherapist told me she could feel strength in my spine that I did not have before Prolotherapy.  Also, the recovery time has changed drastically with this fifth session...

the swelling in my wrist and fingers went down within a day, where it took a whole week before.  Day 2 after session 5 I have already walked up and down the stairs 3 times and walked to and from our mailbox - before I was in bed for almost a solid two weeks until my next appointment (in other words I would just begin to feel better the day before Prolo).  My husband told me he notices my strength when Im sitting up in bed, not supported, as well as I am not trying to support my neck by holding it up by balancing my thumb on my top teeth.

 

Huge praise report to the goodnes of God`s grace and mercy.  I am so very thankful that the Lord led me to Prolotherapy.  I am feeling that I might just get my life back after so many years of being in pain.  Praise God!

 

Wishing you blessings on your healing journey.  May God lead you to your healing.

 

God bless you with much love

 

Kelly Watts

2 Session of Prolotherapy

 

 

 

 

 

Well friends I have had my second session of Prolotherapy!  Woohoo! That means only 4 more to go on the first section.

 

Prolotherapy works by building up layers around your joints to protect them and this occurs with 6 consecutive sessions (every two weeks) of injections.

 

In between I go to get IMS and an adjustment by a Physiotherapist at the Spinal clinic.

 

So far we have been able to inject at six points on my spine (3 on each side),  I think there are four points on my hips, three on my right ankle and I was brave enough for the Practitioner to do three spots on my left wrist!.  (Yes this procedure hurts A LOT, but I think it will be worth it).

 

Once we are done these pretty major points we go on to do my left ankle and my right wrist as well as both of my knees.  When it comes to ankles and wrists you only want to do one at a time because you will not be able to use them very well after treatment for about three days.  Apparently this does not become a problem with the knees.

 

How do I feel after two sessions...

 

I am exhausted but hopeful.

 

It takes time to build up layers so unfortunately I will not be able to see the benefits until after the 6th session recovery which will be 12 weeks from the first session.

 

I will keep you posted and up to date on how my healing progresses.

 

At this point I am trusting in the Lord for my healing.  I have some amazing prayer warriors that have fought many battles for my healing and Im holding on for dear life because I know the VICTORY that is coming, and I'm ready!

Praise the Lord!

 

Blessings to you my Friends.

 

Much love

 

Kelly Watts

Prolotherapy

 

Hello there friends.  I want to share with you some progress i've made in regards to fighting the Chronic Pain of having Joint Hyper Mobility with joint pain.

 

Since I was the age of 9 I have had what I thought were really bad growing pains.  My knees and wrists and fingers and toes would all ache to the point of tears.  I have dealt with that aching pain now for well over 30 years and was told that no one could help me.

 

My Doctor basically does not know what to do with me anymore, he has helped me as far as he can in regards to getting my medications to help.  He is not familiar with Hyper Mobile Joints.  On our last appointment he suggested I go to a Spinal Clinic where they specialize in chronic pain and he said hopefully they would be able to help my Hyper Mobile Joint issue too.

 

So... I go to my first appointment at the Spinal Clinic and...

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...

I meet Vicky.

Vicky who listens to me,

Vicky who understands me,

and Vicky who reads my body like an open book and knows exactly where my tender points are!

 

She immediately assessess my body and determines that I should be wearing a 'hip-belt' and (Im not kidding) the second she helped put it on my hips I felt relief!  Relief that I haven't felt in a long time.

 

She also looked at how misaligned my body was and proceeded to realign me. 

 

Then she said words that I have never heard coming from someone in the medical profession before...

 

"I can help you."

 

These words were music to my soul.

 

In this one appointment I received so much hope.

 

She told me about a medical procedure called PROLOTHERAPY.

 

 

Prolotherapy (aka Regenerative Injection Therapy – RIT), also known as ligament reconstructive therapy or sclerotherapy, is a recognized orthopedic procedure that stimulates the body's natural healing processes to strengthen joints weakened by trauma or arthritis. Joints weakened when ligaments and tendons are stretched, torn, or fragmented, become hypermobile and painful. Traditional approaches with anti-inflammatory drugs and surgery often fail to stabilize the joint and relieve pain permanently. Prolotherapy has the unique ability to directly address the cause of instability and repair the weakened sites, resulting in permanent stabilization of the joint. When precisely injected into the site of pain or injury, prolotherapy creates a mild, controlled inflammation which stimulates the body to lay down new tendon or ligament fibers, resulting in a strengthening of the weakened structure. When the joint becomes strong, pain will be relieved.

 

 

 

 

(Prolotherapy is a series of injections of local anasthetic and a form of Glucose)

 

This week I had my first Prolo session and I'm not going to lie to you, it HURT!

I was scared before hand but I had my Church praying over me that I would have strength to endure the painful procedure.

 

 

 

A friend of mine mentioned that I should use music to distract me, so as soon as I learned the basics of the procedure I asked the Nurse Practitioner if it was okay that I distract myself with music and he agreed that would be fine.

 

The Nurse injected into 15 key points, but within each point he moved around to inject further into the joints, my husband said there were probably 80 injections in all.  I was stoked that I made it through.

 

Right after the first three injections into my spine I had to lay on my back with my feet up to get rid of the nausea that came on from the painful injection, but within a minute the nausea went away and I turned over and right to it again.

 

I was so proud of myself and so thankful for the prayers and the power of God that got me through.

 

I will know how well this procedure has taken within three months as it needs to build up layers and heal itself in all the areas affected.

 

I'm praying this will be a life changer for me and will bring back some quality into my life.

 

Many blessings Friends.

 

Sincerely;

Kelly

 

 

 



Chronic Resilience

Lastnight my Hubbub came home from the Library and brought me this book called "Chronic Resilience" by Danea Horn.  The subject is something close to my heart as I am dealing with so much excess stress right now. 

 

"Sanity-Saving strategies for Women Coping with the Stress of Illness." is the description on the front cover.

 

Does that sound like something you could use?  Me too!

 

So I am working my way through this book to build up my Chronic Resilience to my Chronic Pain.

 

So far, I am on Chapter 2 and already it has changed my thinking.

 

I have been in a rut, stuck in bed, stuck in pain and not moving very much.  I haven't been motivated to even leave the house.  This book has put a spark under me and I think it will be very helpful.

 

If you can find this book, I highly recommend it.

 

 

Hugs and blessings my dear friends.

 

Sincerely and with much love

 

Kelly Watts

Camping and Weather with Chronic Pain

 

 

Well summer is here folks...

how do you enjoy the great outdoors while you have Chronic Pain?

 

What do you do?

 

I used to be able to go camping with a tent when my kids were young,

It was very uncomfortable sleeping on the ground, the cold nights

were difficult to get through.

 

So we decided to try renting a tent trailer,

still those cold nights came and my body would ache...

 

For a number of years now we have rented a trailer!

 

 

It is about the cost of $100 per day.  We rent it for a week.

 

In the trailer I can make the bed comfortable to sleep on with a memory foam topper, I can use my blankets that keep me warm.  I can use the microwave to heat up magic bags or plug in my heating pad.

It is so much more comfortable than tents or tent trailers.

 

This is the only possible way that I can camp these days and probably forever.

 

What do you do to enjoy the great outdoors?

 

Hugs and blessings everyone

 

Kelly Watts



Combatting the Pain

 

I had a phone call from a lady suffering from Fibromyalgia and she wanted to talk to me about her medications.  I am no Doctor so I could not give her medical advice... but I listened to her words.

 

She wanted to go off of her medication because of the weight gain she has been experiencing, she is on Gabapentin.

 

Why is weight gain such an issue?

 

I can tell you from first hand experience...

 

It makes you feel horrible about yourself, it makes you depressed and sad and anxious and paranoid.  In short, it makes you a very grumpy, frumpy-feeling person.  Weight gain is the last thing you need to be worrying about when you have Chronic Pain!  But, what are the alternatives?

 

So many of these medications have the wonderful side-effect (weight gain) listed within the long, long, long side-effect listings. 

 

I am no longer on medication like this.

 

I made the choice to go off of the prescribed medication (Lyrica) for the weight gain issue, but also because of the intense suicidal thoughts I was incountering.  I was being bombarded by these intrusive thoughts when only a few months earlier I was completely not depressed and functioning rather normal (mentally speaking).

 

I have a history of depression and because of my history I knew the difference between 'real' depression and depression 'caused by medication'.

 

This was definitely 'caused by medication'.  So, I went off of it.

 

I am back to the spice called Curcummin (derived from the spice Turmeric).  It costs more money, and is not covered under our insurance because it is a natural product, which makes absolutely no sense to me; wouldn't our Governments want us to be healthy and off of our addictive pharmaceutical medications?  Don't they want us to live long and prosper?  How can we do that when we are stuffing so many chemicals into our body for convenience and financial sake?  We are left with the chemicals or going broke paying for natural ways to make our bodies healthier.

 

The lady that phoned me is the perfect example... she has no income... she has severe Fibromyalgia and has no insurance.  The Government will gladly pay for her Gabapentin that makes her gain weight and feel horrible about herself but they will not pay for something like Curcummin that has zero side effects with the potential to relieve her of some of  her pain at least.

 

That is so depressing in itself!

 

What have I done to combat weight from medications?

 

One thing I did was change my diet, not only for losing weight but also to make certain I wasn't eating or drinking things that would make me have more inflammation.

I started juicing vegetables.  I started off with three veggie juices a day, and I ate whole rich foods like kalamato olives and greek yoghurt, hummus, quinoa and a lot of veggies.

I ate the occassional meat but I am not a huge meat eater.

For the past year I have been maintaining that weight loss with one veggie juice per day, and eating a diet low on inflammatory ingredients.

That helped me, maybe it will help you too.

 

I still deal with a lot of pain.  Curcummin is not a cure, it just helps combat that inflammation.

I am praying for a cure.

 

Praying also this helps you on your journey through Chronic pain.

 

Blessings

 

Kelly Watts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello Everyone

It has been these past few months that I have been recovering.  Recovering from my Hysterectomy and then recovering from a horrible chest cold/flu.

Then, recovering from a flare from the bipolar weather here in Calgary over the winter... the very... long... winter.

 

I really wanted to get away to Arizona this Spring but it is really difficult to save money on one income. 

 

Sometimes I wonder about people, what do they think about me?  I mean Im a forty something lady living life like an 80 year old lady with aches and pains rumbling over my body.  I am very self conscious when I rent a scooter at the mall and receive some pretty strange reactions.  "I am too young to need a scooter at the mall."  at least that's what I tell myself.

 

I want so much to be a normal Mother walking through the mall with her boys taking them shopping...  I want to run like the other people.

 

Its hard living this particular life as I am sure it is difficult living your life also if you are dealing with Chronic pain and suffering every day; that is why I try to remain positive.  I try to focus on the beautiful things in this life that God has made. 

 

I have created a 'sunshine shot' journal in which I have taken selfies of myself every time the sun shone and God gave me a beautiful day.  This project helped me to get through a very bad year of 2013.

 

I pray that you all can find that something special to get you through difficult painful times.

 

Many hugs and blessings dear Friends.

 

Kelly Watts

Hidden Behind but found in Surgery

So I did it!  I had my Hysterechtomy and the surgery went well.  There was only one hiccup... My OBGYN found scar tissue from Endometriosis on my left ovary and Fallopian tubes so they needed to be removed.  I found that to be rather interesting.  I have gone for numerous pelvic ultrasounds all my life for pain in my ovaries.  When I was 22 I went to an OBGYN and he determined I had Endometriosis.  He told us I probably would not be able to conceive children.  Hmmmm...

He scheduled a laporoscopy and DNC to confirm his diagnosis.  A day before surgery God nudged me to go take a pregnancy test...

I was pregnant!  

I cancelled the surgery.  The Dr. Said "good news because pregnancy cures Endometriosis! ".

So alls well then.  I went on to have two precious babies and my body cured itself by getting pregnant!  Awesome!

I still had pains in my abdomen I couldn't explain, I chalked the pains up to "monthly agitations, ovulation pains," that sort of thing.  But every now and again the pains would cross that line of bearable to unbearable and off I would go to get an ultrasound yet again showing nothing wrong.

Well, it all makes sense now!  I still had Endometriosis and it was hidden between my uterus and left ovary.  That's sneaky!

I feel blessed that it was found before it got so bad I would have lost both my ovaries and was forced into early menopause.  However, my OBGYN has calmed my fears by telling me my right ovary is strong and healthy and Endometriosis free.  I won't be forced into menopause - thank you Lord!!!

I feel blessed to have been given the 'greatest gift' of giving birth to two boys!  I don't
know what I would have done had I not been able to have my babies.  I am incredibly blessed to be a Mama! When the Doctor said the word Endometriosis things all clicked together, for once I could understand where one form of pain was bothering me all my 'adult' life... the other pains well I don't know that I will ever fully understand the 'why's' or the 'whats' etc., but for this one thing I am praying that having a hysterechtomy will take care of that 'pain' anyway! I consider myself blessed already and I haven't healed from surgery yet! Our bodies are very complex, sometimes working against us when it hides something like Endometriosis for twenty something years! All I can say is that I am 'thankful'.  Thank you God that I only had to have one ovary removed.  Thank you God that my other ovary is healthy.  Thank you God that I am now on the road to recovery. I also must thank my Church Family, they have been so generous in preparing meals and visiting and making us feel extremely loved. God bless you all.I pray for healing for you always. Kelly Watts 

I Will Not Fear

I am scheduled for a Hysterectomy at the end of the month.

 

 

Yesterday a nurse phoned me for all the pre-op questions...

she told me I should bring my photo ID and my health card,

then some comfortable pajamas, and oh ya... my WILL!

 

SAY WHAT???

 

Okay Lord, that scared me.

I was a little consumed with fear I must say.

 

Then... His peace came.

 

His gentle whisper came...

 

I know the Lord will not give me more than I can handle,

I will not fear.  I will not fear, I will not fear.

 

I WILL work on that!

 

I have come to the realization in the past couple of months just how much my body is now programmed to fear pain.

 

I hate just the thought of adding even an ounce more of pain to my body...

 

but WE ARE NOT IN CONTROL, GOD IS!

 

I WILL work on remembering this too!

 

I will not fear!  I will not fear!

 

God is my comforter, my peace and my salvation.

 

I will not fear!

 

Im praying for all of your lovely spoonies out there who KNOW exactly what I am talking about!

May you find rest when your body just cant take it anymore,

may you find comfort in your lonely times,

may you sleep and may your sleep be sweet.

 

Loving on you fellow spoonies.

 

Much love and blessings

Kelly Watts

 



IUD and Me

So, August 28th I had a procedure to insert an IUD.  (see below post for what happened).
September 29 I went into my Gynocologyst and had it removed.

The problem:  I was extremely nauseous the entire month, living on Gingerale and Gravol.  I cramped and bled, then REALLY bled the entire month.  I felt the IUD pinching me.  I was so dizzy and had black outs.  At night I would be laying down and suddenly my skin was burning up, burning behind my eyes, waves of nausea would wake me up every night... It was a horrible horrible month.

The moment she took the IUD out my nausea stopped, the pinching stopped.  It was amazing.
I bled pretty heavy for a week afterwards but it was nothing compared to when the IUD was inside.

I am now booked for a Hysterechtomy in November and I am looking forward to it.  I have sufferered with pain since my cycle first began as a teen... Add the pain of Fibromyalgia and Hyper mobile joint pain and I am so READY for my cycle to be done with!

I am praying that this will be what I need to maybe get some of my life back!

I know the IUD Mirena was not for me!  I have reacted to every type of birth control the Dr's. have put me on.  I bleed all the way through the month; Instead of helping my cycle they make it far worse.

I am so looking forward to that part of my life being over.😄

Sincerely;

Kelly Watts
(Spoonie Sister)

Chronic Illness on Local Anesthetic

 

I don't know about all of you... but my body cannot handle the pain involved with local anesthetic.

 

Two examples have come up this year for me.

 

First:  I discovered that along with my Fibromyalgia/arthritis  comes dry mouth, dry mouth equals lots of cavities.  I had six cavities that needed to be filled this year.  I had to have local anesthetic in my gums and nearly fainted and became instantly nauseous and dizzy.  I chalked this up to a bad FM day.

 

Second:  Fast forward six months and I need to go in for day surgery to have an IUD inserted.  The Gynecologist suggested sedation and told me I would not remember the procedure.  Sedation... ya no... I was fully aware and awake for the barbaric procedure.  As soon as they went to put the local into my Uterus my body decides to go into shock shaking uncontrollably and crying and screaming out in pain... hello full sedation!

They immediately put me under fully.

 

These two episodes caused me to put two-and-two together to come to the conclusion that my body does not like local anesthetic.

 

I have never had this experience before this past year.  I was just fine going to the dentist... I was just fine having surgery.

 

Now, in both cases, I am getting them to fully sedate me before I get any local anesthetic.

 

I hate that my body reacts this way to pain.  I hate that it is programmed to react to pain.  I hate that I do not know how to reprogram my body to not feel as much pain as I do.

 

My girlfriend had to go into the hospital this week due to pain of FM causing her to throw up all her food.  She couldn't get the pain under control with her normal medicines.  This got me thinking... is my body going to start rejecting the helpful medication that I am currently on?

I am not looking forward to that day coming.

 

I am still recovering from having the IUD inserted... still bleeding... still nauseous... still cramping... still in pain.

 

I need to breathe, I need to relax... I need to trust in God that He will be with me through all of the storms that come with having a Chronic Illness.

 

God, please bring me your peace that truly surpasses all understanding.  I do not know how YOU do what YOU do Lord, but I trust in you.  Please heal all my friends with Chronic Illnesses.

 

My heart hurts for the many, many people suffering from Chronic Pain.

 

No matter what it is caused from... pain hurts!

 

This week is Chronic Illness Awareness Week.

Hug someone with a Chronic Illness... send them some love.

 

Our illness might be invisible but our needs are not!

 

Hugs and many blessings to all my spoonie sisters!

 

Love Kelly Watts

When You Feel Mad at God

(Artwork by Artist Kelly Watts 2013)

 

Have you ever felt mad at God for your suffering?

 

A sweet friend of mine asked me specifically to write a post in this regard.

 

Well, I thought about it, and to be completely honest, I personally do not remember ever feeling mad at God for my suffering.

 

I think it's because of my experience during my depression.

 

God taught me what He thought about me as I continually poured myself into His word, drenching myself in His wisdom.  (Even when I was not able to physically read the Word but just hold the Word close to me... God was constantly showing me of His deep love for me).

 

Knowing that God see's me and all of His children as His treasured possession (Exodus 19:5);

Knowing that He knows me completely(Psalm 139);   

Knowing that we are made in his image (Genesis 1:27);

Knowing that He has good plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11);

Knowing that God is love (1 John 4:16)

Knowing that God is my provider (Matthew 6:31-33)

Knowing that He never leaves me nor forsakes me (Joshua 1:5)

Knowing that NOTHING can separate me from His love (Romans 8:38-39)

Knowing that God so loved His children that He gave up His Son to die for our sins (John 3:16)

Knowing that He is close to the broken hearted (Psalm 34:18)

Knowing that He is my comforter (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Knowing that God is for us, not against us (Romans 8:31)

Knowing that He is My Shepherd (Psalm 23)

Knowing that one day He will wipe away every tear (Revelations 21:3-4)

Knowing that God loves me with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3)

Knowing that...

 

In learning all these things and so much more about our God, well, how can I possibly be mad at Him for my suffering?

 

I know that my suffering is not because God hates me, He is for me, not against me!

I know that when I was broken hearted He comforted me!

I know that when I need Him He is always there for me!

I know that He hears my prayers and answers them, they may not be the answers I asked for but how can I question God? He knows what is best for me.

I know that we live in a fallen world that is not our home, how can we expect to live a life free of suffering in a place that is not even ours?  Our place is in Heaven with God, where He will wipe away every tear from our eyes.

 

God says, "In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world."  (John 16:33)

 

Our sufferings are temporary, but we do not have to endure them alone.

God is with us and He is faithful.  He hears our prayers; He comforts us; He gives us strength to fight through another day!

 

So if your angry... try not to be angry at God.  Instead, draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  If you must be angry, be angry at your illness and fight through each and every day with the strength and breath that God provides.  He is not your illness.  He is not your disease.

He is the LOVE of your life, the reason for living, the breath of life...

the streams of living water that hold goodness and mercy...

 

instead...

let those waters flow over you...

 

and let go of the bitterness and anger.

 

Allow Him to make you to lay down in green pastures...

to lead you by still waters...

to restore your soul...

Allow Him to restore your soul...

to be your Shepherd

where you will lack no good thing.

 

God is for you, not against you loved ones.

Our journey is hard but we are not alone.

 

 

Many hugs and healing blessings to you all.

With all God's love...

 

Kelly Watts

 

 

 

Trying To Be That Woman

(Artwork by artist Kelly Watts 2013)

 

"I am doing the best that I can."

 

I am so sorry it has been so long since my last post, I hadn't even realized it will be a month tomorrow.

I have been trying really hard to make it through this rainy season without losing my sanity.

 

June 25th we had a big rain storm and the rivers rose in Calgary and flooded downtown and many houses along the river banks.

Our City had a great deal of destruction to deal with damages from the flooding.

 

It was awesome to see the people of Calgary come together to volunteer to help clean up;

of coarse I couldn't be involved in that process as I can barely clean up my own house.

 

Rainy season is a horrible season for people with Chronic Illnesses.

The air is moist and the joints are inflamed!

 

I have been extremely inflamed and sore for this entire month.

 

I can't even relax when the sun is shining this year because there is so much moisture in the air.

 

Today, well today I am very irritable.  I think I am in a lot of pain and not realizing it or something because I do not remember being this irritable in a long time.

 

I am irritated by sounds lately.  My ears are sensitive.  I wear ear plugs during the day if there is a particularily annoying sound such as a lawn mower, or a jack hammer (like last week when a neighbor was redoing his driveway).  Today... well I think I will live with ear plugs even when there is no specific annoying noise because everything seems to irritate me today.

Music on my ipod annoys me!  That is so strange because I receive so much peace from my music, usually.

 

Do any of you have irritableness with noises?  I mean an extreme oversensitive kind of irritableness?

 

I am going to pray that the Lord calms my soul down... give me a 'chill-pill' Lord and help me to leave my irritibility at the foot of the cross!  Thank you and amen!

 

Praying for strength and for extra spoons for all my fellow spoonies!

 

Hugs and many blessings

Kelly Watts

 

 

 

 

A Little Trick I Learned

 

Do you suffer from neck pain, nerve pain in your neck that goes down your arms and back and up into your head.

 

I was chatting with a lady from Europe who just bought a neck brace and who was receiving a lot of pain relief from that.

 

She told me to try and wrap a scarf around my neck.

 

I was skeptical at first, I mean how can a scarf help to relieve the pain I was experiencing in my neck?

 

This morning I did it, I wrapped a hair scarf around my neck and it is working.  My neck feels supported and it is easier to hold my neck up ~ hallelujah!!!

Thank you God for bringing me to this simple little pain relieving trick.

 

Now on to better and bigger things so I don't have to worry about my neck for now.

 

Who knows, this just might work for you!

 

Hugs and many blessings everyone

 

I am praying for you.

 

Sincerely,

 

Kelly Watts

Sometimes It's Worth It!

Met a fellow 'spoonie' on Wednesday.  It was so nice to talk with someone who could fully understand the pain... we had lovely conversation and only lost train of thought about four times with each other. 

We laughed because this happens to both of us all the time!

I went knowing that I would pay for it for the next couple of days,

she went knowing this as well...

and we were both fine with that!

It was just lovely to get out of the house,

to get out of our beds and pretty ourselves

up (as much as a spoonie can)

and visit with a good friend.

I don't know about you, but when I meet another 'spoonie'

it's like getting together with a long lost friend every time.

There is always an instant connection, a relation to one another that

only another 'spoonie' can understand.

Jill was such a lovely lady and I look forward to getting together with her again.

Living with a Chronic Illness means we have to choose how we spend our time very wisely.

My time was well spent with Jill.  I felt good.  I got out of the house.

I laughed.

God is always good.

If you are reading this and it is resonating with your soul about getting out of the house, making a choice knowing that you will pay for it later...

I say do it!  Live your life and try not to let the 'illness' BE your life.

Hugs and many blessings to you.

Kelly Watts

The Graduate

 

This is my first born Joshua and he has just graduated Highschool.

I am so very proud of him.

 

I have been sick most of his life, only his first 1 and 1/2 years were not filled with me being sick.

They were some of the best years of my life!

 

I loved being a new Mama watching him grow.

Now he is taller than me!

 

His Graduation Ceremony was last Wednesday.

It was a long ceremony but I made it through.

 

Thank goodness for my TENS machine which

helps me make it through long events like this.

 

I had to get up and walk around a number of times

but I did it!

 

I watched my firstborn son walk across that stage

and accept his diploma!!!

 

I'm so very proud of you Joshua!

 

 

I hope all of you are having an amazing week.

Many hugs and blessings

 

Kelly Watts

Being Positive With A Chronic Illness

(Artwork by Artist Kelly Watts 2013)

 

So you have a Chronic Illness, your pain is through the roof, you've pretty much been through the ringers with the Doctors, and you are probably pretty depressed fighting for strength every day.

 

How do you stay positive?

 

This is a very hard question to answer.  Your first thought was probably something like, "Stay positive... pffffft... I am just trying to survive here!"

 

I fully understand.  I fight my negative thoughts every day.

 

However, what I have found to benefit me tremendously is changing my perspective...

 

For example;

I have written in journals since I was nine years old but whenever I read through them again I would get further depressed because all of my writing, venting, ranting and raving was negative.  Just reading them took me down the emotional rollercoaster re-experiencing all the bumps and hills over again.

 

So a few years back I decided to start a 'Positive Journal' and in this journal I would only write about good things.  If I experienced something bad or emotional I would try to find something positive about the situation and write about that instead.

 

This process allowed me to find the positive in bad situations, it allowed me to change my focus and change my life.  I went from being a complainer of everything to an optimistic 'cup is half full' kind of gal.

 

I am not saying that this happened overnight... this is a process.

It takes time to change how you think.

 

 

How will changing the way you think help you with your Chronic Illness?

 

Being positive allows you to focus on all the good things in your life; it will help you to see through the brain fog and the pain that you are experiencing so that you can accept the goodness that surrounds you.

 

It calms your soul so that you will not be consumed with needless worry.

 

Dealing with pain 24/7 makes it very difficult to think at all but when you are able to think clearer at least then you will be nourishing your soul with good thoughts instead of poisoning it with negative thoughts.

 

If you can think positive, or find something positive to focus on while you are dealing with your Chronic Illness you will find your strength to get through.

 

My strength comes from the Lord.

My hope is in the Lord.

 

I hope you find these tips helpful.

 

Have a wonderful week.

 

Many hugs and blessings

 

Kelly Watts