Fibromyalgia. Chronic fatigue. Osteoarthritis. Panic disorder. The journey to diagnoses has been fraught with physical, mental and emotional turmoil. Still, this stop was never a destination but more a milestone along the way.

Suddenly I feel as if I’ve been treading water all this time. Just floating along with my ups and downs until a definitive answer came along. Now what? Even as I ask myself the question, the answer is weighing on my mind.

I know what my symptoms are. I know which ones can be ‘treated’ and which ones I have to leave more room for. I know to be at my best is going to require a great deal of discipline and prioritizing. I can tell you that very little will be easy. If it were, I’d have stuck with it on my prior attempts.

What strikes me as funny is that all the plans I need to put in effect are little more than those recommended to anyone looking for a healthier lifestyle. I must set and stick to a sleep schedule. I must stick to nutritious, lower carb foods, eat smaller meals and drink lots of water while reducing my sugar intake and avoiding caffeine altogether. I must take my medications and supplements faithfully. I must avoid any unnecessary or excessive stress. I must find the very difficult balance between not exercising enough and overdoing it. I have to pace everything I do.

There was once a very young, very wise little locomotive pulling a heavy load up a mountain. His mantra started with the words: “I think I can…..”

GiniB.

P.S. Does anyone know where I can get a shirt that says: “I’m not lazy, I’m chronically awesome!” ???

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