earl roberts

Debra, 

                How do you work as a nurse?  Nurses see pain all the time.  When you are in constant pain and then you have to see it all the time, that is a bitter pill to swallow.  Today, while sitting in a doctor's office waiting for my appointment; I saw a woman enter the office.  The pain in her face and the way she carried herself made me feel like I was looking in a mirror.  However, when her husband entered and sat down beside her it brought it all home.  I saw the same despair and hopelessness in his eyes that I saw in my wife's eyes years ago.  We divorced after the fourth year of my endless pain.  The divorce was a good thing, it insulated the kids and my wife from what had dominated the family for too long.  It was good talking to you Debra.  I would like to know how long you have had Fibromyalgia and what therapies help you?  Earl

Earl, I have been a nurse for about 17 years now.  I love it.  I think some days it just makes a difference.  But working is only possible through a barage of pills I take.  If not for a doctor who will prescribe medicine, I would be completely disabled.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 7 years ago when my hands began to burn in torturous pain for a month.  I missed work for a month.  I was hurting everywhere and could not even get in and out of the bathtub by myself at that time.  I was afraid I had a fatal disease.  I found out about fibromyalgia when my doctor diagnosed me.  From that time forward life has never been the same again.   I have to plan all my off time to rest.  I can never plan an outing, cannot attend my daughter or sons school functions or anything.  If I am not working then I am stuck at home in pain and other miseries.  I have good days but I never really know when they will be there.

I know you have alot of challenges with your illness.  Please tell me what caused you to have to have your AKA's?  Just curious.  I try not to consider myself to be too pitiful because in many ways I am lucky. 

I am sorry I did not answer this sooner. Some of my messages are going to the spam box.

Thanks,

Debra

Hello Debra,

                 It was good to hear from you.  I am happy that you have doctors that are willing to help you deal with your pain (meds).  I have to keep this email short, as I just found out several hours ago my brother Phil was found deceased in his apartment by the Davis Police Department and I need to go to Sacramento to be with my sister Jeannie.  She was very close to Phil and needs my emtional support.  When things have settled down I will send you another email explaining what happened to my legs.  On an end note, your patients are very lucky to have you for a nurse, I can tell because of how you talk about them and their pain.  Talk to you soon,  Earl

I am so sorry to hear of the death of your brother.  How horrible.  Was it unexpected? 

Just write when you can.  I have not been on here much lately.  Been working and dealing with the fibro pain and exhaustion.  Sorry it took a while to get to your message. 

Take care,

Debra

Had to put this in two messages.  My computer is acting up.  Anyway, working with people in pain only makes me more compassionate towards them since I got ill.  I seem to have more empathy for them because I know what pain is first hand.  I try to be sure they are medicated when they need it.  I have never been one to judge folks for taking narcotic meds even before the fibro.   Some medical people do.  I never did. But now I certainly would rather medicate than not even if someone else does not believe the patient is in pain. I would rather ere on the side of humanity.

Debra

Sorry Debra, I forgot to mention where I am from; I hang my hat in Vacaville, CA; have so for the last nineteen years.  Earl