Information and opinions on health from Ellen Smith at HealthCentral.com. HealthCentral.com is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/4244/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/4244/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/4244/index http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4244/13612/entry-danlos Thu, 13 Sep 2007 16:15:00 -0400 Ellen Smith Suspended in Liquid 11/1/06 I twist, it snapsI bend, it popsI sit, it shiftsI walk, it rotatesI lay in bed and don't dare roll overI am suspended in liquid Your body has strong ligaments, tendons and musclesMy body is held together with muscles onlyYour bone structure is strong and secureMine is suspended in liquid I haven't given upI work those muscles dailyBut, I seem to be losing the battle My joints sublux... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4244/13612/entry-danlos http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4244/13556/entry-danlos Wed, 12 Sep 2007 13:49:00 -0400 Ellen Smith  Suspended in Liquid 11/1/06 I twist, it snapsI bend, it popsI sit, it shiftsI walk, it rotatesI lay in bed and don't dare roll overI am suspended in liquid Your body has strong ligaments, tendons and musclesMy body is held together with muscles onlyYour bone structure is strong and secureMine is suspended in liquid I haven't given upI work those muscles dailyBut, I seem to be losing the battle My joints sublux... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4244/13556/entry-danlos http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4244/13297/10th-hand Thu, 06 Sep 2007 20:12:00 -0400 Ellen Smith Where is that Hand? 7/18/07 I keep lookingI can see it in my mindI feel its existence in my heartBut it must be waiting for the right time The time for me is nowPlease reach out to meGive me your handGuide me into safetyTake me away from my painErase my frightened feelingsI need that comfort and welcome your help Where is that hand? http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4244/13297/10th-hand http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4244/13296/entry-9 Thu, 06 Sep 2007 20:10:00 -0400 Ellen Smith Playing Pretend 7/18/07 When I am around youI am good at playing pretendLiving with EDS has taught me thatAfter so many years of not being diagnosed and understoodThere was no choice but to put up my armor  I try not to tell you that I am scaredI try not to share the level of pain I have gainedI try not to explain how rapidly I feel this declineI try not to tell you that I wonder how many more procedures this body can takeOr how many... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4244/13296/entry-9 http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4244/13295/8th-entry Thu, 06 Sep 2007 20:08:00 -0400 Ellen Smith Remember 5/1/07 Remember whenYou could physically move betterYou could intellectually achieve moreYou could plan and dreamYou could keep up with others But remember nowAlthough life is not the same,and has turned in a new direction,Life is still with youDon't let the losses overshadow what you have Live in the present! http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4244/13295/8th-entry http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4244/13294/7th-dont-wake Thu, 06 Sep 2007 20:06:00 -0400 Ellen Smith If I don't Wake up 2/13/07  If I don't wake upIt will be okayThe sun will still shineThe rain will still fallThe seasons will keep changingNew designs and development will continue on If I don't wake upIt will be okayLife will continue onThe birds will still singThe gardens will still bloomFamilies will keep growing If I don't wake upIt will be alrightI will leave you to continue to enjoy all the gifts of... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4244/13294/7th-dont-wake http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4244/13292/6th-entry Thu, 06 Sep 2007 20:04:00 -0400 Ellen Smith The Drifter 12/27/06  I use to be a doer I use to be a fixerBut now,I am a drifter....... Gone are the plans I can count onGone are the dreams that will come to fruitionGone is the career I thrived inBecause now I am a drifter Life is still bustling around mePeople are animated, busy and on the moveTheir vacations are amazingTheir careers are bloomingAll while I am a drifter Like a breeze that passes by your faceMany... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4244/13292/6th-entry http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4244/13291/5th-time Thu, 06 Sep 2007 20:02:00 -0400 Ellen Smith Borrowed Time 11/15/06  We all use borrowed timeEach day we awakeEach step we takeEach sound we hearEach tasteEach laughEach touchIt's all on borrowed time We need to remember that each of these is a giftWe need to treasure what we have been givenWe need to find the good in our moments traveling through lifeFor, these are borrowed times we've been given Some of us will have a lot of time to borrowSome of us will have... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4244/13291/5th-time http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4244/13290/4th-stars Thu, 06 Sep 2007 20:00:00 -0400 Ellen Smith The Stars Are Aligned 11/01/06 Yes, the stars are aligned for me todayHave you ever heard of this happening?There seems to be that magical day when everything falls into placeToday, is that day for me When the stars are aligned for me,I feel energeticI feel the mind has more clarityI feel that hopes and dreams can really be seen to fruitionI feel on top of the world As I treasure this moment,I know it won't last foreverSo, I... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4244/13290/4th-stars http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4244/13288/3rd-entry Thu, 06 Sep 2007 19:58:00 -0400 Ellen Smith Your Umbrella 11/2/06 With your umbrella,You try to shield out rain, sun or even snowWith your umbrella,You make that choice to not be touched by nature's gifts for that moment Not every day is successful with your umbrellaSome days, the wind blows too strong and you are forced to feel the gustsSome days, the rain is so strong that you still get drenchedAnd, some days, the umbrella is just not working at allThen, you must deal with... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4244/13288/3rd-entry