Oops, I Did it Again!

First, I must begin with apologies! I am very late in responding to these two awards. I am very honored to receive The Disability Award from Stacey at Fighting with Fibro. I also was awarded The Blogger Recognition Award from Sadje at Keep it Alive. Both these ladies are fantastic bloggers. (Stacy and Sadje, I am very sorry for my tardy response!) Please check out these outstanding bloggers, you will not be sorry!

First, The Blogger disAbility Award! I always have to put a bit of spin on the word disAbility! Sorry, Stace! (It stems from a childhood birth trauma.)

Stacey would like the following questions answered, then choose nominees to receive the award, and develop new questions for them. Also, the award picture displayed!

OK. I got this. Here we go…

Nominee questions:

1. What was the first sign of your illness? I was a passenger in a car accident in 1998. I developed acute pain that turned chronic and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2001.
2. What is your worst symptom, and how do you cope with it? Boy, it depends on the day! I think the thing that annoys me the most is the back pain. I can deal with the fatigue, the overall pain, and all the other little pain pals that come with fibro, but the back pain really can become overwhelming.
3. What one thing about you has changed as a result of your struggles? Well, let’s see… I lost my career, my home, and my fiance. My bank account went to zero and I … oh! One thing!?!? I am a kinder person. I know myself. That is the most significant change. I have taken the time to get to know who I am and what I stand for. 
4. What words of advice or encouragement would you give to someone else suffering? Never, ever, ever give up.
5. Name one good thing that has come out of having a chronic illness? I believe I can connect with others who may be having difficulties with their illness. 
6. What one thing do you disagree with that is widely accepted as true about your condition? Exercise makes it better! It does NOT. I believe we all benefit from getting some exercise, but it is not a treatment plan for fibromyalgia!
7. If you could change only one aspect of your illness, what would it be? Other than not having it, the “invisible” part of it. It really is a son of a gun to have and to not be able to point anywhere on your body and say, “See, there it is, right there.”
8. Name the one thing that works best for you for symptom relief. Truth be told; pain pills. When I have a flare, if I am allowed to treat the pain with an opioid, (yes the “O” word) I am still able to function like a ‘normal’ person, and the flare time decreases with pain management.
9. Based on your experience, what is one thing that you would tell someone newly diagnosed with chronic illness? The first few years are undoubtedly the hardest. It does get easier. You must grieve for the person you were and welcome the person that you have become because of this illness. Take your time, grieve fully, and embrace this new person. You may even find out that you like this new you!
10. Why did you start blogging? See answer below.

I will ask my questions and nominate a few bloggers for both awards at the end of this post. Thank you again, Stacey, at Fighting with Fibro, for nominating me for this new award! Very exciting!

I must also say thank you again to Sadje at Keep it Alive! I am very late in response, but I am so appreciative of this Blogger Recognition Award. In fact, it’s one of my favorites!

Sadje’s Award Rules are as follows:

• Thank the nominator, and publish a post on your blog about receiving the Blogger Recognition Award. Make sure to provide a link to the nominator’s blog in your post.
• Give a brief story of how your blog started.
• Give two pieces of advice to new bloggers.
• Nominate 10-15 other bloggers for this award, and inform them of their nomination.

How it all started;

As most of you know, I started blogging to regain my ability to write a complete sentence. (Look at me now, you can’t shut me up!) I had gone through a succession of surgeries to remove a blockage in my pancreas caused by a biliary issue. I had seven surgeries in two years. The surgeon told me I would pay for having that much anesthesia in such a short amount of time. I did. Memory loss and an inability to write complete sentences. I got the writing back, (no smart talk, I know my writing leaves many of you in a perpetual state of awe) but I did not regain much of my memory from those two years. (Thank you brain, I really do not want to remember that hellish time.) Then I wrote a book! It is an interactive journal and is sold on Amazon.

Take a peek!

The Shadow Boxers, Fighting Fibromyalgia, Your Personal Journal

My two pieces of advice for new bloggers;

This is the fun part! I do take this very seriously.

#1. Just blog! Write and write and write. Don’t worry about stats, followers, or opinions. Write from your own experience because that is what makes you a unique blogger. Tell us about your journey!

#2. If you want others to read your blog, read other blogs!!! Don’t forget to comment. I’ve met some incredible bloggers just by following the comments and responding. That is the best part of blogging; the community! You’ll find your tribe. They will be on your side through thick and thin. I love my tribe!

 ~this much!!!

In response to these two awards, I will nominate eight bloggers who live with chronic conditions to receive both awards! But first, I need to put a little spin on one of these awards. Now you have choices. (The meme police may be nearby if anyone has bail money…?)

Pick the two award pictures you want to be displayed on your blog, and I have ten questions for the following eight nominees.

*Please remember, there is no pressure, no time limit, the awards are yours whether you post or not!

These eight are incredible individuals who blog and have to deal with chronic illness on a daily basis. I am honored to be a part of their tribe.

• Caz at Invisibly Me
• Terri at Reclaiming Hope
• Wendi at Simply Chronically Ill
• Jayne at See Jayne Run
• Jo at Storms Can Be Beautiful (Jo, these awards are yours, I know you have surgery scheduled.)
• Steve at MSich Chronicles (Are you still on break? Awards my friend, don’t stop for any of us!)
• Billy at Superman Can’t Find a Phone Booth
• Nikki at Brainless Blogger

I have 10 questions for you! I am borrowing a few questions from Stace because I loved them! (I really want to read YOUR answers!)

1. What were the first symptoms you experienced?
2. Name one good thing that has come out of your chronic illness?
3. What is one thing that is believed to be accurate about your condition that isn’t?
4. What is the worst symptom you deal with?
5. What advice would you give to someone who is newly diagnosed?
6. What is one thing you miss doing before you were diagnosed?
7. What is the one thing that you do that helps the most with your symptoms?
8. Do you find the word, “disability,” offensive?
9. Since your illness, what is the most important lesson you have learned about yourself?
10. Do you celebrate the 4th of July?

Remember to answer the questions for the Blogger Recognition Award! How did you start blogging and two pieces of advice for new bloggers?

Have fun! Again, thanks to Stace and Sadje! SO incredibly kind of each of you to nominate me for these awards!

~Kim