Monty and Me and Some Red Pants
My name is Mary and I just turned 27 years old. I live in New Orleans with my dog Monty. I just started attending community college in preparation for nursing school. I’m just going to make a bulleted list of things that are a part of me and my past. Here they are in a quasi-chronological order.
I stole orange flavored tic tacs when I was 4 and my dad heard them jiggling in my osh-kosh-bgosh overalls and made me return them to the gas station.
I am the youngest of four siblings. I have two older brothers, Nick and Doug, and an older sister Amelie. They are my favorite!
I used to be an awesome gymnast then I became suddenly sick and never got better. I was diagnosed with fibromylagia/chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome at age 9.
My dad died of cancer when I was 12. He died on the toilet. No joke!
High school was terrible. I am in awe of people who loved high school.
I graduated from LSU with a degree in journalism. College fucking rocked.
My mom re-married a dude named Roger and in the middle of college, HE died suddenly. Yeah, that happened.
I studied abroad in France while in college and that was one of the best times of my life.
My mom re-married again, we’re keeping our fingers crossed…
Last year my illness really intensified and one morning I felt too weak to walk. We found a specialist in Miami who has been a miracle worker and diagnosed me with Lyme Disease among other things..but I lost my job, apartment, and boyfriend in the meantime. Major life reconstruction has begun! And now here I sit…blogging…
I am still recovering but am taking a few classes at a community college in preparation for nursing school. Community college..is…*awesome. Gooooooooooo DOLPHINS!!!
I love my dog Monty. Like a lot.
Hope you find writing to be a good outlet.
Hello Mary, my heart wants to just give you a huge but very gentle cuddle, so pretend ok? Yes it is shitty yes it does bloody hurt and yes it isn’t fair but if you can find something some little tiny thing to give you JOY focus upon that joy and be thankful for that I have found in my life with shitty fibro and the rest that it somehow makes the world a bit brighter and not OMG another day to get through. Lots of cuddles
Susie
Cairns
Australia
I have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue as well. Flares are the worst; damp weather and cold weather intensify the pain something awful. I sometimes think I’ll go insane, it gets so bad. Then there are the “fibro fogs” – those moments where even the most simple concepts seem to be some ancient, foreign language no one knows how to speak anymore, and trying to convey thoughts is more like trying to learn that weird, unheard-of language. And the chronic fatigue… Either I’m up all night and all day (and all night, and all day, and so on and so on and so on), or I’m missing a large chunk of life because even the heavy-duty toothpicks can’t keep my eyelids open. Who says we can’t multi-task, right?
I like your attitude about the challenges you have to deal with on a day-to-day basis. Staying positive and upbeat might not take the pain away, but it won’t make it worse, either. You’re an inspiration, Mary – especially because you’re dealing with these things at such a young age. Keep your chin up; you’re changing lives by sharing your life…
I love you Mary. Just found your bolg, you are a strong girl and always so upbeat. Don’t ever change for anyone.