Being Single While Living In A Broken Body: No One In My Life Gets It

 I'll start off by warning ya, I'm definitely in my feels today.  There won't be any photos or inspiring or cutesy or funny memes in this post to break it up. Yes, I'm a Certified Master Life Coach.  Yes, I'm a meditation facilitator.  Yes, I'm an Emotional Intelligence Coach.  Yes, I'm a NLP Practioner.  -And YES, I'm still human.  I still ride the emotional rollercoaster that all of you also ride.  Every human being has feelings, ups, and downs.  They experience sadness and regret and remorse.  It isn't all happiness, laughter, and sunshine for anyone, me included.

Now, anyone who's followed this blog for a long time, or is a Facebook friend, knows that I am abundantly transparent in my life.  The whole premise for starting this blog was the frustration I felt the first few times I sat down and googled for help with Fibromyalgia.  Newly diagnosed all I could think about was "There is no cure, I'm going to feel like this or worse, for the rest of my entire life". Every blog I came across was all cheerleader-like with simple posts talking about how strong we are.  How we're warriors.  Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah!!!!  Noooo!!!!!  Where are the posts talking about the struggles?  The posts talking about how it was hard to pull yourself out of bed in the morning, let alone to change from pj's to regular clothes.  The posts that talk about "I had a bad pain flare, and I tried this, this, and this but it didn't work.  I DID find a little relief though by doing this, this, and this".  It made me feel so alone. It made me feel like everyone else who had this disease was navigating it so easily, and here I am fumbling around in tears, in immense pain, and with insomnia flares that last a few weeks at a time.  I didn't know a thing about blogging.  I'm a true IT dummy.  I spent hours upon hours trying to learn what HTML was.  How to enter it into a blog, etc.  So then, The Fibro Frog was born with the sole intention of putting the real raw truth out there about what it's like to live trapped in a broken, sick body.  What research is being done? I've interviewed many scientists and doctors.  They've also interviewed ME.  I wanted to educate the general public about living with chronic illnesses, and I also wanted anyone newly diagnosed & scared, to know they weren't alone.  

Those who've been around and know me, also know that I had a real "gem" of a husband.  I never knew from one day to the next, if he'd really come home after work.  Or if he really was at work. Or if I'd find another new dating profile for him .....but guys, to this day he swears he never cheated on me lol.  So, getting diagnosed with an illness I was going to have for the rest of my life, was his newest excuse to leave me.  He told me he was going to scope out some public hunting land a few hours away from us, but then disappeared without a word for 3 days, until he texted our child on day 3 (which happened to be Easter Sunday, by the way) and say that he would be there around 10pm that night to pick up his clothes.  To tell me to have them ready for him, that he was leaving me.  -I won't even get into how disgusting and cowardly it was for him to text that to our child, and not me. When he showed up, his excuse to me was that he couldn't take being with me, where I was going to be sick for the rest of my life.  He said it would cause him to have too much anxiety and that his blood pressure already always runs high.  That for his health, he had to leave me.  -But he'd met someone online.  I guess he had been talking to her for quite a while behind my back.  He left me and immediately moved in with her. -But remember you guys, ....he never cheated on me lol.  

So that was just over 12 years ago.  For just over twelve years, I've been completely single.  That means that no matter how $hitty I've felt, I've still had to figure out a way to support myself.  My bills sure didn't stop just because I was sick & single.  He had promised to pay child support, but that was just a "tell her what she wants to hear so she doesn't go get a support order against me" promise.  He paid me nothing.  NOTHING.  Until I did go get an order for child support for our two teenage children.  Then, he started the good ole job hopping to try to get out of it.  As soon as child support would catch up to him and take one or two payments, I'd get nothing again. Because he'd quit and went to a different company and it would take child support 2-3 months to catch up to him at the new place of employment.  It was absolutely disgusting.  -See, I'm sidetracking again.  My mind has just been a complete jumble today.  -Thank's fibro.  The cognitive delays have been real lately.  Trust me.  

So now, let's go back three years this past spring.  I'd really been having a lot of trouble with my hips hurting.  Especially the right one.  My mom had just had her left hip replaced.  I had just moved in with her and my dad, the day before her surgery, to be there to help her.  When I took her to a post-surgery appointment, she told her doctor about my pain.  He asked me about it and I gave him a quick rundown of fibromyalgia, and osteoarthritis, and told him my old pain management doctor had said I have bursitis in my right hip.  He ordered MRI's of both of my hips.  My appointment for the results was at the same time as my mom's next post-surgery appointment. He cheerfully slapped my images up on a machine and said "Look!  Both of your hips almost exactly mirror your moms before her surgery".  Ugh!  So, you're telling me that I need my hips replaced too.  Of course, I didn't do it at that time.

For about the past year, my left hip has hurt waaayyyy worse than my right one ever did.  I'm at the point where I sleep sitting up at my desk most nights, until 6-8am, then go lay down in my bed for a few more hours of sleep laying down.  See, I cannot lay in my bed, for longer than 4 hrs ....5 if I'm having a super great night, without waking up due to the bone aching pain of my left hip.  It's a really deep ache.  Down in the bone.  Almost like someone has driven a huge spike down into my hip bone.  For the past month, it's caused my left knee to ache pretty bad too. 

My mom and youngest daughter have both been after me about getting my hips replaced.  Can I just say how literally exhausting it is to keep trying to explain to people that you absolutely cannot afford to be off work for 6-8 weeks (per hip which they will be done separately)?  I already was having a bad day today and was in some pretty major pain.  I was standing there holding my purse and my door dash bag, ready to walk out & leave to drive to Findlay and dash when my youngest daughter and my mom started in on me.  They double-teamed me on how I need to go have the surgery.  My mom said, "I have Dr. XX's number in my phone.  Do you want me to call and make you an appointment?".  Once again, I stated that I absolutely cannot afford to not work, during the recovery of the hip replacement.  My daughter kept saying "Your health is more important. You have to put your health first".  My mom has a husband that makes sure she has what she needs and is well taken care of.  My daughter has a fiance that she lives with, that she can fall back on for money if needed.  I DO NOT HAVE THAT LUXURY!!  

I have dumped every single penny I've had, into certification courses for this new business.  Marketing.  Business cards.  Training courses.  Website hosting. Etc, etc, etc.  I have gone out on a limb, with just a hope and a prayer!  I don't have a plan B.  I don't have a safety net to catch me if I fall.  I don't have anyone that loves me and wants to help take care of me.  I have ME.  It's obvious that I can't door dash for life, because of my health.  It's what I'm doing right now though, to try to support myself until I can fully launch my new business and start obtaining clients.  It's how I get the money to pay for the certification courses, web hosting, shopping carts and marketing, and all of my day-to-day expenses that I have.  Like any human has.  

They both legit were getting mad at me, when I kept trying to explain this.  Once I get my new business going and obtain a few clients, I can go get my hips replaced because, with my new business, I'll be meeting with clients via Zoom or another online meeting platform.  It's cool because doing it this way I not only can take on clients anywhere in the entire world, but I don't have to leave my house to do so! I'll be able to work, within 2 days of having the surgery. I can easily use my laptop, while I'm in a recliner with my leg elevated lol. It's so frustrating to me, that people in my life cannot understand why I've been putting off this surgery.  Believe me, I hate being in so much pain every day.  I hate not being able to lay down in a bed at night, to go to sleep.  -I don't get good rest sitting up like that. I wake up with my forehead on my desk and a mark on my face from it lol. Like I have hip & knee pain, but I also still have my fibromyalgia pain too, folks.  It's no fun.  But when you're living in a broken body and you're single, you don't have a lot of options.  You do what you have to do.  Right now, what I have to do is to get out there & door dash so I can pay my bills and live until I get this new business officially launched and start obtaining clients.  There is no way that I have the physical stamina to go out and door dash 7 days a week, for 10-12 hrs at a time like I used to be able to do a few years ago.  If I could then yes, I'd be able to bank back a couple months worth of money for bills and living expenses.  But I just can't do that anymore.  

They were both yelling at me for going door dashing today because not only was my left hip and knee killing me, but we all had just gotten home from the grocery store, where my mom rolled the electric cart up onto my right big toe and on an angle onto my foot right between the big toe and next toe.  She didn't just roll over it though, she rolled up onto it ....I started screaming so she panicked and sat there ON my big toe before finally realizing she probably should get off of my toe and then rolled over it!!  Believe me, I cried real tears with that one lol.  But hurting or not, being single I still had to work today.  My phone bill was due before midnight tomorrow night, so I had no choice but to go to work & make the money to pay my phone bill.  

Just everything, left me extremely emotional today.  I literally would have tears rolling down my cheeks between restaurant pickups and customer drop-offs. But I did what I needed to do.  I made the money to pay my phone bill, plus just a little bit extra.  My entire point is though, if I have to dash to pay a phone bill, how in the he!! do you expect me to be able to afford to be off work for 6-8 weeks to go have my hip replaced?!  I not only live month-to-month or week-to-week right now, but I'm currently living day-by-day!!  -When I say I've sunk every penny I can into this new business, I was not lying lol.  I'm just a poor, broke, single girl. Right now, anyway.  For my life, I couldn't get them to understand that where I'm single, and where I live every single day in a broken body, I have to get this new business going.  I have to you guys.  I have to have a job that will allow me to live my life comfortably, without having to leave my house and punch a time card Monday through Friday.  My fellow Fibro Froggies understand how with a bad fibro flare, we may not be able to leave our house and we can't stand in one place for very long, nor can we stand period for very long. Just like we can't sit for very long either.  Sitting and standing have to be alternated.  If we've had an insomnia flare, we may not be able to show up at the job at 8am and punch in.  It's hard for us to bend, and to pick up heavy objects or to push or pull them.  It just physically is not in us!  I have SO many other illnesses along with fibromyalgia, too.  

So right now, I have to concentrate on getting Positive Pathways -with Amy Mullholand officially launched.  I have to door dash until I do get Positive Pathways -with Amy Mullholand launched and start obtaining clients.  Once that happens, I will have my left hip replaced.  Until then, I will never be able to get 6-8 weeks' worth of money put back, to be able to have the surgery.  I'm broke and have no one to fall back on to help me pay my bills & live.  Living in a broken body is hard even if you DO have a significant other in your life.  Being single makes it all just a little bit harder.  When you're single, even on your worse day you still have to do whatever it is that you have to do.  You don't have any help.  You grit your teeth and do it, even though tears may fall down your cheeks while you're doing it.  You just push through anyway, because you don't have any other options but to push through and do it!

This has been a really long vent story about how badly I wish people that aren't living in broken bodies and are not single, would understand that there isn't anything that comes "easy" for me.  I don't have the luxury of not going out and working even in a flare if I have a bill due.  I especially don't have the luxury of being able to have surgery when I need it, if I don't find a better way to support myself.  I'd almost kill to be able to buy a new bed and see if that allowed me to sleep in a bed again (mines over a decade old), or to rent a hotel room with a jacuzzi in it, to help ease the aches of my bones and muscles, but if I can't do that even, how in the he!! do you think I can take off 6-8 weeks?  I just can't, until I get the business going. It's impossible right now & they just can't understand that!  It's frustrating! I think part of what emotionally was hurting me today, was the fact that every time I was refuting a statement my daughter was making, by saying "When I get the new business going, I'll be able to have the surgeries because I'll be able to still work!  I can meet with my client in my BED even if I really have to.  That's the beauty of online appointments" she would act like that was never going to happen.  She absolutely didn't come out & say that my business would never succeed, but it's the impression that she left with me.  Even just typing that sentence has once again made my eyes well up with tears. I don't go down easily, and she knows that!  I didn't know how to blog and literally jumped up & down when I hit 50 followers. When I hit 500, I literally cried.  Let's fast forward to 17,000 followers, and after FB weeded out old, inactive profiles recently, I still have just under 16,000.  I won awards for having a top blog from reputable places such as Healthline (from them, 5 or 6 years in a ROW!), I've been interviewed by CNN and Everyday Health's Dr. Sanjay Gupta. I was asked to be a contributing author to many online health & wellness magazines.  I was asked to be a contributing editor for a book on Fibromyalgia and to write a blurb that's on the back of the book.  I've been quoted in Teen Vogue and Allure Magazines, in articles about Lady Gaga having fibro.  I was on a TV show, on TLC.  She knows that my entire LIFE, I'm the person everyone has come to for advice and help.  She knows that MANY people within both the Chronic Illness AND the LGBTQIA+ communities have sought me out online, for help, advice, and just a listening ear.  She knows that I'm a HUGE empath and that I've always helped anyone and everyone I could.  -Yet she doubts me that I will make this new business succeed?  That honestly really hurts me.  I don't think my mom really believes I'll make it a success either.  I don't go down easily and without a fight though, trust me.  This new business WILL succeed.  I can look back and the signs have ALWAYS been there. I just was too blind (or stubborn lol) to see it though and kept taking the wrong path.  Every single indication that THIS is what I'm supposed to do with my life, is there.  A new venture though, takes time and money for anyone.  When you're single and your only income is door dashing, it takes even longer.  But I WILL eventually get there, folks.  And when I do, I'll have a brand new mattress delivered the morning before my surgery to have a nice comfy bed to recuperate in, I'll spend the night before the surgery in a hotel room with a jacuzzi suite in it, I'll get my dang surgery that everyone keeps yelling at me to get.  Then when I come home from being in the hospital a couple of days, I will get my laptop, prop myself up in my new comfy bed, and resume meeting with my clients.  -Like the old movie quote says: "Built it and they will come".  I started this blog with that quote in mind. I started my food trailer business with that quote in mind (btw a big HUGE F-YOU to Covid for sinking that business for me), and I'm starting Positive Pathways -with Amy Mullholand with once again, that quote in mind.  I WILL make it successful.  Just watch me!

Finding Relief: How A Life Coach Can Help With Chronic Pain

 How Can A Life Coach Help With Chronic Pain?

 

Today, I'm going to talk to you a little bit about why I became a Certified Meditation Facilitator & Coach, NLP Practioner, Emotional Intelligence Coach, Life Purpose Coach, Business Coach, Coming Out Specialist, Goal Setting Coach, etc etc to lead to an overall Master Life Coach Certification.  Those who are new here, may not realize that I myself, have struggled with many, many chronic pain conditions.  Like a lot of you, I desperately kept searching, and reading, and analyzing searching for answers.  Well, after working with a world-renouned Rheumatologist at The Cleveland Clinic ….there are no answers.  No answers for a cure.  No answers for a concrete universal treatment plan, that works for everyone.  But what I DID learn, is that if I found the right mixture of techniques to use, I could retrain my brain, and be able to actually live again.  Do I still deal with chronic pain and fatigue daily?  YES.  I do.  But, I now use the techniques I learned becoming a certified master life coach, and I can function again.

 

Anybody can learn the techniques that I learned.  I did it without the help of a life coach.  When I saw that it wasn't just some "touted BS" I honestly was in disbelief!  I knew, that  I had to come up with the money to take as many classes as I could, so that I could help others too.  My blog, at it's core, is still what I intended it to be when I first started it.  A blog trying to educate the public about what it's really like to live with Fibromyalgia, and other chronic pain and fatigue illnesses, so that hopefully that would lead to more research money, to try to find a cure for fibromyalgia, or at the very least, a solid concrete universal treatment plan that helps everyone, not just some as current medications do.  While studying and learning, it would've been so much easier if I had a life coach myself.  Someone who truly understands what it's like to live under debilitating pain and fatigue.  Someone who could hold me accountable.  Someone to help me rewire this brain of mine.  Someone who could help me explain to my family and friends how I really feel and what it's really like to live in this broken, sick, body of mine (and yours!).  Someone that could teach me techniques to help my anxiety levels.  -Because every time I make a promise that I'll go somewhere or do something, I immediately would get anxious. I'd worry non-stop if I'd be able to have the energy to literally force myself to show at the event.  Then someone to help me with the depression I would feel, if I just couldn't  force myself to do whatever it was that I was supposed to do.  I also have taken classes, and researched to put together a seminar that is aimed towards corporations.  It's an EQ (Emotional Intelligence) course that will help company leads learn how to deal with their employees, and specifically those that suffer from chronic pain and fatigue illnesses.  Research has shown that companies who have their top leads trained in EQ, significantly lower their turn over rate!  Plus, it helps those of us who DO live with these conditions.  I'm trying, on every avenue possible, to improve our quality of life.  We deserve to have a life, just as anyone else does.  We just may have to go about it in a different way.

I'm blessed, that over the course of the past 12 years, I've been able to help so many people!! Hundreds upon hundreds of people would seek me out, and DM me thanking me.  It truly humbled me, as I started off 12 years ago, just wanting a little corner in the big ole cyberspace world to vent!  Every blog I'd find, would just be a "rah-rah we've got this, we're warriors" type of cheerleading blog.  I didn't want that!  It literally left  me sitting at my desk in tears when I first was diagnosed and found all of those other blogs.  With tears streaming down my face I said "Why?  No, this is all wrong.  We don't have this.  We don't have a cure.  We don't have a universal treatment plan.  It's HARD to get out of bed and dressed each day. It's hard to force myself to shower, let alone attend a big event.  This is BS!  If people think it's so easy they aren't going to be as inclined to donate for research.  People need to know the truth about what it's like to live with chronic illnesses".  Therefore, The Fibro Frog was born.  Even though I wanted to educate and advocate, I honestly didn't think anyone would ever even see or find my blog.  When I hit 50 followers I couldn't believe it.  I remember the day I woke up and saw I had 100 followers.  I literally was calling my parents, my kids, everyone I knew I was so excited lol.  Fast forward to today, and the blogs FB page is now just under 16,000 followers since FB went through and deleted inactive profiles.  That's ok though, we don't want inactive profiles anyway.  We want people who are active and excited to meet others that suffer with what they do.  We want people who are just as passionate about educating and advocating for a cure or solid treatment plan, as I am.  We want people who are willing to talk to others AND listen to others, to allow them to vent.  In other words, we want one big supportive family of chronic illness people! 

TYPO I didn't notice until RIGHT NOW lol.  DM me on FB at: facebook.com/Amymullholand70  I forgot the 0 I guess lol.

 

I'm going to tell you now, some of what a life coach can do for you, if you have a chronic illness.

 

A life coach can be a valuable support system for individuals dealing with chronic pain. While life coaches are not medical professionals and cannot provide medical advice or treatment, they can offer guidance and assistance in managing the emotional and practical aspects of living with chronic pain. Here are some ways in which a life coach can help:

 

1. Emotional support: Chronic pain can take a toll on a person's emotional well-being. A life coach can provide a safe space for individuals to express their feelings, frustrations, and fears related to their pain. They can offer empathy, active listening, and emotional support to help clients navigate the emotional challenges associated with chronic pain.

2. Goal setting and motivation: Chronic pain can make setting and achieving goals challenging. A life coach can work with individuals to set realistic and achievable goals related to their overall well-being, such as improving daily functioning, managing stress, maintaining relationships, or pursuing hobbies and interests. The coach can provide motivation, accountability, and guidance to help clients take consistent steps toward their goals.

 3. Developing coping strategies: Chronic pain often requires individuals to develop effective coping strategies. A life coach can help clients explore and identify coping mechanisms that work for them. They can provide tools and techniques to manage pain, such as relaxation exercises, breathing techniques, mindfulness practices, and stress reduction strategies. In my packages, I also offer the use of guided meditation, NLP techniques such as anchoring, CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) techniques, journaling, positive affirmations, vision boards, manifestation, and more.

4. Lifestyle adjustments: Chronic pain may require adjustments to daily routines, habits, and lifestyle choices. A life coach can assist individuals in identifying areas where modifications can be made to accommodate their pain. This may include developing strategies for pacing activities, prioritizing self-care, incorporating stress management techniques, and making necessary adaptations to work or social environments.

5. Communication and advocacy: Communicating about chronic pain can be challenging, especially when it comes to family, friends, employers, or healthcare providers. A life coach can help clients improve their communication skills and provide guidance on how to effectively express their needs, boundaries, and limitations. They can also assist individuals in becoming effective self-advocates within the healthcare system, helping them navigate medical appointments, ask relevant questions, and seek appropriate support and resources.

6. Holistic well-being: A life coach can take a holistic approach to well-being, considering various aspects of a person's life affected by chronic pain. They can explore areas such as nutrition, sleep, exercise, self-care, and social connections, providing guidance on how to optimize these areas to improve overall well-being.

Remember, while a life coach can provide valuable support, they are not a substitute for medical professionals. It's important to work with a multidisciplinary team that may include doctors, pain specialists, therapists, and other healthcare providers to address chronic pain's medical and physical aspects. The old saying "It takes a village" isn't just true when it comes to raising children. When we're trapped in these bodies of ours, I cannot stress enough how important a multidisciplinary team is! In the beginning, it seems like a lot of work. -And it really IS a lot of work. But it is SO worth it in the end when you're able to start truly LIVING again!!

 

Anyone Can Say They're A Life Coach, How Do You Make Sure They Really Have Had Training?

 

Unfortunately, there are NOT strict regulations on being a life coach.  Anyone, yes anyone, can "say" they're a life coach.  No law will stop them!  I could've just said …..Hmm, "life coaching" is what I've basically been doing for all of these years anyway, so I'll just say I'm now a life coach and start taking people's money.  I didn't want that!  If I was going to "say" I was a life coach, I was really going to "BE" a life coach.  I've sunk every penny I could get, into certification classes.  Since there aren't any laws in the U.S. governing life coaches though, here's some tips on finding one that really IS a life coach.

 

 

Validating the training and qualifications of a life coach is essential to ensure you're working with someone who has the necessary skills and expertise.

 

1. Research their background: Start by researching the life coach's background and qualifications. Look for their website, online profiles, or any other information available. They may provide details about their training, certifications, education, and professional affiliations.

2. Ask for credentials: Reach out to the life coach directly and ask about their credentials. Inquire about their specific training programs, certifications, or any relevant qualifications they hold. Legitimate life coaches are typically open to discussing their backgrounds and will provide you with the necessary information.

3. Request references: Ask the life coach for references from previous clients or colleagues who can vouch for their training and expertise. Reach out to these references and ask about their experience working with the coach, the effectiveness of the coaching, and any other relevant details.

 4. Review testimonials and reviews: Look for testimonials or reviews from previous clients. These can often be found on the life coach's website, social media profiles, or other online platforms. While testimonials should be taken with a grain of salt, they can provide some insight into the coach's credibility and effectiveness.

 5. Conduct an interview: If you're still uncertain about a life coach's training, qualifications, or approach, request an initial consultation or interview. This will allow you to ask questions about their background, training, methodology, and experience directly. Pay attention to their responses and assess whether they instill confidence and trust in their abilities.

Remember that while these steps can help you validate a life coach's training, it's also essential to trust your instincts and evaluate how comfortable you feel working with them. A good fit between you and the life coach is crucial for a successful coaching relationship.  The compliment I hear the most is, "Amy, you're just so easy to talk to. I don't know what it is about you, but you just draw people to you".   Make sure you feel THAT way, about any coach you choose to work with.

 

I've also always had a lot of friends from within the LGBTQIA+ community, and even have a man that I consider a son, that's gay.  I've had SO MANY people from within the LGBTQIA+ community that has sought me out, just needing someone to hold their hand and give them some techniques to use, when they come out.  I've had men aged 30-50 find me on FB, that were struggling with gender identity and/or gender dysphoria.  Throughout the life of the blog, I've mentioned how high the suicide rate is within the chronic pain community ….it's just as high, if not higher in the LGBTQIA+ community and this absolutely breaks my heart.  After I was on the tv show Dragnificent, on TLC, I had more and more DM's from people within the LGBTQIA+ community.  As a life coach, I'm capable and equipped to help anyone.  My passion though, will always lie within the chronic illness and LGBTQIA+ communities. 

 

IF anyone feels suicidal though, please don't seek ME out.  Please call 911, a suicide hotline, or go to your nearest emergency room for immediate help.  I say this, because unfortunately twice now someone has contacted me out of the blue only for them to message me again a few weeks later and tell me "Thank you, you literally saved my life.  When I first contacted you I was thinking about just killing myself".  That my friends, scared the living crap out of me lol.  I'm NOT a psychologist or psychiatrist, or someone trained specifically to help those that are in crisis mode contemplating suicide.  But if that IS YOU, PLEASE seek immediate help from someone trained in that specific area. 

As always my friends, Never Give Up HOPE! -Without HOPE, you don't have anything! I TRULY live my life by this motto!

 

How Guided Meditation Can Help with Chronic Pain

I DO Have A Typo On This Graphic.  The correct FB address is:  facebook.com/Amymullholand70

Today, I Want To Talk To You A Little Bit About Guided Meditation

Living with chronic pain can be debilitating, affecting all areas of life from work to relationships. For those who experience it, chronic pain can be a constant struggle, leading to feelings of frustration and hopelessness. Fortunately, there are ways to manage chronic pain, and one option that has gained popularity in recent years is guided meditation. Guided meditation can be a powerful tool in managing chronic pain, helping individuals to find relief, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.

In this article, we'll explore how guided meditation can help with chronic pain, and provide tips and resources to help you get started.

Understanding Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a complex condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is defined as pain that persists for more than 12 weeks, beyond the normal healing time for an injury or illness. Chronic pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, illness, or ongoing health conditions such as arthritis or fibromyalgia.

Chronic pain can manifest in many different ways, from constant aches and pains to sharp, shooting sensations. It can be difficult to describe and often varies in intensity from day to day. Chronic pain can also significantly impact mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and other emotional issues.

The Benefits of Guided Meditation

Guided meditation is a form of meditation that involves listening to an instructor or recorded voice who guides you through a specific meditation practice. It is a popular form of meditation, particularly for beginners, as it provides structure and support.

Guided meditation has many benefits, including:

• Reducing stress and anxiety

• Improving sleep quality

• Increasing feelings of relaxation and calm

• Reducing symptoms of depression

• Improving overall wellbeing

Types of Guided Meditation

There are many different types of guided meditation, each with their own focus and intention. Some of the most common types of guided meditation include:

• Body scan meditation: a practice that involves focusing on each part of the body, from head to toe, and noticing any sensations or feelings that arise.

• Loving-kindness meditation: a practice that involves cultivating feelings of love, kindness, and compassion towards oneself and others.

• Visualization meditation: a practice that involves creating a mental image or scenario, such as a peaceful beach or a calming forest, and focusing on that image to promote relaxation.

• Breathing meditation: a practice that involves focusing on the breath and using it as a tool to calm the mind and body.

How Guided Meditation Helps with Chronic Pain

Guided meditation can be a powerful tool in managing chronic pain. By focusing the mind on the present moment, guided meditation can help to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress, which can exacerbate pain. Guided meditation can also help reduce pain perception, allowing individuals to better cope with their symptoms.

Studies have shown that guided meditation can be effective in reducing chronic pain. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Pain Research found that mindfulness meditation, a type of guided meditation, was effective in reducing pain intensity and pain-related distress in individuals with chronic pain. Another study published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine found that guided meditation was effective in reducing pain intensity and improving mood in individuals with fibromyalgia.

I cannot begin to tell you how much it's helped ME since I started using guided meditation. It's been a significant help for my pain levels and my overall mental health as welll!

Guided Meditation Techniques for Chronic Pain

If you are interested in using guided meditation to manage chronic pain, there are a few techniques that may be particularly helpful:

• Body scan meditation: This technique can be particularly helpful for those with chronic pain, as it allows individuals to focus on each part of the body and notice any sensations or feelings that arise. By bringing awareness to the body, individuals can better understand their pain and learn to manage it more effectively.

• Breathing meditation: This technique can be helpful in reducing stress and anxiety, which can exacerbate pain. By focusing on their breathing, individuals can calm their minds and promote relaxation.

• Visualization meditation: This technique can be helpful in reducing pain perception by promoting relaxation and shifting attention away from the source of the pain. Imagining a peaceful scene or scenario can help to reduce stress and promote feelings of calm.

• There are many more meditation techniques out there, but I'm just dropping these here for you now to help get you started on your OWN research!

Guided Meditation Apps and Resources

There are many guided meditation apps and resources available online that can help you get started with using guided meditation. I am also available! I'm a Certified Meditation Coach and Facilitator. I can work with you one on one via Zoom meetings. In the near future, I will be offering GROUP sign-ups for a one-session guided group meditation. When I host group sessions, it's a good way for you to see that you aren't alone. We know other people hurt too, in the back of our minds. But when you're in a flare, it's easy to lose sight of that and start feeling as if no one else could ever understand. With a group session, you can see and talk to other people in your exact same spot. You can also hear just how much-guided meditation is helping, by chatting in the group with people who have experienced the help of guided meditation!

You can reach out to me to book your personal guided meditation session by DM'ing me on IG @Amymullholand or on FB: facebook.com/Amymullholand70

Additional Ways to Manage Chronic Pain

While guided meditation can be an effective tool in managing chronic pain, it is important to explore other treatment options as well. Some additional ways to manage chronic pain include:

• Physical therapy

• Acupuncture

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy

• Medication

• Exercise

• As an NLP Practioner, I incorporate CBT techniques along with NLP practices to help control chronic pain and flare-ups. If you're interested in my services as an NLP Practioner don't hesitate to reach out to me!

Success Stories: Real People Who Found Relief Through Guided Meditation

There are many stories of individuals who have found relief from chronic pain through guided meditation. One such story is that of Sarah, a woman who had been dealing with chronic pain for years. After trying various medications and treatments with little success, Sarah decided to try guided meditation. She began practicing daily, using a body scan meditation technique, and noticed a significant reduction in her pain levels. She also found that her overall mood and well-being improved.

Another success story comes from John, a man who had been dealing with chronic pain due to a back injury. John had tried various treatments, including medication and physical therapy, but had not found relief. After starting a daily guided meditation practice, John noticed a significant reduction in his pain levels and an improvement in his overall mood and well-being.

My Closing Thoughts

Guided meditation can be a powerful tool in managing chronic pain, helping individuals to find relief, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. By incorporating guided meditation into your pain management plan, you can take a proactive approach to manage your symptoms and improving your quality of life. Whether you are new to meditation or an experienced practitioner, there are many resources available to help you get started.

I have personally been down the road of doctor and specialist after doctor and specialist. Prescription drug that didn't work after prescription drug that didn't work. I finally started really looking into alternative therapies. I read and researched. Even though I had heard of CBT techniques for chronic pain ...and even attempted to apply a CBT technique to my life that I ran across in a magazine article, I didn't do it right. It didn't help. I wasn't fully vested at the time in making sure I was doing it right. Seeking help. After doing my due diligence and really researching everything, reading one trial after another, I started applying multiple alternative therapies to my life. I was shocked at how much they actually helped me! -Relieved, but truly shocked lol. That is when I KNEW, beyond a doubt, that I was supposed to learn as much as I could and gain certifications in these fields so that I'd be able to help so many more people than I already have through the years. This was just the next logical step for me to take, building upon my blog and my burning desire to help other people!

I'm closing out now, hoping that if you haven't given alternative therapies such as guided meditation, NLP practices, CBT techniques, etc a try that you will now be open to it! Even if you have tried it in the past without successful results, give it a try again! My youngest daughter, who's 27 now, had tried guided meditation a few years ago for her anxiety and it didn't help right off the bat, so she gave up on it. She went back to it a few months ago and now she can't go a single day without listening to a guided meditation. Usually, she does one a couple of times a day. Not only has it relieved her anxiety, but it's also helped her insomnia a ton, too! She keeps saying how grateful she is that she gave guided meditation another try lol.  

Addiction Vs Dependency In Chronic Pain Patients

 

Can Dependency Turn Into Addiction for Chronic Pain Patients?

The most viewed blog post I ever did was about how easy it is to become addicted to opiods, when one suffers from a chronic pain illness.  How my friend Brenda, who I met due to this blog of mine, was an addict and didn't reach out for help.  Unfortunately, Brenda's son walked into her home one day, to find her dead from an accidental overdose.  All Brenda was trying to do, was to find a little relief from the pain she suffered from 24/7, just like I do. Just like a whole lot of us do.  As a person who is in pain daily, I get the want for pain relief.  Even if it isn't totally gone, just a reduction in pain would be very welcomed most days.  Brenda wasn't trying to feel high, nor did she want to die.  She just wanted to live.  Which it's hard to truly live when you're faced with chronic pain 24hrs a day, 7 days a week.  Chronic pain can affect every aspect of life, from how you sleep to how you interact with people. For many people, managing this pain involves taking some form of medication. But, as with any medication, there’s the potential for dependency and even addiction. So what does this mean for chronic pain patients?  I'm not going super indepth with this blog post, but I want to make people aware of what the difference is, between dependency and addiction.  With chronic pain patients, it's a real thin line sometimes.

What is Dependency?

Dependency is when a person relies too heavily on a medication. They may need higher and higher doses to get the same effect or may develop a tolerance to the drug. Dependency can lead to addiction, but it’s important to note that the two are not the same. Addiction is more than just a reliance on a drug, it’s a compulsive behavior that can be hard to break.

Dependency is a serious concern for chronic pain patients. Many of the medications used to manage pain are highly addictive, and it’s easy to develop a dependency on them. Over time, this can lead to an addiction if the person is not careful.  This right here, is what happened to my beautiful Brenda and to many other chronic pain patients.

Risk Factors for Addiction in Chronic Pain Patients

There are certain risk factors for addiction in people with chronic pain. These include depression, anxiety, family history of addiction, a history of substance abuse, and a lack of support. People who are struggling with addiction are also more likely to develop a dependency on pain medications.

It’s important for chronic pain patients to be aware of these risk factors and talk to their doctor about them. Being open and honest about any concerns can help to prevent the development of an addiction. 

Signs of Addiction in Chronic Pain Patients

Chronic pain patients should be aware of the signs of addiction. These include cravings for the drug, an inability to stop taking it, and withdrawal symptoms when not taking it. Other signs include an increase in dosage or frequency of use, as well as an inability to control the amount taken. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

It’s also important to be aware of the signs of addiction in friends and family members. If someone you know is struggling with addiction, it’s important to get them help as soon as possible.  They may not even realize themselves that they've crossed that line from dependency to addiction so if you point out to them, their first reaction may not be accepting.  Please though, if you recognize concerning behaviors in someone you know or love, even if they're not receptive to you speaking up please speak up anyway and don't stop until they've been evaluated by a professional.  Their life very well may depend on this!

Preventing Addiction in Chronic Pain Patients

The best way to prevent addiction in chronic pain patients is to be aware of the risk factors and signs of addiction. It’s also important to talk to your doctor about any concerns and to follow their advice. If you’re prescribed a pain medication, be sure to take it as prescribed and to not increase the dosage without consulting your doctor. I know first hand how easy it is once you've built up tolerance to a drug to think "Oh I'll just take one more.  Just one more, will give me a little relief and let me get through this day".  Please, understand it doesn't work that way. Please don't ever take "just one more" without talking to your physician first.  

It’s also important to have a strong support system. Having friends and family to talk to can help to prevent addiction and to manage pain. Exercise and other activities can also help to manage pain in a healthy way.  There really are so many other things you can add into your daily routine, that by themselves alone or in conjunction with prescription meds, can help you cope with your daily pain and help to give you a quality of life back again.  Some of these things I had read about when I was newly diagnosed and thought "no way in HE!!" would that make my pain go away or help me at all.  Whelp, I truly was just uneducated.  I wanted that one magic little pill that I could swallow and it would cure me or at least make my life tolerable again.  I was looking at this stuff all wrong.  I had no idea how powerful of a tool, the mind truly is.  Once I finally stopped being a stubborn mule and gave alternative therapies a try, I knew this was the path I was supposed to take. Not only to help myself, but to be able to help others as well!  My entire life, I've always been that friend everyone would go to with their problems. I was always that friend, that would give the shirt off their back, to help someone else.  Obviously it should've been a no-brainer for me, that helping others with chronic illness is what I was supposed to do with my life.  I believe there's a "why' for everything.  I believe this is the answser to the "why me" question I asked a million times after my diagnosis.  I had to live it and experience it, so that I could help others.  

Dependency and addiction are serious concerns for chronic pain patients. It’s important for patients to be aware of the risk factors and signs of addiction, and to talk to their doctor about any concerns. If you're timid about talking to your doctor straight off, talk to a friend.  If you're timid about talking to a friend about your concerns, call a hotline where they don't know you.  Just make sure you reach out to someone! -Anyone!  Taking the medication as prescribed and having a strong support system can help to prevent addiction and manage pain in a healthy way.

This is a photo of my beautiful Brenda.  Oh how my heart still hurts, losing her.

I'm going to leave you all with the link to my original post about the dangers of taking prescription pain killers.  The story of my poor friend, Brendam, and how she didn't want to die.  You can access that original post by CLICKING HERE

No matter what you're going through, or whatever you're facing what's the  motto here?  Never Give Up HOPE.  Because without HOPE, you don't have anything!  I'm sending gentle butterfly hugs to all of you! -Remember you can reach out to ME via a comment on this blog, On IG, Twitter, this blog's FB Page, Pinterest, or on my Professional FB Page

Let's work together to build a better you!! 

Did You Know That Fibromyalgia Weakens The Immune System?

How Fibromyalgia Weakens the Immune System

If you have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, you know that the pain and fatigue associated with the condition can be overwhelming. However, did you know that Fibromyalgia can also weaken your immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to illnesses and infections? In this blog post, we'll explore how Fibromyalgia impacts your immune system and what you can do to protect yourself.

What is Fibromyalgia?

Most of you reading this, already know what Fibromyalgia is.  Most of you that's reading this, live with fibro.  For those that are new to the word, or new to the diagnosis though, I'm going to add just a few little facts.  

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes chronic pain and fatigue. It is estimated that about 10 million people in the United States are living with Fibromyalgia, the majority of them being women. Fibromyalgia is often associated with depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. It is also linked to sleep disturbances .....oh, don't even get me started on THAT little comorbidity of fibro.  It's my biggest monster that I face with my fibro lol .... headaches, cognitive memory delays (commonly referrred to as "fibro fog") and other physical problems.

Fibromyalgia is a complex condition, and the exact cause is unknown. It is thought to be related to a misfiring of the central nervous system, which can lead to heightened sensitivity to pain, fatigue, and other symptoms.  All of the "unknowns" about Fibromyalgia, is what pushes me to read, research, and ADVOCATE for more research.  WE deserve answers.  WE deserve a cure.  WE deserve at the very least, a concrete universal treatment plan, that works for everyone!  

Now that we have that all out of the way, let's move on and talk about Fibro and the immune system.  

How Fibromyalgia Affects the Immune System

Fibromyalgia can weaken your immune system in several ways. One is that it can lead to an imbalance in the body's hormones, which can cause a weakened immune system. Additionally, people with Fibromyalgia often experience depression, anxiety, and stress, which can further weaken the immune system. Finally, the chronic fatigue associated with Fibromyalgia can make it difficult to get enough sleep, which is essential for a healthy immune system.

This weakened immune system can leave people with Fibromyalgia more vulnerable to illnesses and infections. People with Fibromyalgia may find themselves coming down with colds and other illnesses more often than other people and may also find that their symptoms last longer.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

While Fibromyalgia can weaken your immune system, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. First and foremost, it's important to get enough sleep. This can be difficult for people with Fibromyalgia, but try to stick to a regular sleep schedule and make sure you're getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night. It's also important to eat a healthy, balanced diet and get regular exercise.

In addition, there are some supplements that may help to boost your immunity, such as Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and probiotics. Finally, if your doctor recommends it, you may want to consider taking an immune-boosting medication to help protect your body from illnesses and infections.

Takeaway

Fibromyalgia can weaken your immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to illnesses and infections. However, there are steps you can take to protect yourself, such as getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and taking immune-boosting supplements. With the right care and self-management, you can help keep your immune system strong and protect yourself from illnesses.

It's been a long 12 years for me since I was first diagnosed, and I can still clearly remember how scared I was.  Then how sad I was.  Then how angry I was.  I can almost even still "feel" my heart racing not understanding how I could have something there wasn't a cure for.  Something that they didn't even have a solid treatment plan for, that works for everyone!  Allowing myself to still "feel" what I felt in those first few days, weeks, hours, is what still pushes me forward for all of us.  People shouldn't have to feel that way.  To this day, not enough people (medical professionals included here, for sure!) really know what Fibromyalgia is, or how it truly affects those of us that live with it.  We need to do better, to educate more people on it.

Conclusion

I had to take a break from blogging for a few years, to work on myself.  Those of you who've been around here for years, know a lot of what I've been through.  Finally, after being separated 12 years now, I should be a divorced woman!  I'm just waiting on a judges signature and the final order to arrive by certified mail!  For those of you new to TFF, yes I had a scumbag for a husband who used my diagnosis as an excuse to walk out saying that he couldn't deal with the stress that MY lifetime illness would cause him.  

My marriage ending though, was truly just the beginning of my life.  I just didn't know it at the time.  At the time, I was completely devestated.  Every single thing I've accomplished since then though, I never would have done had my marriage stayed intact.  I started pouring my entire soul into research of Fibromyalgia and writing about it.  I went to a vocational school and became a Nationally Certified Clinical Medical Assistant. I've been a contributing author to many online health magazines, and articles for the National Fibromyalgia Association.  I was interviewed by CNN and Everyday Health's Dr. Sanjay Gupta and a few articles were published as a result.  The issue of Teen Vogue that talked about Lady Gaga having Fibro, contains a quote from me within the article.  Healthline awarded me many years straight, as a top Fibromyalgia blogger.  I had a full RNY Gastric Bypass and lost well over 100 pounds. I've had my gallbladder removed, a hernia repair, and exploratory surgery. I had a breast reduction and lift to get rid of the extra skin from the weight loss.  I was on a television show on TLC.  Most of all though, I learned through rediscovering myself, that my purpose in this life is to help others.  Just like I had been through blogging.  I gained my self-esteem back after decades of mental abuse.

Through these past 12 years of reading and researching and talking to medical professionals I learned a lot.  I learned a lot of natural (meaning non-medication) ways to help myself deal with the pain and sicknesses I have.  Discovering my true life passion of wanting to help others, I've taken a lot of certification courses so that I can start helping others learn to take control of their lives back again,too.  I can only do so much, with just writing blog posts. I yearned to do more.  To be a bigger asset to those not only within the chronic pain/chronic fatigue community, but also within the LGBTQIA+ community.  I myself am heterosexual, but I have so SO many friends that are within the LGBTQIA+ community.  I have a "kid" (he was my youngest daughters BFF) that is homosexual, that I truly consider a son of mine.  -It doesn't take blood to make family, folks!  I've found that many homosexual and transgender people have sought me out, needing to talk.  Some needing assurance that it's OKAY to be themselves.  Some needing a little help with coming out.  Some, deal with chronic pain/chronic fatigue illnessess too, just like I do!  I have had so many people regardless of family style, age, sexual orientation, etc reach out to me asking for advice & help navigating this thing called life. 

So the certifications I've gained, and the techniques I've learned, are beneficial to just about anyone out there!  Daily, I use a combination of the techniques I've learned, to help me cope with my chronic pain and fatigue.  My stress and anxiety.  My self-esteem issues, and road rage haha! I really don't know how I lived without them. In all honesty, I wasn't living. I was pretty much stuck in the "flight or fight" mode all day every day. I was scared. I was in horrible pain.  I was angry and resentful.  I'm here today to tell you though, that I TOOK MY LIFE BACK!!  I'm here to help YOU take your life back, too!  You CAN do it!  

I'm currently accepting new clients, and all sessions are via Zoom.  I'm a certified meditation facilitator & coach, NLP Practioner, Emotional Intelligence Coach, LGBTQIA+ Ally & Coming Out Specialist, and Master Life Coach!  -I'm telling you all, combinations of all of these practices along with CBT has given me control over my life again.  Let me help YOU gain control of your life back too!

Contact me here through the blog, on FB at: My Facebook Page

On My Twitter Page

Or on My IG Page 

You can find a variety of pin boards, loads of recipes I used post-gastric bypass, inspirational quotes, etc on my Pinterest Page

As always, Never give up HOPE, because without HOPE you don't have anything! -And remember YOUR HAPPINESS MATTERS!! -Let's work together to build a better, happier, and healthier YOU!

Fibromyalgia Is AutoImmune ...NO! It's NEUROImmune! ..NO! It's AUTOIMMUNE! Part 1

 Oh my goodness.  I took it upon myself what? About 11 years ago?  Maybe 12 years ago?  To try to start learning every single bit of info about Fibromyalgia as I could.  I then in turn set out on a mission to educate every single person I could on this horrible, disgusting, vile disorder I could.  On the truth about it.  From the $hitty quality of living those of us with it have, to the dire need for more research to try to understand it and treat it.  To it being taken seriously by not only community and family members, but by others in the medical field as well!  

About the time I was diagnosed and cried, and refused to accept that I "really" had fibromyalgia, something there isn't a cure for, new reseach was saying that FMS had at first been thought of as being an autoimmune disease but that actually it wasn't classified as a "disease" at all, that it was classified as a "disorder".  That it actually wasn't autoimmune either, it was NEUROimmune.  It stimulated in the brain.  I cannot tell you HOW many times I wrote that. I talked that. I corrected people. I had people get mad at me and fight with me about it.  I was being treated by an internationally known rheumatologist at The Cleveland Clinic, and she taught me the current "how's & why's" of it being neuroimmune rather than autoimmune.  Let's now fast forward to July 1, 2021.  An article titled "Fibromyalgia Likely The Result Of Autoimmune Problems" in Science Daily science news rocked my world!

This college.  More specifically, this exact building/department of this college, has now changed it all once again.  Kings College London, department of psychology and neuroscience teamed up in collaboration with the University of Liverpool and the Karolinska Institute, to do a new study.  THIS study, led proof that FMS IS a autoimmune disease.  

"Professor Camilla Svensson, the study's primary investigator from Karolinska Institute said, "Antibodies from people with FMS living in two different countries, the UK and Sweden, gave similar results, which adds enormous strength to our findings. The next step will be to identify what factors the symptom-inducing antibodies bind to. This will help us not only in terms of developing novel treatment strategies for FMS, but also of blood-based tests for diagnosis, which are missing today."

The above quote that I've pulled straight from the Science Daily article, sounds pretty good. It lends HOPE, once again.  HOPE. There's that little four-letter word, once again.  

The premise of this study, was that they injected anitbioties from people living with Fibromyalgia (from 2 different countries) into mice.  They also injected antibioties from people that do NOT have fibromyalgia, into mice.  The mice that were injected with the antibioties from people with FMS, developed clear and concise symptoms of FMS.  Obviously, the mice injected with antibioties from people that don't have fibro did not develop those symptoms.  

Now, here's where things get really interesting to me.  The mice that had been injected with the antibioties of people living with fibro, returned to "normal" once those antibioties cleared their system.  WHAT?!  You mean if the antibioties can be cleared out of the body, we wouldn't live the life we currently have to lead?  Feeling drained of EVERY. SINGLE. OUNCE. of enegry?  Being in PAIN every single day of our lives?  The sleep disturbances, the cognitive delays. Feeling like our joints have had a vat of concrete poured into them. All of that could be GONE?  Umm ...are we finally talking that a cure may be on the horizon?!  Or even as I've b!tched, moaned, begged, and pleaded for all of these years "At least a solid, universal treatment plan that would work for EVERYONE"??!  It sounds like it may be feasible, folks.  It's too unreal for me to even be able to comprehend at this point in my life.  

Umm, yeah.  More about where/why this photo of me came about, in another post that will be on a totally different subject.  I just thought the face I was  making here was a little fitting for the way I'm currently feeling at this moment haha.  But anyway, the article goes on to talk about how this could lead to having a true blood test to diagnose fibromyalgia with in the near future, as well.  If we had THAT in hand, it would be a whole heck of a lot harder for doctors to refute the reality of FMS.  Because as I'm sure most of you have personally encountered in your own lives, there are still doctors that disbelieve, everywhere you turn.  -That still sickens me as well lol.  You can read the whole article by going to THIS LINK

Now, it's been an entire 14 months to the day, since this "new" study was published.  What is the current update to this study?  What more has been accomplished in the past 14 months since this hot news hit the press?  Dear Lord, please don't tell me "there haven't been funds to continue this research" or I swear I might have a tantrum, a full blown MELTDOWN, like my 2 and 3 year old granddaughters have been known to have on an occassion.  Or two. Lol  Will I even be able to get an update on it?  That I don't know.  What I DO know though, is that I will give it my best shot to get those answers for you guys.  For myself too, who the heck am I kidding?  I want to know every bit as badly as you all do.  Therefore, I solemnly swear that I will reach out to every single person  listed in this article asking for an udate to the study.  -Every person listed in it, that I'm able to find an email contact for anyway haha.  That means that I just added another *goal* to my to-do list for tomorrow.  I have to dig for some email contacts for another area of my life, so I'll just tack these on. 

Stay tuned, my Fibro-Froggies!!  I'm praying I have more info for you, in next weeks blog post.  Keep your fingers crossed and remember to "Never give up HOPE.  Because without HOPE, you don't have anything".