Fibromyalgia: Living a Life of Blessing and Hope
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About this ebook
Imagine living in a pain beyond description, unable to do the simplest tasks that you have been doing your entire life, unable to sleep, and dealing with sensory overload (every noise is to loud, light to bright and smell to strong). All this with people telling you that you're fine, it's all in your head, just suck it up and move on. Imagine how you would cope with the pain and other symptoms with no support from friends, family or the medical community. How would you move forward? How would you live your life each day?
This is what many diagnosed with Fibromyalgia experience every day. Fibromyalgia takes a toll physically, emotionally and relationally. Millions of people have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia; these Fibromyalgians must navigate the pain and myriad of other symptoms often with little support. No Fibromyalgian should feel like they are in this alone, there are millions of us and we can provide each other with support, encouragement and advice. Through each other and with the help of Christ, we can all make our way through the dark tunnel of pain into a new life of blessing and hope.
Within these pages you will find:
* Basic information and details about Fibromyalgia
* Recent research and advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of Fibromyalgia
* Stories (mine and others) of those who have navigated the journey and found a life of blessing and hope after the diagnosis
* Action steps (treatment options) to take to create a new life plan that will lead you to a life of blessing and hope
* Tips on what fellow Fibromyalgians have found useful in their journey
* Links to educational and support resources
If you have Fibromyalgia, you are not alone. Others share your experiences and there are many places to find support and encouragement. Many have found a different but better life on the other side of the diagnosis.
If you are the family or friend of a Fibromyalgian, this is an opportunity to understand what they are experiencing and how you can support them and provide encouragement.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." – Romans 15:13
Shannon Sonneveldt
Shannon is a Christian author, educator and speaker. For many years she suffered from symptoms that went undiagnosed. After years of suffering and searching for answers, Shannon was finally diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and other underlying conditions. With faith in Christ who led her to a well-rounded, holistic treatment plan including time spent with Him and His Word, she is feeling better and living a more active and joyous life. Shannon is passionate about education and life long learning. Since 1999 her professional career has focused on the design and development of training for employees across industries and educational formats. She has specialized in analyzing the need for training and assessing the best method for training and delivery (classroom, live virtual training, blended, web-based training, etc.). Shannon's writing skills assisted her in delivering solutions that engaged learners and translated to application on the job. Shannon has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Organizational Development and Human Resource development as well as her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. She lives in Kansas with her husband, teenage son and two gorgeous, ornery and energetic Scottie pups. In her spare time she enjoys photography, spending time with family and friends, and traveling around the world with family.
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Book preview
Fibromyalgia - Shannon Sonneveldt
Fibromyalgia
Living a Life of Blessing and Hope
By Shannon Sonneveldt
Fibromyalgia: Living a Life of Blessing and Hope
Published by Shannon Sonneveldt at Smashwords
Copyright 2013 Shannon Sonneveldt
Cover Photography and Design by Alexis Lynn Photography and Design
http://alexislynndesigns.wix.com/design
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
DEDICATION
I have to start by thanking God for the many blessings he has brought into my life. For his love and faithfulness in helping me through my struggles and suffering to come out the other side with hope.
Then, as always, I have to offer thanks and love to my husband. Outside of Christ, he has been my biggest support and supporter through life's ups and downs. He didn't know when he promised in sickness and health, just what he was promising but has remained not only faithful to that promise but has provided me with both emotional and physical support, providing me with strength when I had none of my own. God knew what was in store and blessed me with the love of this wonderful man who heeded the call.
Thank you to everyone who shared your story with me. Through our stories and collective insights others may find hope and through that hope a life filled with blessings even through the pain. By sharing your stories you have helped others find the truth spoken in Proverbs 18:14 The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear it if the spirit is crushed.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Fibromyalgia 101
How It All Starts: Getting Hit by the Fibro Freight Train
Diagnosis Journey: The Revolving Door of Doctors
Moving Forward: From the Hamster Wheel to The Tight Rope
Living a Blessed Life and Blessing Others
Tips from Fellow Fibromyalgians
Connect with Shannon Sonneveldt
About the Author
Discover Other Titles by Shannon Sonneveldt
Introduction
The tough thing about life is it's just so daily. - Mike Howerton, Glorious Mess
Imagine that you wake up one morning to your alarm clock, ready to go about your day as usual. You try to roll over to get out of bed when you are struck by such agonizing pain that you cry out. Your loved one comes into the room and asks what is wrong. You say you don't know but that the pain is so awful you can't move. You whisper because sound is magnified in your brain and even the normal sound of your own voice sends shooting pain through your head. Your loved one turns on the light, you immediately squeeze your eyes shut because the light also produces pain. Your loved one leans over you, takes a long look and on a sigh of exasperation says You look fine. Suck it up and get a move on or we'll be running late.
Can you imagine it? Does it sound far-fetched? For the millions of people, yes I said millions, diagnosed with Fibromyalgia they have lived far worse than what is depicted in this simplified scenario. A chronic condition that leaves millions of people with debilitating pain in a world full of people that don't believe them, Fibromyalgia takes a toll physically, mentally and relationally. Often left with little information, few answers and little to no support those diagnosed with Fibromyalgia feel cut off from the 'normal' people in their world, a species alone and adrift - a Fibromyalgian.
As a Fibromyalgian, I am writing this book for those who want to understand us, but more importantly for those like me. I am writing it so you know you are not alone. There are millions of us and we can work together for better understanding and support. Through each other we can educate ourselves and others on Fibromyalgia, what we experience, what treatment options have shown success and recent advances in research. Most importantly, we can help each other get from a life filled with pain and bitterness to a life of blessing and hope. One day at a time we can each get there if we support, encourage and educate each other.
Please know I am not a doctor, not licensed to practice in any state or country. I am not a medical researcher and don't own stock in any pharmaceutical companies. I know and can share my story and the stories of those who have chosen to share theirs with me. I know the impact that Fibromyalgia (FM) has had on my health, my life and my relationships. I can share common factors I have seen across the stories that have been shared with me and that I have read. I can share resources where you can find additional information and current research being conducted around FM. This book is in no way intended to serve as medical advice but to present information on the condition and share stories of other Fibromyalgians for support and encouragement for the purpose of helping each of us get closer to a life filled with blessings and hope - because it is possible!
(Note: All resources and websites were available and live at the time this book was published.)
Fibromyalgia 101
Fairness does not determine truth. - Andy Stanley, How Good is Good Enough
For family and friends of a Fibromyalgian or those recently diagnosed or any who need or want a better understanding of what FM is, I have included some basics about the condition. There are a number of resources available that can provide additional information provided at the end of this chapter