Lessons to learn, trials to tackle and life goes on...

Today is a pretty good day. Considering the last week, that’s saying something. I’m attributing this slight feeling of well-being to the meds. Ah, yes, drugs can be a person’s best friend at times. I’m on three different ones that are all working to help my body recover and ease the excruciating pain I’ve been in.

All the muscles weakness I’ve had is pretty much gone. My energy levels and strength seem to be dependant on how well I sleep… hence a muscle relaxant to help knock me out each night.

I’m also on an anti-inflammatory and a pain-killer because the other two don’t help with the pain. All together they sound like a funny little song… meloxicam, clonazepam and tramadol, oh my!

But at least we’ve taken a step in doing something about whatever it is that is wrong with me. The current theory is that I may have fibromyalgia. A 22 year-old with a chronic pain condition… seems a little twisted to me.

But I went for a head CT this morning to rule out any effect of my mild concussion back in April. Should hopefully have the results before I see the internal medicine specialist on Tuesday. With any luck we’ll have all the pieces to the puzzle and be able to get a diagnosis and then go from there.

Meanwhile, I’m trying to cope. I take it one day at a time because my body doesn’t give me much of a choice right now. If I do too much, I can’t function afterwards and this pain I’m in affects everything I do.

For now, I’m just focusing on looking forward to school in September. It’s about as far ahead as I can look right now.

I think the biggest thing that has occurred since I’ve been on the meds is that I feel like me again. I can laugh and joke with people and interact like the overly social person I am. It might not last long and it comes and goes but at least I feel connected to the world around me.

Something else that has happened is that I’ve slowed down. I mean really slowed down. When your body moves at a snail’s pace, your mind and spirit also slow down. It’s amazing how fast we move each day. We don’t realize how truly crazy and stressed we all are until you are forced to stop and enjoy the world around you. Little things like the sun on my skin, the smell of salt water, or a beautiful flower just make me stop and smile. How do we go through life forgetting these things?

I in no way would wish for to be in this pain and be going through what I am but at the same time, maybe it’s another wake-up call for me to enjoy what I have.

I’ve been listening to the radio at work and Trooper came on with my favourite song. The chorus are words to live by and right now they are my motto for the summer. Sing a long if you know the words! :)

A very good friend of mine
Told me something the other day
I'd like to pass it on to you
Cause I believe what he said to be true
He said

We're here for a good time
Not a long time (not a long time)
So have a good time
The sun can't shine every day

And the sun is shinin'
In this rainy city
And the sun is shinin'
Oooooh, isn't it a pity
And every year, has it's share of tears
And every now and then it's gotta rain

We're here for a good time
Not a long time
So have a good time
The sun can't shine every day

And the sun is shinin'
In this rainy city
And the sun is shinin'
Oooooh, isn't it a pity
That every year, has it's share of tears
Every now and then it's gotta rain

We're here for a good time
Not a long time
So have a good time
The sun can't shine every day
_________________________________

Enjoy the beautiful weekend to come! Savour the little things.