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Welcome to Pain FULLY Living

My name is Katie.  I am living with a lot of letters (as are so many with Fibromyalgia): FM, IC, IBS, GERD, and recently, FMD.  Chronic pain affects every portion of my life. However, I'm step by step learning to manage what comes my way which is allowing me to live more fully each day.  My hope is that you find some help here to aid you in your own wellness journey.
My name is Katie. I am living with a lot of letters (as are so many with Fibromyalgia): FM, IC, IBS, GERD, and recently, FMD. Chronic pain affects every portion of my life. However, I’m step by step learning to manage what comes my way which is allowing me to live more fully each day. My hope is that you find some help here to aid you in your own wellness journey.

FIBRO WHAT?!

I did not know what FIBROMYALGIA was until I was diagnosed in November 2018. Being the teacher/learner I am, I began to research and found great resources (some really bad). I have become pretty educated about what it is, how it affects me, the whys (as much as there can be), and how to manage it so that I can live my life FULLY, on my terms, even while having pain. I feel that sharing my journey can give insight to others on their own, much like others have helped me.

I welcome you to come along on this journey with me. Maybe we can help one another- learning, sharing, supporting.

Purple and aqua tattoo of a lotus or waterlily on inner forearm.
Fall of 2019, I got this tattoo of a waterlily added to my inner forearm, reminding me that I can rise and flourish.

Meaning of the Waterlily

The waterlily (or lotus flower) begins growing at the bottom of a muddy, murky pool, and slowly emerges toward the surface, bursting out of the water into a beautiful blossom. During the night the lotus closes and sinks under the water, and emerges again with the sunlight of a new day. As the lotus flower emerges from the mud, and up toward the surface it is completely unstained.

This flower has meant a great deal to me nearly all my life. I grew up on a lake, swimming is one of my favorite things to do (especially in a freshwater lake). The waterlily was always so pristine and beautiful, but when I stepped down in the areas where it was growing my feet would sink into the sludgy muck it rose from. When I first found out I had Fibromyalgia, I was really low. It had side-lined me from my life, leaving me in bed, whimpering most days. However, after a year of wonderful guidance, luck, family and friend support, I began to rise out of that painful mire and realized that I could recreate myself and live a FULL life of passion, love, and hope.

This is what a strive for each day.

What you will find in this blog:

I am branching out from just talking about my wellness journey with Fibromyalgia and the other health issues I live with, to also sharing on FULLY Living topics that I am passionate about.