I Will Be Your Friend In Your Desert

                                                              Have you ever felt like this?

                                                                           

                                                                                 I Did.

After years of struggling through being disabled by an incurable painful disease, endless doctor appointments, surgeries, broken relationships, loss of friends with no one to help me, I felt like a dried up desert inside. Pain and suffering caused  me to feel broken, alone and hopeless. In time I finally accepted that I was not going to; "get out of my desert", unless science found a cure. My only alternative was to find a way "through" it! 

Unable to walk through this by myself any longer I prayed that God would help me.  I met some friends on Face Book.  Others who were suffering from painful diseases and disabilities reached out to me.  They understood where I was.  They encouraged me,  they were compassionate and understanding.  They also  invited me to websites, support groups, blogs and prayerchains that were helpful for them.  Visiting these places I then met more friends.  I felt like they sent me rain in the dry land of my life!  

                                       This is me beginning to bloom where I am planted.

Thanks to God hearing and answering my prayers I now have new friends and belong to a community with  others who in spite of their pain and suffering  have hope for a better today and tomorrow.  Yes, still a "desert"  until we can find cures for our diseases.  In the interim we are growing together and helping others to make our world a more beautiful place!

                                                       Do not remember the former things,
                                                          Nor consider the things of old.
                                                           Behold, I will do a new thing,
                                                              Now it shall spring forth;
                                                                Shall you not know it?
                                                         I will even make a road in the
                                                                            wilderness
                                                               And rivers in the desert,
                                                             To give drink to My people,
                                                                            My chosen.
                                                                            Isaiah 43:18

Chronic Pain, Illnesses and Diseases

Hello everyone! Thank you for coming to visit with me, weather it be your first time here or you have visited sometime before. Today I am sharing something that is near and dear to my heart. To help others find answers, help and hope with their Chronic Pain, Diseases and Illnesses.

As a Chronic Pain Sufferer with the diagnosis of; RSD/CRPS I have spent seven years of my life suffering with chronic pain.  In the beginning I knew very little about this disease, what to do about it, and how not to
let it control or destroy my life.  It has been a long journey on a path that I did not choose.

 I have always been a fighter, for what is right, causes of others, and have tried to be understanding, compassionate, kind and supportive of those around me, even before I was diagnosed with this disease.
In the beginning of my journey I learned quickly that not everyone shared or believed in my way of thinking
or treatment of others who were hurting.  It didn't take long for me to discover that many people are not on the same page as myself, quite the opposite in fact, a very disappointing and painful experience for me.

The journey has been long, my path leading to many dead ends, my search for help often times futile.  But along the way I have met many people who have or are experiencing these same things. And in my quest to find help, answers and hope, I have had the privilege to meet others through places such as; "ButYouDon'tLookSick".com, "FaceBook", "RSD Hope.org", and support groups for those who are also suffering.

That is why I choose to write my Blog, and entitle it; "Hope for the Future".  So that others will not have to travel this road alone for as long as I did, and have hope for "their future", even with Chronic Pain, Diseases, and Disabilities.  It is my heart's desire that you also find the help you deserve, the answers to your problems, and the hope you so desperately need, knowing that you are NOT ALONE.  I am here, and together we can make it on the road we are traveling.

Just in case you didn't see it yet I wanted to let you know that earlier today I posted a video on my Blog before this one entitled; "Through the Maze: Women & Pain". Hope you can take a look at that as well. I posted the video first to provide a visual aid to encourage you and to introduce the website; "Campaign To End Chronic Pain In Women". A group who through experience, research and education are spreading awareness, empowering and helping those who are suffering, and to also assist us in helping others when we can.  They are educating not only the patient but also Medical and Governmental Agencies, the general public and the world at large. When you visit their web page you will find helpful information, other videos, and even a link to contact your local Congress Representative to have your voice be heard. 

Thank you for taking the time to visit me again. May your day be gentle, your heart lighter and your journey easier.
Blessings,
Jewels

Through the Maze: Women & Pain

Welcome All Visitors! Today Is The First Day Of The Rest Of My Blog!

Welcome to my Blog, Thank you for taking the time to visit me!  It is my hope that you will visit often, enjoy your stay, and leave feeling more hopeful and maybe with a smile or two!   So help yourself to a cup of tea or coffee, sit back, relax and rest awhile. 

May the words that you read during your visits here help you to know that someone genuinely cares about what you are going through.  Life can be hard and challenging at times, weather one has a Disability or not.  In the future I will be writing about what is on my heart, my life's journey, things I have learned, and sometimes a bit of humor along the way. 

This is just the beginning, and in time I will be sharing things that I have experienced, tools that I have picked up to enable me to have a; "better quality of life", (in spite of  having a painful disability), and  links to helpful sites that may assist you in finding what you need as well.

Come back as soon as you can. I will have more to share in a couple of days. Looking forward to your return! 
Blessings to you,
Jewels