Hello from a new member!

I posted this in Chronic Pain, but thought I'd add it here as well:

Hi Everyone,

I joined yesterday (and posted this elsewhere) but thought I'd share my introduction with eveyrone.

My name is Pam and I am 47 years old. I live in Calgary, AB with my fabulous husband Ray, and our tabby cat Dorie. I have two grown children from a previous relationship - my son Troy is 28 and my daughter Ashley is 27. They also live in Calgary, so I see them often.

Ray and I are Grammi and Grumpa to Ashley's three boys...the two oldest live with their dad in Moncton, NB, so we don't see them often, but the youngest one is with her and he's 4. Calen is an absolute sweetheart and he and I love to play trains and cars together.

I am a Certified Event Planner and have been using those skills in Sr. Level Administrative positions for 15+ years now. I am currently on short term disability thru my employer (a large Canadian sporting good company), and just received paperwork today to move to long term disability. I simply got to a point where I couldn't function because of pain, and side effects from medication, and it was the hardest thing in the world for me to leave my job. My employer has been fantastic in supporting me, which relieved a huge amount of stress from my life, but I feel rather "undefined" in this new place I'm in.

I have been dealing with pain for most of my life, in one form or another. My list of conditions, etc. is in my signature below, but I try not to let that define "who" I am. I try to keep busy with crafting and reading, and my husband is planning on launching his own homemade soap company, so I'm in charge of the website and marketing for that.

I love spas, good wine (yep, I drink it despite being on narcotics), the Pearls Before Swine comic strip, anything to do with weddings, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the TV series), as well as pretty much any animated movie (Enchanted is a favourite). I adore music, and often use that for relaxation when pain is overwhelming. I also rely on my faith in God to carry me thru the tough times (and I'm thankful for the good times!)

My husband takes very good care of me and pretty much runs the house so I don't have to worry about stuff (in addition to him working part-time and going to school part-time). I consider myself very blessed despite dealing with major pain day in and day out.

I'm excited to have found these forums - it's great to connect and share with others who "get" it.

Take care and healing thoughts to all,

Pam

Hi Pam, welcome to the home of the friendly fibromites. This is a great forum, lots of
caring, friendly people who do "get it" because we are living it day to day.

If you haven't already, checkout fibro 101 on the top of page one, lots of good info for
the fibromite.

You have a good support system, having your employer support you is wonderful and the
fact that your husband takes good care of you goes along way with helping you cope.

Feel free to vent, ask questions or comment. there is always someone here who cares
because we all do!

hugs, Robin