best laid plans and all that

I wanted to. I honestly did.
Adam was upstairs in the bedroom, watching NASCAR, while we waited for Billy and Charlotte to come over. My plan was to walk to the bus stop across the street, catch the 57 to LakeForest, stop in Olde Town, wander into the street festival, find Linda's Zosimos Botanicals booth, and spend some time hanging out and possibly buying some things.
I got halfway to the bus stop before a surge of violent fatigue and crippling pain had me stumbling. It was not anything I did or didn't do. It was just...
Have you ever been in the middle of something, and suddenly your body said Fuck This, and every single ounce of strength, energy, and will was sapped out of you so quickly that you nearly crumpled right where you stood? And then your muscles began to hurt so fiercely you wondered if you might actually make it to a bed, couch, or chair without falling over sobbing?
This is fibromyalgia. Hi.
I am sitting back at my little table in the living room, with a pillow between my back and the chair, with painkillers and coffee in my system, keeping me awake and alert because I just don't want to surrender. And sitting in a chair not moving is much less painful than walking.
I think shortly I'll go to the kitchen and make myself the version of insalata caprese that we made last night. Because I can have walls and counters to lean on, and a salad doesn't require much skill, dexterity, or brainpower.

As the fog keeps rolling in...

best laid plans and all that

I wanted to. I honestly did.
Adam was upstairs in the bedroom, watching NASCAR, while we waited for Billy and Charlotte to come over. My plan was to walk to the bus stop across the street, catch the 57 to LakeForest, stop in Olde Town, wander into the street festival, find Linda's Zosimos Botanicals booth, and spend some time hanging out and possibly buying some things.
I got halfway to the bus stop before a surge of violent fatigue and crippling pain had me stumbling. It was not anything I did or didn't do. It was just...
Have you ever been in the middle of something, and suddenly your body said Fuck This, and every single ounce of strength, energy, and will was sapped out of you so quickly that you nearly crumpled right where you stood? And then your muscles began to hurt so fiercely you wondered if you might actually make it to a bed, couch, or chair without falling over sobbing?
This is fibromyalgia. Hi.
I am sitting back at my little table in the living room, with a pillow between my back and the chair, with painkillers and coffee in my system, keeping me awake and alert because I just don't want to surrender. And sitting in a chair not moving is much less painful than walking.
I think shortly I'll go to the kitchen and make myself the version of insalata caprese that we made last night. Because I can have walls and counters to lean on, and a salad doesn't require much skill, dexterity, or brainpower.

As the fog keeps rolling in...

best laid plans and all that

I wanted to. I honestly did.
Adam was upstairs in the bedroom, watching NASCAR, while we waited for Billy and Charlotte to come over. My plan was to walk to the bus stop across the street, catch the 57 to LakeForest, stop in Olde Town, wander into the street festival, find Linda's Zosimos Botanicals booth, and spend some time hanging out and possibly buying some things.
I got halfway to the bus stop before a surge of violent fatigue and crippling pain had me stumbling. It was not anything I did or didn't do. It was just...
Have you ever been in the middle of something, and suddenly your body said Fuck This, and every single ounce of strength, energy, and will was sapped out of you so quickly that you nearly crumpled right where you stood? And then your muscles began to hurt so fiercely you wondered if you might actually make it to a bed, couch, or chair without falling over sobbing?
This is fibromyalgia. Hi.
I am sitting back at my little table in the living room, with a pillow between my back and the chair, with painkillers and coffee in my system, keeping me awake and alert because I just don't want to surrender. And sitting in a chair not moving is much less painful than walking.
I think shortly I'll go to the kitchen and make myself the version of insalata caprese that we made last night. Because I can have walls and counters to lean on, and a salad doesn't require much skill, dexterity, or brainpower.

As the fog keeps rolling in...

getting the word out

Charlotte and I are going see about writing letters or emails to local newspapers about the water in Rockville. Charlotte's skin is getting worse, and the rash is hitting the skin around her eyes. I know she's not the only one. Her pharmacist was a little freaked out by the speed and intensity at which the rash is spreading. And it is definitely the water in her house. She's scared to take a shower, wash her face, even wash her hands. I suggested that she call the folks that her house gets its water from, and the pharmacist told her to alert the local media. It may be a long shot, but perhaps she can get free service, or free filtering systems, or... something. Something needs to happen, because she cannot live like this anymore. She's suffering. Every time I see her, another patch of skin is red, blistering, and itchy. And the fact that it is on her face, around her eyes... that scares me.
Adam agrees with us, she needs to start complaining, possibly calling and yelling. I told her to amp up her emotions, crying and demanding, etc, etc. All I know is that I would go crazy if the water in my own pipes made me feel like my skin was on fire all the time.
Charlotte bought some oatmeal bath stuff, Benadryl (oral and topical), and other things from the pharmacist. She might be over later to take a bath or shower. She has a key; she's welcome any time. I just hope that we can do something, that someone will listen. She can't exactly afford to buy any water filters right now.

getting the word out

Charlotte and I are going see about writing letters or emails to local newspapers about the water in Rockville. Charlotte's skin is getting worse, and the rash is hitting the skin around her eyes. I know she's not the only one. Her pharmacist was a little freaked out by the speed and intensity at which the rash is spreading. And it is definitely the water in her house. She's scared to take a shower, wash her face, even wash her hands. I suggested that she call the folks that her house gets its water from, and the pharmacist told her to alert the local media. It may be a long shot, but perhaps she can get free service, or free filtering systems, or... something. Something needs to happen, because she cannot live like this anymore. She's suffering. Every time I see her, another patch of skin is red, blistering, and itchy. And the fact that it is on her face, around her eyes... that scares me.
Adam agrees with us, she needs to start complaining, possibly calling and yelling. I told her to amp up her emotions, crying and demanding, etc, etc. All I know is that I would go crazy if the water in my own pipes made me feel like my skin was on fire all the time.
Charlotte bought some oatmeal bath stuff, Benadryl (oral and topical), and other things from the pharmacist. She might be over later to take a bath or shower. She has a key; she's welcome any time. I just hope that we can do something, that someone will listen. She can't exactly afford to buy any water filters right now.

getting the word out

Charlotte and I are going see about writing letters or emails to local newspapers about the water in Rockville. Charlotte's skin is getting worse, and the rash is hitting the skin around her eyes. I know she's not the only one. Her pharmacist was a little freaked out by the speed and intensity at which the rash is spreading. And it is definitely the water in her house. She's scared to take a shower, wash her face, even wash her hands. I suggested that she call the folks that her house gets its water from, and the pharmacist told her to alert the local media. It may be a long shot, but perhaps she can get free service, or free filtering systems, or... something. Something needs to happen, because she cannot live like this anymore. She's suffering. Every time I see her, another patch of skin is red, blistering, and itchy. And the fact that it is on her face, around her eyes... that scares me.
Adam agrees with us, she needs to start complaining, possibly calling and yelling. I told her to amp up her emotions, crying and demanding, etc, etc. All I know is that I would go crazy if the water in my own pipes made me feel like my skin was on fire all the time.
Charlotte bought some oatmeal bath stuff, Benadryl (oral and topical), and other things from the pharmacist. She might be over later to take a bath or shower. She has a key; she's welcome any time. I just hope that we can do something, that someone will listen. She can't exactly afford to buy any water filters right now.