You've got a whole new friend!

Well, kinda depressing post, and its a long story.  I'll try and keep it short.

When I was 16, I started getting pains in my knees.  It was only occasional, so I never thought about it.  Over the years it became more frequent.  Then it started to spread.  Both my legs would ache morning and night.  Sometimes my arms and shoulders would as well.  I should have been concerned when it started happening during the day, but I still never thought of it as strange.  I had an excuse each time.  "I overdid it yesterday," or "I'm really out of shape, that's why I'm tired."  It had slowly crept up over years.  Every time I complained of soreness or fatigue, friends and family were quick to point out that everyone got sore and tired.  It was nothing new.

The turning point for me was a few years ago, just before we moved.  I found I was unmotivated, was tired a lot, got fatigued easily, and had a constant ache in my joints.  Now, I was never the over ambitious type.  I'm an introvert, I like to stay home, and that's how I explained most of my symptoms, but it still nagged at me.  I walked everyday, but never gained any endurance.  Whether it was 20 minutes or and hour, I always felt like I had run a marathon.  And the pain...  I couldn't explain the pain.

It wasn't until last year that I got the proof that something was wrong.  We had a family BBQ at my parents' in Harrison.  We hopped on the boat and my dad took us around the lake.  There was unexpected engine troubles so we were forced to stop at a private dock while the engine cooled.  While everyone swam and had a great time, I sat at the bar (How cool is that??  A dock with its own bar!).  I kept my head down, my legs shaking in pain.  I was too fatigued to walk it off, but in too much pain to stay still.  I was thankful when we headed back for dinner.

I sat at the table all night near tears.  I took Tylenol, but it didn't even take the edge off.  I asked hubby to take me home early, and he kindly did so.  I sat in the truck waiting for the last of the goodbyes to be done.  It took way too long, so I grabbed hubby's sleeve and begged him to take me home.  My sweet man did just that.

This is how I look most mornings.  Not a happy camper.

Once we got home I collapsed into bed and didn't get out again that weekend.

That was when it truly hit me.  This was not normal. 

Shortly after that I went to my family doctor.  He checked for arthritis, but couldn't find any.  He sent me for some blood tests but they all came back good.  It was then that he referred me to the Rhuematologist.  I was referred to 3 doctors, one turned down my case, and the other two took months to review my file.  It wasn't until January that I got a call back for an appointment.  The doctor was in New West, but I was finally getting answers!

The doctor was super nice and after an extensive exam, sent me for 9 vials of blood and several x-rays.  Of course all came back fine, except one.  To the best of my knowledge, I tested positive for a genetic marker that affects my red blood cells, and as a result my immune system.  There are five parts to this marker, but the test is not sensitive enough to know if any of these are active, it just means I have the marker.  If the right part of the marker is active, it can be triggered (by virus or environment) and cause a certain arthritis of the hips and lower back. Make sense? 

An x-ray is not sensitive enough to pick up the arthritis, but an MRI is.  The doctor ordered an MRI for me, which I had in July.  I went back to the doctor to discuss the results, and guess what?  Came back clean.  No sign of arthritis.  As a side note, he explained I can still get this arthritis.  Since the marker is on the coating of my red blood cells, its part of my immune system.  Its known that this genetic marker can be triggered during an immune response to a certain virus (think salmonella) or a bug bite.  Lovely, eh?  He recommended I don't eat at pick-nicks and stay away from bugs.  I laughed.

So, what the heck is wrong??

He broke the news to me; Fibromyalgia. 

Sigh.  So bittersweet.  It explains so much of my life since I was a teen!  But its also incurable at this time and can be manageable at best. 

I will take this time to count my blessings.  I'm fortunate that I can still function, even if it can be difficult at times.  I don't need to be on drugs to manage the pain, and I will do my best to keep it that way.  I am also thankful that I don't have something worse.

The rhuematologist gave a list of medications to my family doctor to try if I feel I need them.  He did tell me to come back if I experience a significant change or if I feel I am developing any arthritis. 

And that is the end of my tale.  I'm a different kind of friend now, I'm your fibro friend!

Third Update: Home sweet home

That's right, for those who didn't know it, we moved.

Not just moved, bought.

Me and hubby bought our first home (last year)!  Old news really, but news to this blog!

In the last year, we've done nothing to fix it up really.  However, we have had some pitfalls.  Turns out, with such a shallow slope on the roof, a driving rain will seep under the tin roof, down the nails, into the attic, to land on the kitchen floor.  Small amounts of water have made it in, but not something you want in the Fraser Valley.

As well, last summer we noticed a large puddle constantly in front of the house.  That, coupled with extreme water bills, lead us to call the city to investigate.  Turns out we had a leak somewhere between the water meter and house.  Sigh. 

We used the excuse to chop down a tree, rent an excavator, and Earl had the leak located and repaired in an 18 hour day.  Not too shabby, hubby.

The yard and garden is a mess, we have an abundance of clutter and junk devaluing our home, and I really need to learn to organize.  Other than that, my goal is to get the place fixed up to move in a year or two.

Shortly after moving to our new home, I did a foolish thing.  I bought chickens.

Front: Bertha          Back: Black Eyes Chicken

I'm on a city lot with chickens!  Bad, bad Laura.

It all happened so fast!  My sister sent me a kijiji listing for 3 bantam Cochins, one rooster, two hens.  I thought it was sweet of her, but didn't think anything of it.  Well, until she came over and asked me about it.  So, to appease her, I called my hubby and asked if it were ok if I got chickens, thinking he would say no.  Boy, was I surprised when he said yes! 

With his blessing, I called the number on the ad and asked about the birds.  The seller was a bit distraught to inform me that someone already took the rooster.  Well, heck, that was fine by me!  And to boot, he was selling the girls with food and equipment. 

This was getting better and better!

When hubby got home from work, we went over and checked out the hens and I fell in love!  $20 bought both birds, food dish, water dish, half a bag of feed and 2 bales of straw.  I found it a bargain!

At home, with no coop to speak of, I locked the birds up in a guinea pig cage.  I know, mean.  The silver-lining?  Earl's boss offered the use of his chicken tractor!  All I had to do is pick it up on my home from work the next day!  

Now if that isn't meant to be, I don't know what is!

My girls, since named Bertha and Black-eyed Chicken, are living out in the backyard since last spring.  They are about two years old now, and stopped laying for the fall, but they are great additions to my yard!  They rarely make a noise, and when the do, its for good reason!  Think large collie dog terrorizing them.  I've also been informed that they are not pure Cochin, but that matters little to me.  And so far, only one neighbour has noticed and he thinks its cute, so we are off to a good start!

Only problem is I now have chicken fever!  I've commissioned a larger coop from my hubby for my girls so I can get a few more for eggs.  We're hoping to have it done in the spring some time. 

I'm beyond happy.

Snow White, about 3 months old (?)

While we are on livestock, I have some new rabbits.  Shortly after moving into our home, my sister built an open rabbit shed and moved in 4 Mini Rex rabbits and a grey New Zealand.  She raised several litters at my house for pets and food.  Just a few months ago she moved them all to her new house, but before that I decided to try my hand at raising rabbits.

I bought a stunning white New Zealand doe and a grey New Zealand buck (possible sibling to my sister's grey).  I haven't bred mine yet, but it is the plan.

My baby Turkeys

I have, however, raised 5 turkeys, butchered them, and froze them.  It was, in short, a horrific experience.   One I'm a bit shy to repeat.  It may be the reason I have yet to breed my rabbits.

Few months old

That's all that's new for the backyard.  I don't really have photos of the house, but I will get some up soon-ish.  Maybe.