Welcome come on in my friend, I have prepared a unique cuppa for us today.
This month I’ve been wearing as much purple as possible!
And today we even have purple tea!
An Australian Bush tea that turns purple when infused. And we have little purple edible flowers on our gf Chocolate Brownies.
Why?
Because it’s the month to bring awareness to a condition I journey with each day.
It’s Fibromyalgia Awareness month & purple Ribbons are it’s symbol!
Update
Fibromyalgia impacts the lives of millions of people across the globe.
It affects mainly women but men are amongst its sufferers as well as children.
The exact cause is not known, although many hypothesise have been researched. And to date there is no known cure.
It’s a chronic pain & fatigue condition often accompanied by several autoimmune conditions that make life extremely challenging, to say the least.
Definition of Fibromyalgia;
Fibro means fibres +
Myalgia means muscle pain
= Fibromyalgia → Pain in the fibres of the muscle.
It’s recognised as a medical condition/syndrome that affects the entire body because the body is made up of muscles.
Let’s make this personal
I’ve now lived with Fibromyalgia for 17 years.
Although, I still vividly remember the day I realised something was terribly wrong.
Back then I had an Australian Kelpie, my faithful work dog from my days as a Wool grower on the farm, her name was Polly (more in Home sweet home).
Every afternoon when I got home from work I would drive Polly down to the waterfront for her daily walk.
Which was also my time to wind down from a busy day of Counseling, walking kilometres along the waterfront & back.
That particular day, as I got out of the car for our walk extreme fatigue suddenly hit me like a tonne of bricks.
I only made it about 50m & couldn’t go any further & had trouble getting back to the car.
I had no idea what was happening, as up to that point I had been literally bouncing with energy & good health.
It would be years before Fibromyalgia was properly diagnosed by a Specialist Rheumatologist (with all its accompanying autoimmune conditions)!
17 years on…
If you join me here often then you know I have shared different aspects of living with Fibromyalgia on occasion & how a full life can still be lived.
Although it looks very different from my previous life & to a life that enjoys full health.
But I’m still able to live my best life within the daily challenges Fibromyalgia presents!
What I’ve learnt
I’ve learnt that Fibromyalgia has cycles, these cycles consist of ‘less intense cycles’ & ‘very intense cycles’ (aka flares).
There is no particular pattern to these cycles, for either cycle can last for any length of time from a few days to months at a time.
In the ‘less intense cycle’ while the pain & fatigue are still there, (they never leave) the intensity is less.
Where as the ‘very intense cycles’ (or flares) are significantly challenging with extreme pain & fatigue.
How to Thrive with Chronic Conditions
I know that title above sounds like a contradiction in terms but you can thrive with Chronic disease!
I’m a living testimony to this phenomenon.
The greatest thing I’ve learnt throughout the past 17 years is that I can’t thrive in this time without my relationship with my heavenly Father through my Lord & Saviour, Jesus Christ nor do I want to!
For He has kept His promise;
“…For He Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up, nor leave you without support.
I will not, I will not, I will not in any way leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down (relax my hold on you)!
Assuredly not!”
Hebrews 13: 5 Paraphrased
So with His love & support I can face each day with confidence that I’m not alone in this challenging season.
A Suggestion
If you know someone who has Fibromyalgia or Chronic Health conditions why not send them a lovely encouraging card.
It will mean the absolute world to them.
Until next time my friend,
Jennifer
You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
or
in Prayer
© 2022, Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog All Rights Reserved. Photo by Anastasia Belousova on Pexels.com
Tea With Jennifer 
You had me with the purple flowers and I love the idea of purple tea. My sister has fibro myalgia and has lots of pain. It’s a beautiful post you wrote about it. Thank you!
You’re most welcome Carol! I love purple flowers too! I’m saddened to hear that your sister has Fibromyalgia. Maybe she would enjoy joining us for a cuppa here ☺️
I wasn’t aware that men suffered from Fibro too. All I’ve ever heard was that women suffered from it.
Praying for you!
Thank you Ed, I appreciate your prayers. Yes, sadly men & children are amongst its sufferers too.
A good article to read on this is; https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315422
Jennifer, I know it is a hard thing to live with but so good that you have the Lord to rely on and get you through. What a great inspiration that is to all of us in our struggles.
Thank you Donna ☺️
Thank you for sharing this encouraging post. I never understood the challenges of living with chronic pain until a long season of going through it myself. Thank you for the verses and for reminding us of the truth that we can face each day with Jesus by our side.
You’re most welcome Leslie. I’m saddened to hear you too have experienced chronic pain though.