Fybromyalgia Mom

Growing up wasn't the same for me as most children from the 90’s. I had a big imagination, love for playing outside, and playing with my pets. Having separated parents since the age of 3 I was moved from house to house on a weekly basis. Three days at dads, then three days at mom, and on night at my nanas. But being at my mom’s house was never the same. I’d ask my mom if we could go somewhere, most the times I got “not today” “sorry sweety, my back hurts” “give me an hour see how I feel” those hours never did end. For those who don’t know what fibromyalgia is widespread muscle pain and tenderness from hyperactive nerves.

Living with some who has fibromyalgia is hard, almost as hard as it is for the one who has it as it is for the other who lives with the person. One time my best friend Colin Bechtel his Mom, Lauri, my mom and I were at kids history museum in Bangor. We were there for maybe two hours, now two hours. Everyone knows when you’re a kid two hours never feels like that much when you’re having fun. We had to leave early because my mom’s nerves were flaring up and it was causing her to be in tears, it hurt her so bad. No matter if she sat down stood up it wouldn’t help.

It never failed either. 99 percent of the time for 13 years mom and I would always either have to leave somewhere earlier, say no to family things, she had to call out of work numerous times because she couldn’t even stand up. Even though I could have still gone to do thing with family and such, I thought it would be upsetting to my mom if I left her behind, so instead I would stay behind and help her. Sometimes it was so bad, I had to cook dinner. I learned how to cook and provide for myself and care for another since a very young age.

Most recently she had a surgery done, it was an $80,000 procedure three doctors, and two specialist were flown in from Boston mass. It’s been 10 months and most of her pain is gone every once in a while she has sore days we call them but it’s not every day. I just wish they had done this for her, 14 years ago when she first was diagnosed. And it makes me wonder if they had done this sooner, would my childhood had been different?

Theater

Theater is another one of my most favorite things every. I have been doing theater for almost nine years, performed in 15 different shows, done three years of tech and stage managed. I love this field because I understand it so well and it’s always fun to me. I fear the day I become a director I will be the pickiest director ever, and pin point down to all the fine details.

I can’t go through watching any production without making a few creative criticism remarks as to what would make it better. Weather the actor need to cheat out, project, enunciate, emphasize etc… there is always something that can improve. This last year’s High School fall play Band Geeks, being a senior I knew the ropes and would try and just drop little pointers to the underclassmen to try and not do this or try this instead, but I didn't want to step on the directors feet by doing it so I bit my tongue, a lot. Plus it was my show. Yes I might have gotten a little too carried away sometimes, but I always restrained myself.

Theater is one of the majors I chose for college. Just last week I went up to UMO for an accepted student day and found out there was a play on Friday, at the pavilion theater. The theater director showed my mom and I the theater in a little private tour, it is the cutest place I had ever seen. Room for about 70 seats, the stage was the floor and backstage was under the seating. It’s a nice little cozy place, and on Friday night mom and I went to go watch Godspell. Small cast, telling the story about the book of Mathew, after the first couple lines in the play I thought only one thing to myself. “Wow his diction” I understood everything that he said. The staging, dancing, posing, freezing, everything about that play was simple amazing. I couldn't believe it I had sat through an entire play and didn’t remark on anything.

Half way through the show audience members were chosen to be a participant in the play. Of course when it came for someone to be Lazarus, one of the actors grabbed my mom, and she was on stage acting. My mom has never acted before so she looked completely stupid doing it, and I mothed the words “I hate you so much right now” she knew I was only joking of course but I was jealous I wanted to go up and act. Oh well ill act in plays when I’m attending college.  The person who chose my mom is a sophomore in college so if I happen to see him and become friends or good co-stars with him I’m planning on teasing him about choosing my mom over me. In a funny manner. Not to be rude or anything.

Anyways theater is something I know most about, even though I know I still have a lot to learn and I will learn it in college I hope one day ill become a popular director/actor. My ultimate goal is to make it to Broadway someday, going to Ellen’s Stardust Diner watching waiters and waitresses sing their hearts out to one day be recognized by a director. 

Be Happy Be Healthy

I love to exercise, feeling of being in shape and healthy is awesome. My sophomore year of high school is when I first got into the best shape I had ever been in my entire life. All because of Indoor Track, don’t be fooled by the name, we ran outside for practices every day, the meets were the only thing that was inside. From November to February 12 of us ran outside all winter long, for a girl who grew up hated running I chose to try track, where the most running is required. How ironic huh?

The first two weeks were hell. My legs hurt so bad, I found out very quickly that my worst enemy was tackling stairs. But after a fashion I was getting in shape. It felt nice. And I was noticing that I was subconsciously eating a lot better. I didn't want to eat any junk food, or drink any soda. I felt the best that I have ever felt in a long time. Never have I felt so alive I guess I could say it that way. Before I did track my winter was my off season. Take a break from sports and theater to have time to focus on taking it easy, which my parents are always telling me I need more breaks in my life.

Most likely in the winter time I would get your average illnesses, colds, stuffy nose, congestion, etc. never the flu. But ironically in the winter, running out side, boosted my immune system. I went the whole winter without a single bug. Besides a runny nose and sore throat but I learned quickly learned that I should cover up more around my throat and face. I thought I would hate it and quit halfway through but once I noticed a difference in my day to day living in a positive way, I learned to love track. I did outdoor but chose not to do it last year because I wasn't happy with it. Reasons I won’t elaborate.

For anyone who wants to get in the best shape ever and wants to be healthier, do running, specifically with John Hunt the outdoor and indoor track coach this year, he knows what he is doing and lives track. You’ll won’t be sorry for doing it even if you hate running like I do.