This weekend made for a really nice connection with another Fibro in a way I totally didn’t expect. Related to what Beautiful and I are pre-occupied with, I found another CFer about the same age who had experience with the same thing. Since it’s still a deeply personal topic that we are still keeping quiet (so quiet only 20 or so people know), I contacted him privately and asked if I could discuss it with him.

Few things warm me up to a person as fast as sharing something close like this that other people don’t know about, but because he opened himself up to me to discuss it, I feel profoundly privileged to have that time and information. Later, when we “come out” with what is going on, I will be the first one to step up to the plate and return the favor to others who need someone to lean on.

“With great power comes great responsibility”

I feel the same way about many of the things that I have experienced so far: sinus surgeries, getting a port, testosterone injections, discussing marriage and my childhood. I love to share and help others who are struggling with what they are dealing with because it brings a level of purpose to having this wretched disease. “With great power, comes great responsibility,” Uncle Ben taught Peter Parker. Though our “power” is of a different nature, knowledge and emotional fortitude as a result of life experiences is power.

Sometimes – often – it is difficult to see a silver lining around what is going on. [Read more…]