As I am writing this, I am overwhelmed with my course load assignments; I need to stop, take a break (a short one) then assess which ones are priority, and get my work completed. I know I got this, it just looks worse than it actually is.

In the middle of all this chaos, I am thinking ahead to the next semester. This spring semester would be my final semester for the Office Administration program that I started in September 2019, but put on hold last May because of COVID-19 and personal issues.

I am super grateful for the support of my mentor, who also happens to be the faculty coordinator for the Office Administration program. She has such a great positive spirit and understanding to her students. On the second day of school, I approached her and the other (primary) teacher for the program, to tell them about my condition with Fibromyalgia and how I cope or not cope with the illness. My mentor was a nurse before she became an instructor at Canadore College, so she KNEW exactly what I was talking about. She was one of my cheerleaders and a big support in my new adventure (in 2019), being 39 years old and going to college for the first time, with Fibromyalgia, some limitations, and a family with some stressful circumstances.

My mentor has helped me get registered for the spring semester and hooked me up with a missing course; I tried to register for it in the fall and winter semesters with no positive outcomes from the admin office.
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​I am beyond grateful for my mentor's help getting me setup for this upcoming semester. It's super important to me to complete this program, it will be my first college diploma and I look forward to hanging that certificate on my wall with my IFCI certified advisor program certificate. I am beyond excited, I added Class of 2021 back onto my website's page called Goals.

 Today is the day, I've been waiting for this test since learning about adrenal function last summer when I was taking the International Fibromyalgia Coaching Institute's  Fibromyalgia Advisor program. I was doing some research and I came across this article about adrenal fatigue and I believe that I have issues with adrenal function, not necessarily fatigue but they are not functioning properly.

Exhausted? 10 ways to know if you have adrenal fatigue, and what to do about it by Margaret Floyd Barry 

1. You’re a “night person” (you have trouble getting up in the morning and you have trouble falling asleep at night, even when you’re exhausted) ✓
2. Your blood pressure is either above 120/80 or below 105/70 ✓
3. You get a headache after exercising ✓
4. You clench or grind your teeth
5. You get dizzy when you stand up quickly ✓
6. You crave salty foods ✓ 
7. You perspire easily, regardless of the temperature
8. You’re always tired ✓
9. You need to wear sunglasses outside during the day ✓
10. You don’t stay asleep at night ✓

I got 8/10 in that questionnaire. According to the article: "If two or more of these describe you, you most likely have some degree of adrenal dysregulation."

I spoke to my new naturopathic doctor about my issues and she agreed that we should get the tests done. I had to pay out of payment for this testing, but I believe that it will be worth knowing if I have issues with adrenal functions and steer my treatments and dietary changes to meet any of those needs from the adrenals working overtime. Next up in my testing is a new set of blood work and looking at factors that were overlooked when I was working with GP. I am still without a family physician and I hope that I can see the college clinic doctor for things that can be covered by OHIP and be easy on my pocket book. I am grateful I can put some money towards naturopathic treatments.

If you suspect that you may have issues with adrenal functions, please get in touch with your general practioner for a discussion and possible testing.

I wanted to share my favorite products I use on a daily bases for my self-care and products that ease my pain during recovery from a flare or daily pains.

Every night before I fall asleep, I use Yves Rocher Anti-Fatigue/Anti-Tiredness Foot Soothing Iced Gel & Yves Rocher Light Legs Fresh Gel. I just discovered these Yves Rocher products this month and I love them very much, I don't hurt as much in the morning.
My favorite pain relief topical cream is by Mind Body Matrix. I was gifted a sample size bottle last summer when I joined the International Fibromyalgia Coaching Institute. I was so pleased that I felt immediate relief in my back, neck, and shoulders (or wherever else, I had applied it for pain relief). It is a pricey item, but I believe it is worth the cost, for it's an alternative to prescription medication that I don't have access to.
I use an essential oil called Worry Not, I apply it at bedtime on my wrists, breathe in the aroma and peacefully fall asleep.
If I have a headache, I use a frozen eye pillow created by KrumaCreations, either on the back of my neck or over my eyes.

I'm Pinterest Famous

​Tami added the graduates on facebook & pinterest.

Today was the IFCI virtual graduation ceremony. I was so excited, I logged on at 3:20 when I needed to log in at 3:30. My excitement turned into anxiety and fear, by the time it was my turn for my interview, I was a little lost in my mind and I couldn't express myself and say what I had intended to share with the attendees. My prep notes are available here.

This year for our anniversary, Kirk offered to take me for a weekend away together. I joked about a road trip that we could do this summer because of quarantine and covid restrictions. He loved the idea and wanted to travel it this summer. 

We've been together for 22 years (married for 12 years).

Kirk has been super supportive during the last few years: when my health was bad and through the doctors' appointments, medical tests, blood work, visits to specialists, x-rays, ultrasounds, CT scan, MRI... speaking up for my health when I didn't have the words or the strength to express myself.  I know it's been hard for him to see me at my worse, all he wants to do is "fix it" but he can't, and that's his greatest struggle.

He was encouraging when it was decided that I wanted to attend college and work on my future. He was supportive when it was time to step aside from my spring semester; he understood the stresses involved that lead me to put aside my dream to make sure our family would be able to cope with their new lifestyle during the pandemic. Kirk was understanding when it was time for me to focus on my healing and begin my journey IFCI: I started working with a fibromyalgia coach and I was accepted in the Certified Advisor program with IFCI. He is happy that I have a plan to return to school in the fall to continue my education.

I am grateful for our relationship, Kirk is my best friend & my support team when I need him most.

Tonight, I found out my final exam marks were entered and I passed the Fibromyalgia Advisor Program with 96. 3%! The path I started on last summer is not exactly how my goal ended this school year. I am so proud of the decisions I had to make to get me here today. Graduation ceremony will be announced later on, I will share the link once available. 

Today is National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day and today, I started the Fibromyalgia Advisor program through The International Fibromyalgia Coaching Institute. 

I had my admissions interview with Tami Stacklehouse on May 1st and I was a little star struck. I did get over the awe and talking with her was like talking to an old friend and the conversation was wonderful. I discovered Tami through her amazing podcast last summer, when I was somewhere in my lowest moments: Tami's cheerful, encouraging, and inspiring  podcasts helped me start believing in myself and big changes happened last August.

​After my interview, I felt so positive and ready to celebrate my next achievement: we got Twiggs for dinner and enjoyed our patio and delicious foods.