Here are 2 new pages on my site--

1)  www.fms-help.com/updates.htm - Updates I sent out since I stopped writing a monthly FMS/CFIDS newsletter in October 2005.  You can click on the updates individually in case you missed anything.

2) www.fms-help.com/photos.htm - Just for fun - a photo of me at age 10 and now at age 54 - my husband jokingly said, "What happened?!"  Ha!!! 

You will always find plenty of support, encouragement and information about Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome on my site - including ways to describe this illness to others who don't have it.  Check out the list of intriguing articles on my homepage at www.fms-help.com.   You may also be interested in these:

100 Tips for Coping with Fibromyalgia & Insomnia: www.fms-help.com/tips.htm - a starting place in coping with FMS/CFIDS

My Fibromyalgia Story: www.fms-help.com/fibro.htm - my FMS began in 1982 after many years of stress

My Chronic Fatigue Story: www.fms-help.com/fatigue.htm - my CFIDS began in 1987 after a terrible virus

My Insomnia Story: www.fms-help.com/insomnia.htm - I've been plagued with insomnia since I was 16

Things I Use That Help Me Function: www.fms-help.com/what.htm - list of stuff that helps me cope

My sleep page: www.fms-help.com/sleep.htm - insomnia is a BIG part of this illness - here's what worked for me and what didn't - but remember that we are all different.

As bad as this illness has been, there have been many blessings in my life from God that have accompanied it, or have been the result of having my earthly health and strength diminished at a young age.  I hope to write more about this topic in another update, because I've been thinking about it a lot.  This illness has definitely made me more compassionate toward others who have handicaps, limitations, depression, ailments, etc., and has given me an understanding of the elderly and their problems.  (Hey, when you're 30 and feel like 90, you can actually relate to senior citizens!)

I am still trying to get completely well from the mold I was exposed to where I was teaching this past year - it has set me back a whole lot (physically and financially).   Now I go around giving piano and guitar lessons in my students' homes, which I really enjoy!  Howver, in many homes, I am exposed to dust, dogs, cats, plug-in fragrance devices and scented candles that make my breathing problem a lot worse.  I really need a controlled environment to teach in, so I hope my church will start a School of Music soon.  That would give me a base to teach from.

Well, bye for now!  I care about you!!!!!!   I wish I could answer all emails personally, but must of necessity conserve my strength and energies for making a living and surviving....if you know what I mean! 

Faithfully yours,

Dominie Soo Bush