|
FM Won't Defeat Her
Thursday, July 5, 2007
By: Heidi Lewis
Patient Story
I joined the Navy in 2000, expecting to work hard and gain a lot of knowledge. Instead, I discovered I was always in pain, limping around the ship.
I was constantly at the doctor’s, and they just kept telling me it was nothing. Finally, I went to a civilian contracted doctor and the dreaded word Fibromyalgia became part of my vocabulary.
I was 21 when I got diagnosed and about 19 when the symptoms really started. It is hard being a 24-year-old woman and explaining to your friends why you don't want to go out, but that’s just how I weed out my friends.
I decided I wasn't going to let my FMS get in the way, and will be graduating with my associate’s degree in Fine Arts Photography next spring. The military pays me to attend college, and I collect 80% disability from Veterans Affairs, so I am able to go to school and not work.
All in all, I educate anyone that will talk to me. I want everyone to know what FMS is. I pass bracelets out to everyone. I am in it for the long haul.
|
|
more ...
|
