Welcome to my world!
It took a long time to come to terms with being disabled. For one thing I looked perfectly normal from the outside but, my insides were screaming out in pain. Only those close to me really knew what was going on and even many of them had difficulty understanding. It is just really hard to fathom someone having chronic severe pain unless they have experienced it themselves. It also took many years for the doctors to really pin point what all my health problems were. It was a long frustrating process. Even now they dont have many answers for me.
I have severe fibromyalgia, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome. I have several herniated disc in my lower back and my neck. A fractured thoracic spine that refractured a couple of years ago, when I fell looking for frogs with my son. I now have degenerative disc desease and oteoporosis throughout my spine. I also have an esophageal relux, hiatal hernia and dysfunctional esophagus, that is now requiring a medical procedure to stretch it back open because the damage has cause it to close and me to choke each time I eat. . Severe endometriosis was added to my list of conditions in 2000, in which I underwent 3 major abdominal surgeries, resulting in a total abdominal hysterectomy and a bowel resection.
I also lost a daughter to cancer in 1994. There was a link to "Our Sweet Julie" memorial page at the bottom of this page but I have found that I have lost that page in these 2 years that I haven't had a computer to keep it updated. Hers is a very tragic story but also a miraculous one too! It is sad but inspirational to read. You will find out there why I am fanatical about angels. It is because I believe in them! I will remake a memorial Page for her and link it in as soon as possible. There is a link on the bottom of the page regaurding Non- hodgkins lymphoma which is the type of cancer that took her.
We also lost our home and eventually my marraige was lost too.
I also have a son Billy who is 18 now that had cancer when he was 13.His was a completely different type of cancer than his half sisters was. It was called Rhabdomyosarcoma, it was a tumor that engulfed his sinuses and neck. He is doing quite well now and we just have one more year to go before he is concidered cured. He is working at Pizza Hut and going to school & God willing will graduate next year. I will be writing a indepth page on this log in lifes road too.
Then there is my step daughter Debs who just got married in October 2006 to an awesome young man named Phil. She's found the love of her life and lifes treating her well. I have written about all of my children along with many others poems ranging from spiritual to whimsical as well. I have many poems on my poetry pages and will be continually adding more.
Then theres me again.... I did remarry in July of 2003 to a wonderful man whom I lost in June of 2004. He left behind his 14yr old daughter Cecelia and me. She will be 16 in June. We just now really started healing. Becoming involved with Calvary Chapel Church here in North Phoenix and working on this web site is what helps me. My hopes are, by telling my story and how I made it through helps even one person I am doing as God intended. That is how I have made it. I could have never persevered through these experiences without Gods help and guidance. Take Care and enjoy, absorb and hopefully get encouragement from my pages. Kimi O;-)
Updated 2/28/2006
My name is Kimi. I am 45 years old and have been disabled since I was 30. I have had chronic pain since I was in my 20's. I was a pediatric registered nurse caring for severely disabled children before I became disabled myself. I also worked in administration, supervisory positions and was director of nursing at 2 different facilities. I am very lucky to have accomplished so much in the short time I was able to work.
My daughter died of Non Hodgkins Lymphoma so I have included a link to a site for those that are interested. There are links from that site to information to other type of cancer too.
