Prompt: Open a book. Choose a book and open it to a random page and point to a random phrase. Use that phrase to get you writing today. Write for 15 or 20 without stopping.

The Book: When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr

The Phrase: The sun has now disappeared completely and it was dusk. It was hard to see the water and the boat sped through it, except for the foam which flashed white in which little light there was.

As I walked along the pier, I wondered what I would do next. I was alone as alone as I’d felt in forever. There were no tears left, just fear. How would I survive? That thought caused me to stumble and as I caught myself my body went limp. The emotions were overwhelming. But I had to continue on, this night and all of the nights ahead of me.

I picked up my pace and walked off the wooden pier to the small town. It was late and quiet and I was lost in thought. A man selling fresh fish was closing down his stall. I stopped to ask if I could buy something. My stomach was growling. He wrapped up some small sardines and some other small fish and gave them to me waving away the cash I tried to give him. Could he see my sadness, my dread? I thanked him and walked on to reach my home, wondering if I’d have the energy to cook a meal for myself.

When I arrived home and opened my door, I gasped. The room looked so large without my husband and daughter sitting by the light reading. Instead it was a massive, cold place, where I wanted to escape from, not walk into. Forcing those thoughts out of my mind, attempting to erase them, I shuffled in and went to the kitchen. While pouring myself a glass of water, I started the stove. The cooking began and was done out of routine. Placed on one plate instead of three, I ate by the light and read. I missed the conversation, the laughter, the togetherness. And felt abandoned. Tomorrow I will imagine my family making a home for me. Tonight I will sleep on my side of the bed expecting my husband’s warm body to lie down on the other side.

Prompt: Learned the Hard Way. What’s a lesson that you learned the hard way. Write about it for 15.

This lesson is one that I continue to learn over and over. I’m stubborn about it. When my doctors tell me to stop, I listen for a bit, then go back to my old routine. When I end up learning the hard way, I stick to it for a much longer time…

Because of Myasthenia Gravis, the other chronic illnesses and the medications I take, overdoing is a very bad idea. I should do a little bit each day physically. And if things are stressful, I should really take it easy. When I do too much, I pay for it. Later in the day, the next day, or for days after, I can feel more tired than normal. I’ve been to the point where I cannot get out of bed and sleep for most of the day. My muscles get more weak than normal. I’ve had trouble swallowing. And then I realize, it’s because of what I’ve done to myself!

Sometimes what I think is a flare, is actually my body giving my a kick in the pants to remind me about overdoing it. There’s a slight difference and usually it takes a doctor visit to recognize it. Then I feel like a jerk. Get a kind lecture and go on my way, promising not to do it again.

The urge to get the most out of life is still there, now more than ever. I want to seize every minute, every opportunity.

But, when I start to see my body rebelling, I do stop most of the time. I may regret it while I’m doing it, but when something else comes along and I’m able to take part, I pat myself on the back.

What lessons are you learning?

Prompt: Pinboard. Create a pinterest board for your health focus. Pin 3 things. What did you pin? Share the images in a post and explain why you chose them.

My Health Advocate Pinboard – hope you’ll follow it and my other boards!

Sleep is good for you (because I have to sleep a lot, sometimes too much):

Image Source - http://simplegreenorganichappy.com/2012/04/value-of-sleep-technogel-pillow-review/

Myasthenia Gravis Warrior (because this image shows how much symptoms can vary among people with MG and how strong we are):

Image Source: http://www.cafepress.com/donlynsdesigns

Overcoming Suffering (because this inspires me to keep going and to keep advocating for others):

Image Source - http://www.hffcf.org/hope-membership/

Image Sources: 1. http://simplegreenorganichappy.com/2012/04/value-of-sleep-technogel-pillow-review/

2. http://www.cafepress.com/donlynsdesigns

3. http://www.hffcf.org/hope-membership/

Prompt: Writing with Style. What’s your writing style? Do words just flow from your mind to your fingertips? Do you like handwriting first? Do you plan your posts? Title first or last? Where do you write best?

Since I write for various blogs, I have different writing styles, sometimes my style changes with specific posts. It depends on the subject matter, especially how personal what I’m going to share. For this blog in particular, I often have to do research. Although I’m not an expert, I attempt to educate others about specific health conditions. Those topics are often based on current events or monthly awareness activities. These are not the type of posts that I enjoy writing, but I know they serve a purpose. My personal health posts where I share about what is going on with my condition, both physically and mentally are much easier to write. They often flow.

With all of my health writings, I have difficulty thinking about a title. I’m wordy, in case you haven’t been able to tell yet. Narrowing down my thoughts to a few words and thinking about SEO is a chore, but I usually write a title first. I very rarely write my posts by hand as my handwriting is terrible now. I’d probably have trouble understanding it later. The only exception to this, is when I take notes at a conference or when a thought crosses my mind. My typing is too slow to capture information I need.

Planning posts is a must! I use an editorial calendar and include notable awareness posts by month. Because of the amount of writing that I do, staying organized is not only helpful but a necessary evil. Although sitting on my couch in the middle of the house isn’t the best place to focus, I’d rather know what is going on with my family. If I have intensive work to do, my home office is where I sit so I can concentrate without interruption.

There’s really no definite answer to today’s prompt. But instead of sounding wishy washy, I know that the ability to change and feel comfortable with it is helpful to deal with my health. Accepting change and going with the flow are two important coping skills.

Prompt: My Dream Day. Describe your ideal day. How would you spend your time? Who would you spend it with? Have you had this day? If not – how could you make it happen?

I have had a number of dream days despite multiple chronic illnesses. Here’s one:

Sitting in the hotel room while my family goes on an adventure without me because the pain is so bad. My choice is to get upset about it, or do something to change it. I think of them together and the fun they are having and instead of jealousy, I’m happy for them. A smile comes to my face. It’s easier now to imagine myself with them. My daughter’s laugh, my husband’s watchful eye, the connections they are making. Soon a few text messages come in that include photos of what they’re doing. They tell me to rest up because we’ll do something special when they get back.

The TV is turned off, the drapes closed and I find a comfortable position to rest. My deep breathing exercises help me get over the waves of pain. I find myself drifting off to sleep. It’s a fitful sleep, so I get some ice and wrap it in a towel. It numbs the pain a bit and I can sleep better.

When they return to the room, they gently wake me. And I’m showered with hugs and kisses. There’s a to go bag filled with some fresh fruit, a cup of soup and a sandwich. My husband opens up a Gatoraide and suggests I drink some mixed with my water. The food is delicious and helps me to feel more alert. As we sit and talk, I find myself laughing again.

Then the question, “Do you want to go out tonight or stay in the room?” I don’t want to ruin their night in case I need to rest again, or can’t cope with the pain. But, they understand so why worry? As they rest, I get in the shower and let the hot water hit those aching muscles. I take it slowly to reserve energy. Sitting and resting after my shower helps, instead of doing my hair and dressing right away.

Some how, I feel a lot better. And the thought of being with my family brightens me up. So I add some Naproxen in my purse, ask my husband to put on some Tiger Balm where I hurt and get on my scooter to go out for a few hours. After seeing the sites and splurging on some goodies, we have dinner. Mine is a salad, my favorite. The taste of the food, the view out of the restaurant window and the joy of coloring the kids menu with my daughter is too much to handle. I might burst from the love and gratitude that I feel.

Please understand, that I know all too well how detrimental pain from fibromyalgia, arthritis, Sjogren’s Syndrome and migraines can be. I don’t make light of it. And there have been periods of time when I could not function because of it. This is a dream day post. Although it has happened to me, it can be because of many factors, including that the pain wasn’t severe, that I recently had a trigger point or Humira injection or that I just darn lucky. I believe in using relaxation and deep breathing to help reduce pain, but I do not look down on anyone who needs more. I do too at times.

Prompt: 10 Things I Couldn’t Live Without. Write a list of the 10 things you need (or love) most.

My list is related to my chronic illnesses and in no particular order:

1. My iPhone – to play games, read email, tweet, stay in touch on Facebook all while I wait in doctors’ offices
2. Body Pillow – helps make resting and sleeping more comfy. Takes the pressure off those joints and muscles that hurt and ache.
3. Salads – my go to food when I’m craving junk food. I’m not sure what it is about all of those healthy, colorful veggies, but they taste delicious and fill me up. (I try to keep cut up veggies in containers to make a quick salad when I’m not feeling well.)
4. B12 Shots – I get a shot every two weeks because my body does not retain B12. This helps increase energy.
5. Relaxation and Deep Breathing – used for chronic pain, migraines and general aches and pains. I use this as often as possible since I dislike pain medicine.
6. Cup of Tea and Toast- it’s my comfort meal as needed. I drink my tea decaffeinated, with milk and sugar.
7. Stuffed Mickey Mouse – he’s with me when I don’t feel well or in the hospital.
8. Prescription Medications – I hate to add this to my list, but if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be alive.
9. My Doctors – I may complain about some of them, but the ones that are still on my “don’t fire” list have listened to me, seen me as a whole person and treated me so I can live my life to the fullest.
10. Disney World – my happy place, where I can go when I feel like life is a against me.

It goes without saying, that my family and friends are my life. They are the best support system and I’m blessed to have them. I didn’t put them on the list because I couldn’t imagine life without them.