About Hil323

• www.inspire.com/Hil323
• Joined November 8, 2008

Note: If you read this whole thing I'll give you super secret top secret (?) information!

I have FINALLY been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Myalgic Encephelopathy-(which they call it in every other country-YAY FDA for keeping up!-sarcasm-), as well as Fibromyalgia (the good quote for it is: "It only hurts when I breathe"). I have pretty much the text book symptoms if you google them. IBS, pain in certain places, all over pain, horrible fatigue (like you have the flu all the time). But you can get to the point where you have almost no symtoms, which is what I'm working on now. I take 28 pills a day-mostly supplements. I also give myself a B12 shot every other day. It doesn't hurt-but it sure helps (trying to talk my doctor into letting me do it everyday!). I also have "Chronic Gastritis of Unknow Etiology." That's doctor speak for, she's puking and hurting but we can't figure out why. Two docs. are looking into a possibility of a viral infection??? SO...I HAVE those things. So, who am I despite my health issues?

First, the reason I'm on the OVCA site. My aunt, or "other mother" passed away from Ovarian Cancer. I am very interested in awarness, detection, treatments, and a cure! I also want to help support those having to live with those horrendous disease. Also, my grandfather, is in remission from lymphoma. I had a great aunt I never met that PROBABLY died of OVCA as well as a distant cousin that beat it. Even though I have no "1st degree" relatives it has to be in my family, it's too conicidental. So the cancer, especially OVCA, very well may be something I fight. Either way, I feel I should stand up in some way.

As far as WHO I am, well...that's complicated. I grew up blessed and was a tom boy, which I sort of am now too. I have taught school and plan to go back. I want to teach Special Education and have taken the steps (a test and classroom experience) so I'm eligible for liscensure there when I'm well enough. In fact, I'll probably go back if a great job opens up b/c I refuse to let this stupid "sydrome" stop me anymore.

I love to laugh. I love watching football, and playing flag football (especially when it turns into dirty muddy tackling kind when my friends from college get together--but I couldn't do that this year :( ) I'm pretty tough and scrappy, I HATE feeling weak like this. Go Panthers, and Catamounts! 10 points if you can tell me what a Catamount is! Also, if you want to trash Delhomme, just send me a message!

I have great friends and family. My mother and father go beyond what is required of them-they are wonderful (even when I realize I'm 28, in their basement and want to throw things at them -don't worry, I haven't yet!). I absolutley love reading (part of my education in college was a lit. major) as well as education. So if you want to know about a good book to read...let me know!

I love(d) hiking and outdoor stuff. Right now I can't do it much. But I WILL again. If not at one time I will hike the Appalachian Trail one day--maybe a few miles at a time, but I WILL do the whole thing in my lifetime. I have taken up photography which I can do to an extent (although I'd rather take pictures from a mountain from the top and not the bottom) I also love to dance. Yes, I was a cheerleader (captain actually-hehe, had to add it) so I can do modern and some hip-hop-or whatever "cheerleading dancing" is. Laugh...haha...OK, time to stop! I also acted and played in the orchestra and generally did stupid things that weren't "bad." I still do when I can (rock climbing-once no rope, "free climbing" etc). Pretty much things that might kill me, give my mom a heart attack but aren't illegal. When I am feeling some better I'm going to take ball room dance classes which is something I've always wanted to do. I'm also going to travel through Europe one day and see the places I read about (I'm fascinated with the Tudors and Elizabethan Era).

I'm interested in world events, some things really set me off. I've been described as "fiery." I like it! I've had to learn there is not a damn thing I can do about the Gaza Strip (stupid fight) or child abuse everywhere (travesty and SICK!), diseases (we can clone a sheep and not cure cancer???), and everything else...but I can PRAY. It's hard realizing you can't be Queen of the World!

But I can do a few things (like help out here) and occasionally I can get on my soap box,usually via email. I also have a temper, but mostly I yell and kick non living objects away from living people/things when I get really angry. Maybe I should take up kick boxing? :)

I live in the mountains of Western North Carolina. A beautiful and almost magical place (in my opinion). Even though I've lost someone special to me and am dealing with these syndromes that are very daunting at times, the Lord has blessed me with wonderful friends and family. They go beyond what is "required" of them. I feel so loved.

Now, here is a little bit of top secret information, and you obviously only get it if you read my rambling above (yes, I know you can just scroll down-but I can hope right?):
Ok, if it's REALLY, REALLY important and you want me to get something out about something really good or really bad (I know there is a lot bad!) concerning Ovarian Cancer (especially research) then I MIGHT be able to really help you as I can get the ear of a big wig in the OVCA Research .
Listen, I'm talking about hearing about break- through research or an experimental treatment that isn't FDA approved but seems to be working on you and other people. I can get that word to a lot of very important people. I live in Asheville, NC. Now...look up a famous person who is very involved with Ovarian Cancer Research who lives there (her non-stage name is Rose--google is a good resource for this). Her stage name sounds like Mandy but is boyish. She likes angels and Groundhog Day. My dad runs with her sister sometimes and a few times with her. I can get her ear if I HAVE TO-(we're looking at a small number of things so she doesn't hate me, take out a restraining order, etc.) Please let me know if it's VERY IMPORTANT to OVCA research, etc. I haven't had to "get her ear" YET, but I taught middle school special education so that makes me Super Woman! She can PROBABLY pull a bunch of strings and let other big wigs know about something IF THEY DON'T ALREADY. Just FYI.