Have you been told that you can't get well, either by a doctor, friend or family member? Do these people think you're so sick that you won't ever feel better? Maybe, they're saying this because they don't want you to get your hopes up or be disappointed.

Unfortunately, receiving such negative opinions and feedback can be very discouraging and stop the progress of your healing. Note: these people may be well intentioned, but doesn't mean their statements are helping you.

This week Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum's website has a good article on Thyroid issues. It discusses the ins and outs of how we Fibromyalgia (FMS) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) patients are sometimes told our thyroid glands are within normal range, yet we exhibit classic symptoms of low thyroid.

You can find the article at http://www.endfatigue-dev.com/health_articles_d-e/Diet-thyroid_hormone_deficiency.html.

But here's the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey used to say....

As we socialize with friends and loved ones this Memorial holiday season, we are prone to reminisce about family, sacrifices and time gone by. That can be a good thing.

What about the wonderful memories? What about the not-so-good ones? They all get mixed in that soup we call life. If we make the effort to "remember when..."

A nice lady named Cynthia recently posed a question about weight. From what she said, I believe she's struggling with being a bit overweight like some of us.

I would love to state that I don't have "any" trouble with my weight... but, that wouldn't be true.

Hint...Hint...Let's get a discussion on the blog about weight once I post this.

As this site progresses, we see that people have a lot of diversified interests and questions. That's logical since both Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are such complicated ailments. And that doesn't count the myriad of other health problems that someone can acquire at the very same time.

Considering that we can suffer with...

Recently, I read an article, Accepting Oneself Is Key by Michael C. Blackwell, the president of the Baptist Chilcren's Homes, in that organization's Charity and Children newspaper. I receive it because it's a neat publication and because my family gave to the charity when my mother died in 2005. You see my mom grew up in the Thomasville, NC, facility and doing so enabled her to have a grand life.

As I read Dr. Blackwell's words about accepting oneself, I realize how much you and I can apply his same strategy to healing from Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and a myriad of illnesses. He approaches acceptance from a personal image standpoint. That applies to us because sometimes you and I envision our own body as the enemy! Let's check out his points:

If you suffer with memory problems and brain fog like most people with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, you have a common, but pesky symptom. Feeling as if you're slogging through muddy water in your brain is really frustrating.

Your body not only hears what you say, but it believes it.

The concept that "what you tell yourself is critical" is most apparent and useful if you follow the works of Louise Hay, You Can Heal Your Life, or Karol Truman, author of Feelings Buried Alive Never Die.

(*You can locate the books and movie in the Cinda Recommends section of this website. These resources are valuable in helping you figure out your body's relationship to your lifetime traumas, the resulting illnesses and in figuring out what to do about them. However, let's stick with the basic concept that what you tell yourself is important for just a moment.)

By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong -- Charles Wadsworth

I don't know why I didn't write a post to Mother on Mother's day this year. Mom was always such a powerful and awe-inspiring woman, it seemed like everyone appreciated her every day that she graced this Earth.

But that can't be said of Dad. Dad had obvious faults, but as the years go by I seem to remember them less and less. What I do recall was his character in honest dealings with men, his love of animals and the underlying tenderness that lay beneath the surface of his otherwise gruff exterior.

Dad's been gone for almost 26 years now and he continues to influence my life. I think of him when I've done something he would not be proud of and, then again, when I know he'd smile and say, "Good job." (He didn't hand out compliments often.)

I remember his stick-to-it-iveness for not quitting a task when the going gets tough. How he could always figure out a way to make the things work that he cared about the most.

Dad, thanks. You taught me how to survive and how to be victorious in the end. You see I was listening after all.... Happy Father's Day.

Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

Today I've been researching just what our neighbors to the north are doing and they're doing a lot! Not only do they have a well-developed support network, but they're promoting research, too.

In http://www.fm-cfs.ca/Trillium-Cover.pdf they demonstrate some astounding information. When I think of it in terms of what I've learned in my study of ELT, it makes complete sense.

Let's make a supposition. You're worried that your body is cracking under the pressure of everyday life. It's letting you down.

You don't like it. Actually, you feel a bit scared because you don't know what lies ahead in the future for you-- healthwise.

Why? What's going on? Is your body really failing or is this an irrational fear?

If patience is a virtue, what is impatience? For most of us, it's how we view everything that doesn't suit us this very minute, including how and when we get well from conditions like Fibromyalgia (FMS) or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Plus we tend to be impatient if we don't have the means (mechanism/ faciltiy/ method) to get well.

A general example of impatience might be losing the weight we gained from the last holiday season. We want it gone yesterday! But the additional weight usually didn't come as a result of a few splurges. It arrived after attending multiple holiday parties and eating extravagant meals--or--it came after snacking incredibly festive munchies over a period of a month or two or three!

According to the Sunday Parade section of my local newspaper, The Roanoke Times July 20, 2008 edition, Dotson Rader interviewed the movie star Kevin Costner. I've been a fan of Costner's for many years. He's made some great movies. At age 53 now, he's remarried and become a father once again, although at first I don't think he was too keen on the idea.

Costner is quoted as saying,

I am totally revising what I eat and how I exercise. It's quite a process, but it's really important if I want to stay totally 100% recovered from Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and live the most healthy life that I can.

I won't input all my research here, but I thought you might be able to use something that I came across on transfats... you know that nasty stuff that we're supposed to stay away from now?

Well, check out an old post on the Lose Weight Diet blog that still seems mighty important.

If you're counting calories, fat grams, carbs or you're on any kind of diet (Wow, I hate to use that word!), don't miss this information. Really, really search for the transfats you're consuming and get rid of them!

Happy Health,
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

Oh, to watch the womens swim team and Dara Torres win the Silver Medal, I sit in awe once again.

And then she says, "Don't put an age limit on your dreams."

Oh, may we all take that to heart.

Have a great evening, dear ones, and seek your dreams. They may be... to feel really well and then to do only what is important in your heart!

Happy health and now back to watching Michael,
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show