"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary." - Steve Jobs

I am a 38-year-old mommy to a seven-year-old second grader who is the light of my life as well as my best friend. She had successful heart surgery on November 16, 2007, for Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome and quickly gained 22 pounds and 13.5" in the year following her surgery. She is now off of her Atenolol, and her energy has fully rebounded, keeping Shawn and I tired from watching her and jealously wishing we could bottle it up and drink it, lol. My husband (Shawn) and I will celebrate our nine year anniversary this year (November 10). I also have a stepdaughter, Kelsi, who is 16 and lives with her mom, her half-sister and her stepdad in Kansas.

On October 30 of 2008, my world turned upside down when I was placed into the ICU on an emergency admit. I was diagnosed as a type-one insulin-dependent diabetic, despite losing over 110 pounds during the past two years. I currently Novolog with my new (June 2, 2010) OmniPod.

I have been (re)diagnosed with fibromyalgia(FM), chronic fatigue syndrome(CFS) and irritable bowel syndrome(IBS). (My initial diagnosis was about 15 years ago.) The pain from my fibro was overwhelming and caused me a lot of anxiety, but luckily, with the help of some new diagnoses (gluten intolerance being one of them), things are looking up. I take 600 mg of Neurontin up to five times daily as well as 10 mg Flexeril three times daily and hydrocodone 7.5/500 four times daily to help with my fibro. In addition, I take 24 mcg Amitiza three times daily for my IBS. I also have prescriptions for acyclovir for repeated fever blister/cold sore outbreaks and take 20 mg Lasix prn for fluid retention. I have a slight heart murmur, so I take 7.5 mg Bystolic and 5 mg Ramipril daily to help control my blood pressure. I have undergone acupuncture therapy, chiropractic adjustments and gotten massages and try to continue these on a regular basis when our budget allows for them.

During my spare time (aka "when I feel good"), I enjoy photography, reading, spending time with my family and friends, and playing with our two kitties, four dogs and our horse. I also enjoy learning all I can about diabetes, CFS, fibro and gluten intolerance in hopes that I can lead a healthier (and happier) lifestyle. When possible, I love volunteering in our community - I've been a volunteer 4-H adult leader for about 15 years now and volunteer with the Brownwood Reunion Celebration; I am co-chair for beautification and chair for the Honor a Hero Children's Parade.

During the spring and summer months, I enjoy gardening and yard work along with bird and butterfly watching, as our yard seems to be a magnet for them. The caterpillars are already munching down on my passion flower vines. I also tend to my Nana's yard and enjoy feeding the catfish (although Paislee likes to claim that responsibility) in the tank behind Nana's house.