Yaaaaaaay. Big *HUGS* for you. I'm really glad you've gotten something that's so good for you. Best wishes on seeing it through, finding your own strength. :)

> To Ria: I can only hope that one day someone can draw as much encouragement from me as I have from you. Even before my pain, you have been such a wonderful model to me of inner strength, courage, and beauty.

Thanks so much for this. I don't know what I do that helps so much, honestly, except maybe babble. But if it helps, I'm happy, sincerely so. And I would like to say that I see all three of the same in you -- you are a beautiful young woman who faces some particularly difficult things, and though you struggle, your spirit is still visible to those who know you even a little. That's an encouragement for me. Thank you for that. :)

How is the search for health insurance going? Will the job help with that? A recent LA Times article on FMS (linked) has given me a lot of hope, and it has a whole list of new medications that are making a big difference in FMS pain. Apparently you are improving enough to be able to get along without medication, though, and that is certainly something to be happy about.

Ri "Here's hoping that things continue improving :)" a