Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Invisibility

I walk in a room
where friends abound but
no faces turn to greet me.

I'm not avoided
but politely ignored
almost as though I were invisible.

Or they wished I were.

It would make life easier
for those who care
if I could or would disappear.

No pain to see
no struggles to bear
with a friend who's overwhelmed.

My dreams of changing the world
of making it a better place
have slowly vanished.

Replacing them are lofty hopes
of waking up each morning
and trying not to cry.

I've become a burden
on those I love most
taking instead on contributing.

I feel useless.

I don't know if I'm wanted any longer
by people I've thought were close friends.
Maybe I'm not enjoyable to be around anymore.

But it's an interesting view of life
for those in pain
and who are challenged in different ways.

The world isn't an easy place for us
we're purposefully overlooked
and conveniently not seen.

I suppose no one wants to be reminded
of the darker sides of life...
and what can happen to one person
can happen to anyone.

For some, maybe that's just too much to bear.

So those of us who have to fight to want to stay alive each day
we become either a spectacle to onlookers or simply
invisible.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Expect a miracle

Yesterday, I did something kind of out of character for myself. I flat out said I wished someone would buy me a piece of jewelry. Not just any piece, mind you. One I had seen the day before that wouldn't leave my mind. It's a bracelet, a silver cuff bracelet that has inscribed on it: "expect a miracle" I really wanted to be able to wear it all the time and only have to look at my wrist to be reminded of it. There are so many health issues I'm dealing with right now that I find myself easily overwhelmed and fighting on a moment to moment basis to keep my head above water emotionally. When I mentioned it to S & C, they both instantly wanted to get it for me and a short time later, I was wearing it, all polished up, with those simple words staring back at me from my wrist.

I have this hope in me that, perhaps, this reminder I now wear continually, will help me in those all too frequent times of struggle.

But this led me to another question...what defines a "miracle"? Will I only be satisfied if the "miracle" is a complete, instantaneous, genetic reengineering of my genetic code with new airways, vertebrae, and connective tissue? Well, of course, who in my position wouldn't be satisfied that? But maybe it isn't just about that, and maybe it isn't just about me. (*shock* *faint*) I know, what a concept, right? It's so easy to overlook the miracles that God does for me everyday. The fact that he's given me a spouse, partner, best friend to walk with me tirelessly through all of this and who, for some unknown reason, continues to love be despite all of this, is a miracle. The fact that's He's given me a community of friends who have really become family and who continue to support me, believe in me, and be there for me, is a miracle. The fact that I'm writing this from the porch of an amazing house in North Carolina on the beach on a vacation that was a complete gift to us from some of those friends just so we could have a break, is a miracle. The fact that I have a top medical team from Anne to my doctors at Harvard, and that I have such favor with them, is a miracle. The fact the God is connecting me up with another person who's gone through similar struggles due to EDS is a miracle. The fact that He's given me strength, moment by moment, at times, just to stay in this life during this time, is a miracle. The fact that time after time, when I should have to wait months or even a year to see a doctor, he gets me in in literally days or weeks, is a miracle.

I guess it comes down to what CS Lewis said at the beginning of his book "Miracles". (my paraphrased version). Those who don't believe in miracles will never see one...they'll always attempt to explain away any happening that's unusual as a "trick of the light" or a simple "coincidence". But those who are looking for and expecting miracles WILL see them and won't be disappointed. So, I want to start looking for and seeing the miracles He does for me on such a frequent basis. I know that, in some sense, the "Pollyanna" concept is a flawed one in terms of expecting a perfect almost "princess like" life. But I don't think that was really what was going on in that book. She was taking otherwise difficult situations and finding ways too see the good in them and for me, I think I need to go back to seeing the good more. I mean, it isn't as though I'm not trying to do that already, but maybe this renewed hope will be a positive start.

I don't expect to not have struggles with all of this. I don't expect to not have to adjust my life, my thinking, my expectations of myself right now to match what I'm going through. I don't expect to not have to be "gentle" with myself (a concept I find MOST difficult). But, if I can make those adjustments right now, with His help, then that's a miracle. If I come to a time later when I can become more like my "old self" then that's a miracle. And, if I can find a way to look for a "new self" to become, instead of mourning the "old self" that I can no longer find...then that is also a true miracle.

This is my aspiration. I certainly don't expect to do it perfectly. And if I can come to that realization and truly incorporate into who I am, that will be an absolutely amazing miracle.

So, now, I look down on my wrist and remember to "expect a miracle". Because, each moment holds that possibility and "suddenly" can happen in an instant and everything can change.


Thursday, March 18, 2010

Oops!

I recently switched my email account and in the process of doing so, I also switched over "ownership" of my blog to the new email. The transfer should be "transparent" in terms of the blog, url, etc. Problem is, that meant that the pics that were posted via the old account weren't associated with the new account. So, to make a long story short, I had to figure out a way to repost the photos via the new account and should've posted as a draft rather than a live post. So, a whole bunch of weird new reposts of old photos came up briefly on RSS/dashboards, etc and I hadn't thought all that through. I deleted the new superfluous posts after transferring the photos over so the new posts will show up as invalid. Sorry about all that. BUT! The good news is that all is transferred and should be working fine now. If not, at least I know to post as draft to keep your RSS/dashboards quiet...LOL!

Many thanks to Jenni for pointing this out.

*sigh*

It's been a long, looooong day at the hospital. I'm exhausted and despondent. I hope the remedies work because I DON'T want to have to be readmitted! Hospital inpatient isn't fun. :(


Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Coughing my head off/lungs out and baffling the doctors with it seems to be my talent for today. *sigh* Coughing is really exhausting, actually. And none of the remedies/meds, etc have helped. In fact I'm really hoping I WON'T have to go back into the hospital. That would not be fun at all.

But for some reason, I'm thinking again of getting another piercing. Problem is, I don't really know if I should b/c of the connective tissue disorder. I'm afraid that would make it more likely to pull out or something?? I don't know. I guess the ones I have are OK so maybe it would be fine.

I know, a completely random thought but one I wanted to share with my friends. :)

Monday, March 15, 2010

I'm back. Just trying out something new. I switched accounts in a way and = wanted to see how this would work out. So I hope to post more later at some point soon but for now, I need to know if this will work!

Friday, February 26, 2010

Why do we humans care so much about what other people think of us?  Especially, when it comes to strangers...I mean, I can understand the rational for those closest to us, I struggle with that myself frequently.  But yet, when it comes to strangers, I just don't get it.

And yet, at times, I find myself tempted to do that exact thing.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

OK, so I was super down and I realized that I didn't even get a pic posted.  Crazy..I feel like I failed.  But let's put it behind us, shall we?  Life happens and lately, it's been happening badly. :(

I SAW a pic I wished I had taken today but didn't venture back across the ice to take it.  Maybe tomorrow.

Monday, February 15, 2010


Today, for a few moments, it felt like a hint of spring. The wind had stopped for just seconds and the sun was so warm...it was lovely. I feel happy that I've made it through the winter. It wasn't as difficult as I had anticipated. I had a lot of worry about the snow and ice this year because of the falls Steven and I both took last year and the ensuing breaks, tears, surgery, and months and months of PT. But the sun is shining and spring is creeping closer. I'll actually enjoy the snow expected to fall tomorrow.
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Sunday, February 14, 2010


As I was cleaning the windows on the car yesterday at a gas station, I had this realization that sometimes you can lose your vision so slowly, imperceptibly that you don't realize it until it completely foggy or gone altogether.

Saturday, February 13, 2010


Strange, I know, but for some reason, this dried flower wall hanging made me sad.

Friday, February 12, 2010


Such cuties! Gabbi's become friends with Bogie now too! She's often a little fooler at first simply because of her small size...she doesn't want to get stepped on or squashed. But this is adorable...they've become a family. :)

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Wednesday, February 10, 2010


Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Monday, February 8, 2010



Asthma and Allergy Specialist...about 50 needle jabs and scratches later, we've determined that I'm not allergic to anything (which I already knew) and I'm diagnosed with a cough. Great. That's what *I told* you I was there for in the first place! Sigh. Onward we go.

Sunday, February 7, 2010



This is how I've been (physically) feeling lately...dizzy, disoriented, distracted, disassociated, off-balance. But, I've found out...maybe it's the meds they're trying??

Saturday, February 6, 2010



Scary. New drawing books, my first REAL sketchbooks. They start at me and try to intimidate me. Well, I've decided I'm going to win. I'm just gonna start. Does it matter if it's a masterpiece? Nope. Starting somewhere is the key. In fact, starting it is the key. :) I'm hoping to go doodle on some good paper tonight.


Hoping for a dropped morsel!


OK, so technically, this wasn't taken yesterday because it was after 12am but it was legitimately taken before I went to sleep so l'm gonna count it. I'll call it, "wall of inspiration". I need a fresh start.

Thursday, February 4, 2010



Promises from Steven... & to Steven

Wednesday, February 3, 2010


A rather bad pic of a 1/2 eaten crockpot of boiled peanuts...but they were good! :)

Tuesday, February 2, 2010



For Kim...

Monday, February 1, 2010


For some reason I had tatoos on the brain today or last night. Was thinking of getting one and decided I might have more fun with henna because I could do some of my art designs and use myself for my "canvas". I have some henna for hair that I picked up on closeout for $0.50 and thought I'd try it to see how it'd work. Not perfect and I don't know how well it will "stain" my skin but I like the designs at least. Steven said he'll paint some on my back too. I like that I was able to to it *now* with stuff I already had. Instant gratification is so rare these days.

Anyway, a little bright point in pain fill existence. I'm trying at least. :)
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Sunday, January 31, 2010

Day 31


New chapter...new journal. Finished my beloved black and white one last night. But this one is from our trip to Montreal last March so it's awfully special too. Hopefully there will be some happy posts in this one. :(

Saturday, January 30, 2010



No, this is not a mistake, it's an absolutely genuine photo of blackness which is how I feel. Completely empty, just a void of blackness.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Year of Wandering

A wrote this poem at the end of last year as I was closing in on a year with the Headache.  I decided to throw caution to the wind and go ahead and share it here on my blog:


Year Of Wandering
Rachel Phillips, 2009

A year of wandering
through a maze, a mist, a fog
I lost my way
Then I lost myself
Separated from the person I'd been
I fear at finding the stranger that replaced me
How do you trust a stranger?

Constant Pain has become my companion
A rude, brazen partner with whom I'm forced to travel on my journey
A temperamental sort, his mood changes on a whim
For no known reason, his irritation with me becomes a torture
He's disliked, unwanted, hated.

I beg, I plead for help.
Desperate for someone to unlock these shackles that bind us together
But where's the key that will free me?
It seems lost or perhaps these shackles were forged with no key, with no means of escape.
I cry, I scream inside.
I sigh, breathe
Again, and again.
I tell my core there's nothing to fear, that this is only pain.
There's no real danger, no reason to run
No way to fight this opponent

If only there were a way to run away from it.

But how do you flee or fight an opponent that unseen? 
Invisible, unknown, but his presence acutely felt
An unquantifiable existence that remains hidden
But always sensed, always perceived

I'm never alone.

This stalker won't leave me
it's kidnapped me, held me hostage
taken away all that's me
stolen my freedom, my mind, my personality, my soul
A predator that's attacked, raped

Will I ever escape?

I don't know.

I wish I could be alone with myself again

For now, I have to figure out how to make this dungeon a home
how to live with this Phantom
How to make peace with the imprisonment
To accept it
To try to appease him, to find out what make him so angry
Maybe somehow I can learn to exist here
Perhaps I'll get used to this dungeon
I'll try to tell myself it's a beautiful open room
high on a hilltop, with a gorgeous view of lands faraway
Of my wonderful Vermont
I have to make myself believe it
Force my mind to be at peace
Nothing to fear, nothing to fear
No real danger.
Another deep breath, a swallow
a deep breath and a swallow
Relax and let it hurt
Relax and let it hurt
Relax and let it hurt
Relax and let it hurt

Please, someone, help me find the key
that will allow me be free again.

I'm trying to find a new rhythm to my life
one that I can manage as this new stranger I've become
I've found my best isn't good enough anymore
So I try to adjust the rhythm of my life to fit what I can do
I'm forced to change my expectations.
I'm diminished in my own eyes
This stranger can't keep up with the person I've always been
The face in the mirror looks the same
But behind that veil
A profound change
It's agonizing to lose a life-partner that's yourself

I try to make peace with it all

My hopes are fading for ever getting back the person I once was
Maybe in times to come this stranger can become a surrogate
Perhaps I'll get to know them and find we can get along
and even develop a friendship of sorts

But I still grieve for my lost self.

In my pleas for help I realize the awful truth, 
that I walk alone in this nebulous existence.
I see well meaning hands reaching towards me
trying to assist or offer reassurance.

But no one can face this torment in my stead.

I try to hold onto these outstretched hands
but the grip is slipping, slipping
Am I losing my grip or theirs?
I try to grab another hand before blackness overtakes
A moment of hope 
A brief connection
Then sweaty palms slide again leaving only a desperate attempt to stay connected
by grappling fingers
But my fingers are too frail...
My little finger dislocates
It's all just too much.

I tumble.

Which end is up, down
swirling, twirling
I'm inside a gyroscope that's spinning
out of balance

But I try to smooth this ocean surface so that these inner waves are unseen
The whitewater torrent remains hidden under a placid calm
Maybe this calm will permeate and quiet
the underlying rapids

I have moments when I'm at peace
When I can cope
and I try to walk ahead with life
Undulating waves of incessant pain
bring fear, anguish, despair

I feel a resolve beginning to grow in me
that this will never change
fear feeds this melancholy state an insidious poison that the pain will grow
and I wonder
what part of me will break next?

Without the hands that continue to reach towards me
to bear me up 
to reassure
to steady me
to persist, persevere to offer hope
to hold onto me 
even when the last of the strength in my fingers fails to be able to hold to them
my spirit, my soul, my heart would truly be broken

The self-sufficient, independent being I was
is now forced to be reliant upon
an interwoven tapestry of family, friends, support, love, community
just to continue to
be.

Maybe sometimes just continuing to "be" is hope enough.

Emptiness

OK, so usually I wouldn't put such a melancholy post online but I think I will.  I can't seem to pull myself up and out right now.  My "homework" this week from my doctor (Anne, the best & coolest dr ever) is to think of as many things as possible that I love to do, that I'm passionate about BUT the list has to be at least 10.  I really can't do it.  I can't think of even a few things I'm passionate about right now.  I feel lost.  Chronic pain is so insidious and changes your life if ways you couldn't have even imagined.  I wish I knew how to rebuild myself.  I wish I had enough left in me to want to.

So, where does it all go from here?  I wish I knew.  All I see is a black abyss and continual ongoing pain without end.  Hope deferred makes the heart sick.  I can see why.  I can also see why hope is in *the* list along with faith and love because it's a lot more important than we realize.  Problem is, we often don't realize it until it isn't there anymore.

So me, the former eternal optimist, has lost hope.  What happens next?

Day 29


OK, so I couldn't leave out my other sweetie. :) Such a handsome brute, isn't he?
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Thursday, January 28, 2010

Snow Patterns.
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Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Day 27


Such a sweetie. :)
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Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Day 26


I'm trying to get reinspired on my photos. I took my camera with me downtown for a bit and was almost back to the car when I saw this scene and loved it for a photo. It's not as "perfect" as I'd like but overall, I'm pleased with the results. The structure has nice lines and color, especially with the little multi-colored cart next to it. :)
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Monday, January 25, 2010

Wow, a flurry of posts tonight!

I'm trying to get some new ideas for food, especially low carb ones (NO, we don't do Atkins!!, it's for Steven).  So, I'm hoping that if City Market doesn't carry dried black soybeans and raw peanuts in shell that they can order them for us.  Mmmmmm, finally can make my own boiled peanuts!!!! :D  That's worth getting happy about.
OK, I need a fresh umph (great vocabulary, eh?) put into my photography.  Just a new dose of (not so much inspiration) as invigoration.

Day 25, Multiple Photos



A goreous rainbow as we were coming home today...a full one and it was right over our house. A very happy thing.

Rainbows embody hope in some way and I'll try to grab onto that.

Still having trouble getting on top of life right now, though.
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A new week, a new start.  Seeing someone new for the HA today.  Try to find that grain of hope that I've been "prescribed" to try to grab hold of.

Time just rolls on and on and on.

Sunday, January 24, 2010


My littlest cutie. :)

Life's Secret?

It seems to me that one of life's secrets is figuring out how to turn "have to's" into "get to's".

I have no idea how to make that happen.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Day 23, Photo 23


I was craving Pepsi tonight. :)

Friday, January 22, 2010

Day 22, Photo 22



Unfortunately, this photo doesn't show up nearly as well as I wish it did but it's a favorite of mine. It's a photo of a photo in the hand surgeon's office that I saw again yesterday. It's just so adorable. Makes you smile even if you don't want to. :)

SO SMILE ALREADY! (just kidding)

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Day 21, Photo 21



Just for a laugh... I was joking around in the car today in Montreal when I saw the KFC logo and said "I wonder if it's something like "PFK" up here, for Poulet Frites Kentucky...that would be funny!" Then as we drive past...I see that it's EXACTLY that! I was like YYYYEEEEESSSSSS!!!!!! And, I figured it out all by myself with my limited knowledge of French from when I was 11. Hilarious - or maybe you just had to be there.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Day 20, Photo 20


This tree caught my eye today. It's shape and starkness against the sky were striking. It looked like it stood alone, though surrounded by other trees. Lonley, even though it's in a group.

Today, I wish I could just fade away.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Day 19, Photo 19

Masked, masked, I feel masked! Where do I find myself again? Who actually lies under this face I put on for all to see? Who sees the real me? Who *is* the real me? It's all a masquerade...

I wish I could wear this gorgeous blue mask all the time. It would be so much easier. I could maintain everyone's expectations of me externally without effort. The problem is, it's *my* expectations of myself that are the most impossible to fulfill...
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Monday, January 18, 2010

Day 18, Photo 18


Withered and dry, their life is spent. Waiting for a renewal of season, for life to begin again after a cold, painful time. They cling onto the slim arms as if grasping at straws, desparately trying to hold on for one more moment against frozen winds which oppose them.

But they must eventually let go for life to begin again. Indeed, if they don't release their own weight they'll be pushed out by the new life fighting for its chance in the world as spring begins.

Life is such a struggle...back and forth, letting go and renewing. Holding on and losing. Ebb and flow.

Turn, turn, turn.
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Sunday, January 17, 2010

Day 17, Photo 17


Topsy, turvy, which end is up, down. Skewed perspective, am I out of focus? How do I regain footing again?
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Saturday, January 16, 2010

Day 16, Photo 16


Looking down, thoughtful. Bizarre perspective. Elongated, drawn out. Black and white.

Or is it shades of grey?
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Friday, January 15, 2010

Day 15, Photo 15


Home, home, home! I'm so happy to be home from the hospital! I just couldn't wait to get out of there. My back is hurting like crazy, HA still there, though the positional part may be a small bit improved. So, that's at least a little something good.

So, not a lot of time put into a photo today but again, I'm enjoying being forced to see something different in what's around me. Love the ripples inthe brick and even the shadow. Tried it w/o the shadow and it just didn't have the same interest. Go figure. And, I didn't miss posting so 15/15 so far for the year. Not very far into it, but considering that this hasn't been the easiest couple of weeks, I'm happy about it.

Maybe that this doesn't really tie into anything or perhaps there's some subliminal message that says something about brick and feeling like home. I don't know. I suppose in the end the interpretation is entirely up to you...
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Thursday, January 14, 2010

Day 14, Photo 14



Trying to find an interesting *and* at least somewhat artistic photo in a hospital room when you're tethered to an IV pole is a bit of a challenge. But it forced me to look at things a little differently which is always a good thing. I'm fairly pleased with the results...not a masterpiece per se, but something a bit quiet and perhaps a little meloncholy.

So, still haven't missed a day posting which, given the past two weeks that I've had has ebbne a feat of which I'm proud. Thanks to camera phones, eh?

Yes, I know there are likely spelling errors from the past few days but I'll clean it all up when I'm back online on my computer, so fear not. Those errors and annoying ads that Verizon feels they have the right to add to my picture messages will be gone for good.

I'm a little better today...at least my spirits are. :)

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Day 13, Photo 13



Really?? Yes, really...4 times to try to get a replacement IV then flabotomy (sp?) came to do another draw for more blood work. I feel like a human pin-cushion and I just want to go home. No improvement in the HA and just a lot of exams/interruptions/vitals. etc to show for my time here. I really wish they could have treated the positional HA first so I could hear properly and sit up. :( This has GOT to start going faster and better. :(

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Day 12, Photo 12



Oooooo! Just squeaking this one in before midnight! But, made it nonetheless. These are two of my sweeties. They looked so adorable I had to snap this before I left for the hospital again. I miss 'em all! :( So, not the snap I had in mind for today but nothing wrong with it and the subject(s) are certainly cute enough.
Gotta get this sent now before I miss the deadline! Hospital admissions notwithstanding...