Speak Up!

Chronic Pain Sufferers: Speak Up!

Tuesday, September 16th, 2008
This post was written by Melanie Matthews
http://hin.com/blog/2008/09/16/chronic-pain-sufferers-speak-up/

In pain? The Joint Commission is recommending that sufferers of chronic pain “speak up.” The Joint Commission is launching a national campaign to help Americans work with their healthcare professionals to better manage pain. The new education campaign is part of The Joint Commission’s award-winning Speak Up™ program that helps patients become more informed and involved in their health care, and coincides with Pain Awareness Month in September:

The framework of the Speak Up™ program urges patients to:

Speak up if you have questions or concerns, and if you don’t understand, ask again. It’s your body and you have a right to know.

Pay attention to the care you are receiving. Make sure you’re getting the right treatments by the right health care professionals. Don’t assume anything.

Educate yourself about your diagnosis, the medical tests you are undergoing, and your treatment plan.

Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate.

Know what medications you take and why you take them. Medication errors are the most common health care errors.

Use a hospital, clinic, surgery center, or other type of health care organization that has undergone a rigorous on-site evaluation against established state-of-the-art quality and safety standards, such as that provided by The Joint Commission.

Participate in all decisions about your treatment. You are the center of the healthcare team.

********************

I found this online and had to share it with all of you! This is AWESOME advice for ALL patients, not just people who suffer with chronic pain and chronic illness!!
Have a meaningful day! Sending love and blessings to all of you!! Liz : )

SHOWCASE ON: Lupus

Understanding Lupus

From Lupus Foundation of America

http://www.lupus.org/newsite/index.html

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with or are being evaluated for possible lupus, you will want to know as much as you can about the disease. "Understanding Lupus" will provide you with a guide to lupus so that you can better understand what lupus is.

What is Lupus?
This section will provide you with an overview of what lupus is and is not. How does lupus affect the body and how prevalent is lupus in the United States.

What Causes Lupus?
No one knows what causes lupus. Scientists think that people are born with the genes to develop lupus and that something brings on or "triggers" the disease and symptoms. However, a combination of genetics (heredity), environment, and hormones is involved.

Forms of LupusThere are generally four recognized forms or types of lupus: Cutaneous (skin) Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Drug-induced Erythematosus and Neonatal Lupus. This section will discuss in more detail the different forms of lupus and how they can affect you.

What are the Symptoms of Lupus?
Symptoms of lupus vary widely depending on the individual case and the form of lupus present. Most people with lupus do not experience all of these symptoms. The section only serves to alert people to clues that might indicate the presence of lupus in an undiagnosed person.

What Kind of Doctors Treat Lupus?
The type of doctor or doctors that you may have treating your lupus will depend on the form of lupus you have and how the lupus is specify affecting you. It is not uncommon for a person with lupus to have a group or team of doctors working together to help develop the best treatment plan for you.

What are the Risks for Developing Lupus?
Many risk factors attribute to the development of lupus. This section will provide an overview on various risk factors that may contribute to the development of lupus.

Prognosis and Hopeful Future
We now know more about lupus than ever before. Dedicated researchers are on the brink of significant breakthroughs in the underlying science of the immune system, while public awareness and understanding continue to grow. Improvements in diagnosis, a greater understanding of how medications can work together to control symptoms, and increased knowledge of the effects of the disease have allowed better management of lupus over time. Today people with lupus are leading healthier lives and living longer than at any time in history.

Check out our new interactive "Could you have lupus?" symptom checklist!
This interactive tool was designed to help you better understand the many ways that lupus can affect your body. Each highlighted section features a text box which provides a brief description of how lupus can damage a particular organ or system, from the brain to the blood vessels. You will also be able to go further into the Website for more detailed information. Included is a set of health questions for you to answer that will help your doctor know if you may be at risk for lupus.

The History of Lupus Erythematosus
Take a short walk into the history of lupus from its initial scientific observations and declaration as a disease through the advancements in its therapeutic treatments. How did lupus get its name? When were the first symptoms identified? Who were the leading medical scientists working to define and develop treatments for this disease?

Sign up to receive LFA's free enewsletter
Stay in touch with the LFA's latest news on developments in lupus research, education and advocacy, by signing up to receive this enewsletter.

Ask the Experts
Check out the LFA "Ask the Expert" archives and learn more about lupus on a variety of topics including skin issues, pregnancy, pediatric lupus, kidney disease, women and men’s issues, medications and more. Our panel of nationally-renowned lupus medical experts provides insight, support and answers into the puzzling and often times frustrating issues of lupus. We invite you to submit your own questions into the LFA through our website.

LFA Approved Publications
The Lupus Foundation of America Patient Education Committee has reviewed and approved a number publications and other materials for use in educating individuals and families about lupus and its health effects.

---

Related Information
Newly Diagnosed with Lupus: Learning from the Experts - Audio Podcast and Slides
Dr. Diane Kamen, Medical University of South Carolina
Thursday, July 29, 2010

• Download a PDF file of the presentation slides (PDF, 139 kb, 28 slides)
• To download this podcast to your computer or mp3 player, please click here

Dr. Kenneth Kalunian, University of California, San Diego
Monday, February 22, 2010

• Download the slides used for this presentation ** (PDF, 166 kb, 28 slides)
• To download this podcast to your computer or mp3 player, please click here

** PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download it now from the Adobe website.
15 Questions with Dr. Bob Katz on "Understanding Lupus"

************************
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=179&post=1021&uid=112276272164064#post1021

The above link takes you to Pain Sufferers Speak's facebook SHOWCASE ON: Lupus with many more resources.
************************
The timing of this blog post coincides with Monique Millender's "31 Days of Life with Lupus Blog Challenge" where YOU have a chance to win her very first giveaway--A Sickie Pamper Basket!!! (I requested to help promote her awesome challenge and Pain Sufferers Speak is NOT entered in the give away by choice. This is about Lupus awareness and advocacy. Good Luck to all those who participate in the challenge!!

Here is the link to A Messy Happiness Blog

	http://amessyhappiness.com/

**********************
I do NOT have Lupus, however through Pain Sufferers Speak I love to promote awareness, advocacy, prevention and the sharing of FREE medical information.

For all of those who live with Lupus, there are many of you out there and Pain Sufferers Speak's Global Community will always be here to support and love you unconditionally. Hugs & Blessings to all of you!! Liz : )

Restorative Slumber--The Importance of Napping

July 26, 2011 Restorative Slumber The Importance of Napping A short nap during the afternoon is common in many countries and can provide an energy boost and clearer senses. As we focus on the many obligations we gladly undertake in order to create the lives we want, sleep is often the first activity that we sacrifice. We’re compelled by both external and internal pressures to be productive during many of our waking hours. While this can lead to great feats of accomplishment, it also disrupts the body’s natural cycles and leaves us craving rest. Napping represents a pleasurable remedy to this widespread sleep deprivation. Though judged by many as a pastime of little children or the lazy, the need for a nap is a trait that all mammals share and an acceptable part of the day in many countries. It is also a free and effortless way to improve our health and lift our spirits. A nap is relaxing and can improve our mood, vision, reflexes, and memory. Lack of sleep, whether ongoing or the result of a single night’s wakefulness, puts stress on the body and mind. It can negatively impact your physical and mental health. At one time, napping was considered a natural part of life. In the past hundred years, however, electricity and modern conveniences have provided us with more time to engage in personal and professional activities. Consequently there is now less time for sleep. A mere ten minutes of sleep in the middle of the day can leave you feeling more cheerful and alert. A half-hour long nap can sharpen your senses and refresh your energy reserves, and a shorter nap can even sustain you through a long day. Napping can help you make up for lost sleep and serves as a supplement to your usual sleep schedule. You may need to give yourself permission to nap by making naptime a part of your day. Feelings of guilt about napping or being preoccupied with other activities can keep you awake when you are trying to take a nap. If you need help, surround yourself with soft pillows and blankets or soothing music. Try to take a nap at the same time each day and use an alarm clock to ensure that you don’t fall into too deep a sleep. Learning to nap and enjoying its benefits can help you reclaim your natural right to nap. You nourish your being every time you take a nap For more information visit dailyom.com This article is printed from DailyOM - Inspirational thoughts for a happy, healthy and fulfilling day. Register for free at www.dailyom.com **************** This was posted on Pain Sufferers Speak's Support Family facebook "secret" group by Jacqueline Lamoureux. Thanks Jacqueline and Daily OM!! Liz : )

SHOWCASE ON: Lyme Disease

What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is an infection caused by bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi.

How is it transmitted?

The bacteria are transmitted to people and animals by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, commonly called the deer tick. Although other types of ticks and some insects have been shown to carry the Lyme bacteria, to date, transmission of Lyme through those vectors has not been proven.

The bacteria can also be passed through the placenta of a pregnant woman to the fetus—congenital transmission.

The DNA of the bacteria has been found in breast milk, but no transmission has been proven to date in humans.

The Lyme bacteria have been proven to survive blood banking conditions; however, to date, no transmission has been proven through blood transfusions in humans. Studies have shown transmission through this route in mice in the lab.

There is no proof to date that Lyme is sexually transmitted, although some preliminary studies have found PCR positives for the DNA of the Lyme bacteria in semen and in cervical tissue. These findings do not prove sexual transmission, but some physicians feel because the Lyme and syphilis spirochete (bacteria) are similar, Lyme may be sexually transmitted.

Lyme Signs and Symptoms

General early signs and symptoms:

EM (bull’s eye) rash at bite site (less than 50%), other types

Cardiac/Pulmonary

chest pain or rib soreness, shortness of breath, heart

palpitations, pulse skips, heart block, heart murmur or valve prolapse.

Gastrointestinal:

nausea or vomiting, difficulty eating, change in bowel function

( constipation, diarrhea), gastritis, abdominal cramping, irritable bladder or bladder

dysfunction, cystitis.

Musculoskeletal:

joint/muscle pain in feet, swelling in toes, balls of feet, ankle pain, burning in

feet, shin splints, joint pain and/or swelling, stiffness of the joints, neck or back,

muscle pain or cramps that may migrate, neck creaks and cracks, neck stiffness,

TMJ.

Neurological:

twitching of the face, eyelids or other muscles, headache, tingling, numbness,

burning or stabbing sensations, facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy), dizziness, poor balance, increased

motion sickness, light-headedness, wooziness, difficulty walking, tremor,

confusion, difficulty in thinking or with concentration or reading,

forgetfulness, poor short term memory, disorientation (getting lost, going to

wrong place), difficulty with speech, double or blurry vision, eye pain,

blindness, increased floaters, increased sensitivity to light or sound, buzzing or

ringing in ears, ear pain, deafness, seizure activity, white matter lesions, low blood pressure.

Neuropsychiatric:

mood swings, violent outbursts, irritability, depression, disturbed sleep (too

Reproductive:

testicular pain / pelvic pain, menstrual irregularity, milk production (lactation),
sexual dysfunction, loss of libido.

Other:

fever, sweats, or chills, weight change (loss or gain), fatigue, tiredness,

hair loss, swollen glands, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, swelling around the eyes.

much, too little, early awakening), personality changes, obsessive compulsive

disorder, paranoia, panic anxiety attack, hallucinations.

Prevention

The LDA (Lyme Disease Association) has as one of its goals to stop the spread of Lyme & other tick-borne diseases. Tick checks are very important, as is proper tick removal. The following links may be helpful in addressing what is happening in the area of prevention and control.

Tick Removal
Improper removal of ticks greatly increases the risk of acquiring tick-borne infections. Squeezing the tick or putting substances on the tick to try to make it "back out" may aggravate it enough that it injects into you whatever disease organisms are inside it.

• Do not burn or use any substance on tick
• Do not grasp, squeeze, or twist body of tick
• Grasp tick close to the skin with tweezers
• Pull tick straight out
• Use antiseptic on skin
• Disinfect tweezers
• Wash hands thoroughly
• Always see a physician for possible diagnosis, testing, and treatment
• If desired, can save tick for testing, preferably alive, in a zippered plastic bag or a closed container with a moist cotton ball.

Some examples of tick-testing labs:

IGeneX Labs, Palo Alto, CA: 800-832-3200
MDL, Mt. Laurel, NJ: 877-269-0090
NJ Labs, New Brunswick, NJ: 732-249-0148

Helpful Links With More Info

	National Pesticide Information Center
	Damminix
	Tackling Ticks That Spread Lyme Disease
	MaxForce Bait Box - Do an end run around ticks
	STOPticks.org
	FREE Prevention Poster
	Protect Yourself: Things We Wish We Had Known About Lyme (English and Espanol)
	10 Facts About Lyme Disease
	Prevention article & radio Interview Lyme Disease Association http://www.lymediseaseassociation.org/ ***************** http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pain-Sufferers-Speak/112276272164064#!/topic.php?uid=112276272164064&topic=143 The above link takes you to Pain Sufferers Speak's Facebook SHOWCASE ON: Lyme Disease with many more resources. ***************** I do NOT have Lyme Disease, however through Pain Sufferers Speak I love to promote awareness, advocacy, prevention and the sharing of FREE medical information.  For all of those who suffer with Lyme Disease, there are many of you out there and Pain Sufferers Speak's Global Community will always be here to support and love you unconditionally. Hugs & Blessings to all of you!! Liz : )

Resource Links For All Types of Pain

Resource Links For People in Pain
http://www.ampainsoc.org/people/

Thank you for visiting the American Pain Society web site. APS is a multidisciplinary scientific and professional society. Because of legal restrictions and financial liabilities, APS is not able to offer individual consultations or medical advice. However, you may be interested in reading the position statements found in our Advocacy and Policy Section. You may also look for APS web site content information of interest to you by using our web site search feature.

To meet the information needs of the general public and especially for people in pain, APS has assisted in the launching and development of the American Pain Foundation, a nonprofit information resource and patient advocacy organization serving people with pain. The Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life of people with pain by providing practical information for patients, raising public awareness and understanding of pain, and advocating against barriers to effective treatment.

Most painful conditions can be treated and we hope you will find successful treatment options and compassionate care for your own situation.

Organizations That Can Help

American Pain Foundation

http://www.painfoundation.org/
The American Pain Foundation web site is an online resource for people with pain, their families, friends, caregivers and the general public. This site is devoted to patient information and advocacy, and provides many links to additional resources.

National Pain Foundation

http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/
Treatment Options, Personal Pain Inventory, Personal Pain Journal, Links, Education, Support, etc.

Arthritis Foundation

http://www.arthritis.org/

Pain Center
http://www.arthritis.org/conditions/pain_center/default.asp

51 Ways to be Good to your joints: Relieve Stress and Pain
http://www.arthritis.org/conditions/51_ways/relieve_stress.asp
Back Pain
http://www.arthritis.org/conditions/DiseaseCenter/bank_pain.asp
American Cancer Society

http://www.cancer.org/

Pain Control: A Guide for People with Cancer and Their Families
 http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MIT/ content/MIT_7_2x_Pain_Control_
A_Guide_for_People_with_Cancer_and_Their_Families.asp

Myths and Misconceptions About Pain Control
 http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/
NWS_2_1x_Myths_and_Misconceptions_About_Pain_Control.asp

American Chronic Pain Association

http://www.theacpa.org/

American Council for Headache Education

http://www.achenet.org/

Cancer Care

http://cancercare.org/

Chronic Pain Outreach Center, Inc

www.painconnection.org
A resource for people with chronic pain, their families and health care providers

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

http://www.nhpco.org/templates/1/homepage.cfm

The Mayday Pain Project

http://www.painandhealth.org/

The Vulvar Pain Foundation

http://www.vulvarpainfoundation.org/

National Fibromyalgia Association

http://fmaware.org/

National Headache Foundation

http://www.headaches.org/

The TMJ Association

http://www.tmj.org/


Information from the National Institutes of Health

National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

NINDS Chronic Pain Information Page
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/chronic_pain.htm

Amid Ongoing Controversy, Researchers Find Opiates Relieve Chronic Pain From Nervous System Damage
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_article_chronic_pain_opioids.htm

NINDS Peripheral Neuropathy Information Page
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/peripheralneuropathy_doc.htm

NINDS Trigeminal Neuralgia Information Page
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/trigemin_doc.htm

NINDS Central Pain Syndrome Information Page
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/centpain_doc.htm
NINDS Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Information Page
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy.htm

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Fact Sheet
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/pubs/rsds_fact_sheet.htm

NINDS Shingles Information Page
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/shingles_doc.htm

Shingles: Hope Through Research
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/pubs/shingles.htm

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)

http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/

Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/HealthInformation/DiseasesAndConditions/TMDTMJ/default.htm

Pain (oral, facial)
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/HealthInformation/DiseasesAndConditions/PainOralFacial.htm

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

http://www.niams.nih.gov/index.htm

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

http://www.nci.nih.gov/

Panel Calls for Greater Attention to Cancer Patients' Pain, Depression, and Fatigue
http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/symptommgmt

Understanding Cancer Pain
http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancerinfo/understanding-cancer-pain

Pain Control: A Guide for People with Cancer and Their Families
http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancerinfo/paincontrol

Substance Abuse Issues In Cancer
http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/supportivecare/substanceabuse/Patient

Pain (PDQ®)
http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/supportivecare/pain

What You Need To Know About™ Cancer - An Overview
http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/overview

Cancer Facts - Cancer: Questions and Answers
http://cis.nci.nih.gov/fact/pdfdraft/6_sites/fs6_7.pdf

National Institutes Of Health State-Of-The-Science Statement - Symptom Management in Cancer: Pain, Depression and Fatigue (FINAL STATEMENT October 26, 2002)
http://consensus.nih.gov/2002/2002CancerPainDepressionFatiguesos022html.htm

Know Your Options: Understanding Treatment Choices for Prostate Cancer - Pain Management
http://www.cancer.gov/CancerInformation/understanding-prostate-cancer-treatment/page8

Found this List of Links and Many More Resources at the American Pain Society and here is their website:
http://www.ampainsoc.org/people/

Hope this provides everyone with many options for help, information, and support as you journey through life with pain and illness. Sending love, gentle hugs, and many blessings to all my Pain Brothers and Pain Sisters all over the world!!

Liz : )

Happy Journaling!

 

I recommend keeping a journal of your symptoms, medications, appointments, questions for your doctor or pharmacist, meals and snacks, daily activities, exercise routines, and changes for all of them. Some people keep a journal for everything listed above and even more details than I listed while others just keep it for one thing. With pain and illness, brain fog is very common no matter what our diagnosis is or what medications we are taking. The journal is a way for you to track allergic reactions, increases in pain, questions so you don't forget, and so much more. I know for some this journal idea is an oldie since you already have had one for years, but for others it may be a new idea or something you want to do again after quitting.

 

Link to the community page

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pain-Sufferers-Speak/112276272164064

 

On our facebook community page you can keep a journal there just by going into the Discussions Tab and starting a new topic. These can be journals or diaries or whatever you want to call them and you can keep anything in them that you want, and feel comfortable with. BE AWARE that the community page is completely PUBLIC so everyone will be able to read what you write. Many do not feel comfortable with that and so they choose to start a notebook at home or keep notes on a calendar. Some even choose blogging for that purpose and start their own blog. Still others use their computer, laptop, PDA, cell phone, etc.



 

However you choose to journal is up to you, but I sure hope you do it for yourself, your sanity, to help your memory get jogged, and for better medical treatment considering all your facts about all aspects of your life. Its all healthy and should not be supressed at all!!

 

Happy Journaling to everyone!!

♥ Liz

Pain Sufferers Speak Global Community Update

Most of you know I host Twitter chats each night at 10pmCST as @painspeaks. I have taken off some time from chats to enjoy celebrating my 2 graduates--my daughter from High School, and my son from elementary school (5th grade). We will have lots of family in town for all the festivities this week and throughout this weekend. No worries though--I will be back for nightly Twitter chats on Sunday May 29th at 10pmCST. I am spending my off time this week moving the last 14 existing Showcases into the Community Page so everyone has access to all the FREE info on many health conditions, illnesses, and disabilities. Glad to announce that I have already moved 28/42 Showcase topics! Come check out all the FREE info and introduce yourself so your connections can start with others who share your illness, disease, condition, or disability. If you are a business, organization, or group, BE SURE to post on each Showcase topic that fits that way others can benefit from your product, service, or resource. Pain Sufferers Speak is all about HELPING YOU MAKE CONNECTIONS & SHARING FREE INFO.

Once all 42 Showcases are moved then I will begin webresearching the other 32 topics that have been suggested. The growth in our community has been amazing since beginning Twiiter on March 10, 2011. Facebook deciding to change the groups format had us banning together to save the group + added lots of unexpected work time needed to move all the Showcases that were no longer easily accessible. So glad to have the groups format updated now, the Showcases will all be moved by week's end, and this particular growing pain will be behind us.

Be sure to check out our Exclusive "Members Only" part of Pain Sufferers Speak's global community! Our community began with this facebook group last July 2010. Since the discussion board was eliminated for groups, moving the Showcases to the facebook Community Page was required. The Community Page will remain OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and ALL Showcases are in the discussions tab for everyone's benefit. With membership to our Exclusive Facebook Group, you must agree to follow our "Golden Rule" of "no judgment and no criticism" and promise to report anyone who breaks the "Golden Rule". I want this to be an exclusively safe place for all Pain Sufferers to feel at home & loved 100% of the time. Our group practices unconditional love and support for all. Sound good to you? Recommend our exclusive group to all of your friends & neighbors who just might need our community more than you know. Remember: Pain is isolating and many suffer in silence without telling their family and friends the whole story. I know this for a fact because even this social butterfly found hermitville a haven for 18 months. Our Exclusive Group is the world's haven for all Pain Sufferers Who Speak!

For the Exclusive Pain Sufferers Speak Group CLICK HERE
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_142242355793657

For the Pain Sufferers Speak Community Page CLICK HERE
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pain-Sufferers-Speak/112276272164064

Back to the moving project now. Enjoy your week and Congratulations to all the other graduates out there!!

Liz : )

Pain Diary & Journaling

I have encouraged you all to come here to the facebook group or page each day and "deposit" or "give away" your pain, frustrations, hurts, anxieties, fears, worries, anything negative or toxic, etc. Your diary can be started on the discussion board as a new topic on either the facebook group or page. Its been proven over and over to me that the best course of action, is leading by example. So I began my own diary called Liz's Daily Diary in Aug 2010. Start your own diary and name it whatever you wish. Come back anytime you want and see what others have added to your thread and be sure to journal daily, weekly, monthly or as often as necessary to feel free to face your life with a clean slate and positive attitude. For those of you that live with chronic pain, encourage your family members to also use this outlet. Everyone in your family can start their own diary, too. If your kids have a FB, encourage them to vent into their very own diary. My kids helped me come up with this diary concept. It helped them through when I was on bedrest with constant pain. My youngest would rush to my bedside immediately after waking up, and tell me all his "yucky stuff that made him sad" and then we could go on with our day. His excitement in "giving away the yuck" was inspirational to me and I hope for you, too. Come on.... you don't need that stuff weighing you down so "give it away" in your diary right now. You will be surprised at how much better and lighter you will feel. Happy Journaling!!!

Update #2, Originally Posted in August 2010, Updated 4/18/11

Update 6/28/11

Link to Liz's Daily Diary

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=142242355793657&v=app_2373072738#!/topic.php?uid=142242355793657&topic=304

My Diary was started in the original groups' format on the facebook group.  When we were forced to convert to the new groups' format in all of facebook's wisdom, they eliminated the group discussion board. SO....you cannot see Liz's Daily Diary on the community fan page (in case you were interested & FYI)