Dancing In Concrete Shoes

Before the television series "Dancing With The Stars", we watched musicals. "Singing In the Rain" (1952) was a musical/comedy with Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Conner and Jean Hagen. It made you want to run outdoors during a rainstorm and splash and dance through the street (without the fear of falling on your bottom or getting hit by a car) Or little Shirley Temple tap dancing her way into our hearts in "The Little Princess" (1939),  "Fort Apache" (1948), and "Heidi" (1937). Then came Elvis Presley in "Love Me Tender" (1956) singing and "gyrating" in movies. (I'm not that old, we watched reruns) And how can we forget "Saturday Night Fever" (1977 and it was rated-R) or "Grease" (1978) with John Travoltra? 

When we weren't gathered around the one (yes just one) TV set in the house, we'd retreat to our rooms and put on our 45 records and sing and dance along. I lived in Michigan and must admit I grew up with the Motown magic of the Supreme's and the Temptation's. I really miss the days when we were "Footloose" (1984) and fancy free! (pun intended)

These days it's more like I'm dancing in cement shoes, or at least that is what it feels like when the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome flares up. Every movement is an effort that causes me pain. Even if I could kick up my leg or attempt to leap, I would be a jumbled heap on the floor (and in bed for many days afterward). My children would indulge in their version of "Humor Therapy" (also known as hysterical laughter). This wouldn't allow them the opportunity to help me up, as they would be too busy pointing, laughing and making a video for youtube (now you understand why some animals eat their young!)

What really gets on my last nerve (irks me) is when someone asks what is wrong with me and when I say it's Chronic Fatigue Syndrome they reply: "I know just what you mean, I come home from work exhausted too". Lucky for them that I suffer from "Fibro Fog", or I'd so give them a piece of my mind! So instead, here is a brief educational commercial:

What is the difference between Fatigue, Chronic Fatigue and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Fatigue is one of the most common complaints that doctors hear. Fatigue is usually caused by stress, lack of sleep, overexertion or a minor illness such as a cold or the flu. Typically, fatigue goes away once you are rested or recover from being sick.

Chronic Fatigue means that you have exhaustion or lack of energy lasting for six moths or longer. Chronic Fatigue is generally a symptom of something else, such as: infection, depression, endocrine diseases (hypothyroidism), muscle or nerve diseases (MS) or immune or autoimmune disorders (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis).

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is an extreme, persistent, constant fatigue that lasts longer than six months. It makes it difficult and sometimes impossible to function at even the most basic level. To be diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome you also have to have at least four or more of the following symptoms for more than 6 months that began after the fatigue:

• Impaired memory or concentration
• Post-exertional malaise (extreme exhausted & sickness following physical or mental activity)
• Unrefreshed sleep, sleep disorders (Sleep Apnea) or lack of ongoing sleep
• Muscle pain
• Joint pain without swelling or redness
• Headaches of a new type or severity
• Sore throat that is frequent or reoccurring
• Tender cervical or axillary lymph nodes
• Fibromyalgia
• Nutritional deficiency (for me it's potassium, vitamin D, B & B-12 that I deplete)
• High stress levels

In addition to these diagnostic criteria, there are about 50 more recognized symptoms, including dizziness and balance problems (I'm guilty of walking and bumping into the person walking next to me), allergies, chemical sensitives, anxiety, stiffness, numbness and irregular heart beat. (I have a pacemaker) While not all of these symptoms are required for a diagnosis, they can help your doctor to identify what is going on in your body.

There is not a diagnostic test that can accurately detect Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The condition is not curable, and so far the FDA has no medications that are approved solely for the treatment of it.
 Source of information: http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/whatischronicfatigue/a/cf_vs_cfs.htm 

Dance is a type of art that generally involves rhythmic movement of the body to music. In many cultures it is performed as a form of emotional expression, social interaction,  exercise, in a spiritual or performance setting or used to express ideas and tell a story.

I still dream of dancing in the Ginger Rogers and Fred Astair style with the graceful movements, your partner waltzing you across the floor, without even breaking a sweat. (and I have a dancers body, grace and of course a beautiful formal gown, and my make-up and hair professionally done. Hey, I can dream big!)  Life often mimics dance. Sometimes you are out of step, sometimes it hard to learn, sometimes it's really easy, and sometimes you are the one dancing backward while someone else takes the lead.
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"Life can only be understood backward, but it must be lived forward." ~ Soren Kirkegaard

Thought for the day:
"Dance like no one is watching. Love like you've never been hurt. Sing like no one is listening. Live like it's heaven on earth." ~ William Purkey

Remember, life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's learning to dance in the rain (even if you are dancing in concrete shoes!)

Wishing you the strength to dance, love that is returned, a song in your heart and a slice of heaven on earth!

Blessings! :)