GOALS: 2024

 

Usually, I love writing this post each year. I like to have a semi-plan in place about what I want to accomplish in any given year. At the start of 2024, though, I'm a little hesitant to put anything in writing. Why? Because life seems to have other plans for me lately that don't always involve writing and publishing. And when I don't reach a certain goal I set for myself, I feel like I've failed. So this year, I've decided to be a bit more vague and go easier on myself. 

So, here's what I'm going to focus on in 2024...

1. Maintain My Health

I'm finally on a good dosage of my Fibro meds, and I've added in some new supplements that's really helping with my fatigue, so I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing. I'm also going to get back into a routine of working out. Once the weather clears up, I'd like to start taking Crowley on walks again, too. 

2. Gain More Financial Freedom

I'm still working for Anaiah Press, and I plan to keep doing so. However, I've applied for a new work-from-home job that's within the publishing industry, and I'm really optimistic that I'll get a position. This will take a lot of stress off our household finances, but it will also give me a bit more freedom in terms of funds to keep publishing and marketing my books. Ideally, within the next 3 to 5 years, I want to be making enough income from my books alone that I don't *have* to work anywhere else unless I want to. 

3. Keep Blogging

I've made some good progress with my blog this past year, and I want to keep up the momentum. Between a weekly group post I've joined (Tell Me Something Tuesday), my book thoughts, and anything else that pops into my head, I shouldn't have any issues keeping up with this. 

4. Read

I read more in 2023 than I have in years, and I've really enjoyed branching out into new genres. My total last year was 43 books. This year, I'm aiming for 50! I've even started a reading journal so I can keep better track. 

5. Write

As of right now, I don't have any set in stone plans of what I want to write. I have a couple co-authored projects I'm working on, and I'll keep moving forward with those. Beyond that, though, I'm going to try my hand at a New Adult romantasy for my new agent to send out on submission this year. I'm also going to rework some older projects to re-release, and hopefully that will snap me out of whatever writing funk I've been in. 

6. Take a Vacation

Yes, I'm going on a cruise in February, and that's a wonderful vacation, but I'm going on that for a specific reason. I can't share what that is just yet, but I promise to tell you all about it when I return home. Beyond that, though, I want to take another Mother-Daughter Vacation this summer. Our goal is to visit Covington, Georgia and take The Vampire Diaries tour, along with visiting the Atlanta Zoo and Aquarium. 

What are your goals and plans for 2024? Share in the comments!

Fighting Fibro: A Long Overdue Update

 

My last Fighting Fibro post was back toward the end of May. At that time, I was attempting to wean myself (with my doctor's guidance) off my medication. I was convinced that I'd feel better doing so, that I'd finally get rid of the fatigue plaguing me, and that I could manage with diet and exercise. 

Ha! I should've known better. 

I lasted about 30 days before I dragged my butt back to my doctor. I was in in constant pain, which in and of itself drains energy, so I really wasn't kicking the fatigue--I simply was tired for different reasons. And all the symptoms that come with Fibro--beyond the pain--came back with a vengeance! 

I was a raging bitch on a good day (and there weren't many of them). I was snapping at everyone for everything. If I could have gotten away from myself, I would have! The IBS symptoms returned, too. No matter what I ate or drank, I felt terrible afterwards. Bloating. Cramps. Overall grossness. Don't even get me started on the headaches. Lack of focus. Brain fog. 

I was, once again, a hot mess. 

So, I went back to my doctor, and we discussed other medication options. I wanted to try to go back on Gabapentin, which was what I was on when I was first diagnosed, but that messed with my blood pressure, and my doctor felt that was unsafe. 

I was adamant that I did not want to go back on the same dosage of Cymbalta I'd been on because then I became a zombie, and I couldn't function throughout the day. She suggested some other options, but I was leery about starting an entirely new medication I knew nothing about. We compromised, and I was prescribed the lowest dosage of Cymbalta (20 mg) that I take before bed every other night. 

Fast forward to the end of July when I had my 30 day check-up... While I wasn't suffering from quite as much fatigue, and I didn't feel like a zombie most days, I was still having a lot of consistent pain. Thankfully, the other symptoms (IBS, mood swings, headaches, brain fog, etc.,) had gone away again. Now, I just needed to find a way to manage the constant pain. And yes, I was still consistently working out and eating less sugar / carbs / foods that naturally cause inflammation. But, it wasn't working.

Now, my doctor had left the practice (she's having a baby and moving out of state), so I saw a new doctor. I liked her immediately! She really took the time to listen to me and my concerns, and she agreed that increasing my Cymbalta wouldn't help me. Unfortunately, for Cymbalta to be an effective fibro treatment, you have to take at least 30 mg daily. 

Uh-uh. No way!

She eventually prescribed me a second medication--10 mg of Prozac to be taken daily, first thing in the morning. She swore this would work in conjunction with the Cymbalta, not make me so tired I'm a zombie, but still combat the pain I'm having. 

To say I was skeptical was an understatement. But, I'm not a doctor, so...

At first, I didn't notice much of a difference--until I accidentally missed 3 doses in a row--and then I felt it. Pain. So. Much. Pain! As of today, I've been back on the Prozac in the morning and Cymbalta every other night, and I feel GOOD AGAIN! I have energy. I don't have constant pain anymore. No more headaches, IBS, mood swings... 

Here's hoping things continue to improve. I return to my doctor the end of this month for another check-in. We'll see how that goes :) 

Mid-life Alteration

I've never been shy about sharing my feelings regarding publishing and the many ups-and-downs, but today, I'm getting personal. I'm going to be 40 in June, and I'm at that age where I'm hearing the "over the hill" jokes and the humorous mid-life crisis stories. And sure, they make me laugh, but I've never envisioned myself as the type of person who would have a mid-life crisis. Nor had I ever truly felt my age--until about 6 months ago.

I started feeling bad. Really bad. Downright crappy, if I'm being honest. I was tired all the time, no matter how much I slept. I was having hot flashes and mood swings and I ached everywhere all the time and I had no energy, and I wasn't sleeping well. Of course, I immediately assumed menopause....because, well, I'm going to be 40. Yes, that's super early but not unheard of.

via GIPHY

So, I do the grown-up thing and make a visit to my lady doctor. Good news! I'm not menopausal. Yay, right? YES!!! But I still didn't have any answers as to why I was feeling so horrible all the time. My doctor suggested possible thyroid issues and encouraged me to visit my primary doctor to get some blood work done.

Like a good patient, I followed her advice. My doctor tested me for thyroid issues and vitamin deficiencies. Good news! All of my blood work came back normal. Yay, right?? Yes, in the grand scheme of things, that was good news. Real honesty, here...I cried when I got the results. Not because I was happy, exactly, but because I still didn't have any answers about why I'm feeling like I was hit repeatedly by a Mack truck. If it wasn't menopause, and it wasn't thyroid or some vitamin deficiency, then what the heck was wrong with me?!?!

Once again, I trudge back to the doctor's office. I do a full depression screening. A heart test. A bazillion and one questions, and finally, I get an answer.

Fibromyalgia. 

It's taken me a couple weeks to come to terms with this. While it's not life threatening, there is no cure, and it is absolutely life altering. So, at almost 40 years old, I'm having to take a step back and re-evaluate so many aspects of my life--mostly my diet and limits, both physically and mentally.

I am on medication, and it has helped tremendously. I've also started on the Keto diet, and I'm recommitting to going to the gym more regularly, because a good diet and regular exercise are the best defense against this disease.

Now, you're probably wondering why I'm bothering to share all this with you?

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Because for anyone who knows me, you know I don't say "no" easily. I'm always willing to help or get involved, and I'm forever taking on more than I can handle. Not to mention the pressure I put on myself to write all the words all the time. But I've had to face the fact that I just cannot do this anymore. Moving forward, I will be much more selective about what I commit myself to, how many editing jobs I take, and the writing deadlines I set for myself.

So, to those who have messaged me and I've been curt--I'M SORRY. Please don't take it personally. When I'm not my normal chatty self, it's because I'm either busy with family or work stuff, or I'm having a bad health day. And to everyone who's messaged me to check in and ask if I'm okay--THANK YOU!