This blog is the documentation of my journey as a Roller Derby girl who happens to have Fibromyalgia. For those of you who don't know Fibrobyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that affects your entire body. From the tips of my toes to the top of my head I can feel it EVERYWHERE!!!!! Never heard of Fibromyalgia? This is my best understanding of it: When someone jumps up to scare you your brain floods your body with chemicals that make you awake, alert and able to "fight or flight." These are the same chemicals that hide everyday pain you never think about. Unfortunately there is not an unlimited supply of these chemicals. So what would happen if your brain had a fight or flight reaction for every kind of stress, large, small, happy, sad? Sorry kids the candy store is closed. No more brain chemicals for you. All of a sudden pain you were never supposed to feel is plaguing your entire body. (For more information got to these pages: http://www.enotalone.com/article/18614.html, http://blackhole.xerces.com/showthread.php?t=1935)

To describe the kind of pain is impossible if you've never experienced anything like it. On a bad day my skin hurts. It aches and feels tight. I will often cry out "I just want to tear my skin off!" My spine will tighten and start to spasm while my legs become swollen and bloated. My husband comes home to me lying in strange contorted positions trying to minimize the pain but to no avail. It affects my memory and my energy level and my overall ability to cope with any kind of stress.

Almost 2 years ago I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and sent to an amazing Rheumatologist, Dr David Dryland. (more information on David Dryland check out this site: http://www.drdryland.com/). I started taken medication and what a world of difference. I finally feel like I can have a semi normal day but I still have to watch my stress level and how much I do because too much can cause a nasty attack.

Now you're asking yourself "this chick plays Roller Derby?" Well yes folks I do!

DISCLAIMER! All of these activities are under doctor supervision!

About 4 months ago I met a really amazing woman who was so chill and inspiring and she played derby. My first reaction was "wow I wish I could do that" but I knew nothing so physically intense would be possible for me. Something kept tugging at my gut. I found myself up late on Google looking at skates and derby videos til I finally told my husband I wanted to skate and he nodded "I can see that." That was all I needed. The next day I was on wheels and within the week I was on my ass. S%$#@! Busted tailbone.

Many people have told me to quit. Some of my closest friends told me I was nuts. Some of my original teammates told me I would never be good enough. Well to them I say "I battle constant pain, am just off an injury and I skated 15 miles in 102 degree heat yesterday.

I am The Incredible FALK and you can't make me quit!"

I welcome you to follow me as I reach for the stars so you will know anything is possible.

Sincerely,
The Incredible FALK!!