Fibro Warrior Interview with Cindy C
Cindy Cetera is a Fibro Warrior from Bristol, WI. She was diagnosed in 2013, at the age of 42.
Cindy, can you tell us a little about yourself?
I am married to my husband, Jim, of 24 years. We have 4 children: 2 boys and 2 girls. We have four pets: 2 dogs and 2 cats. Jim and I are both middle school teachers and teach at the same building. I use to enjoy running, but I can’t do that anymore. I am starting to walk again, but I have to really build back up to that.
What lead up to your diagnosis (symptoms, dr visits, etc)?
I started to feel very tired and weak. I then was in pain—all the time. I had 19 doctors before I was diagnosed with fibro at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
How many doctors did you see before you were diagnosed with #Fibromyalgia? Cindy had 19! Share on X
How did your family initially handle your illness?
Because thyroid issues run in my family, my family thought it was that; however, I have been tested for that many times. My husband has been wonderful. The kids have a hard time. They sometimes don’t understand how I can’t do certain things or that I need breaks.
What do you feel is the most challenging aspect of fibro?
Actually, working has been my biggest challenge. With the 4 kids, not working isn’t an option. This summer I want to look into disability and social security. It scares me though.
Do you have any other co-existing conditions? If so, what are they and how do they impact your fibromyalgia?
Anxiety and depression. Everything kind of hit at the same time. Now, looking back on the last 7-8 years, I think I know what happened. It started with my sister Jayne’s breast cancer. She later passed away, along with 10 other family members. This happened over the course of 3-4 years. One death was just as hard as the other. I have since lost 2 sisters to breast cancer. There was a time when the family was just waiting for another shoe to fall. We lived in the state of emergency all the time. When things started to turn around, I couldn’t relax.
What (if anything) have you found/ done that has improved your symptoms?
Getting massages really helps. Summer is my best time because I’m not working and it’s warm.
How open are you with friends & family about your illness & symptoms?
I am very open. I am a shell of my old self, so I had to be open.
What is the best advice someone gave you about living with Fibromyalgia?
We believe you. We know you aren’t making this up. That’s not advice, but it validated what I was going through.
The best thing you can say to someone with Fibromyalgia is - I believe you. Share on X
What was the worst advice that you followed?
One doctor said to take a bath and drink a glass of wine and you’ll be fine.
What is your favorite way to cope with your life as a spoonie?
I still don’t really know what a spoonie is. I get massages to help. My husband has also started setting up get-aways so that I have something to look forward to.
What is it that inspires you to keep going, despite your illness?
My kids. I want to provide for them.
What is one thing you’ve learned about yourself since your diagnosis?
I am not as strong as I thought I was. I have a ton of guilt because of fibromyalgia. I don’t deal well with stress.
What is the most important piece of advice you would give to someone newly diagnosed with Fibro?
Be kind to yourself.
If you’d like to share your story in a Fibro Warrior interview please contact Julie.
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