Story of Amber: Wizard of Oz Style

Once upon a time, there was a nice woman named Amber.  She grew up on a farm, took care of her family, and had a puppy she spoiled rotten.  Amber had a good personality and was very friendly, she also had a killer pair of red ruby slippers.  Amber had an enemy, like everyone else, a mean wicked witch who vowed to get Amber's shoes (and mute her personality) at any cost!  Luckily, the evil witch couldn't come close to removing the spirit/personality of the girl completely so the witch decided to find a way to make Amber want to remove the shoes herself!

The witch was very mean and many people were afraid of her, but other people didn't want to believe in her because of how miserable she could make someone!  The witch begins by casting a vicious fog over Amber's world, causing her to forget things like where she left her keys or what she was doing... This poisonous fog also can cause Amber to forget where she was going, leaving her sitting at a red-light or standing in a hallway feeling a bit confused.

The witch has many tricks up her sleeve, she has several flying monkeys that she can send out to torture poor Amber.  Some of the monkeys are able to torment her body, swelling her joints, cramping her muscles, increasing her sensitivity to touch light and sound.  These monkeys work tirelessly when they are out to serve their Witch.  

The monkeys and the witch would work together, making Amber walk like a Tin Man... as forgetful as the Scarecrow.. and as emotional and anxious as a Cowardly Lion!  There are even monkeys that give her infections, low grade fevers, and works steadily to weaken her organs and immune system.   



Luckily, Amber had a Care Team that guided her along this path, doing their best to support her in any way they could.  Without their direction and empowerment, Amber would have surely fallen victim to the Wicked Witch.  The best part of her Care Team is that they remind her that deep down, she has everything she needs to truly be happy - despite the harassment of the Witch.  

This story is about my journey with chronic illnesses.  Fibromyalgia and Lupus are vicious diseases that seems to be trying to take away every sparkly thing that makes me so fabulous!  With the support of my family, Care Team, and new online twitter/blogger friends, I know I will make this journey utterly wonderful! 

And I will completely ROCK these ruby slippers!