Freelance Writer

No one ever said it was easy to stay married.

Tips for avoiding divorce - by Chrystal Mahan - Helium

A beautiful place for a sunny getaway!
How to choose a Caribbean charter yacht - by Chrystal Mahan - Helium

Who is most responsible for the creation of the humanities? - by Chrystal Mahan - Helium

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Well a few years ago I found out I had it. Began treatments, but since my divorce and moving to Michigan it has gotten worse. Not only that, I have not been exercising, put on more weight and I throw around a 4 year old on the weekends.

None of these are helpful and add to it the life stress and it was bound to “break.” This is not the first time this has happened since living in Michigan. Earlier this year before moving in with Matt, and another time after moving here in 2007 I was literally laid up in bed for a week because the pain was so severe , I was unable to move around. I had to crawl to the potty.

In all the time I have been here I have been unable to go to the chiropractor. That has changed. About three weeks ago I was stepping out of the shower and just stepped wrong. I did not slip or fall so it really does not make sense to me, but I could feel it go through my spine the moment I stepped down on the cold floor. After that, I was walking crooked , leaning to my left, sliding me feet to walk,and it got worse as the days went on. Soon I was walking around hunched about like the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

I could not stand up straight, walk around, and even going potty was an issue. After a week Matt had enough and called the chiropractor here in town which we found out was very reasonable for cash paying patients.

I have gone to see her about 5 times now. I can walk straight now, but there is still a very dull pain in my lower back/hip area on my right side.

For those of you new to my world, my DDD was diagnosed in my 4th and 5th Lumbar in the Fall of 2006.

This is an excerpt from the blog I wrote in Oct of 2006:
I have DDD. Degenerative Disk Disease. My bottom two disk/vertebrae are practically on top of each other. No space that should be there. He said it was not good for someone my age. And it is in a progressive stage. To make things worse, my right leg is shorter so my hips are crooked which is why all my pain is on my right side. So, we talked about all my treatments. Basically we are opting to do what we can without having to have any type of spinal surgery.


The good thing, I did all my treatments as directed until I moved here. Bad thing, I went two years with no treatment and only made myself go backwards and make things worse. The treatments I am getting now are a little different. They are not as aggressive. I am also going to be doing treatments with an exercise ball to strengthen my core as well as use a ball to sit on at my desk so I am forced to sit correctly.

She was able to get my records from my old chiropractor so at least I know she knows what is going on. I feel like I am in good hands. I know she has helped quite a few people.

Sadly, despite treatments I am still in a lot of pain. She said it would take up to 6 months for me to notice improvement due to my damage.

All I know is I have to lose weight get strong and feel better because I do not want to have to go in for spinal fusion surgery. That alone is hard because just about any type of movement hurts me right now.

It sucks. I am uncomfortable, unable to sleep (worse then ever!), in constant pain and sucks not being able to really play with Madison and the dogs. Matt has to be super careful with me now too.

Not a life I like to live one bit.

My blogs have slacked because of this. I sit only to write when I am getting paid. And I have to take a lot of breaks and sit with a heating pad. No fun!!

I am hoping, and praying the pain goes away and the numbness goes away that often shoots down my legs.
We shall see.

I have said it before and I will say it again, working from home is NOT all it is cracked up to be.

1. People think that just because you work from home you can do whatever you want.

WRONG!
I have bills to pay just like everyone else; therefore I need to work just like everyone else. My income is based on the amount of work I turn in.


2. You are home, so you must not be doing anything so I can just stop by.

WRONG!
My home is my office; therefore just like any other place of business you must respect me and my space during my office hours and find something else to do.

3. You have freedom.

Yes and No.
I have the freedom to work when I want, however as a writer who has to deal with deadlines, I do have to get my work done on time just like any other job. Not only that, there are days when I put in twice as many hours in one day then the average worker.

4. As a freelance writer I have no boss.

I am my own boss. I make the rules and my own schedule. I choose to work regular business hours unless I have a deadline or am on the writing rampage. Then I tend to put in 8-12 hours.

5. Since you are home you can also take out the dogs, clean the house, do the laundry and cook the meals.

WRONG!
I am a work from home freelance writer who is in charge of her own business. I am NOT Superwoman. I do not have eight arms. I have to work and make money. I do not have time during the day to be your chef, babysitter, maid and dry cleaners. If I am in my office working and it needs done, do it yourself. I am sure you are not doing anything anyway.

6. I must have a lot of time to spend on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

WRONG!
I use my time wisely. Most of you know I do not sleep well and I am up at the crack of dawn. I write all day, and just like any other job, I require a break. While on break I tend to visit these sites. My writing is also linked to these sites, it is all about networking. Not to mention often these sites give me ideas for things to write.

7. If the phone rings, I have to answer it.

WRONG!

If I do not answer, I am BUSY. You do not have to call me every five minutes. I will talk to you when I have time.

8. Distractions are a part of life.

WRONG!
They are just some figment of your imagination.

Ok, that is not really true. Distractions are there for everyone. We all have them, some different then others. Mine is a rather large, 30 year old.

9. You do not have to work weekends.

WRONG!
I have to work when ever I am needed if I am going to make it during hard times as a freelance writer. Newspapers are published 7 days a week, right? Ok then. However with a 4 year old, 30 year old and two dogs running around it is rather impossible to work.

10. You get a lot of ME time.

WHAT???
Me time?? What is that???

A lot of people think it is great that I am writing these days. I would have to agree. I have so much potential to make great money, however because it seems that I have to play house so often that I am not allowed to take care of me and do the things that I need to do. I have my own bills to pay. I have my own needs and wants. Writing is my dream and it gets crapped on every day. I am sick of it. I am tired of putting everyone else’s needs before my own. I can not do it anymore, and I can no do it all by myself. If people can not start respecting me, my dream and my own needs then I am going to have to make some serious changes in my life. Writing is my job and it should be respected as such even though I do not have to leave my house to go to work.

I need my time, I need my space and I need to be allowed to follow my dream with out sacrificing who I am. I have to vent. These are my words, this is my voice. I can no longer put others before me. I can no longer put off what I should be doing today until tomorrow. I can no longer be pushed into taking time off to do things with others when I have to make money. I already lost my car; I can not lose my self worth too.

I can no longer try to force you to understand that I WORK from HOME. I am done wasting my time and energy trying to explain it. Instead, the word “NO” will be a regular in my vocabulary. I will not give up my dream because you are lazy, selfish, and not understanding. I no longer care what you think of me.

If you see a sign that says “Do Not Disturb” please do exactly what it says and leave me be.

The End.

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