Gina D. Davenport's Story

What were the steps leading up to your diagnosis?

In the beginning I had no idea what was going on. It started in 2000. I remember my legs were on fire and I couldn't walk, so I went to the emergency room. The doctor told me I needed a back operation or I would be in a wheelchair in three years. Today I'm not in a wheelchair, but some days I wish that was my reality.

My days were getting much worse, year after year; pain everywhere and no one had any answers, until in 2010 when my doctor finally gave my way of life a name –fibromyalgia. I had never heard of this disease.

What lifestyle changes have you needed to make?

I’ve had to learn how to mask my pain and pretend that everything is fine with me, when all the while I can barely walk or stand for long periods of time.

Who has been there for you? How?

My friends have always been there for me. In the beginning they would go to the doctors with me, because they could see how much pain I was in. However, the doctors would say nothing was wrong with me.

What accomplishment are you proud of?

I'm grateful that at 51 I can still get up and work an eight-hour shift dealing with customers. I'm still able to go feed the homeless and mentor a group of young ladies to become successful.

What's your advice to someone else living with fibromyalgia?

For the last 14 years I have lived with this horrible disease, but I still win. If it was not for my faith in God I would not be here. When no one knew what was wrong, I kept the faith. Even today I am not on any pain medicines, because no doctors would give me any, so I had to do what I know to do: pray.

I live my life in pain, but I refuse to allow it to get the best of me. Some days I want to give up, but I believe I’m going to beat this.

Is there anything else we should know?

Until 2012, I was able to hide my life with fibromyalgia, because I was able to fake it. However at 48 I was blessed with a husband and he has seen me in my worst state, but he still believes I'm a very independent women. In 2013 I was diagnosed with cancer and I won. And in 2014, I am still standing.