News Article

Taking back her life


11/19/2010 12:43:34 PM


Lewisporte native Kellee Sanger is ready to get back into the music industry.

Published on November 17, 2010
Printed with permission from the Pilot
By Pam Snow

Sanger overcoming fibromyalgia and returning to music

LEWISPORTE – After leaving the music industry for a number of years, Kellee Sanger is ready to return and embark on a new singing career.

Ms. Sanger, age 41, involuntarily had to give up traveling for her career when she was unexpectedly diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2004.

“I was basically climbing up in the music industry and it hit me really hard,” she said. “I was bedridden for six years. I was actually in Nova Scotia in 2004 when it became apparent that I had fibromyalgia.

“I was doing so well. I was performing, I was making a career and a living from it and then this disease just took over my body.”

The symptoms of fibromyalgia can include chronic and widespread pain and fatigue, tingling of the skin, prolonged muscle spasms, weakness in the limbs, nerve pain, muscle twitching, palpitations and chronic sleep disturbances.

Ms. Sanger said the pain had become so severe that she could no longer continue with her normal daily activities.

“It’s very similar to multiple sclerosis,” she said. “There’s muscle pain and tendon pain – there is also really depilating fatigue. It can ruin your life, if you let it. It’s awful.”

However, after taking herbal medicines and learning to look after her body properly, Ms. Sanger said she feels great.

“I think I’m going into remission, because right now I feel fantastic,” she said. “I feel like I can do anything, but I’m scared to get too confident. You never know when you’re luck will turn around.”

Ms. Sanger decided to take the healthier alternative treatment, when her doctor suggested prescription morphine.

“A lot of doctors don’t know how to treat it,” she said. “Even my doctor was skeptical about treatments, but when I was prescribed morphine I decided then that I wouldn’t take it.

“I’m scared of getting addicted to a medication that takes away the pain. So, I turned to more natural medicines and I’ve been doing fine. Exercising and eating right are also a great help.”

Although Ms. Sanger feels fine now, she is still contemplating surgery.

“Basically, you can get neck and back surgery to treat fibromyalgia and I have heard of a lot of people doing that,” she said. “I am currently contemplating surgery myself because I have a lot of lesions on my brain that may be contributing to the pain.

“The only thing with MS is you can see it, but with fibromyalgia you can’t. So it’s very frustrating.”

Therapeutic tunes

Even while bedridden, Ms. Sanger said all she wanted was music.

“I have always had an interest in singing,” she said. “I really enjoy it. I am in between everything from country, rock and pop. I sing everything and I will try anything.”

Ms. Sanger can play a variety of instruments including the guitar, keyboard, ukulele and mandolin.

“I joined the Anglican church choir recently to sing more, but it was difficult getting back into playing the guitar for instance because of the neck and back pain,” she said. “Now I just want to do it and I’m ready, so I’m determined. I’m driven.”

The next step was to contact a record producer and Ms. Sanger did that on Nov. 4.

“I’m ready to do an album,” she said. “I’m interested in recording locally and plan on meeting with Dean Stairs of Little Known Artists Studio here in Lewisporte to produce a CD.”

Ms. Sanger said she is proud to call Lewisporte home and can’t imagine recording anywhere else.

“I also plan on having some of the proceeds of the sale of the album go to charity. I think that’s important. It’s a good thing to do. It’s all about giving back and putting it back into the community.”

Ms. Sanger believes her first album will feature a number of cover songs.

“I have been writing and I have a lot of originals,” she said. “However, I think for the first album I will do some covers, then maybe the next CD could be originals. I want to get a feel for what people want to hear.”

Tremendous support

Ms. Sanger said she is receiving the same support now as she did when she first graduated the Musical Industry and Performance and Recording Arts program at the College of the North Atlantic in Stephenville.

“When I graduated in 2004, I did a tour of Newfoundland, benefit concerts and played at a lot of coffee houses, festivals and clubs,” she said. “I did really well and I want that back.”

Not only does she have friends in the music industry supporting her, but also people who she has met through fibromyalgia in area.

“I have talked to a lot of people already that have it and it’s comforting to know you are not alone,” said Ms. Sanger.

Her advice to anyone facing fibromyalgia, “Don’t concentrate on the illness or the pain. Life is good. It could always be worse.”

Ms. Sanger has a very positive outlook on this new step in her life.

“I’ll get it - it just takes time,” she said. “If I can do it, anyone can do it.”

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