This past week was definitely an interesting one. I've been having a hard time sleeping but making it through.
Tuesday was the monthly RS Mtg and we had a great time. We had a dinner, program and we learned to do glass etching. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Thursday the MS Chapter had a meeting at the Riverside Hilton. As my husband and I walked in the front door I tripped on their doormat. Hard and heavy on their marble lobby floor. It was difficult to get through the program as the muscles began to tighten in protest. Lovely deep blue bruise below my left knee and on left shoulder. Yuck. Even broke several fingernails! The up-side of it all was that there was a Marine ball going on at the hotel and I literally fell at the feet of two marines. I had two young good looking marines in their dress blues pick me up and put me back on my feet.
The meeting itself I had been looking forward to. The first speaker was good but too general for what I was looking for. The second speaker was sorely lacking to my way of thinking. She couldn't use the PowerPoint, she mumbled when she spoke and made it even worse by screeching the mic all the time. I am sure she had some good stuff to say but I found her painful.
Friday was hard to be at work as my body was protesting the fall with being still and sore. But I got pampered for 90 minutes getting my nails done and hand massage! When I got home I fell asleep on the sofa and at some point woke enough to get to bed and sleep again.. It was 14 hours of sleep - awesome.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Nov 16th 2010
Here it is a week since I posted on here. Where has the time gone?
Last Thursday evening was our monthly support group meeting and we had an awesome guest speaker. The subject was pain management and she spoke a good deal about the relationship between the mind/brain and the nerve pain messages. All in all, it was a great meeting.
We had weather fronts moving in over the weekend and so I had to take drugs to fend off migraine headaches. When the barometric pressure changes, it changes the pressure in my sinuses and that in turn triggers the migraines. We can handle things two ways - 1) let my migraines tell me what the weather is like or 2) let the weather forecast tell what the migraines are going to be like. I personally enjoy the second choice better. Knowing what the trigger is, I can pre-medicate and so lessen the frequency of when I have a migraine bad enough to put me out of commission.
Saturday morning it was a trip to the post office to get the Christmas boxes to my sister and my parents (both in Scotland) into the mail. As always it hurts me that the cost to mail them is more than the value of what is in them!! Oh well.
After the post office we did the Wal-Mart trip and we walked the store from corner to corner. I was tired when we got home! Got some good Christmas giving things at Tuesday Mornings as well. That made me feel better as I was getting anxious about what I was going to do about the miscellaneous small things we need to have to give.
While watching TV Saturday night I made a couple of pair of earrings for Noelle so that she didn't wear the same pair all the time. Nothing fancy, but a pair with a single blue stone and a pair with 2 green beads. Of course when I gave them to her on Sunday she wanted to know if I could make her a yellow pair!!
It has been a great week with no real pain issues and no exacerbated fatigue issues. I have just been wondering most nights why it is that my feet and lower legs wait until I crawl into bed to annoy me!! I spend that time in bed when you are trying to fall asleep, rubbing my feet together and against my lower legs. Why that helps I do not know but it sure makes it hard for Kent to fall asleep when I am doing it!
Last Thursday evening was our monthly support group meeting and we had an awesome guest speaker. The subject was pain management and she spoke a good deal about the relationship between the mind/brain and the nerve pain messages. All in all, it was a great meeting.
We had weather fronts moving in over the weekend and so I had to take drugs to fend off migraine headaches. When the barometric pressure changes, it changes the pressure in my sinuses and that in turn triggers the migraines. We can handle things two ways - 1) let my migraines tell me what the weather is like or 2) let the weather forecast tell what the migraines are going to be like. I personally enjoy the second choice better. Knowing what the trigger is, I can pre-medicate and so lessen the frequency of when I have a migraine bad enough to put me out of commission.
Saturday morning it was a trip to the post office to get the Christmas boxes to my sister and my parents (both in Scotland) into the mail. As always it hurts me that the cost to mail them is more than the value of what is in them!! Oh well.
After the post office we did the Wal-Mart trip and we walked the store from corner to corner. I was tired when we got home! Got some good Christmas giving things at Tuesday Mornings as well. That made me feel better as I was getting anxious about what I was going to do about the miscellaneous small things we need to have to give.
While watching TV Saturday night I made a couple of pair of earrings for Noelle so that she didn't wear the same pair all the time. Nothing fancy, but a pair with a single blue stone and a pair with 2 green beads. Of course when I gave them to her on Sunday she wanted to know if I could make her a yellow pair!!
It has been a great week with no real pain issues and no exacerbated fatigue issues. I have just been wondering most nights why it is that my feet and lower legs wait until I crawl into bed to annoy me!! I spend that time in bed when you are trying to fall asleep, rubbing my feet together and against my lower legs. Why that helps I do not know but it sure makes it hard for Kent to fall asleep when I am doing it!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Nov 9th 2010
I decided that no matter how tired I was on Friday, I would bake a couple of apple pies. Every night of the week I had wanted to but came home just too tired. I got the pies done and it was a nice feeling of accomplishment.
A neighbour's dog that howled and whined all night kept us from getting a good sleep Friday night but we had a full day planned for Saturday. We spent an awesome day in Raleigh was several of Kent's family and once again had occasion to take a 4 generation photo - Kent's mom, his sister, her son and his son. Lots of pictures of Tempie, Pat, Roger and Trey. Then it was out to dinner with one of Kent's brothers, his wife and Kent's mom. It was a long and exhausting day but a great one.
It was a second night of the howling, whining dog. I was exhausted Sunday. I didn't get to enjoy the extra hour of sleep the time change allowed. Went to church but had to leave early as I got a call from a friend who was extremely upset. I spent 3 hours with Hope and can only hope that I was able to share some of my strength and faith with her. I am a very strong believer that the faith I have and the strength I receive by going to church and being with my friends has a positive effect on how I am able to deal with my MS. I often wonder how others who do not have the faith, hope and support cope.
Monday morning at work I got a text message from Kent's niece asking me to call when I could. Of coarse I called right away. Susan was just needing some encouragement and I think I was able to give it. That is something that MS can't take away from me. I will always be able to listen and if I really listen, also be able to give hope and support. It was awesome to have Susan call later in the day to tell me how much I had brightened her day.
My faith gives me the knowledge that no matter what happens that I will have the strength to deal with it. This is a journey that requires me to develop those hidden strengths and talents and learn to be graceful in letting those things I no longer can do, just go. Is it always easy - not a chance. Everyday upon waking I have to tell myself that it is going to be a good day and it usually is. Some days are better than others but essentially they are all good days. My favourite post to put on facebook is:- ♥ :) ♥ Some days are good. Some days are better! MS is annoying. :( But MS is not life threatening! If I scream in frustration :D just ignore me. This too shall pass. ♥ :) ♥
A neighbour's dog that howled and whined all night kept us from getting a good sleep Friday night but we had a full day planned for Saturday. We spent an awesome day in Raleigh was several of Kent's family and once again had occasion to take a 4 generation photo - Kent's mom, his sister, her son and his son. Lots of pictures of Tempie, Pat, Roger and Trey. Then it was out to dinner with one of Kent's brothers, his wife and Kent's mom. It was a long and exhausting day but a great one.
It was a second night of the howling, whining dog. I was exhausted Sunday. I didn't get to enjoy the extra hour of sleep the time change allowed. Went to church but had to leave early as I got a call from a friend who was extremely upset. I spent 3 hours with Hope and can only hope that I was able to share some of my strength and faith with her. I am a very strong believer that the faith I have and the strength I receive by going to church and being with my friends has a positive effect on how I am able to deal with my MS. I often wonder how others who do not have the faith, hope and support cope.
Monday morning at work I got a text message from Kent's niece asking me to call when I could. Of coarse I called right away. Susan was just needing some encouragement and I think I was able to give it. That is something that MS can't take away from me. I will always be able to listen and if I really listen, also be able to give hope and support. It was awesome to have Susan call later in the day to tell me how much I had brightened her day.
My faith gives me the knowledge that no matter what happens that I will have the strength to deal with it. This is a journey that requires me to develop those hidden strengths and talents and learn to be graceful in letting those things I no longer can do, just go. Is it always easy - not a chance. Everyday upon waking I have to tell myself that it is going to be a good day and it usually is. Some days are better than others but essentially they are all good days. My favourite post to put on facebook is:- ♥ :) ♥ Some days are good. Some days are better! MS is annoying. :( But MS is not life threatening! If I scream in frustration :D just ignore me. This too shall pass. ♥ :) ♥
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Nov 4th 2010
Yesterday I worked until 7pm so was NOT interested in writing any notes on my blog. I got on fb and played Frontierville for a bit and then to bed to read until falling asleep.
I realize as writing the above sentence that there are two things I need to make note of for all to see.
1 - the most important - without a husband who has taken over 99% of the household duties I could not still work full time. I am blessed to have a husband who understands the fatigue issues and lack of strength along with all the other silent and non-visible problems. He does the laundry, the dusting and running of the vacuum, cleaning floors and all manner of other things that need to be done and never complains. He understands and encourages me in being involved outside the house with things to challenge me mentally and give me contact with others, even if it means the household falls onto his shoulders.
2 - going to bed to read until I fall asleep - I love to take a book to bed and lie reading until I literally fall asleep. There were a couple of problems that arose with doing that. I would fall asleep with the light on and holding the fat books I love to read were causing problems with the lack of strength I have in my left hand. I thought about getting a Kindle and seriously considered it. What I did do was get an iPhone (a 3GS, when the 4 came out - so I got the offered rebate). I already used a smart phone (blackberry) to fill in all the shortages my brain now has but the iPhone offers me even more such as a free app by Dragon dictation so I can dictate an email or text message and not have to type it and the all time favourite app - the ebook app allowing me to put books on my phone. I no longer struggle with the weight of the book in my left hand and there's no light to have to turn off at night. I fall asleep and the phone turns off after a few minutes. I love it!!
Today at work I had a moment of wanting to scream at a co-worker. Come 4pm, they began to moan and groan about not feeling well and that they wanted to go home. This happens often, but after 4 days of extreme stress at work and having to work over two nights, I was not in the mood. I so wanted to yell at them and ask if they knew that I have muscle spasms everyday. Did they know I had pain everyday. The level of pain varies but it is still there each and everyday. I wanted to tell them "But you look good so you must feel good"!
Oh well I have vented on that now so feel better about it now. Onto another day tomorrow and a chance to make it a better one.
I realize as writing the above sentence that there are two things I need to make note of for all to see.
1 - the most important - without a husband who has taken over 99% of the household duties I could not still work full time. I am blessed to have a husband who understands the fatigue issues and lack of strength along with all the other silent and non-visible problems. He does the laundry, the dusting and running of the vacuum, cleaning floors and all manner of other things that need to be done and never complains. He understands and encourages me in being involved outside the house with things to challenge me mentally and give me contact with others, even if it means the household falls onto his shoulders.
2 - going to bed to read until I fall asleep - I love to take a book to bed and lie reading until I literally fall asleep. There were a couple of problems that arose with doing that. I would fall asleep with the light on and holding the fat books I love to read were causing problems with the lack of strength I have in my left hand. I thought about getting a Kindle and seriously considered it. What I did do was get an iPhone (a 3GS, when the 4 came out - so I got the offered rebate). I already used a smart phone (blackberry) to fill in all the shortages my brain now has but the iPhone offers me even more such as a free app by Dragon dictation so I can dictate an email or text message and not have to type it and the all time favourite app - the ebook app allowing me to put books on my phone. I no longer struggle with the weight of the book in my left hand and there's no light to have to turn off at night. I fall asleep and the phone turns off after a few minutes. I love it!!
Today at work I had a moment of wanting to scream at a co-worker. Come 4pm, they began to moan and groan about not feeling well and that they wanted to go home. This happens often, but after 4 days of extreme stress at work and having to work over two nights, I was not in the mood. I so wanted to yell at them and ask if they knew that I have muscle spasms everyday. Did they know I had pain everyday. The level of pain varies but it is still there each and everyday. I wanted to tell them "But you look good so you must feel good"!
Oh well I have vented on that now so feel better about it now. Onto another day tomorrow and a chance to make it a better one.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Nov 2nd 2010
I was up today and at the voting poll at 6:35am. There were enough people that I had to wait 30 minutes to cast my vote!
I then drove to work and read in the car until someone came to open the building. It was another day of high stress. They have installed a new phone system at work and when people at the other branches don't answer the phone it rolls over to my phone. The last two days have been STRESS trying to keep up with the phone calls, emails, faxes and walk-ins. And why does no one want something simple that doesn't require looking up specs and part numbers?!
I find that stress causes the fatigue level to go through the roof and by early afternoon I was struggling to stay focused. During one phone call I actually found myself fighting with all my strength to not just crash into sleep. I'm not even sure I didn't doze for a second. Oh how I could have gone to sleep right at my desk!
I had hoped to make a couple of apple pies tonight but as I am not only tired but worked until 6:30pm, I will read some and then to bed. No baking, no playing FrontierVille on Facebook and definitely no staying up to watch Dancing with the Stars, I am hoping beyond hope that this is not the exhaustion that has you so tired you can't sleep!
I then drove to work and read in the car until someone came to open the building. It was another day of high stress. They have installed a new phone system at work and when people at the other branches don't answer the phone it rolls over to my phone. The last two days have been STRESS trying to keep up with the phone calls, emails, faxes and walk-ins. And why does no one want something simple that doesn't require looking up specs and part numbers?!
I find that stress causes the fatigue level to go through the roof and by early afternoon I was struggling to stay focused. During one phone call I actually found myself fighting with all my strength to not just crash into sleep. I'm not even sure I didn't doze for a second. Oh how I could have gone to sleep right at my desk!
I had hoped to make a couple of apple pies tonight but as I am not only tired but worked until 6:30pm, I will read some and then to bed. No baking, no playing FrontierVille on Facebook and definitely no staying up to watch Dancing with the Stars, I am hoping beyond hope that this is not the exhaustion that has you so tired you can't sleep!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Nov 1st, 2010
At the suggestion of Abby, I am going to attempt to do a blog on my life and how it relates to my having MS. I know at the start that I will not be posting on a daily basis but at reasonable intervals.
What a better day to start than the night before election day. Hopefully you all have done your research and are ready to go to the polls and vote for the candidates that best represent your views and values. I will be at the poll early and vote before work.
On a totally different note, I am watching 'Dancing with the Stars' and wishing I had the energy and balance to dance as Kent & I used to. I loved it when we were taking ballroom dancing lessons. Now I can only do a dance that allows me to hang on so I don't fall and if the dance is faster paced then only make it through half the dance. Oh well, at least when we do dance we usually end up laughing as I start to stumble and sway!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)