I longingly remember the days when my husband and I would enjoy a glass of wine, or local wine tastings, or visiting wineries. No more.
Last weekend my husband bought a bottle of wine sure to please my sweet-leaning palate. Yum. We were hanging out with a plate of crackers and cheese and one glass of wine. It tasted wonderful. It was fun. It was simple enjoyment.
20 minutes later and I was sound asleep. The room had been spinning and I couldn't move. Can't a girl get a break and one evening of enjoyment? Not me. I take an opiate pain killer to reduce the chronic pain from my broken back. I would never drink much and certainly not in a public situation, but I just thought I could get by during a simple evening at home with my husband. Not anymore. Not even one small glass of wine is OK these days.
I know, it's not the end of the world and there are plenty of other things to enjoy. I know I'm whining. Sometimes I just have to say it. Living with pain is no fun! OK, I'm over it and ready to move on and enjoy the day -- without the wine or whine!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Weather Changes Mean Body Changes
It's gray again today. The weatherman says that later today the sun will return, along with wind. That's means the barometric pressure is changing and my body is feeling every change ... and not in a good way.
Also adding to my current body challenges is my firewood pile. Last Friday, I got firewood and stacked it neatly. I knew I would pay a price for my efforts (but sometimes you have to be willing to pay a price to get things done). The price I am paying is lasting longer and more intensely than I expected. I'm going to have to rethink the firewood trip next year.
I even resorted to taking a muscle relaxant, along with an extra pain killer. I'm not happy with my body today and realize that even if I WANT to do something fun, I really NEED to just rest and recuperate (and maybe make cookies for my wonderful husband -- but I promise I'll use the electric mixer and not do the mixing by hand which adds to the back spasms).
Also adding to my current body challenges is my firewood pile. Last Friday, I got firewood and stacked it neatly. I knew I would pay a price for my efforts (but sometimes you have to be willing to pay a price to get things done). The price I am paying is lasting longer and more intensely than I expected. I'm going to have to rethink the firewood trip next year.
I even resorted to taking a muscle relaxant, along with an extra pain killer. I'm not happy with my body today and realize that even if I WANT to do something fun, I really NEED to just rest and recuperate (and maybe make cookies for my wonderful husband -- but I promise I'll use the electric mixer and not do the mixing by hand which adds to the back spasms).
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
To Do and Hurt ... or not
Is it better to sit around and do nothing and have controllable pain or be in intense pain while doing something and having fun?
That's my question. I've spent the past couple days mostly sitting around recuperating from a busy week or so. Just sitting around. Not doing much of anything. Not standing or walking very much. No lifting, bending, reaching. Limited activity. And truth is, the pain is on the lower end (that's still after the prescription pain medication -- at the end of the 12 hours, since the last dose, the pain returns). But, I'm bored.
Then I decide to do something. Today it was re-pot a couple plants, clean them up and prepare them to come inside for the cold season. 20 minutes or so and the major ache and pain erupted. Spasms. Sore. Burn. It's no longer the low-grade ache in the background. I'm counting down till 3 pm when I can take my next pain pill. But, besides the result -- the pain -- I had a little fun. And even if it was only for a few minutes, I did something I enjoyed. There was purpose. There was accomplishment.
So I ask again -- is it better to just sit around, do nothing and keep the pain under control or enjoy life a little, do something and hurt (a lot). Maybe there's a middle ground -- I haven't found it yet. I'll keep looking.
That's my question. I've spent the past couple days mostly sitting around recuperating from a busy week or so. Just sitting around. Not doing much of anything. Not standing or walking very much. No lifting, bending, reaching. Limited activity. And truth is, the pain is on the lower end (that's still after the prescription pain medication -- at the end of the 12 hours, since the last dose, the pain returns). But, I'm bored.
Then I decide to do something. Today it was re-pot a couple plants, clean them up and prepare them to come inside for the cold season. 20 minutes or so and the major ache and pain erupted. Spasms. Sore. Burn. It's no longer the low-grade ache in the background. I'm counting down till 3 pm when I can take my next pain pill. But, besides the result -- the pain -- I had a little fun. And even if it was only for a few minutes, I did something I enjoyed. There was purpose. There was accomplishment.
So I ask again -- is it better to just sit around, do nothing and keep the pain under control or enjoy life a little, do something and hurt (a lot). Maybe there's a middle ground -- I haven't found it yet. I'll keep looking.
Monday, September 28, 2009
A busy couple weeks
I've been busy. That's my excuse for not posting. And I have several stories to tell, but first I must take time to recuperate from being so busy.
Here are my highlights: I spent 3 days in Greenville, SC with a friend from a chronic pain meetup group. She was seeing a specialist for RSD and was alone in SC. I decided I could lend a hand and provide some companionship. In 3 days, with a new doctor and special care I could see a big difference in both her mental attitude and her physical well-being. Hooray for doctors who care.
I rested a day and then headed to Charlotte, NC to see a friend from high school perform. Glen Burtnik and my brother were in a high school band together. Glen has gone on to perform solo, in Beatlemania, ELO and Styx and has several albums (I guess they are actually CDs). It was fun to see Glen. Some day I'll try to post video of his performance.
Between driving, standing, walking, sleeping in hotels, shopping, etc. -- I'm exhausted and in pain. So, now I'm going to rest ... and contemplate how to shop at IKEA. I went to the Charlotte IKEA store and loved, loved, loved it. But, after a quick 45 minute painful walk-through I knew I needed to be better prepared before I spent real shopping time there.
Here are my highlights: I spent 3 days in Greenville, SC with a friend from a chronic pain meetup group. She was seeing a specialist for RSD and was alone in SC. I decided I could lend a hand and provide some companionship. In 3 days, with a new doctor and special care I could see a big difference in both her mental attitude and her physical well-being. Hooray for doctors who care.
I rested a day and then headed to Charlotte, NC to see a friend from high school perform. Glen Burtnik and my brother were in a high school band together. Glen has gone on to perform solo, in Beatlemania, ELO and Styx and has several albums (I guess they are actually CDs). It was fun to see Glen. Some day I'll try to post video of his performance.
Between driving, standing, walking, sleeping in hotels, shopping, etc. -- I'm exhausted and in pain. So, now I'm going to rest ... and contemplate how to shop at IKEA. I went to the Charlotte IKEA store and loved, loved, loved it. But, after a quick 45 minute painful walk-through I knew I needed to be better prepared before I spent real shopping time there.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
New Windows Make A Difference
Last Friday, we got our sunroom windows repaired/replaced. I am happy to endorse James at http://www.window-wise.com/. He did a great job and new windows make a ton of difference. The room is so much more brighter.
The down side is that the window framing/edges need to be painted. OUCH! It's not heavy work, but taking a little paintbrush and going up and down repeatedly hasn gotten the best of me. One window done --- 8 to go. After that one window, I had to quit. Took a painkiller and waiting for that to kick in. Guess the project will take about a week -- One window or so a day. Oh, the pain of being in pain.
Last Saturday, I went to a chronic pain meet-up group called Chronic-Connections. Great group! More on that later. For now, one topic we discussed was: it all starts at the top. Whatever temperament the doctor has with the patients is pretty much how the entire office interacts with patients and vice versa. My takeaway -- if the front office or phone person treats you poorly -- don't even bother making an appointment, the doctor sets the tone and if that kind of behavior is tolerated, he/she (the doctor) will probably treat you the same way. That will save me on wasting time with pathetic doctors who don't really care about their patients. It had to be said -- not all doctors are good with people.
The down side is that the window framing/edges need to be painted. OUCH! It's not heavy work, but taking a little paintbrush and going up and down repeatedly hasn gotten the best of me. One window done --- 8 to go. After that one window, I had to quit. Took a painkiller and waiting for that to kick in. Guess the project will take about a week -- One window or so a day. Oh, the pain of being in pain.
Last Saturday, I went to a chronic pain meet-up group called Chronic-Connections. Great group! More on that later. For now, one topic we discussed was: it all starts at the top. Whatever temperament the doctor has with the patients is pretty much how the entire office interacts with patients and vice versa. My takeaway -- if the front office or phone person treats you poorly -- don't even bother making an appointment, the doctor sets the tone and if that kind of behavior is tolerated, he/she (the doctor) will probably treat you the same way. That will save me on wasting time with pathetic doctors who don't really care about their patients. It had to be said -- not all doctors are good with people.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)