What are you up to today if you have chronic illness? Thread 4

[MewithME]

Link to last thread 🧵 https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5438353-what-are-you-up-to-today-if-you-have-chronic-illness-thread-3

This is the bumper Christmas issue with the added challenge of all the work Xmas brings and feelings it might bring up...but we're here. Highs and lows. 🌲🌲😴🤕🤗

Thanks @FFSToEverythingSince2020 Thank you! I know he will find his niche one day. Yes agree many humans are awful, but the odd nice one comes as
a pleasant surprise!

Afternoon all. Crap nights sleep here as small one has a nasty cough (that I’m trying to avoid!) and although he seems fine, the hacking cough all night was relentless.

I have left the house today though! Drove to the supermarket for some milk, dettol and first defence spray. I completely overestimated my ability though but it was my first try in 3 weeks 😂

Cuppa on the sofa now in celebration

@ForLoveNotMoney hurrah! Well done, that's pretty good going.

@TodayIsatrickyone it will be lovely to see your family! At least with family they know where the kettle is and you can sit around in your dressing gown.
Thanks for the Anniversary wishes, DD2 just messaged belatedly. She is distraught because the ddog has finally reached the end, or will tomorrow. She'd been in denial for a while, but knows now it's time.

Thanks Ruddy, love your user name! Glad you found us.

Oh my goodness I think I'd have been done in just getting from the car park!

Glad you survived!

Not having a great day here, dealing with elderly MIL again. She's been expecting me to help order Christmas gifts for her for the family, including find out out what they want etc.

Then, complaining about the result, for example M&S I helped order it with her card and it could be collected from the store. But it was all 'thrown in a bag' apparently and one of the things was not the right size. (I think it was showing as low in stock in the right size so presumably they had sent the next size) So I seem to be expected to help with that too.

Then I have asked DH about his gift and ordered that too. But when I said I was not able to meet up today (too tired as usual) was told that it was disappointing, and she wanted to discuss more stuff with me (presents etc I presume) and hear about what the book was about etc

It's all just draining and I think it's sending me into more of a crash as still in bed today, just been drinking decaf coffee and lying her feeling cross, and then cross with myself for letting it get to me.

We talked about communication and boundaries on the fatigue course last week. Boundaries etc. So I have not texted back trying to explain as she won't get it.

I think she is becoming more overwhelmed by simple tasks but that is not my job to help with. Which makes me feel selfish but I just can't right now. DH might need to step up if she is struggling.

Anyway enough of my moaning on! I might try running a bath which is my nice thing at present, before DS gets home from school perhaps.

DH says he will pick up my prescription so don't have to go out. Have not been out of the house since Saturday so I guess might try and get some fresh air at some point.

Have the last of the course on Friday then just need to get through Christmas. MIL will be staying with us so that will be a challenge, but I will just escape to the bedroom and tell her to make herself at home. Get ready made food etc.

@Orangesandlemons77 that sounds exhausting! Maybe suggest gift tokens next year, with some nice chocolates to unwrap. People have so much stuff.

You need a comfy retreat, definitely!

Oh god you're just like me! I don't drink either (I've just one kidney and like to be careful) and I can't have chocolate either because it triggers my GERD 🙄 also GF because of son having coeliacs, my diet is terrible restricted due to my IBS as well, no tomato no onions no garlic - food is such a chore to me now.

God today was so hard. Sometimes I "declare the day over" during the day which makes me feel better mentally about just lying down as if it's the evening, so I did just that around 3pm, the day was declared done. I'm in a bubble bath now.

I wish I had some energy to do a craft project. I've been looking at posh lamp shades and can't believe the prices. I would love to make my own but can't bend my neck without having stiffness for days after, so that's right out. Maybe I'll get DD2 to do one for me....she's got a glue gun!

@Realisation14 yes my diet is so boring! It's just the same thing every day. Buckwheat pancakes for breakfast, rice crackers and homemade hummus (without garlic!) for lunch. DH does the cooking these days and I get frustrated not being able to make food myself. I tried probiotics for my gut health and they made things so much worse - so I am obviously out of step with the rest of humanity!

I hate those stress tests with a vengeance, but you had to do one on a bike? ( I've only ever had treadmill ones)
My last one ( when finished- bearing in mind I have both a valve problem and an arrythmia problem)
Them: How do you feel?
Me: gasp gasp gasp gasp.

I am home and officially on Christmas holidays! 🎄🎅🥳☕

Sitting on the sofa, drinking a cuppa with DH. Even bought some mince pies on the way home from work to celebrate, although I haven't had one yet 🥮

I am weary and achy, but just so pleased I've made it to Christmas with no sickness absence. Cutting down to 3 days a week has been such a positive change for me.

Starting my holidays with a massage tomorrow morning - have a restful evening all 💕

Hurrah @Swanhilde !

Bubble bath at 4pm? Love this!

I am usually out of batteries by 3pm after working, then picking up my SEN children from school, nearly finishes me off 😜

You know people do have too much stuff. I am at peace with what I've bought for people. If they don't like it then so be it. To be fair, it'll only be my brother who doesn't like it!

I usually buy myself some bits but I genuinely don't want anything really. I'd be happy with some socks and bubble bath.

Last time I went to Tesco, I was debating getting myself the whooping bar of Galaxy 😸

Gosh @Orangesandlemons77 your MIL does sound very draining. I think try to give yourself a pat on the back for trying to create boundaries and putting your need for a rest day first. She’s going to rail against the boundaries a bit but stay strong and remember you're absolutely doing the right

@TeaAndStrumpets so sorry to hear about DD’s dog. I remember you mentioning it a few weeks ago. It’s just heartbreaking.

@FuzzyPuffling its a reclining bike, tilted to the left side, I had to also squeeze a ball at one point whilst peddling, needed me at 135 bpm for a couple of minutes. I was and still am absolutely knackered. Plus it has made my scoliosis ache like mad. So I now have a takeaway coming, DH has made me cups of tea and I have watched bits of Netflix while napping against my will. His Mum is due next week, he is getting her bedroom ready, he has always done it. Overall though it’s a bad week for the test as I have loads on. Probably not up to voluntary job tomorrow or my weekly lunch with a friend.

Thanks @TodayIsatrickyone she was their surrogate baby for years, so they are taking it hard.

I am clearing books at the moment before giving away a huge bookcase. It's surprisingly difficult to make keep/donate piles. On the plus side, I've found a few I forgot I had, so that will give me some winter reading! I can only do five minutes at a time before I need to sit down, it's really tiring.

Same here, I eat the same meals and snacks on rotation! I used to love food but now I hate it, it's depressing.

Same here, some days I can make it to dinner time but a lot of the time my day is declared done by around 2-3pm. I also have a SEN child so I feel you!!

On the sofa with 'not my dog' curled up next to me. She belongs to a friend who is having a rough time, so I offered to have her overnight. NMD is getting on now so the walk to my house has worn her out.
It's surprisingly relaxing; sleeping dog, heavy rain pounding on the lean to roof and gentle music playing.
I should be wrapping but can't find the energy. However I've located all the parcels AND the paper+scissors+tape, so tomorrow will have to do.
MRI booked for 07.50 on Friday morning, so an early start which will mean an afternoon nap before a Christmas meal with friends.