What are you up to today if you have a chronic illness Thread 8.. plodding on gently...

[MewithME]

Linky to last thread 🧵 https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5506529-what-are-you-up-to-today-if-you-have-a-chronic-illness-thread-7

Let's be good and use those last posts up first. Nice to be tidy here if not in my house! 😉

I'd need to have a good clear out and reduce some stuff, but honestly that's not a bad thing. I'll probably need to do that wherever I end up - I'm currently in a bigger house than I actually need, and things seem to have expanded accordingly!

Despite not feeling too bad the last few days, I'm really struggling to sleep - think brain is understandably on high alert.

Hope you got some decent sleep @Oioiqueen

Morning all!

Awake at 4, obviously the witching hour for me! Lay in bed for a while but my sciatica is bothering me. My osteopath treatment has really helped my neck but the treatment on my hips has stirred things up. When I get PEM I should probably rest lying down in bed but I just can't bring myself to, so I'm in a fairly firm upright chair most of the day, without much walking about. No wonder things have seized up. I must walk more without getting fatigued which is a challenge!
Hope you enjoy your Marie Kondo frenzy @martha79 there's a lot to be said for a good clearout.

@Oioiqueen hope you feel a bit more like yourself soon. 💐

@martha79 i've heard there are some charities that collect from your doorstep and donate the items to charities. Might help in regards to having a way of getting rid without many tiring trips to the charity shops. I need to try them out myself, we havent much but I want to keep on top of it whilst I can.

Thank you, I had a wonderful sleep. Still feel a bit fatigued but am working at my desk from home today so will take it easy.

Hello everyone. I have been following the thread silently the last couple of weeks. Been a busy few weeks here and didn't have energy for much else.

@TeaAndStrumpets Sending hugs. This illness makes our lives feel so small but you are definitely not useless! I couldn't imagine this thread without your great sense of humour.

@martha79 Sorry to hear about your housing difficulties. That must be hard. Glad you have potentially found something though. Fingers crossed you get it.

Amongst my daughters birthday planning, back to work research, supporting my daughters mental health and helping my son with college transition stuff 😴 I have finally managed to submit my divorce application. Only took me three years (For very practical reasons). Im giving myself a pat on the back for that one.

Just coming on amongst a low energy day to post my Seaglass cardigan someone was asking about. Just finished it today!
Hope everyone is as well as can be

That’s lovely @bedfrog

@Tiredandwired2 thank you for your kind words.

Well done on getting your divorce finalised, it must be a weight off your mind! Never did it myself but saw DD go through it and life most definitely improved for her 😉

I am trying to be a bit more pro active so have booked an eye test for next week to get some varifocals.
I had to wait until the optometrist and the dispenser were in the same branch on the same day...I've known them well for years and know I'll get a good outcome. I am horribly indecisive with frames and used to go bland and lightweight but I'm going for a bit more style!

@bedfrog that is delightful!

@bedfrog How skilled you are. That must have took some time.

@TeaAndStrumpets Bit of a way to go before its finalised. Need to get on to a solictor now and sort finances including the big one. Whats going to happen to the house. Its a start though.

Have fun choosing some frames. Go wild.

That is lovely @bedfroghave you worn it yet?

Not yet! Needs a wash first to relax out all the stitches

Have fun with your specs @TeaAndStrumpets !

Sending hugs to anyone who needs one today, thibk I’ll include myself there as yet another thing has gone wrong in the house. The front door handle ( pretty ancient) has broken and we can’t actually open it so pretty important! DH is trying to fix it 🤞but it really does feel like a constant stream of things breaking or not working properly here! Also put a halt to all the other things that needed doing today.

Sorry no energy today to reply to everyone but @TeaAndStrumpets I hope the feelings of frustration at this illness are calmer today. I totally hear you. My DH is ran off his feet and I have to keep asking/ adding things to his list which makes me feel utterly useless, frustrated I can’t do much to help in the house and guilty at the same time. The therapist I saw last week kept repeating self compassion and it’s a good reminder!

Exactly! My DH has taken on so much and he is run off his feet. I keep trying to think of ways to lighten his load but it is hard. He has completely taken over the kitchen and chases me out if I offer any help...I'm sure I could do a few things that aren't tiring but he doesn't like my helpful suggestions🙂

I have to say though if we had a broken doorknob he would drop everything and fix it! It would make his day 😉He is very handy and likes to mend things. Years of living in a Victorian house previously owned by a bodger! Personally I would get someone in but have to let him get on with it.....

Oh do you have a frame thing (not sure of right term)? I've got some for my handwash socks and I've got an improvised one for jumpers for reshaping. Works like magic!

No i haven't, i only usually just wash them on a delicate cycle and then dry them either on a towel or on the line. I'm quite lazy with that kind of thing, they get their shape back when I wear them

@TeaAndStrumpets we could do with borrowing DH and his DIY enthusiasm for the broken door!
My DH is very clever but not quite as practical! Though he’s happy to have a go whereas my instincts are also to call someone out especially as we cant open the front door. He was getting a bit stressed so taking a lunch break and will have another look.
A delivery man at the wrong address just had a conversation with DH through the letter box 😂 Must have thought we were bonkers! I’m at least beginning to see the funny side today and not in tears like last week. I’ll take that as a positive!

The conversation through the letter box made me laugh 😆

I remember one of my brothers sitting in the bath with new jeans on!

Gosh yes laughter is a great boost to the spirits! You'll have to keep a window open

@Tiredandwired2 how do you feel about finally starting the divorce? Whilst I've never had to I imagine it's a sense of mixed feelings?

@TodayIsatrickyone the talking through the letterbox is amusing, I can just visualise it ha!

I had a counselling session today. We were working on the things I can focus on now rather than dwelling on the past or thinking about the future I.e the things I can't control. I'm a planner by career and my life in general so it's interesting to how I interpret changing my mindset. I'm finding I'm naturally veering towards the small pleasant things in life like listening to bird song or listening to jokes that sort of thing anyway.

@Oioiqueen I felt very emotional doing it. Even though practically it was just ticking boxes and we have been seperated for 3 years, emotionally it was massive. I was exhausted after doing it. I also felt such relief though for starting because I haven't been able to move forward with it for such a long time so it feels like a bit of weight has been lifted. Thankfully I have had lots of counselling over the last year to process it.

Your counselling session sounds good. It's so hard to change a habit of a lifetime isn't it. It's good that your enjoying the small things in life which really are the big things. I used to rush from one thing to another prior to log covid. Now I try and slow down and enjoy the moment and go with the flow. Letting go of control is hard though

Update on todays drama!
The handle mechanism is well and truly busted but now off the door and in bits on the floor so we can at least open the door 👏

DH has now gone out to B & Q for a replacement so hopefully we may have a functional door again by the end of today 🤞 although the jobs list will definitely need to be postponed til tomorrow! I shall enjoy the peace for a bit 😊

To add to humour with the delivery man… the dog was barking and was bouncing up and down like Tigger with excitement behind the door with DH trying to quieten her whilst delivery man was shouting the wrong door number through the door and adamant he was at the right number. DH kept saying, no it’s not us, it’s next door whilst man was shouting ‘ Oh really. Are you sure?´ 😂 😂

That makes it even better. I can see it in my minds eye 😂

Love it! And the dog adds that finishing touch! LOL at the poor delivery driver.

Fingers crossed for the handle.