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Original poster

Spoons! Support for those with chronic pain & fatiguing illnesses

931 replies

Grockle · 03/04/2013 13:48

Spoon Theory here

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gallifrey · 17/05/2013 19:25

Hi everyone, I hope all is good with you all :)

I've decided to quit my job, I work part time at Asda it's only 11 hours a week on a checkout but it is saturday and sunday and it is getting in the way of our family life and doing things at the weekend. I'm also finding it quite tiring and I've been off sick for the last week with a bad back and feeling spaced out and weird because of the tramadol. They know I have fibromyalgia too.

yegodsandlittlefishes · 17/05/2013 20:35

Hi gallifrey nice to meet you. I know it's hard to give up a job like that, I've just done the same! We will miss the extra little money, but it wasn't worth it. I've really needed to catch up on rest since stopping that job.

Original poster
Grockle · 17/05/2013 20:41

Hello yegods, welcome.

Keekee, I have the heating on & I live in bed with my electric blanket at home. Or with hot waters bottles at work (not very practical in my job). I also have a heated throw in case I ever manage to sit downstairs. I second online shopping. MUCH easier, the deliver it to the kitchen & it saves me loads from not impulse buying crap that I don't really need.

I was looking forward to a quiet weekend but my friend has been badgering me to meet up with her so I invited her & her little DCs over tomorrow afternoon. She's lovely but she stays for hours & hours & doesn't get hints to leave, despite me falling asleep while she's talking. Her DCs are challenging too.

Well done, Gallifrey. I hope it helps. I know money is important but family & health more so. I wish I could quit mine but I am a lone parent so have no other income.

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yegodsandlittlefishes · 17/05/2013 21:02

Thank you, Grockle.
Nothing like thick skinned friends to wear you out!

fuzzpig · 18/05/2013 15:42

Hope you aren't too worn out with your friend grockle!

I was worried about my friend visiting yesterday but I'm glad I didn't cancel. I was worried it would all be wedding talk but actually it seems she was relishing the chance of some NON-wedding time! (Her mum is driving her up the wall with it) - she just joined us for movie night and stories with the DCs, and chatted about work, so that was lovely.

I've had a great morning but am quite achy now. I ummed and ahhed for ages about what to do with the DCs as DH is working, but eventually I decided on taking them to the cinema and then the park. I also managed to fall over when getting the DCs ready so have a rather attractive graze on my hand and knee Hmm and am rather sore so now I'm just dossing on the sofa internetting (with no purpose other than the tesco order I should really be getting on with).

Glad I went though as I feel permanently guilty when the DCs get stuck indoors for the weekend just because DH isn't here. It makes me feel like I'm not a 'proper' mum because I am incapable of taking them out, you know? Even though I know that's not my fault. Anyway I enjoyed being out with them and it was DS' first ever cinema trip (and only DD's 4th!).

I have arranged to visit my nan tomorrow, I am dreading it TBH.

Original poster
Grockle · 18/05/2013 19:42

My friend was very good actually - she texted her Dh to pick her up then, when he arrived & sat down, I got up & started getting plates & cutlery out & made it clear that I was cooking dinner... I was probably quite rude Blush I'm exhausted now though.

I'm glad you had fun with your friend & at the cinema. We might go & see Epic tomorrow - the cinema feels like an easy way to do something with DS without it wearing me out too much. Shame about falling over - I do that often. Will be thinking of you & your nan tomorrow.

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fuzzpig · 18/05/2013 20:55

Epic looks amazing! I agree the cinema is a relatively easy activity. I had been really nervous about whether DS would behave but now I feel reassured that there is something I can do with them. Fear stopped me doing a lot of stuff even before I got ill, I have always struggled taking both DCs out together. I would like to try soft play, the only difficult bit would be getting DS out after!

Glad you were assertive with your friend!

Original poster
Grockle · 19/05/2013 09:29

Leaving places is often a nightmare - especially with my children at work. We do lots of countdowns & use all sorts of motivators to help. I've booked Epic so DS & extraDD gets a nice morning out, I get to sit and snooze

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Original poster
Grockle · 19/05/2013 09:30

Meant to say, hope all goes well today, Fuzz.

Where are smiling & arb?

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gallifrey · 19/05/2013 10:19

good idea about the cinema, I used to go with dd all the time before I had my other dd who is the naughtiest child in the world and would never sit still in a cinema or anywhere else!

crashdoll · 19/05/2013 13:31

I went swimming this morning and I am already regretting it. When I say 'swimming', I mean I spent 20 mins walking up and down the length of the pool and another 20 minutes floating around and doing the occasional stretch. So, why do I feel like I've run a marathon?!

yegodsandlittlefishes · 19/05/2013 13:33

Hope you're all having a good day, with cinema trips or otherwise. :)

Weegiemum · 19/05/2013 13:47

I've had quite an easy weekend but I'm still knackered! Ds at Scout Camp so I'm going for the drive to pick him up (I can't drive myself) and dd2 is on a brownie day out, so it's quiet at least!

I made it to church this morning which is imporrtant for me, I always find it a time to set all the switches (spoons!) back to their starting position. But I'm tired now. Luckily it's very informal, cafe style with little tables, tea and coffee and biscuits throughout the service. So it doesn't matter if I can't stand up to sing, for example.

Dh has a rare weekday off tomorrow so we'll try to go for lunch. Mil gave me a gorgeous hand-drawn map for Christmas and its now been framed, so we can pick that up, too I'm very fond of it, it's an original by Oliver Jeffers (of Lost and Found children's books fame) and it makes me happy to see it (I used to be a Geography teacher!). It's like this but on paper, not wood.

Original poster
Grockle · 19/05/2013 19:48

gallifrey, 'before I had my other dd who is the naughtiest child in the world' made me laugh! Sorry!

Crashdoll, I can't swim any more. I have to at work but we have a hydrotherapy pool which is one of the few things that really helps my pain. But I know about it the next day Sad

Weegie, your church sounds lovely.I love Oliver Jeffers. Envy

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gallifrey · 20/05/2013 11:24

She is though!! But very funny and cute too :)

Just resigned from work, still on my probationary period so don't have to give them notice luckily. Have been off sick for the last 2 weeks, only started working there in february, can't even manage 12 weeks :(

We have decided that DD can still go to nursery all day too because she really likes it and then I get a whole day child free!!

Sending love and spoons to you all xxx

fuzzpig · 20/05/2013 11:56

Good move on the nursery gallifrey. My DD loved going - we paid for a couple of days daycare a week to supplement the 3 free sessions she got at preschool - and skipped in without a look back most times! I wish we could've done it for DS too, but finances are totally different now and it wasn't practical travel wise either. At least he will gradually start full school days in September and hopefully that will make things a lot easier - because a week day will actually be a full day rather than being broken up by the midday school run which exhausts me if I have to do it. I will miss him so much of course just as I miss DD but the thought of getting a full 6 hours child free rest is amazing. Every minute counts with illnesses like ours doesn't it!

Yesterday was ok. In the morning I had a change of heart and as DD was a bit upset that I was going out with my Dad but she wasn't, I phoned Mum to see if she could help. She jumped at the chance to take DD shopping :o so DD came with us to my hometown (after a quick lunch out with Dad) and we all went to see my Nan at the hospital, but then Mum took DD away to town while Dad and I stayed for a bit. I am so glad I took DD - Nan wasn't expecting it and was absolutely over the moon to see her. She is actually in pretty good spirits, but I found it really shocking TBH. There is nothing of her, all skin and bone, and she looks terribly frail and weak and slow. She isn't the Nan I know anymore.

Went to town for a bit after to meet Mum (and she bought me shoes for the wedding so I don't have to go shopping for them myself, which is a huge relief!) and had dinner at her flat. I am totally exhausted today and have a bad tummy again Hmm so I couldn't take DS to his appointments again. I have somebody visiting to help with DLA form in a bit, and then I am going to attempt to go to work. My friend is in today (she is hardly ever in as she is relief staff) so I really want to see her.

gallifrey · 20/05/2013 12:02

fuzzpig, pleased all went well with your Nan I was thinking about you yesterday xx

Hope you have a good day at work especially if your friend will be there too :) what do you do?

fuzzpig · 20/05/2013 12:40

I work in a library :o

belleshell · 20/05/2013 20:37

Oh god, are you ready for this moan....we go on holiday next week. me DP and all 4 kids, the arguments have started already.....im dreading it!! I wouldn't mind its my two that cause all the trouble... a week in skeggy by myself would be soooooooooo much better

belleshell · 20/05/2013 20:37

Oh god, are you ready for this moan....we go on holiday next week. me DP and all 4 kids, the arguments have started already.....im dreading it!! I wouldn't mind its my two that cause all the trouble... a week in skeggy by myself would be soooooooooo much better

Original poster
Grockle · 20/05/2013 22:35

I'm glad yesterday went ok, Fuzz. I'm sorry it was upsetting but I'm glad your mum & DD had a good time. Did you see your friend today?

Belle, try not to panic. And, whatever you do, please make sure you have a bit of time to relax when you're away. With DC, it's impossible to have a proper rest but please try.

I'm taking DS camping next week. Only for 2 nights & not far away but I just can't face it. I used to be a hardcore camper & DS is so excited.

OP posts:
belleshell · 22/05/2013 18:20

Tis quiet on her hope everyone is ok.

yegodsandlittlefishes · 22/05/2013 21:19

Am ok today. Last couple of days have been hard though.

yegodsandlittlefishes · 22/05/2013 21:28

Hope everyone else is doing well this week.

buildingmycorestrength · 22/05/2013 22:40

Prescribed relaxation seems to helping a bit! Have done some much-needed cleaning today. Just hope I haven't overdone it.