So yesterday I woke up without the usual muscle pain and fatigue that characterises fibromyalgia.
I sensed that I had some spoons in abundance and I was in a quandary as to how I could best utilise them without giving myself a flare the next day.
I decided it would be sensible to pace myself which is what I did at first... I say at first because like all good intentions, they can fall by the wayside. And they did.
There was so much I had put on the back burner and left undone. But then it was a long time since I had any energy and to be honest, I was so used to living with chronic illness and fatigue that feeling energised seemed "abnormal"
So I started a load of washing and cleaned out Xena our cat's litter tray. Then I hung out the finished load of whites... also something I have had to forgo due to no spoons and pain.
I rummaged through the fridge and cleaned out the out of date food. Then, remembering to pace myself, I made a cup of tea for us both and decided we needed some cookies to have for afternoon tea.
After I made a batch of cookies for the afternoon, I brought in my washing. It dried quickly because the weather has been rather warm. Too warm in fact.
By the time I came back inside, I was wilting. My spoons were dissipating! Quickly!
My muscles and back started paining me and it hurt to turn my neck thanks to polymyalgia rheumatica.
I left the clothes in the laundry trolley and kissed thoughts of ironing my pillow cases goodbye. I had so wanted to do that too... just one of the jobs that I had to put on the back burner, put back again..
Chris made me a cup of tea and I took some Tramadol. I only use them for top of the range fibro flares and knee pain.
As I sat sipping my tea and waiting for the Tramadol to work, I realised that I hadn't got much done in spite of some spoons.
Xena had a clean litter tray. We had some cookies to wash the tablets down. The fridge had no science experiments but didn't get a thorough clean. And I hurt so badly for so little!
If I ever get another day with some spoons, I will not bother to hang the washing out... I nearly always use the dryer since fibromyalgia found me. And I know my poor old broken knees will thank me for not walking so far up the back garden to the line.
I guess I can sleep on unironed pillowcases.. it has been known to happen! And as the pain relief finally kicked in, I decided that you can't really win with spoons. They are devious little dictators!
Chronic illness is not for wimps and I refuse to give in to depression. I think all things considered, I do a reasonable job of keeping our home nice.
Still it was great to wake feeling refreshed and alive! It was good while it lasted!
Praise God for those blessed hours!
ReplyDeleteYes, I am so grateful for them... they give me hope that there will be more...
DeleteI do the same thing. I'll have a day when I have some energy and end up overdoing it and end up laid up for several days.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.
It's so hard to pace oneself when one has spoons... it's like telling a drowning man not to gasp too much when he finally surfaces... it's possible, but unlikely! hahaha
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