Tuesday 19 October 2021
I need him awake and aware
Saturday 16 October 2021
Comfort from my kitchen
Friday 1 October 2021
Today was a washout.
We had an interesting day. On our way to the doctor and chemist, we found a roadblock because of the heavy flooding we've experienced these last few days. So we tried 3 other ways, only to find a police block on the third. The road has been washed away.
Our small township is cut off from travel at the moment, so we had to cancel. The receptionist got the doctor to ring us but it didn't do me much good as I was needing my blood pressure taken. More rain is forecast for the next 10 days.
My orthopaedic surgeon for my damaged knee was cancelled as well. We are quite happy to stay home with 1400 new Covid cases today in Victoria including 22 from our area. I may not reschedule as I am determined not to have surgery as hospitals are best to be avoided at the moment.
I have been shopping for extras in case of emergency, so it paid off today when we couldn't get out. I have plenty of medications in the house too. I am so glad I did some planning.
My only grumble was that we had to shower, dress and leave the house for nothing. My fibromyalgia pain is at a disabling level. I think the weather has caused a major flare.
After dinner I will be getting back in my PJ's and taking a Tramadol and curling up with my electric blanket. At least the night won't be a washout. Today certainly was.
This is what met us trying to get out of our township.
Wednesday 1 September 2021
Life is good in spite of setbacks
I am trying to keep up with my home making duties. I have to do some dishes and clean my kitchen.. My knees are paining me so much today, that I won't be able to do much more.
Fibromyalgia is back again and spoons are scarce. I am also psyching myself up to take a shower. Lucky we have a shower chair now. Funny how you don't think twice about it until chronic illness comes a'callin!
With the brain fog, I get side tracked often too. Now I ask Siri to remind me to change the loads of washing over from washer to dryer. I need to find an app to tell me I have left stuff out that should go in the fridge or that I have nuked a night time snack and find it in the microwave in the morning hahaha
I am planning on using my slow cookers a lot today. I will be slow cooking the pork chops in a sweet curry sauce with the rice. I will be making some Jewish Penicillin in another slow cooker and I will make a chow mein in the other slow cooker for tomorrow.
After that, I plan to feed the birds and watch them eat... sitting out on the porch under the apple blossoms on the neighbour's tree... it's the first day of Spring here in Australia. Life is good in spite of setbacks..
Monday 23 August 2021
Living on a wing and a prayer
Tuesday 17 August 2021
Wheelchair bound
So, the MRI results are in. I have a meniscus tear, fabella, torn posterior crucius ligament, bursitis and osteo arthritis behind the patella. It needs surgery as it does not repair itself.
I am to see an orthopaedic surgeon and meanwhile I must rest the knee and use pain killers.
We have bought a shower chair and a wheelchair. I have had Chris push me on the seat of my walker, but it is a big strain on his heart and I worry about him.
It is difficult to focus enough to write at the moment and I spend a lot of time on the couch aka the beach, or in bed with my electric blanket.
I am just able to stand enough to wash some dishes, cook a meal and stack the washer and dryer. Chris helps sometimes and has been my legs.
I am making use of the slow cooker a lot, cooking the meals as I am able to stand.
As with all new health issues, I am trying to come to terms with this "new normal" and the constant struggles with fibromyalgia are now "normal" and this new challenge is calling for all my ability to accept my new lot in chronic illness.
I am disheartened that both my knees have now given way (I have a torn meniscus in my other knee), and am trying to feel grateful that I could afford a wheelchair. Thank goodness for afterpay.
However romantic a picture I can find really doesn't cut it for me as I struggle to accept that I am now wheelchair bound.
Thursday 12 August 2021
Walking like Tin Man!
Thursday 5 August 2021
Tomorrow may be better
Friday 23 July 2021
So what's on your plate?
I am trying to balance a plant based diet with red meat. I have a diet full of salmon and other fish, chicken and red meat, with about 50% per meal of plant based food.
As I am a chronic kidney stone maker and have too much uric acid in my blood, I can't eat too much calcium oxalate. So I can't go on a totally plant based diet.
When I had the Nutri Bullet/Ninja I drank vegetable based smoothies daily and I had 5 stones in 6 months. The uric acid mixes with the oxalate forming uric acid crystals. So I have to take allopurinol daily.
It's a delicate blend- the vegetables and the red meats. It's a fine line I walk daily, trying to eat right. I have 120lbs to lose, by the way. Not easy.
Today I am going to the doctors and I am going to ask him if he can allow me to start my Prednisolone again for my fibromyalgia pain. Also for my arthritis in both knees.
There's only so much you can bear and I need some respite from the pain. Coupled with dietary and weight issues, it's not fun.
Today I am asking how you are doing with your chronic illness and weight. So what's on your plate?