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I have decided to leave the gardening to Mitch

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Posted 7/11/2009 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
Last Tuesday I helped b/f in the garden and was really enjoying it until I stopped working. My hands hurt so bad and I couldn't open my hands without them hurting. The tendens in my hands hurt so bad and then I noticed my fingers were swollen and my joints in my shoulders hurt.

I lift children all day and change diapers so I don't think it was from using different muscles. I was depressed all weekend because of this. I did noticed too I slept almost all weekend due to it was to much pain to handle but my pain meds weren't helping. I do feel somewhat better now.

It Seems like things we enjoy in life and brings us a little happiness we have to either live without or decide to just live with the pain.

Lately when Mitch and I go to the store on Sunday after a long week with the children I watch I just want to get one of those rider carts. When I tell Mitch this his response has been "Than why don't you?" But I always feel like I would embrass him but I think it would embrass me because like everyone says "I Don't Look Sick."

Veronica

 

Posted 7/11/2009 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
I just hope I never have to give up my In-Home childcare. I love being around the children and working with them. Some days it's hard but I get through it because of my love for the children.

Veronica
Posted 7/11/2009 4:36 AM (GMT 0)
Veronica, we understand so much what you're going through. I battle with this as well.  Just know we love ya and we're here for you. I think Mitch would support you all the way!

 

Blessings,

Ginny

Posted 7/11/2009 6:44 AM (GMT 0)
People who use the aids they need in life are stronger and more life affirming than folks who fear having help. Using a mobility aid is a sign of strength, nor weakness. Just think of how much more you would enjoy shopping.

I will admit that using a wheelchair, walker, cane or other aid manifests a lot of stereotypical ideas in the head of some people. However, I use all of my mobility aids with pride. With them I can do so much more.

There are appliances that help people with arthritis to still garden. You can find some on the arthritis foundation's web site. Please use the electric cart in the store. Save your energy for caring for the children, which is your home business and whatever else you enjoy doing.

I would like to thank you for having a day care. As an at home mom, I have come to appreciate people who care for young ones.

Feel good.

Donnaeil
Posted 7/11/2009 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both and I know not using the the rider cart in the stores is in my own head. It's giving up some of imy independance from this disease.

Thank you Donnaeil. I would not want to do anything else with my life. I have raised my own children and since they have moved away and with them my grandsons went too this gives me a chance to in away be a Grandmom to those I watch and to have children in my life whiel making some money. I don't make nearly as much as some poeple because my prices are way to low but to me it's more about the extras I look at.

Veronica
Posted 7/11/2009 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
The other day my granddaughter and I went shopping and we parked next to a handicapped parking space and this elderly gentleman asked me if I would take the electric cart back in the store for him. OMG those things aren't as easy to drive as it may look, it would take practice before I would trust myself not to run over someone, I got it in the store and let the greeter park it where he wanted it. turn

 

Fatigue is my biggest problem and I have to spend my energy like it was gold everyday and every step I take is energy spent so I do try to find ways in the house to cut down on useless trips from one room to another. It doesn't help that I can walk into a room and forget why I'm there over and over during a day. smilewinkgrin

 

The arthritis in my hands is a big issue for me so there are things I have had to give up because of it. The more tedious the task the more they hurt. I don't know how you handle babies all day, a few hours with my three month old great grandson and my hands and arms hurt so bad. But he is worth it.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

 

 

Posted 7/11/2009 8:15 PM (GMT 0)
Marlee I just tell myself I have too to help pay the bills. I can take my pain pills when I need to, which some has to do with the weather as to how much I need. My pills don't put me to sleep. Thank Goodness and the children have some free time so that I can rest. We are mostly confined to one room, my living room, which is 22 feet by 15 feet. Pretty big. We go outside and there we have a fenced in back pourch with a locked gate so they can play and I can rest if I need to.

Before the babies began being every where due to crawling and now walking I would sit on the floor with them more than always holding them. I have lots of different things for them to even look at on the floor and do. I still sit on the floor alot for story time and circle time. I also made a diaper changer that I can do on the floor. And on days like last week when lifting them even in to the high chairs my arms and hands were yelling at me I fought the tears but knew that not only do my parents depend on me but the children do and most important it was my idea for us to move into this house with a hugh mortage payment so Mitch depends on me for the money I bring in.

I did go today and do a little weeding, we're talking very little. I woke up feeling pretty good this morning. I even cut the old buds off my Roses but I am feeling it now and ready for a nap. I know though that I have all day tomorrow to rest except for going to the store, which I only go once a week.

Sorry so long.
Veronica
Posted 7/11/2009 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Veronica,

I've also had to give up pretty much everything that involves long term use of my hands (gardening, scrubbing the bathtub, drawing, working with clay and play-doh) because I end up just like you described..it's like my hands become claws and I can barely open them up again. It stinks, doesn't it??

Do have carpal tunnel at all? I have a terrible case of it, and have always thought that might be why I experience these hand issues (I do not have arthritis)

Also, I understand you 100% on the cart thing. Every time we go to Wal-Mart I want to use one, but I am way to embarrassed to do so. For one thing, I don't look sick, just like you said, and also I am NOT a thin woman and I am so afraid that people will take one look at me in a cart and think I am just a lazy overweight woman who doesn't want to walk. Gosh, that sounds horrible, doesn't it??
Posted 7/12/2009 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
I am sorry you have to give up gardening... i myself love to garden.... i just have to plan out what i am going to do each day.. my gardens aren't as immaculate and well maintained as they once where but they still look to me ... my boyfriends dad had a book about square foot gardening that i may try next year... its very minimal work with all the benefits

i have had to give up cross stitch since i can't hold the needle anymore,, and also cake decorating which i love to do... i just can't hold the bag anymore with out severe pain..

if you have to use a cart use it...... there is nothing wrong with that if it will help you get done what you need to get done.. and am sure your b/f will be understanding and happy you are
Posted 7/12/2009 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
Due to Tendinosis and PT, I had to stop gardening last yr. I find such peace working in my garden, and that was just killing me. This yr I decided I have to find a way to get some time in my yd. A few yrs back, my DH bought a rolling garden cart for me, but I was so stubborn about using it. My Da** Pride! Had the same thing about using a cane. Now I use my cane to walk out to my rolling garden cart. turn   I use gloves w/ a grippy texture on them, b/c I can't grip things that well. I can only use small hand tools, but it is better than NO tools. I can only work out in the yd for 15 - 20 min, but that is more than I had last yr.

It isn't ideal, but I need to rethink how I do things that mean something to me. There are still areas I can't reach, but my DH gives me sometime to get the big, nasty stuff. I used to mow the lawn, weed the yd, turn over garden beds, compost, etc. all the nasty, heavy marvelous stuff I loved about gardening. Now, I'm happy I can play in the dirt for a few minutes. I have to pace myself or I wouldn't be able to do anything I find joyful. I go out early in the morning and try to sit in shady areas and it is cooler - at least so far this summer. My sons do the mowing and edging, I don't have the energy to even pull the mower out of the shed. I tried to put annuals in pots, instead of in the ground.

I have FMS, severe OA thru out my body, including my hands, plus tendinosis in my shoulders and wrists. I know how painful it can be to do the simple things that I have always enjoyed.

I know you lift children all day, I had to do that, too. I was a teacher w/ special needs children. I know you enjoy being w/ 'your children', they are such a joy. I am so impressed w/ your strength and energy to keep up w/ the children. Pls don't be embarrassed to use whatever 'tools' you need to live your life. We need to not let other ppls 'looks' bother us. We still have our lives to live.

Hope you have had a peaceful weekend, wish you a great wk.

God bless.  Alice.

Posted 7/13/2009 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
Well I did work in the garden for a few yesterday, couldn't resist. Needless to say I took it easy the rest of the weekend. Mitch and I did go out walking today at a petting Zoo, it was great to see all the animals and how they came up to greet you. Afterwards we went to Wal-mart and my legs felt like rubber, but I still walked around but have been taking it easy since we got home.

I think some of my problem is not wanting Mitch to know some days how bad it is for me. I know he loves me, but he is 13 years younger than me.

I figured out some of my hand problem, I was leaning on my hands at different times with them flat on the ground. I don't have Tendinosis that I know of.

I don't lift the children as much since they are now crawling and walking, which is great and when they nap I get a small rest.

Veronica
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