Pat yourself on the back for what you TRY to do

What did you accomplish this weekend?

That phrase sometimes plays through my mind (like so many other phrases and random songs :) and I wonder what "normal" people would think about my answers to this question.

Lately I've been making myself lie on my left side every few days, and I only last for about a minute. This is something I haven't done in close to 30 years, because it hurts. Almost all of my pain is on my left side, so putting that pressure on it makes it feel worse for a day or so....but so far, nothing I can't handle.

No one has told me I should do this, but it stands to reason to me that it can't be good to lie in the same exact position night after night, year after year (unless, of course, you have to.) My PT after spine surgery said, "Well, it's not ideal." I suppose I'll run it by my doc next time I see him, but I'm sure it's ok.

I'm looking at this kind of as tailor-made yoga...move those muscles and inner organs around! But when I imagine telling people about it as something worthwhile, that actually takes courage, it sounds ridiculous - even to me - even though I know it's not.

It's so easy to get swept up in our culture of "Faster! More! Bigger! Now!" and forget that we are all pushing the envelope in one way or another...we really do do the best we can. We're not lazy. To one extent or another, we are disabled. And while that's nothing to jump up and down for joy about, it's certainly also nothing to be ashamed of.

What did you accomplish this weekend?

Debbie

Yes.. And I did a long list of things this week...Pat..pat....
Well mabe one more pat....

It's the positive... All that counts it's a choice....we can't unchoose our illness....we can choose to be positive.

One ship goes one way, the other ship goes the other way.
With the self same winds that blow, it's the set of sail and not of gales, which tell us witch way to go.

Sat in a chair and made hamburger patties. I got them half done and started a rice dish. I paid for having my leg down too long ( I have a broken leg) but felt extremely good for doing this for my family again. Then I did homework with my twin kindergarteners. Wish I could put them to bed. Only been out of the hospital a week so maybe soon.

Dawn

Deb,
That is a major accomplishment and I say good for you. The so called normals take everything for granted health wise so no they probably wouldn't get it. I'm sure there are few whom would. The bigger question is... Do we care what they think? I know I don't.

20% of people aren't going to like you know matter what you do period. Another 20% WILL like you no mature what. 60% could care less no matter what you do.These are the folks you wanna be friends with because they are not judging you. They like you because you are you.

Take care everyone.
I wish you all a great
Week! !
Michael

Sunday is a full day for me and my Husband. We do laundry on Sunday. He brings the basket down and sorts the loads out. He is always up before me. When I get up I do my part. Spray any stains on a pile he has left behind and put hand wash stuff aside. I never do manual hand wash, I put it in the washing machine and use the hand wash. Woolite or Zero are good to use. I measure out the detergent to use. Husband puts the wash in the dryer and a dryer sheet. When it is dry I do the folding up. It took years to be able to stand up and fold. The car accident has made life more difficult but I am trying to get back these small things that I had achieved. My Husband takes the basket back up. In the morning I sort it out on the bed and put the laundry away.

I put lunch on the table and clean up.

In the afternoon we went out to WalMart. Needed a couple things. I really hate food shopping. My Husband does have to come with me. He lifts all the bags and brings them into the house. I help put things away, the hard part. I can't do anything too heavy. My Husband is good to take shopping for clothing. He actually enjoys it and helps me find things. I truly hate trying on clothes and gosh don't you get a rude awakening when you look at yourself in those mirrors.

I made dinner. Salad, Rainbow Trout and some vegetables. I clean up in stages. I am pretty much finished for the day.

Sat and watched the Golden Globe Awards. I was not in great shape. My jaw was causing much pain. Often I am unable to sit up by evening. I have to lay my head down to rest my neck. I still get up for water or herbal tea. I get so much relief when I go to bed and fall asleep.

For those that have posted that they vacuum. I have a really hard time with the vacuum. I bought a few years ago a very light Shark vacuum that is electric. It picks up surface dirt pretty good. I have a central vac but the cord is too heavy. I have to relent sometimes and use it but it is not easy. So, if you have done some vacuuming do give yourself thousands of pats on the back.

No we are not lazy but we are no longer capable of working as hard as we used to and no one truly gets it.

Loring

Osteoarthritis in Multiple Joints, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing...

I know what you mean about switching sides; most of my pain is on my right side, but I feel like I'm wearing a hole in my side laying on my left side all the time, or on my back. Enough of laying on either of those and I get a whole new set of aches. So, like you, I force myself on to my right side occasionally. If it weren't for the pain in my shoulder on that side it would be more comfortable than laying on my right side. It's frustrating.

As for patting yourself on the back for what you are doing - keep it up. Even the little things. I try to keep a "to done" list where I write in the small things I do throughout the day to remind myself that I'm doing more than I (at times) feel like I am. And also so that when my husband comes home an asks what I did all day I can say something more than nothing. I've also had to learn that when he asks that he's not "digging", he's honestly asking and wants to know how my day has gone.

I think when we feel a good bit of pain, it makes us feel older, but not sure it shows so much to
All of those aroud us.

Thank you for this thread / subject !

Recently, when I have thought about my accomplishments, I've reminded myself that no one else sees any difference - no matter what I do! Only a few family members visit &, of course I look fine so they don't understand my struggles to just 'maintain'. They know: they just don't 'know'. I very rarely ask for any help, aside from offers to carry grocery bags inside, none is offered.

Weekends & weekdays are no different except I avoid shopping & running errands on weekends.

I have caught up on laundry (2 days later put them away!) & 'done' dishes, wet swiffered my floors, did some overdue dusting.

Next week I plan to do a little bit of vacuuming, more dusting, regular laundry plus small load of small blankets, finish putting up last weeks' groceries .

You'lls encouragement is wonderful.!