Someone posted about
whether or not they will be able to work during Lyme treatment and it got me thinking about
how much our symptoms and the level of debilitation varies, so I thought that it would be interesting to share and see how we all spend our days and what we are able to do regularly - ranging from those of us just starting treatment and those that are improving and under successful treatment. I think it would be helpful to know that one day we will all be able to function at a higher level than where we are now.
So here is my typical day,M-F.
FYI-I'm 4 months into treat after being severely ill for over a year. I had minor symptoms for many years before that. Prior to getting sick, I was extremely active. I was a teacher and then provided at home childcare. I worked out 5 days/week and was very social. It's been a HUGE adjustment to spend my days like this:
8:00 wake up - in pain and just feel plain sick, but have to get my son to school and take care of my daughter. Thank goodness I have them to motivate me to get going :o)! Get the kids fed and ready to leave. Walk the dog. It amazes me that getting the kids ready and walking the dog is a major struggle and undertaking for me now. These things used to be so simple.
8:40- drive my son to school due to his difficulty riding the bus at the beginning of the year, major separation anxiety from mom :-(. Sure wish I could get him to take the bus to school. Mornings are ROUGH!
Remainder of the morning-take care of my 1 1/2 yr. old daughter. I feel sick, sore, exhausted, and the neuro. stuff acts up most of the morning. It takes everything I have to take care of her and try to take care of myself and do some household stuff. I feel isolated and depressed in the mornings. Mornings are HARD. I pull myself out of it by watching Kelly Ripa, The View, The Today show, and listening to music and playing w/ my daughter. I have a babysitter come 2 mornings/week and it's a HUGE help. On those days, I try to get out to run and errand or 2 so I'm not completely housebound. It's much easier w/o having to take my daughter w/ me-she's a chunky little one, lol!
12:00ish-lunch time. Feed my daughter, get her cleaned up, and ready for nap. Put her down for nap and I start my detoxing w/ the portable sauna or detox bath and then a shower.
1:00-done with detoxing and shower and I lay down for a nap. I'm exhausted and feel like I can't move. I always feel a bit "blue" at this time - the realization that I've only been awake for 4 hrs. and I already need to sleep, again! On days when I can't nap, the afternoons are really rough though.
2:00-Up from nap, try to eat something healthy before my daughter wakes up, do some more household stuff.
3:00-I usually start to feel a bit better in the afternoon or early evening. Woohoo! Put some makeup on and fix hair, trying to feel human. My daughter wakes up. I get her a snack and we play.
4:00 Son is home from school. Homework, dinner, BUSY, BUSY! If I feel well enough, I'll chat w/ the neighbors, arrange a playdate, or run an errand w/ the kids. I feel well enough to do that maybe 1-2 afternoons/week
6:30ish-husband gets home from work. Starting to feel worn out, sore, and neuro. symptoms are acting up from being active for a few hours. But, I push on! Again, thank God for my beautiful children and hubby. Keeps me going!
8:00-Kids are in bed after another very busy evening. I can lay down and rest. I watch t.v., research online, visit w/ hubby, and come on to this forum
. I'm usually hungry in the evenings. I've been that way since I was a kid, so I munch too. My favorite evening snacks right now are apple and goat cheese or hummus w/ gluten free crackers.
10:00 p.m.-I'm really tired and not feeling well. Time for bed. I drink Alkaseltzer Gold about
1/2 hr. before bed and take activated charcoal before going to bed. Hope that helps my body detox some while I sleep. I need to get this crap out of my body!
Awww, will the day ever come when I feel well and normal when I wake up in the morning?!?!? I sure hope so!