I always look forward to Christmas with excitement and anticipation and hope. Even when I became ill this never changed. What changed then was my capability to enjoy Christmas when it arrived. I take it easy with the buying and wrapping presents on the lead up to Christmas, but there's no possibility of taking it easy when it hits.
This year was a wonderful Christmas, we were surrounded by family and for me this is heaven. I love my family. The sad thing is I can't enjoy it like I used to. As an M.E sufferer I feel bombarded with noise and commotion. A sensory overload exhausts me and each night I would come home as tired, sore, headachey and nauseous as if I'd gone for a walk that afternoon. I'm lucky that I have no responsibilities at Christmas, my wonderful husband and family take over and allow me to use my energy to enjoy the festivities. I know I'm one of the lucky ones with understanding family and friends. They would tell me to use my kid free time to rest, but nearly five years of having M.E and I still don't want to miss out on all the fun. Some things really are worth the consequences.
Saying that though, my husband and I are planning on a nice, relaxing QUIET New Years Eve! ... If the kids permit, that is.
courtesy of 3poppies photography
Thursday, 29 December 2011
Thursday, 15 December 2011
Climbing mountains
For the first time in a long time my M.E. has taken second place to the condition of my son. I've not known what to write in my blog because my mind is constantly on 'reflux'. I'm a 'reflux mum' now as well as an M.E mum.
Caring for a refluxer means
1) Keeping him upright after every feed. This means carrying him, as baby bouncers and walkers can aggravate his digestion because of the pressure.
2) Pacing the floor holding him in upright positions trying to get him to sleep, but eventually feeding him off to sleep as only the milk will soothe the acid indigestion that arises.
3) Holding him in an upright or side laying position whilst sleeping - day and night.
4) Only getting 40-60 mins sleep at a time and then nursing him back off to sleep by soothing his tummy and throat.
There's more involved, but the list is to show the physical requirements of dealing with a child with reflux, so its not surprising my condition has deteriorated somewhat.
A friend asked me what M.E felt like the other day. At first I wanted to say it feels like the flu. But then I remembered going on a hiking trip in Utah a few summers ago. When we had hiked the mountain for a few hours in the heat I became light headed, My unfit body was weary, heavy and slow to move and my muscles ached. I thought this described how I felt every time I do something. If I do too much it also feels like I have the flu (without the runny nose). My glands swell and I can't regulate body temperature so I feel either hot or cold.
Every day I climb that mountain now. I have to, I have children to take care of. But thankfully, I don't have to do this alone. So many angels in the form of family and friends give me a hand to hold as I climb.
Caring for a refluxer means
1) Keeping him upright after every feed. This means carrying him, as baby bouncers and walkers can aggravate his digestion because of the pressure.
2) Pacing the floor holding him in upright positions trying to get him to sleep, but eventually feeding him off to sleep as only the milk will soothe the acid indigestion that arises.
3) Holding him in an upright or side laying position whilst sleeping - day and night.
4) Only getting 40-60 mins sleep at a time and then nursing him back off to sleep by soothing his tummy and throat.
There's more involved, but the list is to show the physical requirements of dealing with a child with reflux, so its not surprising my condition has deteriorated somewhat.
A friend asked me what M.E felt like the other day. At first I wanted to say it feels like the flu. But then I remembered going on a hiking trip in Utah a few summers ago. When we had hiked the mountain for a few hours in the heat I became light headed, My unfit body was weary, heavy and slow to move and my muscles ached. I thought this described how I felt every time I do something. If I do too much it also feels like I have the flu (without the runny nose). My glands swell and I can't regulate body temperature so I feel either hot or cold.
Every day I climb that mountain now. I have to, I have children to take care of. But thankfully, I don't have to do this alone. So many angels in the form of family and friends give me a hand to hold as I climb.
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Getting through the winter
My body is shutting down for winter. Not only is it shutting down, but it's causing me some serious pain. Owwee owwee OUCH!
If I was rich I'd fly south like the birds. But I'm not. So, I'm going to follow the example of the animals and hibernate instead.
I'll venture out for supplies, to go to church and the odd event for my son. For anything else I'll see you in the spring ... Or online ;)
If you want to find me I'll be snuggled in blankets, watching Christmas films, drinking hot chocolate, eating Christmas pudding. All under the glow of the Christmas tree lights.
If only!
If I was rich I'd fly south like the birds. But I'm not. So, I'm going to follow the example of the animals and hibernate instead.
I'll venture out for supplies, to go to church and the odd event for my son. For anything else I'll see you in the spring ... Or online ;)
If you want to find me I'll be snuggled in blankets, watching Christmas films, drinking hot chocolate, eating Christmas pudding. All under the glow of the Christmas tree lights.
If only!
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Understanding M.E
Ive just read an article in another M.E blog that explains what it feels like to have M.E, even though the author has another disease she describes the choices we have to make so well. Here's the link : http://www.chronicmuse.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/BYDLS-TheSpoonTheory1.pdf
Please take a couple of minutes to read the spoon theory.
Please take a couple of minutes to read the spoon theory.
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