This past month has been a bit of a difficult one. The change to cooler weather has my arthritis aching more, I am having new-ish symptoms that I haven't gotten used to, and because of these new symptoms, my medication has been hitting me a lot harder than usual... I find myself feeling like the medication is too much when I go to sleep.
So instead of working the way they are meant to - to somewhat alleviate the pain enough to let me sleep - they have made me feel even worse.
The bottom line is that, for the past month or so, I really haven't done much of anything apart from resting and going to appointments. I was able to go visit one of my closest friends and I managed to sing for a funeral a couple weekends ago, but that is about it. This week has also been a lot more difficult because I had five appointments - just this week!
Tonight, however, I had been determined to go out - no matter how rotten I feel. A few friends of mine from my volleyball days were hosting a Hallowe'en themed games night. It includes pool, darts, ping pong, air hockey, foosball, mini basketball, flip cup (with water for me), and hanmerschlägen, all in a man-cave of a garage.
So, I bucked up, found an outfit I could easily make into a costume, looked up some makeup ideas, and slowly got myself ready.
While I was carefully painting on some fake stitches and rosy cheeks, I played some Hallowe'en music and sat on the bathroom vanity with a fan blowing in the background.
I don't usually go out for Hallowe'en, maybe three or four times in the past, but this group of people just radiates positive energy and I was really looking forward to seeing everyone.
And oh my GOSH was it ever fun!!! Games and food and visits and costumes. Plus, the teammate I was paired with was not only a good friend, but a killer games-night champ, even in a racy hot dog costume!
As usual, I had to duck out early once my back and hip pain reached an 8/10, but it was absolutely worth it!!
Sometimes, no matter how absolutely terrible I feel, I need to push myself to go out and be social.
Now I can't wait to see all the little kiddos in their costumes Monday night, especially since we moved to a detached home in a suburban neighborhood.
What a great night!!
