Recuperation Time Frustration

Yesterday when my hubby and I had to go out and get a couple of things, I felt uncontrollably frustrated.
It felt as though I was on Prednisone and I could not kick this awful mood swing. I was annoyed, I was bubbling over, I was awfully irritated, and then I also burst into tears at random moments. Sounds like Prednisone right?
Here's the problem - it wasn't Prednisone.
Knowing this told me that there was a legitimate reason why I was so frustrated.

On Saturday I went for a paint day with one of my close friends. It was this amazing day full of chit chat and random painting projects and learning about painting. It was beautiful and lovely - but also very painful. It got so bad that I realized I was in absolutely no shape to drive home myself, so my husband ended up having to take a cab to get me and drive us home in the van I had driven to my friend's house. I know that it was the best decision, but that does not mean it wasn't a difficult decision. I felt not only angry with my body but embarrassed that it crashed so violently from a seemingly relaxing day.
So Sunday was pretty rough, which I expected.
Monday comes around and I feel like I am a bit better, so we decide to go out at the end of the day to get a few things with a gift card I have been itching to use. I had expected to use my cane, but I wound up requiring the wheelchair. That in itself is not too bad, but I also did not have the energy to really push myself either. So my hubby also needed to come with me into the store.

I realized that I was ultimately frustrated by the amount of time it takes my body to recuperate from something I don't think I should have had to recuperate from.

A dinner out, anything active, a Christmas party, trying to dance a bit, a procedure, the dentist - these are all really hard on me so I know to expect several days of fallout.
But sitting on a couch painting?
Apparently that is a new low.
Frankly it pisses me off a little bit.

With that said, now I know. Now I know what to expect. I know that I cannot drive myself - I will have to be dropped off and picked up. I know that I will need at least 3 days to recover. I know to take longer breaks and focus on smaller projects. I know that even though it doesn't seem like an active day, it is a drastically active day in the eyes of my own body. Most of all (and probably most devastating of all) is that it completely reiterates the fact that I did make the right decision in not working. (I will not get into how monumentally difficult that decision was).
It validates my concerns and my tendency for caution and reminds me that I need more help than I would like.

Thank goodness everyone around me has been so understanding. That kind of compassion does not go unnoticed. I am extremely lucky in my support system - so thank you!

Hermit New Years Eve

Busy weeks make for longer recuperating times.
The Holiday season is already busy for most people, so it's not unusual to require LOADS of extra recuperation time.
Then, of course, we went ahead and wanted to play new board games and spend lots of time playing games instead of lying in bed.
As fun and as worth it as those games were, I think that the extra activity wore us both down.
With an awful cold ripping through our house, I have had to modify my plans.
Rather than stopping in at two very important get-togethers and then swinging by Rj's work to kiss him at midnight, I have resigned myself to staying in bed, maybe ordering in some Chinese food, cuddling with Decker, and texting or calling Rj around midnight if he has a minute.
I even had a dress and heels picked out for tonight.
Unfortunately, I think I'd have a pretty difficult time trying to get dressed, let alone driving around and going to some parties.

So I will be ringing in the new year with delivery, puppy cuddles, and a virtual or phone call kiss.

Really, with Rj having a bad cold, I couldn't kiss him even if we were in the same room. Just a cheek kiss until we both feel back to normal.

A Bedroom Oasis

There is an unfortunate truth that most patients face -> we spend a lot of time resting. A disproportionate amount.
That's not to say that sick people aren't active... in fact I find that many people who are ill push themselves extra hard and are some of the most athletic people I know - and they do that because they know that one day they may wake up and be even more limited.
I know that is how I was - I pushed myself insanely to keep playing sports for as long as I could.
BUT - those who are seriously ill truly need extra time to recuperate. For some, serious recuperation is required only after intense hiking trips, or a weekend tournament, not to mention procedures and surgeries. Others need recuperation from simple activities, like going for a walk, or cooking, or doing a flight of stairs.

So what is the most important area for a chronically ill patient to be able to recuperate? Home. Your home, your bedroom, your bathtub, somewhere that can be an absolute oasis and completely allow you to recuperate in every aspect of your health.

I needed such an 'oasis' this week, and I am lucky enough to have a bedroom with an ensuite that allows me that experience. Ryan went downstairs while I soaked in a bubble bath with candles and essential oils, used medicated oils and creams and scalp care, made a new sugar scrub for myself that smells like Bergamot and Geranium, used the Insight Timer app to listen some meditative music, and took time for myself! I relaxed in every way I could. It felt amazing. Then I put on a silky nightgown and a warm fleece housecoat and got comfortable, while painting my toenails and putting on this amazing-smelling lotion. It felt like a spa night. In my own home. In my own bedroom.
I am so lucky and so happy to have a spot where I can feel like I am in a spa... and then go right to bed.

This is something that is important to my recuperation time. My little oasis is perfect.