This is me today.
Fuzzy came home from school yesterday with a sore stomach and started throwing up.
He is home today still throwing up.
He was up last night, with a sore stomach, needing Mommy.
Ugh.
Can't seem to catch a break from illness in this house.
Hammer says that the picture is NOT me, because I am not ugly. lol So sweet!
be well,
Dawn
ps... send prayers, happy thoughts and Purell! lol ;-D
If you kept reading after the above warning... bless your heart. I promise I will try not to be too whiny!
So, tonight I went out to coffee with two friends. One also has Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus. The other 'officially' only Fibromyalgia, but they are now thinking RA will be added to her diagnosis soon, also.
The reason we went out is another issue that I may or may not blog about..., but eventually the talk got around to our chronic crap.
The joint pain, swollen hands and feet, and the fatigue.
Just to review....
Tired = go to sleep, get up, and feel refreshed, better, recuperated.
Fatigue = go to sleep, get up, and feel still tired, crappy, achey, sore, and flu-ish like.
Chronic diseases of the immune system (such as RA, Lupus, MS, AS, Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Polymyalgia, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, Myositis etc etc etc) = FATIGUE, day after day after day after day after day............
No one truly really 'gets' it unless they too, have it.
It was refreshing to talk about that with my friends. They are newer 'friends' in my life. They were just acquaintances, mom friends, and now, so much more.
We talked about how our diseases are such an integral part of who we are now. And, how that is sometimes good, and sometimes bad.
Each of us has problems with confrontations in our lives now. I think it has do with being in pain all the time. Your emotions are always just simmering below the surface. Each of us, feels that. You can't have a meaningful discussion about something that hurts you without the tears coming, and that makes you shy away from any confrontation that may do that. You don't want to seem unprofessional or a little nutty and too emotional in certain circumstances. It was nice to be able to talk about that issue with two grown women, two other moms, who have to deal with that issue, too.
We talked about the frustration of dealing with your family that even though they 'see' it all the time, they don't really 'get' it. It is hard. And, we talked about all the other friends, and coworkers who totally don't get it at all. Everyone knows someone with some miracle cure, everyone knows someone who can do more than you.
We talked about the people who say, 'but you look so good', or 'you are too young to have arthritis' and all the interesting things you hear on the days you have to use your cane, or stay home to rest, or bow out of a committment.
Ours is an invisible disability. An invisible chronic illness. Our immune system has turned against itself, attacking our internal gears and works, causing pain and swelling that can't always be seen. The immune system working in overdrive causes the fatigue. The tiredness, the fuzzy headness, that rarely leaves.
It was a nice night out.
It sucks to have a chronic illness.
Here is a website for you to check out if you would like:
be well,
Dawn
Tags: Chronic illness, fatigue, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Fibromyalgia
Blogfather, John Scalzi assigned a sign generator for the weekend assignment.
Mine is above.
It is a 'caution' only. I adore my kids. Wouldn't trade them for the world, but some weeks... they really do wear me and Hubby down!
In my update from yesterday, I forgot to mention that Fuzzy fell down three stairs Thursday night, onto the metal bar of the dog gate and had to get x-rayed on Friday at the pediatric orhtopedist.
Thankfully, no break, but he couldn't go up the ladder to his bed that night, and he slept with me and kept me awake with each moan as he rolled over.
Of course, I did get lots of hugs and being told 'I love you, Mommy' this week. So, it all works out in the end!
And, last night after Hubby and I left for dinner, my three kids instantly descended into a major brawl that their Grandma had to break up, with the youngest, sweet Pumpkin, being the most difficult of all. Yeah, their guest friend was smart enough to leave the room and let Grandma sort it all out and then allow the dust to settle before he re-engaged in the play date. Ugh.
So, again, it is just a caution... I am sure I did the same sometimes to my parents. Actually, I know I did, but there was only one of me... and there are three of them! LOL
Thanks John, always fun...
be well,
Dawn
Tags: sign generator, John Scalzi, Weekend Assignment, demands of children, rewards of parenting
Last night we had Chinese food that we brought home. We always make a big deal out of choosing and reading your fortune cookie with the kids.
I was so thrilled with my fortune that I have to share it with you!
It read, "You are a lover of words. Someday you will write and publish a book."
For those of you who don't know, I LOVE to read and write!
And, I have started writing a novel! I spent about the last 3 months outlining characters, developing plot, and accumulating research in a notebook, and just last week I started typing the first chapter.
I taped the fortune to the mirror over my dresser in my bedroom, so every day it will inspire me to continue! Wish me luck!
Today has been an productive day! Hubby worked on the basement that we have begun to finish. He really worked hard and did a great job! It is ready for him to finish the last bit of framing and then start electrical.
Hubby and I also ran to the mall to return a gift and then to have dinner alone. It was very nice. We had a wonderful appetizer of roasted garlic with crisp cheese foccacia crackers that the restaurant makes homemade. Yummy!
It was also nice for us to talk without being interrupted, for a change! And, we had quite a few things to discuss about the kids, upcoming camping and vacation issues.
It has been lightly misting on and off all day. Not quite raining, not even a drizzle, but enough to be wet and yucky. And, to make my joints creak and scream. Dang, rheumatoid arthritis. <sigh>
Oh yeah, I also colored my hair yesterday. I am lucky that I am a medium to light blonde to begin with, and my hair takes color real well, without needing 2 steps or anything complicated. However, it was starting to look a little too light, and brassy, so I had to add some neutral ash color back in to it. It is better but almost a little too ashy now. I guess nothing is ever 'just right', but it is close enough! ;-D
be well,
Dawn
Every week I read the Thankful Thursday over at Gretchen's blog Living in Savannah 2 and I say to myself that I am going to do an entry, too. Well, this week I am!
Thankful Things
1) My Hubby and his patience and help while I have been struggling with my RA of late.
2) My kids for being silly, wonderful, bickering, funny kids, as they should be, and bringing me much joy.
3) My mom for all her Friday cleaning help.
4) My dad for picking up the kids at school, so when Hubby has the car, like today, I never have to worry.
5) Coffee. You knew it had to be here somewhere didn't you?
Hammer just asked me to look at his throat a little while ago and it was really red and spotty looking. I think we are off to the pediatrician either later or tomorrow am. Gotta love this time of year! I feel like sometimes we go from one sickness to another in a round robin, just passing it around the house.
My cats are a bit nutty today. We have one of those gravity style feeders. If the cats realize that there is only food left in the bottom they start to get antsy. It doesn't matter that there is about 2 cups of food, and plenty for them, until my dad or I gets the new bag later. They actually panic and start to overeat. And, they posture at each other constantly as to who is going to jump onto their area where they eat. It is very silly and funny to watch.
Hubby took the car today, which usually means that I sleep in and he does the kids, but today he had to wake me as he and the kids were getting ready because our plumber had to come. Our plumber is a great guy and also an assistant scoutmaster in the boy's troop. My parent's toilet was all wonky, now it is fine. After he left, I laid back down to continue sleeping.
I forgot to mention earlier in the week that both the NY Jets and the NY Giants lost their wildcard playoff games and are now out of the playoffs. It is a sad time to be a NY/NJ football fan. I think I am going to root for the Seahawks and the Patriots for a bit. There are 4 more games this weekend I think!
Well, that's all for now... I hope your day is good and maybe you all could do a Thankful Thursday entry, too! Leave me a comment if you do, so I can come and read it!
be well,
Dawn
That kitty makes me want to lounge about on the floor of a porch in the sun! Thanks, Donna!
Now, I hope everyone has started to scour their journals for an entry to submit to CarnivAOL ! I am looking forward to seeing you all there next month!
Thank you for all the kind comments on the entry about my Hubby! I wasn't sure he was going to be very happy about my entry, but he liked it! He thanked me for taking the time to do it, and for putting so much thought into the things I wrote. He said it really touched him, so that was great!
Things are pretty good here. Finally, we are getting some cold temperatures, as it should be in January. Unfortunately, no snow yet. I know there are a whole bunch of folks in Colorado who want to send me their snow, and I wish you could!
I really wish the tv would get back to normal. I am so sick of repeats, I could scream!
I did want to mention that there is going to be a new show starting 1/21, on SciFi Network called The Dresden Files. It is based on a great series of books that I love by Jim Butcher. Harry Dresden is a man who also happens to be a wizard. He works along side a Chicago policewoman (who 'believes') and helps keep the 'magical' world in check and behaved so 'normal' humans don't get hurt. I wanted to give a shout out because I know often I don't try new shows unless someone gives me a recommendation. This one should be good!
Well, that is about it for me for now... catch you all tomorrow!
be well,
Dawn
Tags: hubby, snow, Colorado, The Dresden Files, Jim Butcher
It is that time again. I want you all to go to CarnivAOL and check it out.
Do you want more people to read your blog? Unless you are private... you know you do!!!
So, here is what you do...
Pick an entry in your blog. It could be recent, it could be older, just pick one that you want people to come and read.
Send the link to that entry to PLittle@aol.com . Very simple.
Now, get a cup of coffee and do it. I will be happy. You will be happy. Others will be happy, because they will get to enjoy your blog.
Go...
be well,
Dawn
