In our family...

In our family....we do second chances...we do grace...we do real...we do mistakes...we do I'm sorry (and I forgive you)...we do loud really well...we do hugs...we do family...we do love.















Sunday, February 1, 2009

Kicking My Ass

In living a life with pain, some days are worse then others. I have learned how to adjust my life and the things I do to either prevent it from escalating to a higher level or to just plain cope. On the days and nights, that the pain kicks my ass, I try to just wait it out until it lessens. I feel like giving up and to be quite honest, there are times that I just want to put a gun to my head…to just make the pain STOP. Everything becomes harder and going to work is a struggle, let alone getting anything done around the house. Life goes on because of the little people and their busyness and noise make my head swim. It’s hard to do anything, let alone sleep. I tend to feel more fearful and vulnerable during these times…and then I feel guilty because my husband has to do so much more around here, which he is happy to do and doesn’t do anything to make me feel guilty. I do that all on my own.

High pain brings out the nightmares and the nightmares make me tighten up even more, thus more pain. I have nightmares about being attacked and it brings to the surface all the fears I have regarding the attack. It’s ugly and I literally hate being reminded of what happened. I work hard at forgetting and leaving it in the past, where it belongs. There is no good to remembering something that I cannot change. These memories like to come out to play while I sleep and it’s this that I battle. It’s a vicious ugly cycle and my life is spent trying to prevent these cycles. Stress does make things worse, and lately, with the stress being high, the pain has been kicking my ass. Finally, today the pain has let up somewhat. I still feel wiped out…completely drained but I can now think more clearly.

My doctor wants me to consider getting Botox injections into my neck. I am seriously considering it and have started reading up about it, since I want to know if there are any long term side affects before I agree to it. Tomorrow, I will start going into a heated therapeutic pool to exercise with the woman I am going to be assisting. A physical therapist will also put together an exercise program for me to do in the workout facility, which I am also looking forward to. My doctor has recommended this therapy and exercise for me and since I will be taking my client every day anyways, I will now get to do this. I am really hoping and praying that this will help me.

I am going to be a personal care attendant for a woman that is also a friend of mine. She is in her early 50’s and has severe arthritis all over her body. She lives with severe pain, that I am sure mine doesn’t even come close to, but regardless, I do understand pain and she knows this. I basically will be her companion to help with housekeeping, cooking, taking her to the therapeutic pool and exercise facility and anything else that she would like to do…like to the movies or shopping. I will be getting paid to spend time with a wonderful, gracious and loving woman.

I will not have to do any lifting which is a relief from lifting all the babies in the nursery every day. The doctor thinks that lifting the babies has been hard on my neck and has hopes that once I am not doing that anymore(other than my own occasionally) that my pain levels will start to come down. I have already told the woman that runs the company, that when I am ready to take another client, that I would like one that wouldn’t require heavy lifting and that was not a problem.

I found a great woman, that has a small home daycare, to take care of the little people and they loved it when we visited there last week. Although it was hard leaving my job at the school, I know that these new changes will be good for all of us. I will write in the near future about my last days at the school…my heart is still overflowing from it all. Yes, I did meet with that young woman and her children, that I wrote about recently, and I will tell you all about that as well.

Tomorrow begins a new chapter, in all of our lives, but I think we are ready for it. I am excited to see how it all plays out and the people I will meet along the way. Life...it's a journey...sometimes it's a rollercoaster ride that I don't want to be on...whatever it is, I'm along for the ride.

10 comments:

Sandi said...

Hang in there!

My little one Dalin used to get Botox injections in his arm. The only down side is that you have to keep doing them about every 8 weeks. The shots are great, they just don't last very long.

David said...

Pain is something I know a little about to be sure. It does not make your pain or the nightmares about pain any less in your world to know that the mind will drop the memory of it so fast, we wonder why all the fuss. No words can lessen the pain you live now and escalates daily. Just know that your readers are sending out hugs and warm encouraging thoughts to help you through these times.
It is exciting about your new chapter on Monday, and we look forward to your posting on this event.
Lori, your comment on my post today was touching to say the least. I can't tell how much it means to me to read your words. It, like I speak of above, lessens the "pain" or discomfort in my life.
I have to tell you that your post back on November 27th and your quotes on gratitude, stuck with me to this day.
And for meeting you in this wonderful world of blogging; I am grateful.

Warmest,

David

I Am Woody said...

Praying for a good nights sleep to start your new adventure fresh!

Anonymous said...

Lori,

I think that this transition will make your week hectic but you will see a big difference in your health and your stress very soon. I even think that your little people might be less stressed because they might end up with other kids that are less stressed.... maybe!

Your pain is something that I send prayers out for. I know nothing about pain as you describe and it worries me for you. What I do know is that you are resilient ;) and that you are being guided down this path of change for a reason.

I hope your morning tomorrow goes smoothly and well. Your little people have each other to go with on this new adventure so I think that they will be fine! I will be thinking of all of you tomorrow.

Best wishes and can't wait to hear how this goes.

Much love!!!

CM

PS I missed you last night. You were there with me though and we were dancing!!!

Anonymous said...

Maybe the change in stress level with indeed help you...I am pretty sure that is can't hurt. I think, with all of this pain, I might understand why you keep yourself so busy...

Busy Bee Suz said...

So sorry to hear about your pain....I am hoping once you get in your new routine w/ the new job and the kids at daycare, that you will feel a bit better.
the water therapy and the physical therapy have to help. This new job really sounds like a blessing for you. I hope it is better than you expect. take care,
suz

Stepping said...

Before I had my cervical fusion I had so much pain that I begged my husband to cut my arm off. Stress did make it so much worse. I hope this new job will be a blessing for you. Take care!

Jason, as himself said...

This on top of everything else! I'm sorry, and I sincerely hope you will find some relief in one form or another, and soon.

Anonymous said...

Oh i am so xcited for you...there is nothing more fun than being able to go to a pool or gym or exercise class, have fun and then get paid for it. This i know LOL...

small suggestion...perhaps you could look for a pain management class that you could both attend, if you aren't already doing that...teaching breathing etc...just a thought...

Unknown said...

I am praying for you as you begin this new chapter!