Sorry for the Blogging Blank.

Been rather down in the dumps, physically and emotionally. This is a very bad time of year, money-wise and I usually let it beat me up a bit. Then, after everyone around me is sick to death of my whining and crabbing, I straighten up and move on.

The latest? My lactose intolerance is under control. Yep, finally bought my first cartons of Lactaid milk. And my innards are thanking me. Not only that, but I can now have a glass of warm milk at night before bed. A hugely helpful sleeping aid, with the added benefit of extra calcium.

Bottom line: Getting a constant problem under control seems to clear up the skin, eases digestive troubles, and makes me less crampy, that is to say, less gassy.

Been getting some sunshine, too.

Makes for a happier, healthier HuggaMutt, too.

pb
Little Pond

Felt good to get home.

Nothing quite like those eye drops used to dilate pupils! In my case, the effect lasts nearly twelve hours. I’ve gotten smarter and now keep prescription sunglasses and darkening flip-ups in my glove compartment. Still, I find it difficult to see the green light on the traffic signals. Red and yellow, okay, though. It’s rather like being color blind for a little while.

And note: no one wants to use the drops that undo the process anymore. They are expensive and insurance won’t cover them.

We’ve not seen Old Sol since Sunday morning, but what was waiting for me when I left the ophthalmologist’s office, nearly disabled by the drops? Bloody blinding sunlight!! This, by the way, was gone by the time I arrived home.

It was ten at night before my eyes returned to normal. But I am exhausted from compensating all day for the blurriness.

Still, a day like today makes me appreciate my eyes more than ever. And I will enjoy the sun again, if it ever returns.

pb
Little Pond

Heart Palpitations

Good Lord. Grow up.

My new video games, of all things, are responsible for a series of worrisome events.

I am trying to learn to play a shoot-em-up. Versus a role-playing game. MS makes this difficult. I can't think that fast, and I certainly can't react that fast.

But let's backtrack. I began having heart palpitations at odd times. Like when sleeping and eating or reading. My husband immediately blamed it on the games. Apparently, he stopped enjoying his combat simulators and flight simulators years ago for the same reason.

So why am I attempting to play games outside my preference? Because the story line from my favorite RPG is followed in the latest shooter by the same developers. And I want to watch the FMV or full motion videos that will emerge as I progress through the game.

Guess I'm going to need to delegate. I will hand the game (and a memory card) to someone else, and watch the resultant video clips when they are done. Real shootists can finish a game in less than two days, marathoning it in 48 (yes, that's straight through) hours.

And I can take leisurely walks with Ellie, instead.

pb
Little Pond

Happy New Year, Part 2

This is the second in a series aimed at the newly diagnosed MSer. Remember? Part 1 was just directing the newbie to my fancy welcome post from the earliest age of the MS Companion. Regular visitors may feel some deja vu.

STAGE YOUR WORK

I mean this both ways. Stage as in steps and "stage" as in put on a show.

1--people do not understand the fatigue you face. Except maybe those with chronic obstructive lung disease (also in my family), who can't catch a breath and have to stop many times during any exertion. You do the work that shows first. Take it from me, an A Type cleaner. In my childhood, our house was spotless. I hate dirty house, and now I am often stuck in the home, unable to venture out.

Today is a good example. It is freezing out, and I know that the cold, biting wind will trigger an asthma spell. I am stuck in the house, and it is dirty. (So why are you posting, instead of cleaning???) Glad you asked. I am taking my first rest from cleaning. I will eat part of my breakfast, and post.

So far, I have cleaned counter tops, vacuumed the bedroom and bath, and started rubbing the stove with the Magic Eraser. This is visible stuff (Stage 1): people will see that I have cleaned. After this rest, I will vacuum and sweep the downstairs. I may also triage that, too, depending upon how tired I am. After all, I have to work tonight. There's always tomorrow.

And that is it. Which brings us to:

2--Nearly every job has a surface (effective) result and a deeper (well-done) result. Later this week I will tackle the deeper clean. I will vacuum-dust and wipe mirrors and windows. This is necessary because of the asthma, or maybe it wouldn't even get done. It is Stage 2. I won't put away the rest of the Christmas stuff. That is Stage 2 for weekend. I put away a few of the most visible Christmas last weekend for Stage 1.

I will not steam-clean carpets or clean the basement. If I didn't have Christmas to stow, they might be Stage 3.

Cheating? Cheap tricks? I hope so. It's gotten me through a decade of Relapsing-Remitting MS, including raising two daughters, while cleaning up after a gardener.

BTW, open the blinds and let in the light. Even on a gray day. Especially on a gray day. If you don't have to clean, dress warmly and take a short walk. With the dog. Or with a cane. Or with a friend or relative. Or take the car to a park to sit a bit. Seasonal Affective Disorder is rife right now in the colder climes. And it's worse for shut-ins. If you can get out at all, do so, even if you don't feel like it.

God Bless.

pb
Little Pond

Gray day, gray health, gray mood.

But not the darkest! It is indeed a very gray day. I slept in until 8:00 on the strength of the dim light. But my health is improving. Still seem to have a cold, but just a cold. Just the tiresome little headache and runny nose and plugged ears.

Husband RJ has a mild flu. THE flu, but milder because of the shot. He went to work one day for a meeting. Wrong move! Surrounded by flu victims hyper from medicines. They would not let him leave, buttonholing him as he ran for the door.

I have a cold, but RJ has aches, fever, exhaustion, and dry, hacky cough. I've been walking, blogging, playing video games, and he, well, he's been moping.

Hurray for moping! After all, it could have been deathly ill, flat-out in bed, with vomiting and diarrhea.

We believe in flu shots. And it is still not too late to get one. We've gotten them in January in the past and have been able to avoid the mess that inevitably comes up in February and March around here.

Some day I'll tell you about the pregnancy that was highlighted by three successive bouts of the flu. And yes, all were the flu, verified by a doctor, separated by four weeks of recuperation. I was young, thank heavens.

Hugs, but no kiss. Not till the nose stops running.

pb
Little Pond

First Things First Redux

Let's start the New Year with our new friends.

If you are a new visitor or even a relative newbie to Multiple Sclerosis, you probably ought to start here. It's not my first post, but the first one I composed with the new reader in mind.

Good Luck and God Bless You.

And a very Happy and Healthier New Year to all my old friends!

pb
Little Pond