The first sure sign we are in for the long haul of summer hit me today. Took a walk to Chemung Canal Bank, just two and one half blocks away. Lovely, cool morning gently lit by a cloud covered sun. Not a cloudy day yet, just a half-hidden sunlit day.
My left leg gave out repeatedly on the way. Fortunately I have two legs, and simply shifted to the good one. Repeatedly. A thirty-minute trip took an entire hour. Time to break out the walking sticks! I have canes, but I prefer a walking stick. Love the feel of reaching a little up, not down, at each swing.
Generally, walking sticks seem to be made for men. I get lots of compliments from men on them. So far I've only purchased hand-made, naturally-shaped ones from local art fests and bazaars. I've seen really sweet ones at the Art and Frame Shop on Hoffman Street, where I go to frame anything nice that's locally made. The sticks at the Art Shop have bird identifications or animal tracks on them. Love them, and expect a moment of weakness will result sometime this summer.
Meantime, the Internet should provide some solace, in the form of links to meditative writings and photography I found here at NatureInfo, courtesy of Darlene and her correspondents.
Enjoy.
pb
Little Pond
Update: I've now fallen twice at work. I had a full weekend planned, what with a wedding and all, but now I must gear down and rest more. On top of that, I have to work an hour or so overtime. We are shorthanded over the holiday week. But everything on track, workwise. I am enjoying our young people! They are hard workers who still enjoy life. And, strangely enough, they are a tad more conservative than I am. Unexpected, but makes for some interesting conversation.
How can I feel bad when I have so much to love, enjoy, and be thankful for? I can't. Rejoice with me. Rest, work and a wedding make up my weekend. Sounds good; sounds like fun. And I just heard they are registered at Bed, Bath and Beyond. So I've been worrying about nothing. I love that store! Looking forward to a quick trip to Consumer Square Saturday. Then Squeezing into my (taller) daughter's dress for the wedding. An adventure in itself, no doubt. I'll keep you posted.
pb
Little Pond
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Monday, July 04, 2005
Back in Business
Just noticed that it's been days since I last posted. Don't want to leave you all thinking I spent the Independence Day Weekend wallowing in my weakness. I did what I always do: as much as I can but no more.
In fact, a lovely cool morning afforded me the opportunity to go Downtown and shoot pictures for the Fourth of July holiday post. They are posted here and there will be more to come. I also spent a short time with the inlaws, both of whom have birthdays right about now.
And back to work tomorrow night. This is the first three-day weekend I have had in years. It's kind of nice.
Happy Independence Day!
pb
Little Pond
In fact, a lovely cool morning afforded me the opportunity to go Downtown and shoot pictures for the Fourth of July holiday post. They are posted here and there will be more to come. I also spent a short time with the inlaws, both of whom have birthdays right about now.
And back to work tomorrow night. This is the first three-day weekend I have had in years. It's kind of nice.
Happy Independence Day!
pb
Little Pond
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Stuck Indoors?
So it's 85 degrees in the shade, and I'm stuck indoors. I literally cannot go for even a short walk.
Increased MS symptoms cling like a hangover. My ankles feel squishy and "wet," and I have a constant "headache" starting at the back of my neck and shoulders that tingles and feels tight. My hands also tingle and feel swollen although they simply are not, and my clumsiness now borders on the dangerous. I begin to avoid stairs. I am paying for my little trip to the river with Ellie on Monday. And I still must work each night. Every now and then I whine "I'm tired" to no one at all.
I can even feel the muscle around my left eye, tracing a circle, one that I didn't even know existed before the first MS exacerbation, some ten or so years ago. I resist the urge to ask Husband RJ to check the date of the first attack. He's the keeper of the dates and the facts surrounding all major events. I'm terrible about such stuff.
The first year, especially the first summer after the first attack, I was trapped inside. But by then I was already learning to fight the blues, because I'd had a serious bout of clinical depression as a young wife. It was important then not to succumb to inactivity. Seemed to me it was more important once I learned about MS.
Early on I would sit at home feeling sorry for myself. Now I just start with the basics.
First, let in the light. Open the shades! If the heat will creep in, then shut the shades on the sunlit side and open the ones on the northward. Make yourself at home in the brighter rooms. Move your activities there.
Keep clean! Shower and dress and tidy the house. Prepare for activity. If the place is a pigsty from inactivity, then you have a job now: clean the house. Set a schedule, say, of no more than two hours of work, then reward yourself accordingly. A nice nap is even nicer when the house is clean on awakening. And the cleanliness is for someone important. You.
Eat for the summer! I met a friend at Montana Mills this morning, who told me she ate cheese and cherries last night. And we both purchased bread that would keep us all week, especially if we freeze some of it. Before the heat wave, I had boiled some eggs and macaroni. Now there's salad fixings for the hot days. And cold fruit in the fridge and canned fruit in the pantry. I've learned to buy small zucchinis and baby carrots for snacks and cold lunches. Tuna, cottage cheese and yoghurt have taken over my diet. My family shreds lettuce by the head to store in containers in the fridge. A couple types of bread, say pita and high fiber Lite from Weis Market, are waiting year round.
Keep a cool car. Shortly after the first exacerbation, we purchased a used Geo Tracker. I need the height, because while I could fall into a lower car, someone would have to haul me out of it. No independence in that. Getting in and out of a small SUV is a breeze, and it's good on gas, and it was inexpensive enough that we could afford to install air conditioning. On top of that, we use sunshades to keep out the sun. MammaDog M got me Marvin the Martian sunshades to pop onto the side windows, too. They are narrower, perfect for the door windows. She found them on the Internet.
Finally, know your limit. Absolutely do not overplan. People ask me where I find time for blogging and video games. I simply do not overplan. For example, I never, ever shop for more than two hours. Ever. Even a three hour shopping excursion is interrupted with a lovely sit-down lunch or snack for an hour. Off my feet, resting. If I don't have what I planned to buy after two full hours, tough. I'm done and I go home to rest. Every now and then I have time left over. It's rare, but I do sometimes. That time is for me, me, me!
More on daily routines soon. Work in an hour.
pb
Little Pond
Increased MS symptoms cling like a hangover. My ankles feel squishy and "wet," and I have a constant "headache" starting at the back of my neck and shoulders that tingles and feels tight. My hands also tingle and feel swollen although they simply are not, and my clumsiness now borders on the dangerous. I begin to avoid stairs. I am paying for my little trip to the river with Ellie on Monday. And I still must work each night. Every now and then I whine "I'm tired" to no one at all.
I can even feel the muscle around my left eye, tracing a circle, one that I didn't even know existed before the first MS exacerbation, some ten or so years ago. I resist the urge to ask Husband RJ to check the date of the first attack. He's the keeper of the dates and the facts surrounding all major events. I'm terrible about such stuff.
The first year, especially the first summer after the first attack, I was trapped inside. But by then I was already learning to fight the blues, because I'd had a serious bout of clinical depression as a young wife. It was important then not to succumb to inactivity. Seemed to me it was more important once I learned about MS.
Early on I would sit at home feeling sorry for myself. Now I just start with the basics.
First, let in the light. Open the shades! If the heat will creep in, then shut the shades on the sunlit side and open the ones on the northward. Make yourself at home in the brighter rooms. Move your activities there.
Keep clean! Shower and dress and tidy the house. Prepare for activity. If the place is a pigsty from inactivity, then you have a job now: clean the house. Set a schedule, say, of no more than two hours of work, then reward yourself accordingly. A nice nap is even nicer when the house is clean on awakening. And the cleanliness is for someone important. You.
Eat for the summer! I met a friend at Montana Mills this morning, who told me she ate cheese and cherries last night. And we both purchased bread that would keep us all week, especially if we freeze some of it. Before the heat wave, I had boiled some eggs and macaroni. Now there's salad fixings for the hot days. And cold fruit in the fridge and canned fruit in the pantry. I've learned to buy small zucchinis and baby carrots for snacks and cold lunches. Tuna, cottage cheese and yoghurt have taken over my diet. My family shreds lettuce by the head to store in containers in the fridge. A couple types of bread, say pita and high fiber Lite from Weis Market, are waiting year round.
Keep a cool car. Shortly after the first exacerbation, we purchased a used Geo Tracker. I need the height, because while I could fall into a lower car, someone would have to haul me out of it. No independence in that. Getting in and out of a small SUV is a breeze, and it's good on gas, and it was inexpensive enough that we could afford to install air conditioning. On top of that, we use sunshades to keep out the sun. MammaDog M got me Marvin the Martian sunshades to pop onto the side windows, too. They are narrower, perfect for the door windows. She found them on the Internet.
Finally, know your limit. Absolutely do not overplan. People ask me where I find time for blogging and video games. I simply do not overplan. For example, I never, ever shop for more than two hours. Ever. Even a three hour shopping excursion is interrupted with a lovely sit-down lunch or snack for an hour. Off my feet, resting. If I don't have what I planned to buy after two full hours, tough. I'm done and I go home to rest. Every now and then I have time left over. It's rare, but I do sometimes. That time is for me, me, me!
More on daily routines soon. Work in an hour.
pb
Little Pond
Monday, June 27, 2005
Heat Wave!! Dirt, dust and pollen alert!!
Oh boy. It's suffocatingly hot and humid. No walks this afternoon. All this weekend I wore my Cooldana, the one that the Copaxone people sent me. Because I filled out a questionnaire, I think.
And I wore hats. And avoided the sun. And gave up and came into the air-conditioned house. It makes me shudder to imagine the energy bill that will come from NYSEG shortly.
Very little cleaning in this weather. First off, I still have to work tonight. Then an excruciating walk very early this morning left me soaked in sweat. So Blogging it is. With some Dasani bottled water at my elbow. And Ellie flattened out on the sofa. Ignoring even little snacks. So I vaccuumed the living room, fwoomphed the comforters upstairs, and wiped down the bathtub and sink. The kitchen was too warm, so I left it for tomorrow.
What to do about the heat, humidity and allergies this summer? Take care of the allergies first. That means vaccuuming often. We have an Oreck XL with special filter bags and I do this without glasses. In other words, don't make it a big song and dance production. No glasses means I don't see all the dirt, but I see enough to make the place look clean. Glasses are fine if guests are coming, and the place needs to be spotless. Without them, I clean what would bother just Husband RJ and me. I see and clean the cat and human hair and the cigarette ash and any leftover spills. Things get picked up and put away. For me, confusion leads to accidents, and is not given full sway.
So a schedule is necessary, too. Drugs taken on time despite all my whining. Meals on time and in the proper proportions. Every serving of fruits and vegetables is counted and heavy proteins kept to a minimum. Lots of grains and very little that actually needs cooking.
Meds, visit with Husband RJ, breakfast, walk, cleaning, computer then nap. Then visit with Husband RJ (who's home for lunch), cool shower, walk, computer, cleaning and rest before work, usually a video game or blogging or both. After work, a sip of wine spritzer, visit with Husband RJ, then bed. Workdays we are two ships that pass each other three times.
OTC allergy meds are minimal. Antihistamine, pain killer, antacid when needed. Gotta rotate the pain killers. This week it's acetaminophen, last week it was aspirin. Only when needed, not regularly, but that still means every day. Today I'm trying to wear bifocal contact lenses to work. It's not always good for me, especially if there is cut-and-paste, or strip-in work. Otherwise, they are wonderful: such a relief to get the glasses off my face. Still, they are expensive, more so than bifocal glasses. And high maintainance because I need eye drops to keep them wet in climate-controlled spaces.
So, allergies kept under control, homespace (fairly) clean, discomfort kept minimal. This means watching all chemicals that contact my skin, eyes and lungs. Sensitive-skin versions of hair and skin care, and anything hypoallergenic in cosmetics. Not much for makeup and jewelry. Naturally, I am sensitive to gold and silver jewelry. Household cleaners are mostly disposable wipes, and floors and carpets are cleaned with oil soaps.
Basically I live in a little purgatory of hypoallergenic, sensitive-skin versions of just about anything I can get. Goes for food, too. But that's a whole other post. At least.
What I really want to know: Does everyone with an Immunological Disorder have to live like this? Is it common to be so full of allergies that I'm practically living like the Boy in the Bubble? Can't take more allergy meds, because they send my blood pressure soaring. The allergy shots only work while I taking them. As soon as I stop, I suffer. It's easier to just take antihistamines. Besides, I got tired of having a hugely swollen arm all the time.
Ideas, anyone?
pb
Little Pond
And I wore hats. And avoided the sun. And gave up and came into the air-conditioned house. It makes me shudder to imagine the energy bill that will come from NYSEG shortly.
Very little cleaning in this weather. First off, I still have to work tonight. Then an excruciating walk very early this morning left me soaked in sweat. So Blogging it is. With some Dasani bottled water at my elbow. And Ellie flattened out on the sofa. Ignoring even little snacks. So I vaccuumed the living room, fwoomphed the comforters upstairs, and wiped down the bathtub and sink. The kitchen was too warm, so I left it for tomorrow.
What to do about the heat, humidity and allergies this summer? Take care of the allergies first. That means vaccuuming often. We have an Oreck XL with special filter bags and I do this without glasses. In other words, don't make it a big song and dance production. No glasses means I don't see all the dirt, but I see enough to make the place look clean. Glasses are fine if guests are coming, and the place needs to be spotless. Without them, I clean what would bother just Husband RJ and me. I see and clean the cat and human hair and the cigarette ash and any leftover spills. Things get picked up and put away. For me, confusion leads to accidents, and is not given full sway.
So a schedule is necessary, too. Drugs taken on time despite all my whining. Meals on time and in the proper proportions. Every serving of fruits and vegetables is counted and heavy proteins kept to a minimum. Lots of grains and very little that actually needs cooking.
Meds, visit with Husband RJ, breakfast, walk, cleaning, computer then nap. Then visit with Husband RJ (who's home for lunch), cool shower, walk, computer, cleaning and rest before work, usually a video game or blogging or both. After work, a sip of wine spritzer, visit with Husband RJ, then bed. Workdays we are two ships that pass each other three times.
OTC allergy meds are minimal. Antihistamine, pain killer, antacid when needed. Gotta rotate the pain killers. This week it's acetaminophen, last week it was aspirin. Only when needed, not regularly, but that still means every day. Today I'm trying to wear bifocal contact lenses to work. It's not always good for me, especially if there is cut-and-paste, or strip-in work. Otherwise, they are wonderful: such a relief to get the glasses off my face. Still, they are expensive, more so than bifocal glasses. And high maintainance because I need eye drops to keep them wet in climate-controlled spaces.
So, allergies kept under control, homespace (fairly) clean, discomfort kept minimal. This means watching all chemicals that contact my skin, eyes and lungs. Sensitive-skin versions of hair and skin care, and anything hypoallergenic in cosmetics. Not much for makeup and jewelry. Naturally, I am sensitive to gold and silver jewelry. Household cleaners are mostly disposable wipes, and floors and carpets are cleaned with oil soaps.
Basically I live in a little purgatory of hypoallergenic, sensitive-skin versions of just about anything I can get. Goes for food, too. But that's a whole other post. At least.
What I really want to know: Does everyone with an Immunological Disorder have to live like this? Is it common to be so full of allergies that I'm practically living like the Boy in the Bubble? Can't take more allergy meds, because they send my blood pressure soaring. The allergy shots only work while I taking them. As soon as I stop, I suffer. It's easier to just take antihistamines. Besides, I got tired of having a hugely swollen arm all the time.
Ideas, anyone?
pb
Little Pond
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Dog Day in Golden Glow
Tricks times three. Went to the Golden Glow to visit with my other dogs. Go to Pat's Pond to see the rest of the visit.
pb
Little Pond
Friday, June 24, 2005
The GoogleAds are coming
That is to say, we will experiment with advertising on our secondary sites, of which MS Companion is one. Because Pats Pond is essentially no more than a personal blog, all the advertising has been for blogging. Which is okay by me, I guess.
The MS Companion however should attract more specialized advertising. I would even point up the ads, except they apparently cycle around. Hey, if they don't work, I will remove them. It's not like they will make me rich, anyway. I want them to offer stuff that's useful to MS patients and those with related disabilities.
Note especially the Google bar. Your portal to the wonderful world of, well, just about everything. Husband RJ and I used to marvel at how our outlook on the world changed as soon as we visited the Net. It's more than the difference between a house with Television and one without. No question goes unanswered now. No topic remains dark to us. We know all and see all, practically. Can't live without it.
So go ahead, Google something. But no visiting questionable sites, you hear? The Net is a vice in and of itself, without piling more on top of it. Goes for gambling, too. (Didn't know all that was available to you? You have no idea! Can't think of anything not available on the Net.) Enjoy.
pb
Little Pond
The MS Companion however should attract more specialized advertising. I would even point up the ads, except they apparently cycle around. Hey, if they don't work, I will remove them. It's not like they will make me rich, anyway. I want them to offer stuff that's useful to MS patients and those with related disabilities.
Note especially the Google bar. Your portal to the wonderful world of, well, just about everything. Husband RJ and I used to marvel at how our outlook on the world changed as soon as we visited the Net. It's more than the difference between a house with Television and one without. No question goes unanswered now. No topic remains dark to us. We know all and see all, practically. Can't live without it.
So go ahead, Google something. But no visiting questionable sites, you hear? The Net is a vice in and of itself, without piling more on top of it. Goes for gambling, too. (Didn't know all that was available to you? You have no idea! Can't think of anything not available on the Net.) Enjoy.
pb
Little Pond
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Fwoomph
Cooling scarves lead to Chillows lead to Fwoomph? So what is Fwoomph?
Well, there are fwoomphs and there are fwaps:
If you own pillows you already know how to fwap. Fwapping is the sound a pillow makes when I fluff it. Got it? So what's a fwoomph? This one you may not recognize. A fwoomph is the sound a comforter makes inside its cover when I shake it back into shape.
A house full of pets needs comforter covers, pillow shams and afghans to drape over the sofa and chairs. Or else it needs highly disciplined pets that aren't allowed on the furniture. That last sound like your house? Doesn't sound like ours either.
The extra bonus in our house is the ease of tidying, not just the ease of cleaning and laundering. To make the bed, I simply fwoomph the comforter and fwap the pillows. I usually keep two cheap pillows in shams to finish the job. Downstairs I launder the afghans. No clever noises to that.
We use hugely stuffed, feather comforters in the winter and feather blankets (also inside a cover) in the summer. and when we didn't have air conditioning, we used Vellux blankets that are oh, so easily laundered. Unfortunately, we lent the Vellux blanket to MammaDog, who learned that Granddog Ellie gently chews it during the night. Rather like thumb-sucking. She didn't have the heart to discipline Ellie, so we no longer have the blanket. But the Vellux blanket was perfect for the hot nights, as I remember.
Some may not make the connection between all this and Multiple Sclerosis.
Many of us with immunological disorders also experience more than our share of allergies. I do, and I compensate by keeping our place tidy and vacuumed (filtered air conditioning helps), more, I guess, than the average person. Or maybe not. My mother kept our house spotless when I was a child. I think she was an A-Type personality, though. My housekeeping does not begin to measure up to my memory of hers.
Still, I do what I can. I scrub floors and carpets with machines, vacuum frequently and dust whenever shame overtakes me. When I can no longer stand the cats, I take an antihistamine and brush out the extra fur (with a cat-brush, not an antihistamine). Granddog is shorthaired, thank the Lord. I use premoistened wipes to clean the puppy-nose marks off the windows and to polish the furniture. And I wear gloves. NOT white gloves. Place isn't that clean. Disposable plastic gloves to keep the fluids off me. More on allergies later.
So fwoomphs and fwaps are the order each morning. Laundering and vacuuming a few times a week. And deep cleaning when I can no longer stand the ground-in dirt or stains. No more. No real schedule, except that dictated by my relapsing-remitting MS. Although I am inclined to wait until Granddog goes back to Golden Glow with Mamma before I bring out the heavy equipment. It makes my heart ache to see her cower.
If this sounds easier than what you do, go for the covers. If you have a better way, clue me in. I am always open to good suggestions.
pb
Little Pond
Well, there are fwoomphs and there are fwaps:
If you own pillows you already know how to fwap. Fwapping is the sound a pillow makes when I fluff it. Got it? So what's a fwoomph? This one you may not recognize. A fwoomph is the sound a comforter makes inside its cover when I shake it back into shape.
A house full of pets needs comforter covers, pillow shams and afghans to drape over the sofa and chairs. Or else it needs highly disciplined pets that aren't allowed on the furniture. That last sound like your house? Doesn't sound like ours either.
The extra bonus in our house is the ease of tidying, not just the ease of cleaning and laundering. To make the bed, I simply fwoomph the comforter and fwap the pillows. I usually keep two cheap pillows in shams to finish the job. Downstairs I launder the afghans. No clever noises to that.
We use hugely stuffed, feather comforters in the winter and feather blankets (also inside a cover) in the summer. and when we didn't have air conditioning, we used Vellux blankets that are oh, so easily laundered. Unfortunately, we lent the Vellux blanket to MammaDog, who learned that Granddog Ellie gently chews it during the night. Rather like thumb-sucking. She didn't have the heart to discipline Ellie, so we no longer have the blanket. But the Vellux blanket was perfect for the hot nights, as I remember.
Some may not make the connection between all this and Multiple Sclerosis.
Many of us with immunological disorders also experience more than our share of allergies. I do, and I compensate by keeping our place tidy and vacuumed (filtered air conditioning helps), more, I guess, than the average person. Or maybe not. My mother kept our house spotless when I was a child. I think she was an A-Type personality, though. My housekeeping does not begin to measure up to my memory of hers.
Still, I do what I can. I scrub floors and carpets with machines, vacuum frequently and dust whenever shame overtakes me. When I can no longer stand the cats, I take an antihistamine and brush out the extra fur (with a cat-brush, not an antihistamine). Granddog is shorthaired, thank the Lord. I use premoistened wipes to clean the puppy-nose marks off the windows and to polish the furniture. And I wear gloves. NOT white gloves. Place isn't that clean. Disposable plastic gloves to keep the fluids off me. More on allergies later.
So fwoomphs and fwaps are the order each morning. Laundering and vacuuming a few times a week. And deep cleaning when I can no longer stand the ground-in dirt or stains. No more. No real schedule, except that dictated by my relapsing-remitting MS. Although I am inclined to wait until Granddog goes back to Golden Glow with Mamma before I bring out the heavy equipment. It makes my heart ache to see her cower.
If this sounds easier than what you do, go for the covers. If you have a better way, clue me in. I am always open to good suggestions.
pb
Little Pond
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