Typical day for the chronically ill...
I was complaining to my rheumatologist a
few weeks ago about how having to sleep for 10 hours a day completely wiped out
all my free time. He was nodding at me, but I could tell by the expression on
his face that he thought I was exaggerating. Afterward, I started wondering what
it could be that keeps me busier than a healthy person. Then I wrote down every
picky little thing I have to do on an average day that takes me longer than most
people, and I got my
answer.
Here's what I came up
with:
1. Turn off alarm, and
then sleep one more hour because it's impossible to get out of
bed.
2. Spend 30 minutes
trying to work muscle cramps out of legs and
feet.
3. Morning meds for
thyroid, allergies, reflux, etc. Anti-oxidants and supplements for pain and
joint health.
4. Disassemble
humidifier and set out filter to
dry.
5. Spend 45 minutes doing
therapeutic stretches.
6.
Phone calls for prescription refills, doc appointments,
etc.
7. Saline sinus
rinse.
8. Shower, taking a few
extra minutes to let warm water relax painful
muscles.
9. Apply lotion from
head to toe to prevent dry skin cracking, peeling and
itching.
10. Steroid sinus
spray for allergies.
11.
Afternoon meds: anti-inflammatories, immunosuppressants, pills to aid digestion.
Also cal/mag, vitamin C,
etc.
12. Cook and eat a
nutritious meal made from scratch since restricted diet prohibits most processed
foods.
13. Use WaterPik in
addition to brushing, flossing and special mouthwash for dental problems due to
illness.
14. Pack enough food
for entire work shift because restricted diet precludes fast food or anything
from a machine. Fill up half gallon jug for drinking
water.
15. Stop at mall to buy
supplements while they're on sale. Allow all the impatient people to pass.
Ignore their dirty looks should their progress be
impeded.
16. Leave for work;
arrive home 9.5 hours
later.
17. One hour on
computer visiting Fibrohugs,com and checking and replying to
e-mail.
18. Night meds
including sleep aid, more sinus spray and
multi-vitamin.
19. Various
moisturizers to cut down on overnight itching. Special products for lips, eyes
and mouth to prevent overnight
dryness.
20. Re-assemble
humidifier and run on "sleep"
setting.
21. Get up 2-4 times
during the night to pee.
Is it
any wonder I'm worn
out?
Rave
of the Day: An oldie but a
goodie....
Welcome
to the Psychiatric
Hotline.
If you are
obsessive-compulsive, please press 1
repeatedly.
If you are
co-dependent, please ask someone to press
2.
If you have
multiple personalities, please press 3, 4, 5, and
6.
If you are
paranoid-delusional, we know who you are and what you want. Just stay on the
line so we can trace the
call.
If you are
schizophrenic, listen carefully and a little voice will tell you which number to
press.
If you are
depressed, it doesn't matter which number you press. No one will
answer.
If you are
delusional and occasionally hallucinate, please be aware that the thing you are
holding on the side of your head is alive and about to bite off your
ear.
Posted: Wed - January 14, 2004 at 12:49 AM