Keeping Going For My Furbabies

little_green

just checking in. 

StartingAgainAt29

Hi @enthusiasticsaver, thanks for reading! That's really encouraging to hear about your brother, even though I don't know for certain yet it's really nice to hear positive stories about people in a similar position. I'm not sure about MP now with the altitude and everything but that's a concern for another day. I hope you get to Canada next year!

Thanks for checking in @little_green, hope you're doing well!

I've had a bit of a spendy day today as I went to Aldi for the weekly shop. I spent £31 which is more than I planned, but they had a bumper back of the boys' food for £6.99, and as it's so hit and miss whether they have their particular type I grabbed it. That lasts me for 2 weeks, my mum has another box for me too so I have well over a month's food. I don't mind stockpiling right now especially as finances will become tighter. They are also doing bigger packs of their dry treats which makes it SO much cheaper, so I grabbed 3 of those! We have what I call "what time is it?" at 10pm where they get a handful of treats, it's a very important time in our household!! I also made an Amazon order of omega 3 fish oil tablets which I'm taking for the anti-inflammatory properties, and two products I swear by for my bladder! So I've spent £60 all told but everything was necessary.

I had a good Bank Holiday as I went round to see my nephew (he got my mum to phone me to ask me to come round ) I took him to the park and we had a good time running round, he wanted me to go on all the equipment with him, but when I almost got stuck on the kiddies' slide I had to tell him no I did a youtube workout video on Monday, and then Tuesday I felt very proud of myself because I did my first 3 mile run since I was really ill back in May. Felt like I was on cloud 9! Just need to work on my timing now, but that's not that important considering what's going on. I felt really tired yesterday so I basically did nothing. I haven't been sleeping very well, been having awful nightmares. I think I'm developing anxiety again, this time around the money situation. I got out my weighted blanket yesterday, and although it wasn't a perfect sleep I felt much better, and today I've been able to go out and do my bits without feeling exhausted.

I've been reading "When the body says no" about how stress affects your body, and the auother spoke a little in the beginning about MS. I'll be interested to see if he mentions it again later in the book, but what he says about stress and cancer is very interesting, especially considering my familial medical history. I'd definitely recommend if if that's of interest to you.

There is an opportunity for me to get a 5 hour shift once a week where my mum works from October, which would top up my benefits and keep me "out there" while I'm recovering. It's very similar to what I did before but on a very scaled-back level (plus no screen usage which is good for me), and it's definitely something I could cope with. It's still unofficial at the moment but I'll keep you posted if that comes to fruition!

So plan for today is maybe a 3 mile run, dinner and then a film. Then tomorrow I have my monthly hospital appointment, and I need to get some bits that I couldn't get at Aldi like frozen onions.

Have a good evening

enthusiasticsaver

Well done on the run and the possible job shift sounds good to keep you out in the job market if your health allows. Good you got to see your nephew. Kids are very therapeutic. I have spent the afternoon doing roly polys with my granddaughters and playing hide and seek and piggy in the middle. Where do kids get all their energy from? 

StartingAgainAt29

Thanks @enthusiasticsaver, I know my nephew was a little dynamo, and did NOT want to go back to nanny's house Had to be the master of persuasion to get him to agree to come back!

I kind of broke my "no new clothes" rule today, I need new black jeans desperately. I haven't had any new (to me) clothes since April, so it's not that bad. I got some leggings and a shirt in the sale that can be for work or going out, my mum treated me to a couple of tshirts, I did buy some black jeans but ofc we can't try them on and when I got home they are no good jean shopping is the bane of my life! Oh and I got some new underwear as I'm at that stage now where I NEED to do a weekly wash or I have no clean undies. Having some spare takes the pressure off. I spent £39 in total, but I'll be returning the jeans that were £17.99. I had £58 in my clothes fund anyway so it was all covered.

I've been working on the cat course again that I bought back in May and never finished. My creative writing course starts tomorrow and I'm really excited, as we submit our work on a platform and it gets critiqued by our peers. I mean, that's terrifying, but I would like to do something with my writing in the future so some constructive criticism is useful! I will concentrate on the writing for now if doing that and the cat one becomes too much along with working.

I need to work out a sensible exercise schedule, I think I'll do some light yoga tomorrow and then run on Friday. I need to go to Aldi on Friday and pick up my prescriptions. I'm still more or less on budget for this month so far. I will feel the benefit of my earnings for the next 5/6 weeks until my UC kicks in, so I need to decide what to do with my extra money, unless I just save it all (which would be the sensible option for sure...)

Anyway, I wanted to share my good news, I hope you're all doing well!

astrocytic_kitten

That’s great news about the job!!! Like you say, will be nice to have some structure and get out there but it’s also great that it’s not too much while you build yourself up. 

enthusiasticsaver

Congratulations on getting the job.  I am sure that will motivate you and help you when you are in a position to do more hours.  Mentally it will be good for you too rather than staying at home a lot. Enjoy the creative writing course too.  Sounds like fun. 

StartingAgainAt29

Thanks @astrocytic_kitten and @enthusiasticsaver ☺️

Today was a bit of a day, feel a bit numb. I had contacted PALS earlier this week to chase my results, and I finally got to speak to the original consultant I saw after the lumbar puncture. Not sure who was meant to be giving me my results...but I got them today. The marker for MS was positive, so as I thought. I've been referred to the MS clinic, they aren't seeing people in person atm so I have to wait for clinics to open back up. Not at all clear on timescales. She agreed to write me a letter for the benefits people to say I cannot do full time work right now, she said she'd let me check it before it was finalised (via her secretary). I don't know how to feel because although I assumed that's what it was, knowing is different. I told my best friend I'm going to let myself be upset and sad for a while, maybe the weekend, and then I'll pick myself up and carry on forward. 

I went to Aldi today and spent £25 which is fine. I'm seeing my dad tomorrow, will let him know the news, I think he'll be upset 😔cooking a healthy dinner of butter bean and veg stew from Jack Monroe, I make this recipe most weeks as it's great for lunch too. Would normally have some wine as it's Friday but not sure which way it would take my mood! 

I've been speaking to someone on a dating app but he seems to have weird ideas about who can pass on covid and who can't...otherwise he seems fairly normal so not sure what to think!

That's it from me, have a great weekend everyone ☺️

Tahlullah.H

It is sad news to get the confirmation, but it is also a blessing because it gives a level of closure.  No more guessing.    Keep safe.  Tx

astrocytic_kitten

Oh @StartingAgainAt29 I’m so sorry, even though you were expecting it this sort of news is always such a shock when it is actually confirmed. Taking time to let yourself feel upset sounds very, very wise. Also let yourself be helped and have support from others.  

When you feel up to it I’d recommend joining a MS charity / patient group. With my long term condition I originally thought I didn’t need to as I’d already done lots of research, had support, was knowledgeable etc....I’m so glad I did eventually join though, I find getting newsletters through and knowing I’m not alone and there’s lots of help there and other people who get it and understand what it’s like really helpful.

Hold the boys close....which reminds me, this guy’s weird ideas about who can and can’t pass on Covid wouldn’t have any correlation with reasons he is actually able to go on dates and potentially get close to people, would they?!

Take care xx

enthusiasticsaver

Sorry you have been diagnosed with MS. As I said my brother also has it so I know how tough and scary it is. There are drug treatments though and as AK says the MS Charity is very good. My brother has an MS nurse he sees regularly as well as his annual check up with consultant when he gets his MRI scan to see if it is progressing. Many people live normal lives with it. In some ways he says it was a relief to know why he felt so tired sometimes. Allow yourself some time to get used to it.