NST June 2023 Flotsam and Jetsam

KajiKita

I have got swollen glands on the left side of the back of my throat (atypical for me) and even though I had a nana-nap yesterday afternoon, still slept right through last night, in the heat! Don’t think I am that well right now ….

Its beautifully quiet here atm (Mr KK is still in bed, no sign of the cat - off marauding somewhere I’m sure, little traffic noise so far and just birds’ song and breeze in the leaves) absolutely lovely. 

Once my day does start, I think I will do some cooking this morning before it gets too hot - biscuits and wild rice for work day snacks and lunches. I have cleaning to do (bah!), Mr KK’s washing to wrangle once he’s chucked it in the machine and some potting on to do in the shade of the shed. If I get all that lot done I will be perfectly happy 😊

KK

Shrewbie

Morning turtles,
A lovely day yesterday. Went to the mountains to a place called Cercedilla which has a natural (man made but with mountain water) swimming pool. It’s beautiful and worth the hour’s hike through forest to get to (there is a road way but not as scenic) there weren’t as many people there are previous times I’ve gone, had a few swims in the freezing water which perked me up and read loads of a new book. Came home and slept very well, must have needed it. No NSD as bought train and pool tickets, and a naughty take away dinner but was a lovely day all in all. Enjoy your Sunday turtles xx 

grandmanerd

Much sympathy and big hugs for everyone struggling with the heat and/ or hayfever (I've started on the sudden unexpected explosive sneezes so I'll be careful with drinks (not that the bed could get much worse). Sometimes I take a second hayfever tablet after lunch but atm I'm obsessed with calcium carbonate (contra indicated with several medicines) so until I find an unopened box and can check the ingredients, I'll carry on as I am (very grateful for the eye drops).

Ice cubes - many years ago I bought a pack of the reusable ones (mine were fruit shaped but you can get pink elephants or willy ones, if you are so inclined. They lasted for many years and were better than ice cubes as they could just be dropped into the freezer drawers and would find any small spaces available. Large bottles of pop or tap water can also go in the freezer if you have space and even cans (not too long as the contents will rip their way through aluminium as they expand - DS1 once left his water bottle in there grrr). I've been told that Beloved is tucking cold cans under her boobs (will only work for us big girls, sorry).

Another cheap but not terribly environmentally friendly option is to buy the bags for ice cubes (like sandwich bags but you fill them from the tap then tie the knot and they come out ice cube shaped (round). They also do an 'ice pop' version (actually not that bad environmentally as the bags are much thinner than the bought ice pops covering. I also used to make our own 'jubblies' by filling paper cups with vimto cordial (other drinks are available). Some people use hot water bottles filled with ice or cold water. 

On Friday I carried on for much longer than expected but it was only putting things away in the fridge. I couldn't clean the fridge (gone past my standing up ability) so I didn't put things on the nasty stains (will deal with them when I can). Put the first 2 bags away, then rested for an hour before tackling a third bag and then another hour of resting before I dragged myself to bed. Only took 2 l of cold water and my CPAP machine upstairs. Crawled on the bed plugged the machine in (no reading or aanything else) and slept as best I could.

Yesterday I couldn't walk further than the bathroom, so was dependant on DS3 to bring things upstairs (laptop, books, puzzles and paperwork I was working through were all left downstairs) with patchy results. My breakfast was 3 tiny oranges and most of the bits of broken crackers in the bottom of a bag (the only food I had here. DS3 brought drinks (a whole boxful) and the bag with my laptop but couldn't find or my requests were too specific, so I added more instructions in stages during the day. he did well on bringing me salads. I had a shower and put a dress on but after lunch the dress came off and I lay with just a sheet covering me. 

I seem to have managed to injure my good foot - extremely painful spot under my big toe. I thought it was a tiny splinter but can't see anything. Put a plaster over it to 'draw out' any nasties. My best hobble is now extremely comical. My left leg works best if I put my weight forward on my foot (not tiptoe but forward as much as possible) whilst walking with more weight on the heel of my right foot with my big toe flexed upwards as much as possible. It brushed against something in the bathroom whilst I was sitting down and they've been through several times to make sure I'm alright. Weird and very off balance (not that I had much to start with).

So onwards and upwards. Outside work and continuing with the kitchen are on hold. I worked through some of the piles of paper on the bed and have about half a paper sack and a nearly full  rubbish bag (again). I have quite a lengthy 'to do' list in my head and will work on that this week but am well aware that it's an accumulation of things that have been added over the past 3 months plus some that have been on hold forever. Yes I've mostly had my ankle strapped up since April 1st and limited to one outing per week (with another 2 months and possibly up to 5 more to recovery). So treading cautiously but eager to make progress (I am not prepared to write the whole year off, things must happen).

Grateful for DS3 bringing me food and other essentials, for books and games and scraps of old puzzle books, for my foot improving and for being positive.

Not sure about today, I'll work on whatever is close to hand but would like to draw up a clear plan of what needs doing and what I can do (vigorous ankle circles). I have quite a lot of 'inspiration' - I jotted down a list of all my cheats and 'just doing a bit's
midweek and yesterday I saw some useful chronic pain things - shocked myself at how near the top of the scale I was (I just think I'm a beginner at this, still learning how to cope and the reality is that for years I just ignored how bad things were).

Starlight are you okay to do July or are you swamped with work? (July is next Saturday)

grandmanerd

Sunday 25th June 2023

Chronic Pain Humour (because if crying isn't going to work, you have to laugh at yourself and find the funny side)
Some of these I relate to, others not so much.

Doctor: You have to learn to listen to your body
Me: Oh we're not on speaking terms

When I say 'I'm fine' I mean 'Today I had severe symptoms but they were manageable. I'm not in a flare but I.m still suffering. My head feels like it's above water but I'm still drowning.
Don't confuse my definition of 'fine' with yours.
(just live blog)

On a scale of one to ten, rate your pain
What does each number mean?
Which pain?
Which type of pain?
Right now?
Today or in general?
When I came out or after sitting for 2 hours?

This body came with a lot of terms and conditions I did not agree to

Reads side effects of new medication "Well I've got all of those anyway"

On the good days we do things. On not so good days we wrap ourselves in a blanket and pretend to be a human burrito

The thing about Chronic Illness is that there is a Daily Grief. There's a Daily Sense of Disappointment (Miranda Hart)
Tombstones for
Health, Independence, Dignity and Freedom
Control and Opportunity
Familiar Routine and Financial Security
Old way of life
Career, Events with Family and Friends, Friendships, Relationships

Why are there never any good side effects?
Just once I'd like to read " May cause extreme sexiness" 

Toni'sfriend

Grandmanerd - Your "Chronic Pain Humour" did make me laugh. I can identify with most of it too. xxx

ditty1234

Hi I'm on the carousel of things this weekend. Picked up stuff from ds2 uni house yesterday, left it in the car this morning and then emptied the garage, sorted most of it out and halved old kiddy books etc, cleaned it etc. I now have a clean garage, have been to skip, have to go to charity shops tomorrow but that's it for the summer. Except for 2 bikes to auction and a box of white unused towels from a sculpture! (Don't ask).
All in 32 degree heat. Now of on a swim in the pool and a bit of chilling. X

beanielou

This body came with a lot of terms and conditions I did not agree to.
So so agree with this 

I have square reusable ice cubes.
The best thing ever 

ldee2111

@f0xh0les & @KajiKita - new kettle ordered! You twisted my arm. 😉 Found one I liked, looked for the best price for it, and made sure it had free delivery plus 1.7% cashback. 👍🏻 I really like the idea of making a list and buying a thing every couple of months. 

Big day today - DS learned to ride a bike without stabilisers. DS was very chuffed with himself and his wee face beamed with joy. It was precious. We’ll keep practicing because I would love the three of us to do a cycle together… maybe around Millport.

Grateful today for DS’s big bike achievement, for seeing auntie and uncle before they return to Australia, for finding ingredients we needed for dinner in an Asian supermarket (now we know where to go), and for OH making a delicious dinner of bao buns stuffed with sweet sticky chicken, veg dumplings, and sweet potato chips.

beanielou

@idee2111.  Glad that you have ordered a kettle 
Such a good day for your DS.
I still remember when my DS learned to go with out stabilizers~~a long time ago. 

Thrifty_Taylor

Hugs KK, @grandmanerd, & anyone else in pain or discomfort.
@Shrewbie your hike was well worth it, that pool looks heavenly!
@ldee2111 happy new kettle & well done DS 😃

I've got lots done today. Started off putting a pork joint in the flow cooker, then went outside & trimmed a bush at the top of the driveway, so I could see better when pulling out, tackled all the bushes on either side of the drive. Weeded under the fence, then started at the base of a tree next to the garage. DS1 offered to sweep the drive, so it looks a lot better now. I put all the prickly stems & figwort into sacks for the dump (love the square burgundy stems of it, but it spreads like mad!). Sat on a cushion & snipped all the branches into small pieces for the compost bin. 

Had dinner & read some of The Tightwad Gazette, then did a sewing job, put new straps on a rucksack for DS3 (cast off from 1 of his brothers), made tea, altered a t-shirt for DS1 while he washed the dishes, then cut out pieces to make a chicken for our head teacher, who retired on Wednesday. There is a present from all staff, but I wanted to do something extra to say thanks for the help she's given me when I've struggled.  My brother phoned, then I went in the bath.

Grateful for the driveway looking better, getting lots of sewing done, singing along with programmes I watched on TV & adding extra songs to my playlist, 3 days to the holidays 😃