Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Fibromyalgia

It's a bright sunny day.  I am getting ready for the day.  I am trying to recap my last few weeks so I can keep on track for the rest of the week.  I have a lot going on and a lot to do.  I need to sew Cora's costume by tomorrow.  She is going as Fiona from Adventure Time.  Cute!  and I need to prepare for my Friday Reptile class, almost done.  I need to crochet a character for Sam's best friend by the weekend, haven't started, and since I have the sewing machine up, I need to sew a banner for Barry that has been sitting here for about 5 months.  I have PT today and my LAST crochet/knitting class to teach at TCA Yeah!! That class has been HARD!  and now I am going to take a moment for me.... just to sit and update.

I have figured out a system for keep apprised of my brain fog.  I am going to keep a pen circle on my right index finger.  This way, I can enlarge it or make it smaller depending on how bad I am suffering from it.  It is stunning how this symptom can vary.  One thing, however, I have noticed, is that it sticks around for days and then leave for days (so far).  So now that I have had a few days of it being low, I have been able to get things done.  Another thing, is, is that it follows along with "flares" that is what my PT calls my pain.  I like that term.  It describes the pain well, and it doesn't limit it to any one place in my body, just like Fibromyalgia works.

I am going to put some kind or a red pen mark on my finger when I am suffering from a Flare, but I don't know how I am going to do that yet.

I still haven't put time for me on the calendar.  I need to do that.  I have not been doing any time for me.  none at all~   Last night might have constituted as some.  I went to bed at 8 PM.  I got so frustrated.  As I got out of the car, I really hurt my right shoulder.  It hurt so terribly, that I just went to bed.  I got up at midnight, took my meds and went back to bed.

That is how this dumb Fibromyalgia is working out for me.  I move in a certain way and BAM I have a pulled muscle for 5 days or a pinched nerve for 4 days or a  bone crunchy shoulder for 24 hours.  It is just frustrating. How do you learn to live with THAT!  Hover round here I come!! K~

Thursday, October 18, 2012

preparing to "earth" indoors,,,,

Something like this.  I got this off the net, it was hard to find.

Here are my directions for preparing a homemade "earthing" station. 

I will be soon going to prepare my "earthing" station for winter.  

Here are my directions:  You need to get One sturdy box/bin and One shovel.

 Prepare for some time outside to dig up some dirt. Fill the box approximately 8", just enough to dig you toes/feet in up to the ankles with good yummy dirt from the actual ground. 

Now just sit there and wiggle your toes and sip ice tea or hot cocoa depending on how cold/hot it is outside.  

The following is just an option.  If you do not want to be able to tear your sheets or bedding, couch cushions, your partner legs,  etc., you may want to wash your feet and put lotion on them.  Dirt is very drying to the skin.  Put socks on your lotioned feet to keep yourself from slipping and falling :).  

There you have "Earthed".  
No plug ins, no sheets etc. 
Just good wonderful rich soil.  
K~

Monday, October 15, 2012

Fibromyalgia.....this may be it, really?

So I have heard this word tossed around more than once from my doctor, the physical therapist, and my new pain clinic doctor and Nurse practitioner.  Although I know about it because I am taking Lyrica for my headaches, And Lyrica is often use to manage this "illness", I never really put much thought into the commercials I heard on TV.  It just seems like another Flim Flam diagnosis.  One that is given when nothing "real" can be found.  I have been doing a bit of reading on the subject, and it does seem to fit my symptoms, but I feel that it might lead to a situation of me being pushed aside. Leaving me to work this out alone.  If that is the case it will feel like I am back to square one as far as support, and I don't want that to happen.  So, I am not going to sit around and do nothing about it.  Being a creature of organization and liking things "just so" I am going to try very hard in the next few weeks to apply this to my health.  I am going to set up "safety bars" and "ramps" and  "special dietary needs" just like someone might if they are rehabilitating from a fall or another kind of "real" ailment.   I am going to try and treat it like a regular illness.  I am going to take "Rest and sleep" like a pill. "Neck traction" like an ointment.  I will take my "Brain fog" like a disability that someone might need written or visual ques to help them with daily tasks and regular conversations. All of this will take time... LOTS of time.  But it needs to be done.  If not for me, for my family.  K~    

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Earthing

There is a whole new movement out there called "earthing"???  I just heard of it for the first time last Thursday.  I find it very interesting.  I've been "earthing" my whole life.  I am always barefoot or using my hands in dirt without gloves etc.  I know there's more to it, but blah blah blah....it's all simply about use getting back to nature and feeling our earth.  Do we need added items to purchase, except perhaps a box of dirt for those people who live in a setting that doesn't have dirt like Tokyo City.  

The only caution is your skin gets SUPER DRY!!! carry lotion all the time.  

As for bugs and sleeping directly on the dirt.  Do you need to sleep on the ground overnight to connect with our earth and reap the benefits of it's healing?  I say, just ware ear plugs so bugs don't crawl in your ears, try it once and see how it goes.  If you live where black widows, black mambas, cobras, scorpions, etc. live, just well, be careful or don't do it.

I see on the "earthing" sights that you need to plug something in.  What could you possibly need to plug in to "Earth"? The only thing I can think of is possibly a high powered foot buffer to get your feet clean and de-callous for your cooperate work week. Seriously people,  there is nothing that needs to be plugged in in order  to connect to our earth. 

Earthing... I guess even some feel touching "Mother Nature" is marketable.

K~

Thursday, October 04, 2012

Autumn





Autumn is a beginning and an end. It is crisp and cool, warm and sunny.  It is a promise of renewal.  It brings awe with its colors.  It brings wondering and thought.  Autumn is windy.  It shows it's mighty strength and It's tender weakness. Autumn brings joy to the senses. It reaches out to you. It let's you know it's there. Autumn is hopeful.  It has faith. 
K~

Understanding differences: animals and humans

I know now why I seem to like animals more than humans.  They are predictable, even in their unpredictability.  Animals are all wild.  Even "domestic" animals.  Domestic animals just take longer to get upset if you bother them.  That's all.  The only real difference really.  There are no intellectual expectations with animals.  They are who they are.  One either accepts them or they don't.  They either accept you or they don't.  Yes, maybe over time an animal will tolerate humans, but again, they are who they are and we are right back to the fact that they are predictable even in there unpredictability.  As far as humans go. I think for me it's that intellectual piece that I stumble over often, if not all the time.  I expect people to, well be "human" in a situation or in their reaction.  Since I deal with animals "domestic and wild" on a daily basis, I look to the human and long to interact in a "human" way.  And I guess that is what I am getting.  I am getting the human experience.  I am getting all that intelligence has to offer.  Opinions are offered freely  uninformed and unsolicited. There is nothing predictable about humans.  On one hand that is what makes them human  on the other hand that is what makes them very inhumane. People are mean a lot of the time.  I am not excluded. And I know mean fuels mean.  Quiet usually follows quiet.  Humans are challenging. Humans are frustrating. Animals are animals.  K~