The question I constantly ask myself is: Is it worth it or should I rest? Many people never have to ask themselves this question, but I have to every single day.
This is normally how it goes:
I get up and start moving around, brushing my teeth, taking a shower, getting dressed, etc. That leads to me taking my pills (Omega 3-6-9, B6, B12, and C) and doing my morning social media check. By the time I'm ready to leave, usually that's when my pain begins.
At this point, I am usually sitting on my bed, thinking, "Should I cancel on dinner plans for tonight?" I weigh the pros and cons and come up with the following arguments.
1. No way! I'll be fine.
2. Nope. Would you rather go out and have fun and make memories, or sit at home, bored and wishing you were out having a good time with your loved ones?
3. No; I can rest during the day and move some things to the next day (which goes along with the spoon theory. If you haven't heard of it, here: http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/wpress/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/)
4. Yes; I need to rest. Taking care of myself is so important. If I rest now, I'll be able to have more fun later.
If you'll notice, I have 3 nos up there and only 1 yes. Does this mean that I value socializing over my own health and well being? Not necessarily, but part of the "no" is definitely denial.
I often do go out when I know that I shouldn't. I'm stubborn, that's just me... my mom will agree with me on that one! Haha!
Sometimes I get so angry with myself for having this disease and I want to prove to the world that I am strong and it doesn't affect me. But the truth is... it does. When I'm having a good day, I'm on cloud nine. Sometimes I forget about RSD. I'll go sing karaoke with my friends or go out to eat dinner with my best friend or hang out with my niece, and the world is my oyster. But when I get home and wake up the next morning, I know that I did too much.
So what's the secret to getting it right?
I'm not sure, honestly.
My number one focus is living life to its fullest. The trade off for that is foot pain.
The thing is: there is no concrete way of knowing what my pain level will be the next day. I can take preventative measures, but that still won't really allow me to gauge my future pain level.
So tonight, when I think about whether I should go to dinner with my friend Justin... or if I should stay home... I'm going to be a bit more realistic and bring an ice pack along. I'm going to wear my Z Coil shoes instead of a cute outfit and heels. I'm going to take care of myself and compromise some things that aren't essential for one of the best things in life - spending time with a good friend.
I hope you guys will be able to do the same! Make compromises with yourself and see how much better you feel. Let me know what you think in the comments. :)
XOXO
-Sammie
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Living with CRPS: How to Do It Right Without Missing Out On What You Love
Hey guys! Good morning! :)
Lately, I've been thinking about my lifestyle and how I often miss out on things I want to do because of my pain.
For years, I have wanted to play soccer and run again. I miss those things so much. I would totally go out and do them if it wasn't for the pain I'd experience during and afterward. That scares me.
So, I spend my nights dreaming of one day joining a soccer team and running a marathon... it makes me sad, to be honest.
But the thing is... just because I choose NOT to do those things doesn't mean I CAN'T.
If I train, if I work in little spurts, I can get there. I have a friend who also has CRPS who runs AND plays basketball, despite the pain. Such an inspiration to me that she remains so strong through it all.
Here are the things I keep in mind for planning my events:
1 - Family is the most important thing. Make them number one, no matter what.
2 - Plan events in which you can rest if you need to. Always prepare for the worst.
3 - Comfort over beauty, always. I know you want to look cute and wear those heels, but you will kick yourself for it later!
4 - Always consider your spoons. More rest now means more time tomorrow to have fun!
5 - Never neglect taking care of yourself.
6 - Don't rush. Stress will only make things worse.
7 - Space out events so that you don't feel overwhelmed on one day.
And that's pretty much it. I know it kind of sucks, living with rules, but it really doesn't feel like rules. They HELP me, and really in no way restrain me from doing what I want to do - they enable me! :)
Sure, sometimes it sucks having to cancel on a loved one, but I can spend that time resting and writing, something I adore, or even reading! There are options, and NO MOMENT IS A WASTED ONE. Learn to love every bit of life. Turn that cancelled event into a fun day by incorporating something you normally wouldn't do into it. Bored and stuck in bed? Grab a coloring book and order takeout. Unable to leave the house? Turn on Netflix and start a new series. Play with your hair. Try to cook something.
Being alone and immobile isn't the end of a good life - it's a challenge to create happiness out of misery. And you CAN do it! :) Take those moments and turn them into something fun, beautiful, and productive! :)
Lately, I've been thinking about my lifestyle and how I often miss out on things I want to do because of my pain.
For years, I have wanted to play soccer and run again. I miss those things so much. I would totally go out and do them if it wasn't for the pain I'd experience during and afterward. That scares me.
So, I spend my nights dreaming of one day joining a soccer team and running a marathon... it makes me sad, to be honest.
But the thing is... just because I choose NOT to do those things doesn't mean I CAN'T.
If I train, if I work in little spurts, I can get there. I have a friend who also has CRPS who runs AND plays basketball, despite the pain. Such an inspiration to me that she remains so strong through it all.
Here are the things I keep in mind for planning my events:
1 - Family is the most important thing. Make them number one, no matter what.
2 - Plan events in which you can rest if you need to. Always prepare for the worst.
3 - Comfort over beauty, always. I know you want to look cute and wear those heels, but you will kick yourself for it later!
4 - Always consider your spoons. More rest now means more time tomorrow to have fun!
5 - Never neglect taking care of yourself.
6 - Don't rush. Stress will only make things worse.
7 - Space out events so that you don't feel overwhelmed on one day.
And that's pretty much it. I know it kind of sucks, living with rules, but it really doesn't feel like rules. They HELP me, and really in no way restrain me from doing what I want to do - they enable me! :)
Sure, sometimes it sucks having to cancel on a loved one, but I can spend that time resting and writing, something I adore, or even reading! There are options, and NO MOMENT IS A WASTED ONE. Learn to love every bit of life. Turn that cancelled event into a fun day by incorporating something you normally wouldn't do into it. Bored and stuck in bed? Grab a coloring book and order takeout. Unable to leave the house? Turn on Netflix and start a new series. Play with your hair. Try to cook something.
Being alone and immobile isn't the end of a good life - it's a challenge to create happiness out of misery. And you CAN do it! :) Take those moments and turn them into something fun, beautiful, and productive! :)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)