Fibro Feelings – Sunny Day
Last week I talked about snow and this week I’m going to start off talking about sun! Today we were graced by the warmth of the sun for most of the day. It gave me the extra oomph I needed to do some clean-up gardening. Many of my plants were confused with the weather this winter and wind gusts had made for some messy looking areas. Except for when I’m planting things, most of my gardening is done in 5-20 minute bursts. That is about all my back and knees can handle without hurting too much afterward. I managed to trim back quite a few plants (again), pull some weeds, sweep up and soak in some Vitamin D.
After I finshed I came back inside to rest and recharge. I did this by sitting down, catching up my Twitter feed (connect with me: @FeliciaFibro), checking my email, writing two thank you cards and drinking water. After an hour or so I went out to buy groceries and cat litter. Somehow I ended up buying an awful lot of groceries this week, so my grocery cart was much heavier than normal! Just pushing it around was causing my lower back to hurt – right in the spot where it is sore from bending during gardening. Thankfully, my back stopped hurting about 30 minutes or so after I finished putting the groceries away.
Remember last week how I mentioned I’d been having insomnia and wasn’t sure why? Well, looking back at my personal medical notes from last year I found that I had insomnia at the same time! My own notes are so helpful to me when trying to “figure out” something that is going on! So, what happens this time of year? The Helpful Hubby and I always throw a party sometime around the beginning of February. It is the one true party we host each year and it is a lot of work since we start the night by making and serving dinner. Each year I start thinking of all the things we need to do soon after I bounce back from the holidays. Voila! My insomnia cause is no longer a mystery. I am surprised that it causes me insomnia though, it isn’t something I think about every hour of the day. This week I started making more lists for the party, including the general order things needed to be done in. I’m hoping writing it all down will help take some of it out of my mind! Watch out sleep, I’m coming for ya!
How has keeping your own medical notes helped you?
I saw this sign while walking through the NYC Subway and thought of all my fellow Spoonies, fighting fatigue.
Posted: January 20th, 2011 under Fibro Feelings, Living with Fibro.
Tags: Back, Breaks, Gardening, Insomnia, Sleep, Stress
Comments
Comment from Selena
Time January 20, 2011 at 10:11 pm
Hey Felicia, Do you use a garden seat when you do your work outside? I find it invaluable in minimizing pain, especially in my low back. I fashion one from a 5 gallon plastic paint bucket and a contractor’s seat. You can see it here: http://bit.ly/hOwCP8
I also find that my sleep disorders get worse when something big, fun or not-so-fun, looms in the immediate future. My body just gets so revved up and can’t handle extra stimulation.
Let us know if knowing the source of your insomnia and taking extra steps to get ready for your party help. 
[Reply]
Felicia Fibro Reply:
February 6th, 2011 at 7:16 pm
Selena – I really do think writing down all the smaller party related things that were in my head helped me! Now that the party is over I’ve been adding more items to my party to-do list to help with next year’s preparations. I would’ve never written many of these things down had I not found a connection with my insomnia. They just didn’t see like big enough items to write down!
My friend suggested the old idea of keeping a notebook and pen bedside to write down anything I think of and said it helps her. I only recently started doing this, so I’m not really sure if this practice is improving my sleep or not.
[Reply]
Felicia Fibro Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 11:15 pm
I have thought about using a garden seat, but the area I’m working in doesn’t have level ground. I think it might actually be harder to work with a stool in that area. I use a kneeling cushion when I’ll be in one spot for awhile though.
So far, I think making a list of party things I didn’t think I needed a list for is helping. I’ve been sleeping slightly better, which has helped my eye stop twitching as much. I’ll let you know after it has been a longer though.
[Reply]