Those of you who struggle with chronic pain/fatigue issues know that it doesn't take much stress to knock you on your hiney. Well, I had just enough yesterday. Today I'm in a fog.
Such a simple thing as grocery shopping has become a big hassle for me. By the time I've fought with the inevitable crowd at WalMart, filled my buggy, checked out, and loaded the bags into the car, I'm done in. Totally exhausted. But there's still driving home, lugging the bags upstairs with two doggies frolicking around my feet, and putting everything away.
That's what I did yesterday. Then I spent some time on the couch recovering while we had an awesome, heavy rain thunderstorm. That cooled things down enough that I took the dogs for the first long walk they've had in a couple of weeks. Then back to the couch to watch a movie I've been wanting to see on PPV, "Unknown" with Liam Neeson.
The phone rings. My poor sister Ramey has had a tire blowout not far from my house. With her spare being flat as well, she needs me to come pick her up and take her to get her tire fixed.
Well, it being somewhere in the neighborhood of 7:00 p.m., every person in town who has the equipment and the know-how to fix a flat is closed and not answering their phone. We drove all over town, with Ramey going into some pretty questionable places to try to find a fixer. No luck. So she had to leave her car in someone's driveway until this morning. We're going to start all over again on our quest to have a flat fixed as soon as she calls me, which I thought she would have done by now.
My brain is foggy, my body hurts, and I feel like I've run a race with a greyhound. And Sophie and Skipper are looking at me as if to say, "What are we going to do today, Susu?" Bless their hearts. They're going to be hugely disappointed.
This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.
On 06/22/2011, Debra said ...
Do you have grocery delivery in your area? It may be more expensive but might be worth it to you.
On 06/22/2011, Helen in Switzerland said ...
Hi Susan, so sorry that you aren't feeling great. Debra got in before me with her comment about grocery delivery. Since my kids were little I've treated myself to a grocery delivery every couple of weeks - all the heavy stuff and 'basics' - boy does it make a difference - it might be worth looking into. Over here in Europe it doesn't even cost much - and boy is it worth every penny!
On 06/22/2011, Barbara Anne said ...
Bless your heart! I was also going to suggest grocery delivery so clearly great minds think alike! I wish there was an easy solution and I do hope grocery delivery is available in your area.
Sorry Ramey's flat tire couldn't be fixed last night despite the time and effort you two put into finding help.
Sophie and Skipper will have to be happy in with a backyard frolic today while you're busy and tired.
Heat index forecast is 105*F for here today with a chance of storms. Whew!
Be good to you!
Hugs!
On 06/22/2011, Sandy said ...
I think it would be a great ministry for any church anywhere to have the young people volunteer for chores such as you need done. They're out of school for the summer and lots of time on their hands (since jobs are so scarce) and a little pocket change would probably be welcomed. Grocery shopping, lawn care, cleaning,walking the dogs, etc. the list goes on and on. There are lots of good kids out there who would be happy to help if they know they are needed. Maybe give your church a call?
On 06/22/2011, Beverly said ...
I wish I could help. We have grocery stores here that offer personal shopping for five dollars. They shop your groceries, and you pull up for them to put in the car. We've been doing it for years, and they do a great job. I just wish they would start to deliver.
Try to get some rest.♥
On 06/22/2011, Patricia McDonald said ...
Good morning Susan. Sorry to hear you aren't feeling well. The comments before mine gave great advice on grocery delivery. All I can add is be extra kind to yourself, don't push, and relax all you can. Bless you. Pat McDonald
On 06/22/2011, CarlaHR said ...
Indeed grocery delivery (if it is available in your area - although probably not from Walmart) is the way to go. As I don't drive I usually do a big shopping every two weeks and have it delivered. Even when my husband goes with me in the car we still have it delivered so we don't have the hassle of transporting it from the car to the elevator to the apartment. In the summer it is much easier as I cycle to the shops and have baskets in which I can carry quite a lot but again when it is a big order, i.e. bulk items, bottled water, etc. it gets delivered. Hope the tire problem has been solved and that you can relax and recover.
On 06/22/2011, Sherry from Alabama said ...
Bless your heart, Susan! I don't have the pain issues, but I can sympathize with you on the foggy brain. Just going grocery shopping has been a challenge for me lately too. I drive to the next county to a small grocery store, Aldi, where there is only one brand of most things. My only decision on peanut butter is crunchy or smooth. That way I don't have to figure out which item is the best and which is the cheapest, etc. The simpler I can keep my shopping, the less tiring it is for me.
I also thrive on my household routines. I actually have them written out in a little notebook and during my foggy spells, I have to look at those notes, even though I've been doing them the same way for ages.
The heat has been a challenge to me lately too. We got some of that wonderful rain you talked about and things are much cooler here in north-central Alabama today.
You are in my prayers today, friend! Be kind to yourself. Prop your feet up and enjoy the cooler weather!
Sherry @ A Happy Valentine
On 06/22/2011, Nancy said ...
Susan, I can completely relate! I have Scleroderma (a condition like Lupus) and the number one trigger on a long list for flare ups is "STRESS". You figure that enough stress can make a perfectly healthy, young, fit person physically ill and then throw into the mix, the age factor, having a disease that can put you in bed in the blink of an eye without any notice and there you have it...total fog of pain and fatigue. I have spent the last two days in bed due to the pain and fatigue of a flare up caused (I'm almost certain) by the stress of a fast and furious trip to the Grand Canyon to spend some time with my brother. Riding in a car except to eat and go to the hotel room to sleep. I just can't keep that sort of pace anymore. Then we of course also have two little furry babies that need our time too. Anyway, I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this to be about me, it is about you and my understanding what it feels like to finally get home and have that phone ring with even the tiniest stressful event. I truly hope you get some rest and get past this quickly. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Gentle Hugs...
On 06/22/2011, Pink-a-Palooza said ...
What a froggy foggy day u had gah! Hope u r feelin better, remember, only 2 more months and summer will be ending...Kinda lol
I was going through all my Quilt Sampler mags looking for your "Flutterbugs". For the million-th time, could u tell me which one its in...
Thanks,
Gael T.
On 06/23/2011, Tammy said ...
Oh, I'm so sorry! I recently had some back problems, and my chiropractor recommended a product called Formula 303. When I was looking up information on it, I came across some comments from people with fibromyalgia who had greatly benefited from this. I don't know if it would help you or not, but it's all natural and it isn't very expensive.
I hope you get to feeling better soon.
On 06/24/2011, Ramey said ...
Thanks so much for the tire assistance, Sis! I appreciate your "tireless" efforts on my behalf! By the end of the day, we both felt "tired and feathered!"
On 06/25/2011, Pat said ...
Amazon did have groceries, tho I'm sure in bulk/staples. Don't know if they still do. Maybe a high school student trying to make extra money for trips, gas, etc could help you out. I hate to even say senior citizens group (smile) but they may offer such service. Altho I have no diagnosis of fibrosis, what you describe sounds so similar to how I feel. Really don't like big shopping trips to Walmart. Just too much loading & unloading. Where we are moving to has steps, too, and that problem has to be made better/safer if possible. Hope Andy gets along well-you also take care.
On 06/25/2011, Pat said ...
I meant fibromyalgia. Auto spelled...
On 06/26/2011, Lori in South Dakota said ...
foggy days! Hope they don't last long.
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