starting to think about christmas ,just hope im on a manageable day , such long days together i know we have to do it but new to me ive changed soo much , cant drink , soo tired all the time , and of course PAIN , how does everyone else feel xxxx
Angie, I totally understand your concern. As our fibro worsens, it's hard to put the energy into real world things that exist beyond our pain. What a shame.
My sis and I have always driven down from the Boston area to Florida to see our mom, and more recently, my son who's going to college down there. This year I'm kind of freaking out thinking of the drive. My knees have gone kaput on me. The pain in them is incredible. Earlier this week it was the right knee, now it's the left one and it's in terrible pain. How on earth do I drive when I feel like this? How to appear happy when I hurt?
I guess the answer is that our fibro is like a giant pie. Pain takes up 90 percent of the pie, for many of us. That leaves us 10 percent to dole out on a good day. So we have to rest, participate a bit (as much as we can,) then rest some more. If people complain, we have to tell them kindly but firmly that we are very ill due to extreme pain and we need to rest in order to participate in the holiday festivities. Rest should include:
NO washing of piles of dirty dishes while the men relax and watch football;
NO running around in stress, going to stores to pick up supplies to cook;
NO cooking huge amounts of food for guests and family;
NO running around like mad cleaning up the house for guests and family;
NO going crazy looking for the right toys for loved ones.
We're past that; our illness has taken us to a place where we can no longer do these things. Someone else will have to assume the responsibility for them.
If we can avoid these tasks and get plenty of rest, hopefully we'll be able to get through the holidays relatively well.
Hi Angie, feel pretty much the way you do, I have changed so much, I loved to shop, and wrap, and decorate, Now everything will have to be simplified … Big time !!! Every year my son& I would spend a whole day looking for the best tree, oh how I hate to break that tradition, but it might only be one place and can’t be so picky. Even going to one place will wipe me out, so I know exactly how you are feeling, ya know what , if we are going to enjoy any
Part of this holiday, we just have to accept that it’s got to be different, lke petunia said … No, No, No, No
We cant over do it, or we will be in more pain till Valentines day !!!
I’m just going to do what I can, & be thankful for friends & family
Hugs &blessings
Dee, yes, you're SO right! If we overdo it, we might literally be in pain until Valentines Day...or maybe even forever.
And Dee, oh how I hear the sorrow in your words about not being able to go shopping for the best tree anymore. These are the memory making years, after all. BUT...I like to think of things working out for the best, so that means that the best tree is already waiting in the spot you choose because your need is great enough for it to be there. Not magical thinking, just thinking that you will locate what you and your son will find joy in and appreciate, as well as have happy memories with, so it WILL be the best tree this year.
Every little thing that works out well for us is truly a blessing.
Hi everyone!
This is a big concern for me as well. Petunia made a great list of things we have always done or dealt with!
I dread going to the attic, dragging down all the decorations, dragging all of the other stuff up, the food shopping the cooking, even shopping on line is a chore.
I also have birthdays on and around Christmas. Christmas Eve has always been when I have my feast. I surely could use a dozen elves or so! I have already surpassed anxious into the dread zone!
I hear you, Angie! HELP!!
SK
Yeah, where are those darn elves when you need them?
I feel like the only one to say this but xmas will have no effect on me to the point where I experience more pain. We cannot afford xmas this year so it shall be like another day in our household. BUT to you all celebrating. . .be careful.
Aries, I hear you. I can't imagine getting up on chairs or ladders to decorate. No energy and too sore. And Christmas requires so much energy and excitement and it's hard to muster either up when I'm sick.
Sometimes I find that I have no interest and energy from depression as well as my fibro so I have to get up the energy to go to the doctor and get my anti-depressants upped.
Fibro is such a pain in the butt. It affects us in every single way.
I'm sorry to hear that, Mo. Can you at least have a nice dinner to celebrate? I'm from Italian stock so we can even celebrate over pasta and meatballs. And the love your family has for one another as you share interesting stories can also make it a celebration. That last point, the family being together, is the most important component anyway.
The way I feel this moment is not how I'd care to view my life, but it is! PAIN!! And that pain is really beating me up!
I'm thinking a rotissary chicken and potato salad, pumpkin pie from the grocery store for thanksgiving! No one here feels well enough to deal with the work or the mess! Or maybe carry out dinners from the Legion, if they are cooking!
Not up for all the cleaning , decorating and entertaining.
Not feeling good and just do not have the energy.
Last xmas I started to simplfy things. Instead if cooking we go out for Thanksgiving and xmas dinners. We put up a small tree with very little ornaments but a lot of lights and the lights stay on the tree when we put it in storage. We use disposible plates and glasses and I shop online in my pj’s. And that’s how to do a lazy but smart holiday. I wish you all the best and I hope this holiday season isn’t a pain, I hope you can enjoy it!!
SK, this sounds good and practical. A good plan!
Petunia
Yeah. This is the way to do it! And I love the part about on-line shopping in your pjs. Sounds so warm and comfy. Like you, I did some of my shopping on-line. Sooooo easy and fast.