Annie Lennox

Hurting Time…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

I have been struggling with really high pain levels for quite some time. I’m trying changes to meds and pain relief strategies. My dr has ordered some tests, but so far I have not found relief. When pain overtakes me like this I seek one thing; comfort. Here are some places I have taken refuge recently.

Alan Bennett

I was delighted to discover that Alan Bennett had released a new volume of diaries and stories. I stumbled upon Bennett in my late teens/early twenties. I saw one of his books on sale and it piqued my interest. I fell in love on the first page and have devoured his work since. His writing feels like sinking into a warm bath. His memoirs paint the picture of a kind, funny and intelligent man. He always seem to be on the write side of important issues and handles life with grace. His plays are genius. So well observed and engaging. Basically I gain a feeling of well being from immersing myself in his words. If I’m too sore to sleep at least I can get into bed with these comforting pages.

An Oldie

This one is random. I saw an advert for a streaming service that included a really old sitcom that I used to love. The sitcom is As Time Goes By, it’s an early nighties show starring Judi Dench & Geoffrey Palmer. The premise is an older couple reuniting after being separated for 30yrs. They were in love in their youth and lost touch via a postal accident. Both thinking the other had rejected them. They are flung back into each other’s lives and fall back in love. It’s a gentle comedy. It’s also really lovely. Second chances, fate, the one who got away all feel romantic to me. Anyway, I of course downloaded the service and binge watched the delightful lot.

Music of The Night

Pain like this is usually accompanied by insomnia & that is currently the case. Sometimes even if I can’t sleep I will try to at least lie down and rest. For this I need a dark, cool room and some soothing music. Weirdly, one of the genres that relax me is musicals. The Lloyd Webber/West End type. I’m talking ‘Music of Night’, ‘Send in The Clowns’ kind of fare. Something about all those soaring emotional notes soothes me. Thus, I may recently have been spending the wee small hours singing show tunes in the dark.

Bru Boy

Finally, there is my boy. Bru is a very snuggly cat. Like most cats he seems to sense when I am having a really hard time. He will come lie with me in bed or climb right up on my chest to comfort me. He also does a very cute head butt thing. If I ask for kiss, he headbutts my mouth. He also grants me a little grace when I’m struggling and offers no complaint when breakfast is a late. I have been extraordinarily lucky with my beautiful cat companions. I am forever grateful.

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The hurting time…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

Chronic illness becomes a way of life. You don’t stop feeling bad, but you do get used to it. Humans adapt. Pain becomes the new normal.

Most days spoonies deal with symptoms that would send healthy folk to the Dr. On bad days many would be considering 999. Chronic peeps, however, muddle through. Sometimes flare ups floor me. There are days when brushing my teeth is an epic feat. Others I function to varying degrees. I work & play & everything in between. Always, though, I hurt.

I pay the price if I over do it. I carefully plan routes & venues around how many steps will be required, if there is seating, stairs & so on. I pre check menus for items that won’t make me sick. Plan meals around when meds need to be taken. I do everything tired. It’s so hard to sleep & even when I do crash I wake feeling little difference.

Selfie of women’s sad face.

I found a way to work around my illness. Squeeze pleasure out of any socialising I can manage. I have become accustomed to cancelling things I really wanted to do. The list of things my body is no longer capable of grows. It’s ridiculous how sad felt upon realising I won’t jump on trampoline or turn a cartwheel again. Especially when I don’t even have much desire to do either. It’s just another limit. Another no.

I persevere. I follow Drs orders. I try all manner of suggested remedies. Acupuncture, cbd, floatation tanks, tens, yoga, the works. Some treatments help. There are medications that work wonders. Others that I need, but that cause problems. I take drugs to counteract the side effects of other drugs. It’s exhausting, but it’s my life.

Hand holding 5 pills of various shapes & colours

It is not all bad. I have privileges that many do not. My home is warm & safe. I have access to excellent care. I am gifted with skills & talents that allow me to pursue work I love. I have safety nets. I had years of being fit & well. I went to uni, got stuck into the partying & had the chance to travel a little. I’m loved. Pleasures great & small find me. My cat is the cutest. Life could be worse. I can handle this.

Cute black and white lying on back fluffy belly exposed

Except when I really, really can’t. There are days when chronic life overwhelms me. Days like today, when every inch of me is sore. Keeping a brave face when you’re throwing up for fifth time in as many hours is a challenge. Every day my first sensation is agony. Aching joints. Throbbing head. Burning skin. Churning stomach. Each little movement hurts. Remaining sedentary isn’t an option either. My arthritic parts seize up. Leading to, yup, more pain.

Food refuses to stay in my stomach. Don’t eat & the acid bubbles up my throat. Attempt to line my raw stomach and the vomiting makes everything worse. I can’t concentrate enough to distract myself. Sleep is illusive. There’s no escape.

Burdening others with my misery triggers my guilt. Keeping it all in is horribly lonely. Pain relief doesn’t work. Positive thinking is way out of reach. Some days are hard. It is too hard be grateful. Impossible to hang onto hope of easier times. Today I’m just thoroughly sick & tired of always being sick & tired.

Plus size women in green leopard print maxi dress with walking stick

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