A Sunny Day!

Ok.. Woke up this morning aching all over and groggy. Shut my eyes again for half an hour then had a warm, bubbly bath followed by 25 minutes mindful stretching. I did all the stretches and just did some of them for less than 15 seconds. Feel better. Hung the washing on the line and ironed 8, yes 8, shirts! Woohoo!

Sat in the lovely sunny garden, did a full body scan just using my own focus...pleased with that as it may not always be convenient to have the downloaded file next to me when I need to do a bit more than mindful breathing. I think the file is too big for my phone so it's on my laptop. I also did mindful breathing. Hubby made me lunch, yummy!

I then started my Springboard book that my sister bought me for my birthday recently. She is part of a Springboard personal Development Course for Women. It is really helping her so she bought me the book so I could have a go at doing it myself. I haven't got the support of a group but I do have the support of my sister so I am feeling confident with it. I read chapter 1 and started chapter 2. It has really got me thinking about how I have approached work and education all these years. I have taken it all so personally instead of thinking of separate roles I need to play. Each role has its own power and responsibilities.
to be continued...brain fog alert!

Measures

I did 25 minutes mindful stretching exercises. I hung washing on the line, 2 lots today! It's sunny weather - lovely. Might top up my vitamin D!
I sat down and stood up as many times as I could in a minute. Today I did 15. Last time I did this was exactly a month ago and I did 7 before I collapsed! That's double...that's good. I think I'll use this as a measure for how I'm doing.
I also measured my wrists:- left 16cm, right 17cm. That doesn't seem too much difference.

Spent a lovely teatime with all my family (there are lots of them!). Really pleased - I had a chat with everyone and lasted two and a half hours before I had to come home. good job!

I woke up this morning feeling odd - I can't describe or explain what I was feeling. I wasn't particularly in any more pain but I just felt odd - down maybe, a bit forgotten maybe - I don't know.

Any way I gave my son a lift to school because I was awake and he had a lot to carry and it was trying to rain. I had a big, warm, bubbly bath and then I lay down and did a 25 minute full body scan. My physiotherapist recorded himself taking us through this and then emailed the file. It's the first time I've used it. It worked well and I was pleased that I felt I focussed on each part of my body and didn't allow thoughts or anything else to distract me. I felt better once I 'd finished so then I did 25 minutes of mindful stretching exercises and felt even better.

I am learning. I have to do these things; they are part of my new life living with CRPS that is spreading. When my alarm went off to remind me to take my tablets and to do some mindful breathing - I did both straight away. They are important. I have to make sure they are important like other things are important to other people and I wouldn't question that at all whatsoever. I am important and so are the things that are part of my new life.

No post yesterday!

Well, that's disappointing, I didn't post yesterday - how did that happen?!
I had an appointment at Occupational Health yesterday - a bit depressing. And it said clearly on the referral form Complex Regional Pain Syndrome so guess what?! I had to explain it to her as she'd never heard of it. Surprise, surprise! She could have at least searched it before she saw me. I'm very interested to read her report.
I ironed 5 shirts and hung the washing on the line. I vacuumed the rug. I had a visitor today - how lovely; a lady from work. She was genuinely interested in CRPS. We chatted for 2 hours! She is returning to work next week having been absent for 5 months after being treated for breast cancer. It was good to speak to someone who understands how I'm missing work, feeling so tired, popping pills, learning to put yourself first at least some of the time.
I said CRPS is not life threatening and she replied immediately - maybe not but it is life changing! She's so right.
When I get the report from Occupational Health I'll speak to my Head Teacher and negotiate a solution to make sure I have equality at work. My knowledge and skills are not disabled and I can still do my job to a high standard. My reasonable adjustments are regarding the physical side of my job.

Reports done!!

I've had a busy day. Did 25 minutes mindful exercises, a few breathing sessions, paid a bill at the bank, walked the dog, with hubby, round the block - the uphill bit still gets me. And.....
I've finished my reports and emailed them! That's it -I'm not looking at them again! It makes you cross eyed in the end! Now I really must concentrate on getting better and making a new routine. Also need to set new targets.

I did 25 minutes mindful stretches to get myself going this morning. Also 2 lots of mindful breathing. I've watched Wimbledon - it started today. So close to finishing my reports, determined to finish them tomorrow. Walked round the block, had to stop once but made it back home. Had to take a few more Paracetamols today. Once I finish my reports I can really concentrate on making my new routine a real habit so that I don't have to think about it and it goes without saying. That's my target at the moment.

Not such a good Day

I think I overdone it yesterday - I woke up feeling awful. I did my mindful exercises and that helped. I've also done lots of mindful breathing today. I've nearly finished my reports. And the cricket is a bit of a washout!
Back tomorrow bright and cheery...

Achieved a lot today!
Drove a mile, parked the car, walked to the chemist, walked to the library and then back to the car. While walking I was overtaken by a very elderly man with a walking stick! but hey!
Hung the washing out, visited Mum and Dad, talked for an hour, saw my sister, talked some more! discovered that it hurts when I laugh!! Oh well, that's not going to stop me!
I also managed to backup my exercises so that will stop me worrying about losing them. They are priceless to me.. That's what gets me up and moving in the morning.
Well it felt like a very busy day, I feel like I haven't stopped. Hopefully should sleep well...

Getting the Hang of Blogging

Aha! I'm getting the hang of this blogging thing a bit. I've been looking at other blogs, trying to pick up hints and stuff. So my first achievement today is creating tabs. I want my blog to look interesting. So I'm going to put pictures on and jazz it up a bit.

I really need to finish those reports first so I can concentrate some time to my blog. I'm going to set myself a deadline of tomorrow evening to get them done. I'm visiting my Dad today but I still think it's a manageable deadline - I'm pretty close.

Today Another Beginning

Today I need to start to get used to the idea that I have new symptoms that are part of my CRPS and therefore I have to learn to live with them. Apparently not all CRPS spreads and certainly doesn't affect internal organs. This piece of research is interesting ( difficult for me to read due to all the scientific language but I think I get the gist.) It has 200 references so I'm guessing it's fairly reasonable to read it with some credence. The title is:-
Systemic Complications in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

I am persevering setting up my new life routine. I have to make new plans for a new future. I have a bit of time to set routines before I have to return to my full time job.

Today I ironed 5 shirts, put the washing on the line, vacuumed, did 25 minutes mindful stretching exercises, 2x5minutes mindful breathing, walked for 20 minutes round the block with my husband and dog. Not bad...

CRPS Spreads

I had it confirmed today that my CRPS has spread. My new symptoms are left side chest pain which sometimes shoots down my left arm to meet the pain shooting up my left arm from my hand! Also dizziness (pre syncope) and breathlessness (respiratory). I've been signed off work until 3rd September 2013. I was quite relieved when the doctor said that because I kept trying to figure out when I could return to work and now I can relax a bit. I have a reasonable amount of time to get myself into a new routine to cope with the pain.

I don't want to increase medication at the moment, I'm saving that if there comes a time when I can't cope. I try to do mindful breathing for 5 minutes 3 times a day and mindful stretching exercises for 25 minutes every day. These are my achievements with CRPS. They really do help with the pain and coping.

I drove to the doctors and back; I didn't wake up until 8.30am! I've nearly finished 29 school reports; I went for a walk round the block with my husband and our dog for 20 minutes; I hung the washing on the line and then had to get it all back in because it decided to pour with rain! Quite a good day with CRPS!

A better day

I ironed 5 shirts today! I love my steam generator iron - bit expensive but sooo worth it! I sat in the sun for a couple of hours, topping up on vitamin D, and of course resting which is what the doctor ordered! I've looked through the draft yearbook and am now really missing all the children. It is looking fantastic, so many photos, so many memories, how lovely for them. We didn't have that sort of thing in my day! Although they are also having a Prom, certainly didn't happen when I was at school (in the good old days!!)
I talked to my Head on the phone for half an hour, another achievement with CRPS! I'm trying very hard to be non judgemental about my situation at the moment - I will get back to work soon enough. I have an appointment next week with Occupational Health so let's see what they say.
I feel much better today than I did yesterday so that's an achievement with CRPS all by itself!!

Eureka! I worked out how to change the time on my CRPS blog..my first achievement with CRPS today!
Yesterday it was an achievement to get up and dressed. I hung some washing on the line and it all dried. I wrote 10 Personal Comments. That was yesterday - not a good day - paid for Monday's excursion on the bus. Ached from head to toe, couldn't wait for my next lot of meds. Didn't do exercises or breathing - I think I should have forced myself; must try harder. I did talk on the 'phone to my Mother-In-Law, my Dad and twice to my Sister so they're all achievements - it's very tiring so actually I'm pleased about that. See, writing this blog for CRPS is good for me because as I'm writing I'm remembering achievements; all the better to make you feel better. By 6pm and penultimate dose of tablets I started to feel a bit better. I was asleep by 9pm!

Up early this morning:- changed the time clock on here. I'll drive my son to school as he has a lot to carry this morning. And then we'll see what I can achieve today...

Ok. Yesterday's achievements:
Took a bus to the hospital to support my mum with her appointment. She was a bit surprised how slow I was walking! We didn't have to wait long and her consultant was very patient with her. There were plenty of opportunities to sit down. we had a good chat and then walked to the bus stop together.
Her bus came straight away. I waited for mine and started to feel a bit unwell. I then realised it was school finishing time - the bus could potentially get very crowded and my husband was probably picking up my son so no point calling him to come and get me. So the bus came and I felt worse and worse as it bumped along seeming to take forever. It had to stop at every stop to let people get on and off...should I get off and call my husband? I sat there thinking I will get home on this bus, just sit and brave it out.
So I achieved going out yesterday but paid for it..
The end to the day was sitting in a chair and an early night.

I'll be back later for today's achievements...
PS ignore the time of this post - it's 8 hours wrong and I'll have to try to work out how to change it..

I spent ages looking at other peoples' blogs and different websites about CRPS. It really is amazing how much has been added since last time I did a similar search. I won't write much again because my hands are hurting, I should really use my Dragon (Naturally Speaking software for changing speech into text) which is brilliant and saves me having to type.

Achievements with CRPS since my post this morning?
I washed my hair and sort of dried it - always a struggle! It feels better though..
I've done 25 minutes mindful stretches.
erm... well it is only halfway through the day!

Ok it's pretty early on a Sunday and I've already been awake a while.
I'm on here already because when I woke up (too early!) I was excited about my blog! I Googled it on my 'phone and saw the crazy URL I'd used to set it up. I decided I needed to change it so I found out how to do that and changed it (not easy because lots of names have already gone). Then I Googled it again and it said it was no longer available. Oh no! What had I done...but don't panic yet. The helpful Help page said it might take a while for search engines to recognise a change of name...so I'll keep checking the progress. What is exciting is that now I have a URL that I can put into the address bar and there's my blog - just like a real website!

Haha! Easily impressed!!

So that's my first achievement with CRPS today :-)

Also I accidentally found another blog called Elle and the Auto Gnome http://elleandtheautognome.wordpress.com/
Living life and sharing the word on CRPS, Dysautonomia & Hypermobility

What a great site! so my new ambition is to emulate Elle because it looks amazing and I want something that looks half as good. I love the way she is so positive. And I like the way she writes.

That's it for now...you never know I might be back later today when I've achieved something else.
Today feels like one of those days when getting out of bed with CRPS is going to be an achievement!

Making a Start

Well, here I am then; making a start!

I was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)  19 months ago. It has been an eventful journey to say the least! But I won't bore you with that now.

You may have stumbled across my blog while searching for information about CRPS, in which case welcome. I'm guessing you or someone you know has been recently diagnosed with CRPS and are looking for clues! I know when CRPS was first mentioned to me I was searching like mad. I followed so many links to see what on earth this thing called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome was all about. Some of it was useful, some of it was horrific! That's the internet for you; it's like a huge cauldron of words and pictures for you to delve into but you've got to make sure you've got your "what do I need to know right now" glasses on.

So, you've been diagnosed with CRPS? Be positive, be realistic, try not to judge yourself, it's not your fault, it's nothing you did, it's not all in your head but you will have to explain CRPS a hundred million times! There's new research being published all the time so keep searching, be proactive and keep spreading the word - awareness is key.

So why am I entering the world of blogging? It's very simple actually...as part of my "treatment" it has been suggested that I record all my achievements; hence the name of my blog. So here goes:

Today I cleaned the toilet! Now that might not sound like much of an achievement and certainly not one you'd post online! Well for me it is. I'm really pleased with myself. I gave it a good scrub! It looks lovely and sparkling now - not that anyone else is going to notice, but hey, I'm not judging. I know I did it and I can admire it!

I also talked for 4 hours, well I actually listened a lot, with my sister. I love my sister. She visited me today and discovered a new route that wasn't half as tedious or tiring, great news! We did my mindful breathing together, she loved it and found it very relaxing, as do I. His voice is sooo calming. Must remember to email her the file so she can put it on her 'phone too. (I love my smartphone, it has revolutionised my life!) Mindful breathing really helps when you've got CRPS and I try to do it for 5 minutes at least 3 times a day.

Then we watched my mindful exercises DVD and did a few together - if you can feel the stretch then it must be doing some good. Again, lovely voice and sooo relaxing. I try to do 25 minutes every day.

And I started my very own blog...
That's quite enough for one day!