It's not really appropriate that I do a
bullet point list this time, as I have been mainly following the same
routine as I was in March.
Looking back through my diary for April
though, I came across a number of things which have been highly
influential in my progress over the past month.
I am now taking the maximum dose of
Hypericum (St. John's Wort) to help with my depression, and I have to
say my mental state is very much improved. To those who scoff at the
idea of homeopathic medicine, I say this: if I wasn't taking these
supplements, I would not be here to write this blog today. Simple as
that.
A clearer mental state has enabled me
to look at my personal finances and work/career situation from a more
reasoned and calm perspective. I am more able to make reasoned
decisions regarding large matters such as this now; a long way from
not even being able to clean my teeth 5 months ago.
I am starting to get up earlier, and
trying to be more constructive with my time throughout the day. I
have inherited an exercise bike and now use that daily-albeit for
only 2 and a half minutes! Now we are getting lighter evenings I am
trying to get out in the fresh air much more; going for short (6
minute) walks. These mini bouts of exercise are staggered throughout
the week and interspersed with lots of rest/sedentary activity. I
still stress to anyone reading this and looking for advice, PACING is
the key. I hope that my specific examples will make it easier for
others to devise a personal pacing regime that works for them.
We had an incident within our family
that resulted in a family member's life being at risk. I do not want
to disclose the details here, but I mention it just because it made a
huge impact on the way I was thinking about my recovery. From this
event I was blessed with a true sense of perspective on life, and I
do feel that it has directly affected how I now view not only my
illness, but my life in recovery and hopefully remission.
The stress of this event and a few
things around it sent me into a slight relapse, and I spent 3 or 4
days feeling very ill and being extremely tired, much like I was at
the worst part of my illness. The difference I noticed though, was
that I wasn't affected as much mentally, and was much more able to
cope much better on an emotional scale.
A number of diary entries are blank
for April. I put this down to two things; one, not having anything to
say about the day or any emotions to work through, and two, keeping
busy (while PACING) during the day and this making me “properly”
tired (a different sort of tired than usual) in the evening and not
wanting to bother filling the thing in!
I stand by my philosophy of “one day
at a time”. I feel much happier and content with my lifestyle right
now. I don't feel anywhere near as stressed as I did at the start of
the year, and I have stopped fighting with myself and my inner
demons. I wouldn't say that the war (against M.E) is over yet,
perhaps it never will be. But I am much nearer the proverbial victory
parade than I was at Christmas.
Enough of being profound. I hope this
blog is inspiring and encouraging you in your recovery. Please let me
know in the comments!
I think you're doing so amazingly well Jen and everything you're doing is in the right order. Hats off to you Lady! xx
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