Christmas

Monday, March 30, 2015

All Good Things...

…eventually come to an end. That’s the way I was yesterday. My time of feeling well came crashing to an abrupt halt. Ahhh, the vagaries of MS. I can honestly say that I didn’t do a single thing to wake the sleeping MonSter!  Saturday went well – I finished the birthday banner with streamers of curled ribbon and my husband put it above the doorway between the breakfast room and kitchen – the birthday boy would see it as he walked in the back door. I printed his card and had everything set for the dinner. Then I woke up yesterday feeling a bit off.

I couldn’t put my finger on it – I wasn’t sick, I was walking the same as always, I wasn’t overly tired, but something was amiss. I tried to push it from my mind to no avail. At church, I felt it even more so. Now at that point, any intelligent person would have just sat for the service, but not this ninny! Palm Sunday is long, and no one would have thought less of me for not standing. Yet, there I was, getting up and down, and soon, my feet were burning with pins and needles, and my legs felt like spaghetti strands – and not al dente!  After that, things went downhill.

I tried to recoup my strength, but it was gone. I compounded it by standing some more while I prepared dinner. The lamb roast was easy; I just made a coating of garlic, rosemary, lemon, pepper, and oil, which I spread on the outside of the meat. The garlic mashed potatoes were also quite simple. However, by that time, my legs and feet were screaming. I pushed through and got the string bean casserole ready, but that’s all I had. My younger son saw me and knew immediately I was headed for a fall or worse. So, he nonchalantly got me a chair and had me act as the maestro while he took over. I directed him at the stove and together we worked well. If it were just the one meal, I may have made it, but keep in mind; I had to make separate dinners for my daughter and me and then something for the little ones. 

Fortunately, my list-making skills paid off. I could see at a glance what needed to be done, and I could instruct my son how to do it. “Together” we made brown rice, a veggie stir fry, chicken nuggets, and gravy. My daughter kept the little guys occupied, and my husband sat with the birthday boy. Everything came together, and everyone enjoyed the meal. My younger son also picked up the cake from the Philly bakery I like – Swiss Haus – and it was delicious. 

Today, my feet are still tingling, but I can sit while I bake later. Now, my husband is having more leg and feet problems. He developed a weird condition where several of his toes are red at the balls and tips of the toes. His podiatrist didn’t know what it as, his PCP checked his circulation, my son-in-law said it was strange, but had no answers, and I can’t find anything online. He said his feet are really starting to hurt, so he’s going back to his PCP this afternoon. I feel bad for him because I know how it feels to have sore feet. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that it’s nothing serious.

Now, I have to little by little get things ready for Easter. I just have to learn to stay off my feet as much as possible, and maybe between Mr. and Mrs. Gimpy, we’ll pull this off!

Peace,
Muff

11 comments:

  1. HI MUFF - So sorry you are struggling with increased symptoms. This disease is so hard to manage. And so unpredictable. I pretty much assist while sitting in our meal preps etc. Tough to give up being the head-chef!! Skipp does his best to follow my lead and give me the reins, so to speak. I have adjusted for the most part. Has your husband considered that his toe issue may be gout?? Just a thought. Well, happy holy week - may we all be risen and free. Amen
    Love Gail
    peace.....

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    1. I, too, have somewhat adjusted to handing over the reins, but it's hard for a control freak such as I.
      No gout -- he had that years ago with totally different symptoms. Turns out it was frostbite!!

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    2. frostbite!! oh my - hope he is ok

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  2. I'm so sorry about your new symptoms. As for hubby, I know how challenging it can be when the caregiver develops health issues because that is currently my reality. I wish you both improved health.

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    1. Symptoms add and subtract -- as long as I can roll with the punches!
      Sorry your hubby still isn't doing well. Mine, as it turns out, had frostbite!!

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    2. His issues, both physical and cognitive, are due to aging and alas are not going away. If anything, they're getting progressively worse. It's an "interesting" time in my life, and sometimes I can roll with the punches; sometimes, not.

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  3. Well spring has arrived at Kaleidoscope Muff. It looks great.
    Take it easy. You have a perceptive and thoughtful son.

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    1. I'm still working on it. Yes, all of my children think with their hearts!

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  4. awwwww muff, it's so unpredictable!! My feet feel like that all the time 27/7....and I get the sensation of water running in and on my legs. It's all so weird and sometimes difficult to describe. Go easy and find a balance, I hope your week improves!!

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    1. I don't have constant neuropathy as you, but when it hits, I hate it. That trickling water thing drives me batty, too! My days are already improving, and I think I can manage one more dinner party!

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  5. Tragically, a lot of discomfort falls under the umbrella of "yeah, sometimes this sh-t happens, sucks don't it?"

    People ask me how I am, and usually I want to answer "How much time do you have?"

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