Running on Empty - Don't Empty Your Reserves

Taking care of yourself is very important. Taking care of yourself when you have chronic health issues and various mental health issues is EXTREMELY important. This is something I learned over the last few weeks.

I've been super busy working on betting my new company, WRITECOVERY, Inc. off the ground. I've been working with a company in Canada as they create the website and help with the marketing plans.

I also got very sick with a super stomach bug that was making the rounds in my area. Not fun. I ended up in the ER twice, getting hooked up for fluids due to dehydration and loss of potassium.

Again not fun. I was not the picture of fun relaxing in a bath with a book and a smile. That was definitely not me before my trip or after my trip.

Then, I had travel plans to Arizona to visit with my three children and four grandchildren. Number four was born in November. I was originally planning to make the trip in December, but my doctor nixed the idea and said no traveling until my TMJ was healed. It took many months and an arthrocentesis procedure to get the doctor's okay for travel. Once I did, I made my arrangements.

However, I spread myself a little too thin. I worked too hard before leaving on my trip and with it being clear across the country I didn't make any accommodations for the time change, either there or back.

I was a total wreck. I am a poster child for everything NOT TO DO when you have the disorders and chronic illnesses I have and you don't take care of yourself.

I returned home from my trip and instead of taking a few days to ease back into my routine I jumped in with both feet. It took three days, but on the  third day, my body finally ran out of reserves and I collapsed from exhaustion.

I finally got the hint. Take it easy on yourself.  See this happy little piggy? I got the message and became as happy as a pig in a shower.

So, that's what I did for the weekend. My husband took me to the movies, we watched movies at home. I truly enjoyed Malificent at the theater and The Lego Movie at home. Both had the perfect distraction opportunities for me to just relax and enjoy the show.

We worked in the yard, I planted some new plants, rearranged some that were getting out of control, and I walked my dog every day. Boy, did he enjoy that. I'd been sadly lacking in the walking department but he was very forgiving. I haven't given that up, either. We are still walking every day.

But, I have to tell you for the sake of your health, don't do what I did. Take care of yourself first. Your work and other tasks will be there later. They're not going anywhere.

Give yourself leeway to adjust to the time change. I traveled 2,000 miles there and back. Three time zones. I am one who really needs consistent sleep to help me maintain a stable healthy mentality. I should have known. I'm telling you know, don't do what I did.

I didn't have to hear my husband say, "I told you so," to get the "I told you so," part. I was telling myself how much I should have taken care of myself first when I got home instead of working full blast.

What did it really accomplish anyway? I don't think I'm anywhere different than I would have been if I had taken those days off to recover.

So, please. Don't do what I did. I was running on empty, literally. I had no reserves left.

Take care of yourself.

Copyright: zu1u / 123RF Stock Photo

Copyright: ariwasabfi/ 123RF Stock Photo

Getting Ready for Vacation

I'm supposed to be excited. I'm leaving for fifteen days of glorious vacation. A trip to see my children and grandchildren. I drive through one of the nation's best national parks and then another visit with my mother and sisters before flying back home.

But, here I am. Sick. Flat on my back sick with some sort of bronchitis or pneumonia or some other bronchial infection. I'm hacking a lung. Haven't been able to talk for 5 days and coughing so hard it hurts. My body aches, my ears ache, my eyes even ache.

It's torture to even write this blog, but I do so to keep you informed about what's going on and I haven't written in a while and it was sort of bumming me out.

On the up side, even though I have no energy for anything, I' still positive and upbeat. I have no depressive thoughts or dark dreary images traipsing through my mind. I am down about being sick, but that's all it is. Just bummed about being sick and all the things I still need to do before I leave. I've had to rearrange my schedule to fit in a doctor's appointment, which I will go to today. Hopefully she will have some sort of miracle drug that will make me better quickly and before I have to leave next week.

I definitely don't want to be carrying this onto an airplane.

I have packing lists to review. To do lists to review. To do lists to complete. I have a dog and a bird I need to prepare to go to boarding. And all the packing that that entails. I have to make sure they have enough food and treats and such for the fifteen days we are gone plus the extra days they'll be in boarding due to flights coming in extra late and not being able to pick them up right away.

I've had to get three week's worth of medication planned out for me. Taking it four times a day makes for some big med planners. I had to fill them all up and see which ones still need meds and how I'm going to convince a pharmacist that I only need one more week's worth to complete my vacation and I won't be back here during the middle of my vacation to get my prescription filled then, so could I get it filled early?

At least I have a neighbor coming to check on the house every day and bringing in our mail. And we have a friend coming to check on the pool as well.

But, all that aside, first things first. I need to get well. I've spent the last four days in bed and will probably spend some of today there as well, except when I have to keep my doctor appointments. I have to see my psychiatrist today as well, and I can't cancel that appointment. I already had to cancel my therapist appointment. I'm running out of days to reschedule before I leave for my vacation.

I need to be well for my vacation so I don't take my sickness with me and give it to my kids and grandkids. What a horrible present to leave with them. I want to be able to enjoy my visits and have fun playing with my grandbabies.

So, I'll accept all good wishes and prayers for a quick recovery and a safe trip. I need all that I can get. I'll try to post as much as I can about where I am during vacation and then get back to regularly scheduled posts.

Cheers,