Waiting for the 'Morning Fog' to Lift After I Take My Medication
I’m not talking about the weather; it is the most glorious day outside as I write inside, sitting in my favorite chair. I really should make the extra effort to get off my armchair, grab my crutches, grab my iPad, grab my coffee and go outside… Hmm, can’t quite achieve that!
Every morning I always have a list of “I should do this” or “I should do that” buzzing in my head. In my mind’s eye, I run around the house with the energy of two or three people, achieving so much. Then, I get out of bed and try to stand up. Reality sets in and all those wonderful tasks that moments ago seemed so easy, suddenly are insurmountable.
I do, however, amaze myself every day as to how much I do achieve. I might not be able to do everything I want to do in an hour, but with careful planning and pacing it is possible to get through a realistic daily “to do” list. The list needs to be shorter than it once was, but to have a sense of achievement at the end of the day is so important when living with a chronic illness.
The fog I’m talking about is the one that follows the morning medication. The pills are necessary to get my body moving at some point in the day and to dull my overactive immune system just enough to prevent permanent disabling joint damage from rheumatoid arthritis and to manage the unrelenting pain from my rare bone disease. However, they render me almost useless for the first few hours of my morning. I feel like I need to constantly shake my head to get it working.
Are the pills worth it?
I ask that question over and over but I know my RA symptoms are kept under control with them, and without the painkillers for my non-healing broken femur and widespread bone pain… Well, I don’t know what I would do.
My husband, who is my carer, is out for a while this morning, only for a couple of hours, but I am limited in what I can achieve without him. He would normally carry my coffee outside while I make my way with my crutches. It is the simple things like this carers do that go unnoticed. Carers are amazing. Caring husbands are a gift from above and I thank God for mine every day.
So I shall sit here for a little while longer with my musings and eventually the fog will lift enough for my body to move a little more freely and I will feel more connected to the day. I love it when that happens!
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Thinkstock photo via Redline96.
Sam retired early, from a successful Executive Management Career in financial services, due to chronic disease. She has a rare disabling bone disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis and a permanent colostomy. “When health gets complex, I’ve come to realise it is really important to find others who are also battling multiple issues, to share the never-ending complexities that arise”. As Sam’s disabilities progressed she started a blog called, My Medical Musings. She also set up an online support forum for anyone wanting the hand of friendship as they journey an often lonely and difficult path living with the effects of chronic disease. “Both my blog, My Medical Musings and online support group, Medical Musings with Friends, are a place to laugh, cry, share and vent together”. Sam is a member of the Chronic Illness Bloggers Network and she is passionate about promoting and supporting other chronic illness bloggers. You can follow more of Sam’s story at her blog "My Medical Musings" https://mymedmusings.com/ She is also author of the book: "My Medical Musings, A Story of Love, Laughter, Faith and Hope; Living with a Rare Disease. More details about the book can be found on Sam's blog.
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