E is for Exhausted
Superman had his krptonite. I have exhaustion. It can grab all my efforts at being a supermom right out of me. Earlier this week my foot got caught in a garden hose (last time I got hurt outside it was a basketball hoop I'm starting to think I should stay in my house or car - but I ramble) and tripped me up. I went flying down on hands and knees, not just rock pathway, but twisting my leg at a very unnatural angle. Limping inside my four year old helps me with ice packs and elevating my leg - but nothing elevates my mood. Extreme pain sets in. Every movement of my leg brings cries of pain. Treatment - alternating ice packs and heating pads, Motrin, a version of Ben Gay and rest. I can't go to the doctor because it's not 9 pm at night. Tossing and turning, no rest for the weary. Tuesday goes a little better thanks to another supermom who handled the school runs for me. Temper tantrums as we miss gymnastics and dance classes. The inability to stand up long enough to cook a meal. And, Tuesday night more tossing and turning, only now I am working on dealing with muscle spasms and trying to stretch and massage it to avoid stiffness.
I should explain that I have fibromyalgia, and for many people a sprain is no big deal. Uncomfortable yes, a pain, yes, and even expensive. But for someone with fibromyalgia every pain, every strain, and ever sore muscle is amplified. The best way to describe it as what feels like someone tugging your hair to you, feels like someone grabbing my hair by the roots and ripping it out to me.
Now, I am approaching day 3 and while things are looking up there is no sleep in sight. There is a house, and children, and work to do and a field trip on Thrusday. There is an Easter Egg Hunt that I organized and one of my best friend 'sbirthday party. What do I need more than anything? Sleep. . . sweet, peaceful, more than 45 minutes at a time sleep.
I knew having children would mean a lot of sleepless nights. I knew it would mean exhaustion, but for this supermom lack of sleep means exhaustion. So, what do I do next? Try my best to get a good night's sleep. Maybe if I do, I can overcome the weakness that this particular type of kryptonite brings about in super moms.
Moral to the story, watch out for the garden hose. It can really trip you up.
Anyone have a lullaby to share?
This post is sponsored by my home remedy kit:
Elastic Bandage Ace Type W/clips 3'' Each
Sunbeam Health at Home Easy To Use King Size Moist/Dry Heating Pad, Blue
Motrin IB-Ibuprofen Pain Reliever Tablets 200 mg - 300 Coated Caplets
Max-freeze Gel, 4-Ounce
(Photo: Wikiepedia Creative Commons available for Public Use)
6 comments:
I know exactly how you feel. I haven't slept for more than a few hours at a time since 1982 when my third child was born with larngotrachea malaysia (can't remember how it's spelled). Anyway I suffer from insomnia, I have cancer, I have asthma, I watch kids all day (grandkids), I travel between two towns 90 miles away every week, I write 8 blogs, I write articles for two different sites, and I crochet. I have four children, ten grandchildren (one on the way), and three great grandchildren. I try to visit with them as often as I can when I'm not already watching them. And with all of that, just like you, I signed up for the A-Z Challenge. We must be nuts. My "E" blog post, by the way, is here: http://myheartblogstoyou.blogspot.com/
I'd offer to sing you a lullaby, but since you've never heard me sing, you just might be foolish enough to accept. Maybe it'd be nicer to make you a glass of warm milk. ;O)
Sorry, I have no kryptonite for you today. Hope you catch some ZZZZZZs soon.
Ouch! Just rest up Lisa, I hope you feel better soon.
I remember the days of having a little one and it seemed they never ended. The good news is that the kids grow up and move on. The bad news is that the house gets quiet and lonely, and sometimes you actually wish to be needed like you once were. I stay up late now because I want to, and sometimes I even pull all nighters because I can.
I hope your future days are trip-less and your future nights sleep-filled, and if not, at least, you have a sense of humor to light the way.
I remember well sleepless nights and never ending exhaustion and don't envy you. I hope you gave that stupid hose what for.
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