Spotlight: A Day in the Life

My day starts off with, when I get up.
Sounds a little silly but to me it's a reflection of how I feel about life now.
I used to get up at the crack of dawn for decades.
I worked, I exercised, I enjoyed life with various activities.
Now, my life has changed a lot. Pain and terrible fatigue make a huge difference. Along with ulcers, IBS, diverticulosis, lack of sleep, etc...the list goes on.
Now, if I get enough sleep, I get up early and sometimes can get a few things that need doing, done.
If I haven't slept well, if I am sick and in a lot of pain, I point the remote at the tv and I stay in bed and rest, doze, read, sleep.
I don't care about chores, they'll still be waiting in a day or two or three...I'm not a fanatic about cleaning anymore.
I don't care if things are not in place and looking neat.
I sometimes don't leave my house for a week or more, I only go out now when it's absolutely necessary, to the grocery store, library, appointment, etc.
I rarely smile anymore, I'm not what anyone would describe as a happy person.
This is what 35 years of MS has done to my life.

my day starts with a gut wrenching hug, before i even open my eyes.the Next quest is making it to the bathroom on my wobbly legs w/o an accident. so far so good (usually). now to the coffee pot, pour a cup and hope i can walk steady enough to enjoy the entire cup and not have to clean a trail of brown drips. Still not frustrated for this is routine and I know whats to be expected. now that I'm feeling pretty ambitious I make a goal on a worthwhile task, you know laundry, dishes etc. On a really good day I'll plan a trip to the store, sit in the car and look into the entrance until a electric cart becomes available,hopeful that the battery is good. With all good intentions stating to fade its time to consider a nap and then I'll feel like doing more. wishful thinking that is. That sums up a typical day, so much to do so little ability.

Wow, this all sounds so familiar! I find that breaking tasks up helps, and not trying to do too them all at once, and not all in one day. I make a list (well many to be honest) and list say five or six things I would “like to do”, then I’ll pick my top three, I call them the “absolutes”, meaning no matter what, this or that must be done, for example a doctor appointment, or grocery shopping. Whenever I can have any control whatsoever over appointments or tasks I spread them out, and never back to back or if possible, not in the same week. I am always writing notes, using Alexa, a write on wipe off board, or my phone iPad, etc. to help me list things, and I’m constantly revising them. I am learning that who I was before is not who I am now, and it is difficult to accept, but I’m learning to deal with it. I wish you all the bets.

My day starts with me waking up at 1 or 2 in the morning everyday, not that I want to but I am awake at that time. I go out to get my newspaper at 3:30, go out using my cane to keep my balance then make my coffee, look at the newspaper and turn on the tv. Some times I can go back to sleep for an hour or so but I can't go out to do anything if it is hot out so I try to do things around the house. At around noon I am completely exhausted so I try to take a nap to recharge my body for the rest of the day then go to bed at 10 at night. I never know how I will feel during the day as it changes all of the time.