not feeling good

Thanks for asking @Former-Member

I am feeling very tired - the pain in my back and my shoulder is draining me - I am looking after myself - not pushing things and I know that this will pass in time

Actually I am seeing my new psychologist on Saturday - I hadn't realised that my appointment was so close - so this is good - I am seeing her about pain management

And I have an appointment with my GP tomorrow

Luckily I know how to manage even if it just means sitting things out

Dec

Thanks for the update @BlueBay 👍💕

Hi @Molliex 👋🌺

Waves to @Faith-and-Hope @MDT @Shaz51 @Maggie @Owlunar 👋🌼

Great that the stitches are out and the wound can now heal properly. Slowly ... you can start to do a little more with your hand. But please dont overdo it. Light duties remember! Its good that you have another 4 weeks off work. Your work requires quite a lot of repetitive hand use, as well as some lifting. So its very reasonable that you have another month off work. With luck, you recover quicker than that, and can go back sooner. But its a very sensible precaution to have the full 4 weeks. If you go back too soon, your recovery can be set back significantly.

The good thing about another 3-4 weeks off, is that it gives you a greater chance to try to secure a place for a few days getaway. How flexible are hubbys work arrangements? I hope you can find something suitable soon. It would be so good for you to get away for a few days.

Yes I realise you are stressing about financial repercussions of being off work for so long. And not getting any pay when not working, as you are casual. I also understand your concerns about whether they will keep the job open for you. I know they were very happy with you as a worker and as a person. So I'm sure if they possibly can, they will keep your job available for you upon your recovery. Have you notified them yet about your work certificate?

I hope you have a nice evening and have a chance to rest and take things easy for a while. Dont let the family take advantage of you, when it comes to doing more around the place than you are meant to be doing. Continue to use the sling if you need to. Your hand may well continue to be a bit achy for a while yet anyway. Slowly slowly Bluebay, and take the time needed to recover properly. It does take time, as can be seen from the graph below. You are doing well to be where you are at now, better than average. Remember to put your feet up occasionally and enjoy a cuppa.

Sherry 💕

Hey @Owlunar .. great to hear from you. I didnt see your post until after I'd posted mine below.

There is no question at all that pain is a major drain, on anyone experiencing it. Acute pain is probably easier to deal with and suffer than chronic pain is. Mainly I suppose because you know the chronic pain will always be with you, to some degree.

Yes you have been dealing with pain for a long time now, and you do learn to manage. You have to dont you, living on your own and being fully self sufficient. Its good that you are accepting that sometimes there is no alternative to sitting things out. I'm sure that the more acute pain levels will ease soon, and then it will be back to the chronic pain that you are more used to.

Very good to hear that you see your new psychologist on Saturday, which is now less than 2 days away. I really hope that you find this helpful, and any tips will better enable you to cope with ongoing pain. Incidentally, the psychologist I see, was one I was originally referred to for pain management about 8 years ago. She has a lot of experience in pain management from when she practiced in a major Sydney hospital pain clinic some time back. She later turned her particular passion to treating anxiety and trauma-related disorders. So it was very fortunate for me as it turned out. Because it meant that after she dug out of me that I had a trauma background, she was also able to offer therapy and ongoing support for that too.

I hope your GP appointment goes well tomorrow Dec. And I look forward to hearing an update as to how your Saturday session goes well with the new psychologist.

I've just made a big pot of hearty chicken, vegetable and pasta soup. Wish I could share some with you @Owlunar and you @BlueBay ... because both of you should be taking things easy. Its a particularly nice one I make too ... some fresh ginger in it as well as some fresh chilli added to your liking. It looks very similar to the picture below, as it has celery, asian greens, carrot, macaroni and chunks of left over chicken in it.

Have a good evening all

Sherry 🌺🤗💓

That dinner looks really scrumpious @Former-Member

I have learned to manage alone - I prefer it - it's not exciting having to sit out a bad day but you are right - there is nothing else to do about it - and it is intense - the back pain is chronic - the shoulder pain is acute - I thought it would have settled down after the injection but it hasn't - I hope my pain specialist can do something about it when I see him - sigh - he wanted my shoulder investigated before he did anything himself - I have been here before so often and life does go on

I have no appetite - hopefully one will develop as the evening progresses and some vegemite toast will help - I tend to run out of easy stuff by Thursday but there are always baked beans and chips - it's not laziness - I just don't feel well - I will eat something though

I'll let you know how things go as time passes - I might feel entirely different tomorrow

And thanks for your post

Dec

@Owlunar @Former-Member @Molliex @Faith-and-Hope @Shaz51 @Maggie and others

I had a terrible end to group therapy today. The therapist asks us what kind of song would we like to listen to. One lady mentioned Andre bocelli time to say goodbye. I said oh no that's the don't week played at my MIL funeral. I said to her it's ok.

well I was so wrong. The song started and I cried so much I was shaking and left the room. I sobbed outside just remembering the funeral. The therapist came out and said the songs over, you'll be ok, no one will judge you. I ended up going back in but didn't want to talk.

I've been thinking of you @Owlunar ❤️

And you have managed very well @Owlunar ... you are definitely to be commended for that. You are a very independant woman.

Although you have had chronic shoulder pain for many years, I guess the injection has resulted in some short term acute pain on top of that. Lets hope the pain specialist can do something to help when you see him next. Its disappointing, and very disheartening for you, that the injection appears not to have helped so far. Given that its now over a week, it doesnt bode well that it will improve much now. Fingers crossed the pain management psych can help with your ability to manage and cope better.

Nothing wrong with vegemite toast. Its a good standby. Something else I like when feeling sick and not feeling much like eating anything ... A large spoonful of vegemite added to a large mug, pour in boiling water, stir until disolved, add a broken up slice of bread and, voila ... you have vegemite soup. Baked beans too, are very nutritious. Perhaps add a poached or fried egg and you have something good for you and tasty too.

Well ... I hope you do feel differently tomorrow, and regain a bit of an appetite. Pain does tend to take away an appetite. So if you're starting to feel more like eating, then its probably an indication that you're not in so much pain. I certainly hope that for you.

Sherry 💕

sending you understanding hugs my sister @BlueBay

when I see sunflowers I still get very upset as it reminds me of my little cousin and at his fureal they had sunflowers everywhere and I cried

sitting with you tonight xoxo

❤️😢❤️

Thanks @Eve7 @Shaz51

its so hard. It's only been 6 months since funeral. I just couldn't hear that song.

I just want to be alone 😢😢

Music brings back so many memories doesnt it @BlueBay . Time to say goodbye is a beautiful song, and very fitting for your MILs funeral. But hearing that song will likely always make you think of her. Its the same with my Mum. On 15th of next month, it will be 12 months since she died. The songs that were played at her funeral, always make my cry when I hear them. I chose the music for her funeral. I was at my psych apt yesterday and it came up that the anniversary of mums death is next month. And I couldnt stop the tears then either. But music is a big reminder. The first boyfriend I ever went out with ... I was 20 at the time ... died in a car accident. He had a favourite song .. and even now, 41 years later ... I still think of him when I hear that song. In fact the anniversary of his death is next week. I was thinking of him only today, and his favourite song instantly came to mind. It was a Fleetwood Mac song.

So I can understand your reaction when hearing that song today at your group therapy. Your MILs death is still very fresh in your mind, and her loss is still very raw for you. You are lucky that you had such a great love and respect for her. I know that makes her loss even harder, but it also means you had her in your life for a significant amount of time. Celebrate that. In time you will still have the tears, but fond memories will become stronger, and allow the sad ones to take a bit of a back seat.

I hope you can find somewhere in the 'crowded house' tonight for a bit of time alone. It sounds like you need it. Ask the family to respect your need to be alone if thats what you need.

Hugs to you.

Sherry 💔