Re:Mama-Sher/my days.

[Guest guest]

Oh Mama-Sher, I see we have a LOT in common! My days are very casual

too. I still help Chaz in his office a few hours a week. Nothing that

could be considered " work " , just making sure he pays bills, etc.

I am online a lot, and I love to read. I watch TV at night and have

several favorite shows, and having satellite gives me such a range of

choices....

I nap sometimes too. And don't feel guilty about it anymore. If I stay

up way too late at night watching old movies, so be it. If I crash out

at 3:00 in the afternoon and sleep until 7:00, that's ok.

I have a grown daughter, h, who is 27 and single, by choice.

She's our only child. She has chosen to live next to us in her own

home so that she can help me with my daily life. She runs my errands,

brings me food, or takes me to lunch and the store. She makes me go to

the mall sometimes or to a movie because othewise I would cheerfully

sit on this 2 acres and not go anywhere! h takes me to my doctor

appointments and tests too. She is looking for a part-time job right

now, in addition to helping Chaz in the office part-time. My hubby is

a master electrician and is self-employed. He does most of his office

work but needs help with some of it.

I also have a younger sister who lives just down the street. She would

do anything I asked to help me. Her husband has a huge heart. He

refers to me as " Superwoman " because of all I've been through. And I

also have 2 nearly grown nephews who are here a lot. We listen to

music together, watch movies and play board games.

My grown niece lives 8 miles away, with her hubby and 2 babies. They

are a huge joy in my life. And my older sister lives 3 hours away now,

but we keep in close touch.

Housework...hmmmm I try NOT to do it! LOL! No, I do it slowly, and

with my O2 on. And only about once a week. Though with 5 house dogs I

have to sweep nearly every day. My house is so little that it's

easily cleaned.

Chaz is a HUGE help. He is still " young " at 46 and strong. He's quite

a big man. 6'2 " and about 260 pounds. He loves to cook and we kinda

share that chore, and he will do the grocery shopping in an attempt to

sneak in red meat. He mops the floors for me and does whatever I

ask of him.

Geez, pretty much it looks like I'm the Princess around here, huh? LOL!

Physically the days are hard for me. The arthritis is a huge part of

my inability to function. Of course, not being able to breathe is a

problem too! I take pain pills, usually twice a day but sometimes 3

times. And I swear by Aleve. I have to use a cane sometimes. It helps

with inclines or if there are stairs to climb. I had a scooter once

but sold it. I just wasn't ready to be that dependent on one.

I have a high pain tolerance. I've learned to use visualization

techniques to aid me in working through a lot of the pain. Helps at

the dentist office too. It really helped when I gave birth to h,

without ANY pain medication, totally natural. Luckily she was a small

baby! LOL!

I have 8 living brothers and sisters, and 1 brother who passed away

nearly 8 years ago. I'm thankful for such a huge support base.

And there I go again....waaaaayyyyyy more than you wanted to know

about Babs! LOL!!!

My thought on our situations is that we are living with and battling a

serious, terminal disease. And being presumptuous here, but Mama-Sher,

I'm certain you've earned the right to live each day as you see fit.

You were the daughter, the wife and Mom, and now it's your turn to do

as you please.

Do you know, there are some days I never get out of my PJ's? I've only

left the house twice since before Christmas and I don't mind.

Chaz says I'm easily entertained, and usually by myself... LOL!

Big Texas Hugs to YOU!!!! Don't you feel like you've known me forever

now????

Babs

> > >

> > > CREST is a form of Systemic Scleroderma, as opposed to Limited or

> > > Diffuse Scleroderma.

> > >

> > > C = Calcinosis ; R = Raynauds Syndrome/Disease; E = Esophageal

> issues;

> > > S = Scleradactyl; T = Telangiectasia.

> > >

> > > CREST is an autoimmune disorder. The blood test for this is

the ACA

> > > antibody screen.

> > >

> > > Here's a link to the Mayo webpage for CREST.

> > >

> > > http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/crest-syndrome/DS00580

> > >

> > >

> > > UIP/LCH 5.06 CA

> > >

> >

>