That is so not me. I don't find moving that much fun.
Traveling, especially by commercial airlines, usually spells trouble for me. It seems no matter how hard I try or how careful I am, a gigantic cold (or worse) is usually my vacation souvenir. As a lupus patient, my immune system is often less than glowing and my recent travels reminded me of that fact.
In the last four months, I've made five round-trips between Los Angeles and Ohio to spend time with my family. My sweet step-father recently passed away and Mom just moved from their large home into a senior living community, so I've been back home pitching in and helping with all the things you'd expect that comes with the events of the past few months.
This time though, my usual semi-below average energy level kicked into high gear and I was able to go non-stop, day and night, on every trip. Perhaps it was a sort of "crisis management" mode or maybe all the adrenaline from losing my dad and trying to make Mom's move as smooth as possible, or perhaps I was just plain lucky on my first four trips. But on trip number five, I came home with a miserable chest cold and am fighting to make sure it doesn't get any worse.
Why I was able to go all out before I crashed with this cold remains a mystery. My sisters were amazed, and frankly I was too, that I was able to do so much physical labor on so little sleep during a very stressful time. I did a ton of work-- packing, schlepping, hauling and running around without so much as a Prednisone booster shot.
I've learned over the years not to question these rare bursts of energy. I'll take 'em when I can get 'em and greatly appreciate 'em while they last. There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to when or why they appear and disappear at random but I sure wish I knew how to trigger those "Energizer Bunny" activities on command.
This cold is kicking my butt and yes, my joints are beyond sore and swollen from all the heavy lifting, stair climbing and the likes from packing back in Ohio, but we got the job done for Mom and that makes my current health state worth the trade-off.
I do not like that phrase-- "Trade-off--" but it's my reality. Deciding between how much I do versus how I will feel as a result is a slippery slope sometimes. I make smart choices regularly on how best to use what energy I have, but at times like this, my "smart" choices are a little more clouded with what I feel I need to do versus what I really should do. This time around I'm grateful I had the energy when I needed it making this cold a small price to pay.
Do you juggle your energy and how's that working for you?
Until next time...
Joanna J. aka Lemon-Aid
Photo Credit: Msaario Beauregard - Fotolia #22061180 
I'm not a Lupus patient, but I suffer from what the oncologists call idiopathic neutronpenia, so the low wbc makes us nervous when I get around sick people. The rare times I have to see my Dr, they always try to get me in a room so I don't have to sit in the waiting room with "sick people". I've had this issue for so long that I have forgotten what it is like to NOT have it and often wonder how much more energy would I have, how much less would I ache when I have "over done it". Take care and drink plenty of fluids!!
ReplyDeleteTrade off, you bet and when the trade goes my way I put all the chips on the table. If i'm going to pay tomorrow anyway, I'm going all in. I have lupus and ra so it's a double shot of the same thing when I push. As my rheumy says, "it doesn't matter what we call it or how much you have. It all hurts and all edits your life". He's right. I do hope you find time to rest and be still for a bit. Sorry to hear of your step dad. Hugs to you and your momma. tammy
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear that all of that activity and traveling caught up to you--I hope you recuperate quickly! But how awesome is it that you were able to accomplish all of that and were lucky enough to have that unexpected boost of energy? I agree with you: take it when you can get it, and worry about the fallout later. I hope you feel better soon :)
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