Some difference
Well, I have been off work for nearly a month now. I still hurt and I am still tired but I have noticed a slight improvement in the level of fatigue. When I am tired, I lay down instead of facing a 12 hour shift at work. I am learning to slow down and listen to my body where before, I was totally ignoring it and pushing through the pain and fatigue.
My family has noticed a difference as well. My mom made a comment the other day that she could tell I was feeling a bit better. She said it is still very obvious that I am still in pain, but I look more rested and less washed out.
I am actually thinking about pursuing a master's degree now. The way I figure it, I already have a BSN in nursing and since I will no longer be able to work as a bedside nurse, I want to do something with my degree. Problem is that with a BSN, there is not much you can do other than bedside nursing. I started to look into some options. Nurse practitioner is completely out!! Maybe legal nurse consultant, nursing informatics or nursing education. At least with nursing education I could be an online instructor and work from home. Unfortunately, nursing instructors dont make much money. Not much of a need for legal nurse consultant in Ohio. Nursing informatics could make lots of money, but sounds boring.
Oh well, my kids are loving having me home. I did have to lay the law down with my teenage son and advise him that just because I am home now, I am not a taxi for him and his friends. I think he understood that but he is 13 and has discovered girls (sigh) so I can't stop him from growing up and he does need time with his friends. None of my kids should have to suffer for my disease. They have already had to cope with so much!
My beautiful daughter helped me carry the laundry downstairs this morning before getting ready for school. I was putting a load in the washer while she was talking to me about a boy she like (deeper sigh--because she is only 11). I took a step to the side, my ankle made a loud pop, then my legs decided they were done for a minute and gave out on me. Wham, I fell flat on my butt. She got so upset and was nearly crying. I told her I was ok and sat there for a bit until my legs decided to cooperate again. She sat there with me then helped me get up off the floor. Not an easy task because you can't pull on my joints or I will cry!! I hate sending my kids to school upset like that. She seemed a bit better when she got on the bus.
I need to find a sun umbrella. Summer is right around the corner. My oldest son starts baseball practice this weeks which mean sitting in the sun at his games. Not a good idea!! Last year I found as much shade as possible or would just sit in my car and watch the game. This year I want to get an umbrella so that I can cheer for him close up!! There was a game last year where there was no shade and it was an important game. I was in the sun way too long. Broke out in full hives, nauseated, vomiting, horrible headache. Had to go to the ER that night and was treated like a drug seeker. I am NOT going through that again this year, so sun umbrella it is. I bought one of those easy up canopies last year but it is too heavy for me to carry and I can't set it up as easy as they make it sound.
It is going to be a busy week. Think I will go lay on the couch and watch some cartoons with my little one. He doesn't have school today. Fingers hurt, wrists, ankles, knees....ouch!!
My family has noticed a difference as well. My mom made a comment the other day that she could tell I was feeling a bit better. She said it is still very obvious that I am still in pain, but I look more rested and less washed out.
I am actually thinking about pursuing a master's degree now. The way I figure it, I already have a BSN in nursing and since I will no longer be able to work as a bedside nurse, I want to do something with my degree. Problem is that with a BSN, there is not much you can do other than bedside nursing. I started to look into some options. Nurse practitioner is completely out!! Maybe legal nurse consultant, nursing informatics or nursing education. At least with nursing education I could be an online instructor and work from home. Unfortunately, nursing instructors dont make much money. Not much of a need for legal nurse consultant in Ohio. Nursing informatics could make lots of money, but sounds boring.
Oh well, my kids are loving having me home. I did have to lay the law down with my teenage son and advise him that just because I am home now, I am not a taxi for him and his friends. I think he understood that but he is 13 and has discovered girls (sigh) so I can't stop him from growing up and he does need time with his friends. None of my kids should have to suffer for my disease. They have already had to cope with so much!
My beautiful daughter helped me carry the laundry downstairs this morning before getting ready for school. I was putting a load in the washer while she was talking to me about a boy she like (deeper sigh--because she is only 11). I took a step to the side, my ankle made a loud pop, then my legs decided they were done for a minute and gave out on me. Wham, I fell flat on my butt. She got so upset and was nearly crying. I told her I was ok and sat there for a bit until my legs decided to cooperate again. She sat there with me then helped me get up off the floor. Not an easy task because you can't pull on my joints or I will cry!! I hate sending my kids to school upset like that. She seemed a bit better when she got on the bus.
I need to find a sun umbrella. Summer is right around the corner. My oldest son starts baseball practice this weeks which mean sitting in the sun at his games. Not a good idea!! Last year I found as much shade as possible or would just sit in my car and watch the game. This year I want to get an umbrella so that I can cheer for him close up!! There was a game last year where there was no shade and it was an important game. I was in the sun way too long. Broke out in full hives, nauseated, vomiting, horrible headache. Had to go to the ER that night and was treated like a drug seeker. I am NOT going through that again this year, so sun umbrella it is. I bought one of those easy up canopies last year but it is too heavy for me to carry and I can't set it up as easy as they make it sound.
It is going to be a busy week. Think I will go lay on the couch and watch some cartoons with my little one. He doesn't have school today. Fingers hurt, wrists, ankles, knees....ouch!!
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