Saturday, February 16, 2013

Joy in the Little Things





“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” Matt 5:3

Lately it seems turmeric tabs have really been helping me. I still had a little flare when the last storm hit but nothing like I usually experience and certainly nothing close to what I went through in December and January. I tried backing off of carbs and gluten but not only did it not help the inflammation, I started feeling really lousy. I’m sure it helps some people, but clearly, it isn’t the answer for everybody and definitely not for me. So back to regular eating and staying on the turmeric. Just as well. I hated watching everyone else eat my cinnamon rolls while I had an apple at breakfast.

As I had mentioned in an earlier post, there are several things that can trigger a flare. Stress and emotional conflict are usually right at the forefront, outside of barometric changes for me. As many of you know, my father recently passed away. It was devastating to our family. I was closer to dad than I was to my brothers and sisters due to a gap in ages, so I am still trying to adjust to the idea he is not going to be there anymore. I still haven’t gotten used to Mom being gone. Being an orphan sucks, I don’t care how old you are.

The weather has been improving. It’s been above freezing by day but still down in the 20’s at night so it has made for some very icy conditions to walk in. As rough as mornings can be, the rest of the day I have been feeling pretty good and taking full advantage of the fact, multi tasking away and trying to be as constructive as possible.

I have found that on a decent day, there is much I can do. Making cheese is one of those as it takes very little in the way of muscle power to do. It just requires a LOT of sitting and waiting, which is perfect for someone with Ra type limitations. I’ve done a little better than decent lately, so I have also been able to make butter, ghee and today I’ll be making soap and bread...which is another thing I can sometimes even do during a flare, if I can just walk. My stand mixer does most of the kneading for me so pitching ingredients into the bowl is about the height of effort. 

On really good days, I try to cook and can meals so on the days I am in too much pain, we can just grab a jar off the shelf and perhaps a loaf out of the freezer and still have a good, home cooked meal.

Some of those meals would be venison, lamb and beef stews, chili, multiple homemade soups, shredded chicken, pulled pork, beef dip and shredded taco meat. The meats are great in sandwiches and salads and very easy to can up.

I also pre-measure soap and lye water on good days, so I don’t have to worry about those days when I have ‘cognitive’ issues and wander around in a ‘fog’. It guarantees everything will be consistent that way.

Small things tend to bring great joy. The soap and cheese-making, and even the bread baking take up a lot of the space in a very small kitchen. There is a water hookup in the utility room where the freezers are and Randyman found a freestanding sink in the barn so I can do all the soap and cheese making in there, leaving the kitchen free for meals, plus I can safely stop in the middle of something if I need to, without starving everyone until it’s complete. Between the sink and finding 4 more tons of hay we can buy to get the critters through until spring, has made me a happy, happy camper. 

Good days and bad, I find myself leaning harder and harder on Him to get me through things and He has yet to let me down. Here's to grace and better days ahead.


“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” John 14:18






12 comments:

  1. I'm so glad that the turmeric is helping. It helps me also. Being able to do the things my family requires of me is less mental stress. I still take an afternoon nap. It is hard to stop my day, but I know if I don't my mood changes. I get grumpy at doing the things I usually love to do. So here's to Turmeric Hip hip hooray! Charlotte

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  2. I'm so glad you have found something that is helpful to your condition! Your productivity is convicting to me as I have been using wintertime as an excuse to be a slacker. I work really hard the other 3 seasons and am truly exhausted by fall, but there are many less physical things I should be accomplishing in the down time.
    You're such a good role model of an industrious woman "redeeming the time".
    Thanks! :)

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  3. I was going to remind you there is one Father who will never leave us orphaned, but you nailed it with that last scripture. Next Sunday my message is on abundent joy, so your words gave me some things to add to the words I chose. The thing about being called Solomon is that some keep wanting you to perform at a high level, but really I'm just a kid. My mistakes are not much different than other kid, but no there no sign of even one female in my life nor is it something I worry about. The other day I watched my little brother chase a kitten around the snow plowed yard. Such a simple thing lifted my spirits. Joy is contageous and you give people a lot of that. Xer

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    1. Solomon had wisdom, because he asked and it was granted him, but he didn't always use it. In the end, he wasn't any different than the rest of us, really. One of the neat things about God's people. It's so great to notice the little things, because life is made of little things. The big ones only happen now and then and if you are waiting on them, so much can be lost!
      Thank you Xer...your words always edify me

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  4. Love your post as usual. You always get me thinking. I do love the small things. A lovely sunrise, the 1st robin of spring, an unexpected call from an old friend, etc...
    You always amaze me with what you get done in a day! I should be 1/2 as productive. LOL.
    hugs...

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    1. Great examples of some of the amazing gifts everyday can bring, thanks Carol Dee!

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  5. Petey,

    I have to say that I had not read this blog up until today. But yesterday, I passed it along to a dear friend that suffers from MS. She was in need of uplifting, joy and laughter. I knew right where to send her; to you! Because His words being spoken through you are medicine in the best form. As usual...I love your truth, openess and willingness to share a glimpse of the "real" person you are. Be blessed, Staci

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    1. I'm sorry to hear your friend has MS. That is such a difficult Dx to adapt to. I hope He is able to 'give' back in spades, the things the disease has taken. He does have a way of doing that.

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  6. Petey, its Rosebud from AR. I don't know if I told you but my daughter suffers the same as you from RA. Its gotten so bad lately that she is in tears and sometimes can't do the simplest things for herself. She is so sad and discouraged. I try to lift her spirits. I send her care packages and she has a friend that comes by every day to give her a hand. She gets shots, but they've had to take her off the steroids because they can't keep her on them too long. So my question to you is where can I buy these Turmeric Capsules? I'll will try anything. She doesn't feel at this point that anything will work and spend most of her time laying or sitting down. I know that is the worst thing for her. Its breaking my heart. She is only 31. Do you have a site that I can go to to order these? I went to walmart and they had one bottle of turmeric with curcumin. My daughter has a strong feeling that nothing is going to help her. I don't know what to do. I am beside myself. Any words of wisdom? The dear lord won't give us more than we can handle. I know that, but when she is crying because she can't do up her shoes or turn on a tap. It just about kills me. Any ideas are welcome. Thankyou Petey. I know you understand. -Patricia.

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    1. How long ago was she diagnosed? This is such a dreadfully individual disease, which is why it is so difficult to treat. What works for one may not work for another. From everything I have seen both in my own experience as well as online boards, it takes a long time to find a treatment regimen that is effective, and even then, there are periods of remission and activity and a point where even the most effective treatments lose their efficacy. This has helped me immensely and I hope it helps her as well. I am not cured by any means, but it has reduced the inflammation to the point that on MOST days, after working out the initial pain, I am somewhat functional. Each day is different. I do know of others who have been hit so hard with the disease they have found no relief in spite of frequent drug changes and I pray they will hit the right combination soon.
      Here is the link where I ordered my turmeric and I will be ordering again because I was pleased with the results, for the first time with ANY thing!
      The best thing you can do for her, is pray, listen, help her find distraction and help her see there is value in her life, even though she has been severely limited in what she can do. Being dependent on others is never fun, pain and fatigue are overwhelming at times and we lose our identity. I pray she will be able to find herself in Him. God bless you Patricia
      http://www.amazon.com/New-Chapter-Turmericforce-60-Softgels/dp/B0009F3RVU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361669330&sr=8-1&keywords=New+Chapter+Turmeric

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    2. oh yes, and movement is good to a point. Sometimes the pain is so severe that the slightest movement or touch can bring unbearable pain, so don't make the mistake of thinking that exercize or something I can do will be the answer for her. There are days I too, must just lay still and lose the entire day in sleep. Support her in her decisions and just reaffirm to her that you love her and understand only she knows what it is like to deal with her pain. Nothing is worse for someone than to have others telling them what will fix them or what they should do, when we are already suffering because we know we cannot do those things at least at the moment. Occassionally, non gluten diets have helped some people. IT didn't help me at all. I will keep her in prayer as well.

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