These shoes are going to become my new best friend. My husband took me shopping today, determined to find me a pair of shoes that would help my very achy and painful arthritic feet. The salesman recommended these and after I tried them on, we brought them home.
For the past several days, I've had trouble walking. It's scary. My feet ache so much and are so painful that I'd much rather recline and put them up then anything else. A good pair of shoes was a necessity, and I'm very thankful we were able to get these.
The fatigue and all-over body aching has also been a royal pain in the tush. I've slept a lot lately, kept taking my ibuprofen every four hours, and tried to think positive. I won't lie, though - Thursday night I had a slight meltdown as I felt so horrible that I despaired of how I was ever going to keep going like this. I didn't go to work the next day, too tired and in too much pain. Yet it was a better day as I had asked some other writers to share their experiences with chronic pain. That is the great thing about the Internet - the support you get from strangers who can quickly become friends.
I'm learning to adapt to this new body. That means I don't do as many things as before. I also move slower. I'm asking for help more (which is really hard for me to do as I am VERY independent) and I'm trying not to focus on the pain.
I am still waiting to talk to my doctor about medication options, etc., but that will have to wait until he's back from vacation. In the meantime, I'm learning that distraction can be my best friend. Yesterday, I met a dear friend for lunch, did a little shopping at Hobby Lobby, and came home, put up my feet, and worked on my novel. I momentarily forgot the pain and it was good to lose myself in my story.
I've toyed with the idea of slightly altering this blog to include ways to help writers with chronic pain. I believe that can be the best therapy of all - helping others. We'll see what the Lord has in store for me.
In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy my new shoes and keep living one day at a time.
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Hi Melissa, your shoes look so cool. But I'm so sorry to hear of the reason for getting them. Pain just sucks. You are doing so well to keep positive and the odd meltdown is fine, in fact you're probably better for it. It's a good excuse to up the chocolate intake too ;)
ReplyDeleteI hope when your Dr. gets back he can sort your meds out and provide more relief.
I don't have arthritis but I get a lot of back, neck, hip and leg pain. I was born with scoliosis and I have had some treatment. But there is no more that can be done. My biggest bugbear is sleeping. Lying on my left side is great for my neck, lying on my right is great for my hip. On my back or front is not an option for long at all! Somedays I want to saw myself in half!
I find immersing myself in my writing is a great help. I might not be able to ride a horse, or run a marathon, but my characters can!
I hope this comment gets to you - we're on super slow speed. All the kids on holiday for the last couple of weeks used up our monthly quota!
Oh, JT, I'm sorry you have to suffer through that pain. I do agree that immersing yourself in writing is terrific therapy! And just wait until you watch Downton Abbey - the last episode was incredible!!!
DeleteOh, I meant to tell you: Downtown Abbey, series three starts here on Thursday. Whippee!!
ReplyDeleteI wish you lots of patience to endure your pain portion. Your shoes are cool. I am a new follower of your and my english is poor (though I can read it well) but I'll give you a heartfelt hug. Because I know what pain is.
ReplyDeleteHi Aritha! Thank you for stopping by, and thank you so much for the good thoughts.
Delete:)
I hope the new shoes do the trick for you. I go have a massage when I'm feeling really bad. I know that can get expensive, but it really does help me. I can't wear cheap shoes, everything hurts on me after a day of wearing flip flops and no support shoes.
ReplyDeleteI think distraction is a good way to deal with pain and epson salt baths. I like those too.
I will have to try the bath salts, too, and I also need to go back to getting massages. I couldn't afford them after awhile - not at $100 a session and they didn't take insurance!
DeleteAsics are the best kind of shoes! I hope they help a little bit with the pain!
ReplyDeleteI hope so, too! (Because they weren't cheap! LOL).
DeleteI had a hip problem for years, which suddenly went away on its own in August 2011. Chronic pain is debilitating, and my prayers are sent for peace of mind in dealing with it as well as less of it to deal with.
ReplyDeleteVery snazzy looking shoes, btw!
Thanks for the prayers, Anna. Much appreciated! I am learning to deal with the pain, day by day, though last night I did cave to soaking my feet in a hot pan of water. :)
DeleteMelissa, I suffer from chronic pain too-a result of getting hit by that pick up truck years ago. The worst times are when one of my shoulders freezes up and even the smallest movements hurt so bad I want to cry. I try to do gentle stretching so that I don't completely lose all range of motion in my shoulders, and warm showers and Advil help too.
ReplyDeleteI think your new shoes (I love them!!) are so cool! And if they help you walk with as little discomfort as possible then I love them even more!
I'm adding my prayers here as well, that you will get some answers and some relief. I really just wish you didn't have to deal with this...Hugs:)
Thank you so much, dear Valerie, and I am so sorry you have to suffer with chronic pain, too. Have you tried a massage therapist? Oh, and eats lots of chocolate, too.
DeleteMelissa, I'm so sorry to hear you're in pain. I had lower back issues for some years -- NOTHING like what you're dealing with -- and just dealing with that bit of chronic pain was so tiring. Many hugs to you. And congrats on the shoes -- I hope they make walking comfortable again.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christine! They're working quite well, though my feet are having to adjust to having such good support. :)
DeleteMy mom and I have been working on getting healthy and we are walking and doing kettle bells, anyways I think we have the same shoes as yours, except in different colors. And we LOVE them! My mom has some back issues (I’m just really out of shape) and we haven’t had feet issues yet. Another type of shoe she loves is the Crocs “converse” style shoe, she swears by them. There is a foot exercise I like to do if I know it may be a long day. I take a tennis ball and put it under my arch and I roll it back and forth between my arch and the ball of my foot. (I found a YouTube video about it - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhMsqM-QA0) I’m not sure if it will help or not but thought I would share it. I hope your shoes help you and an occasional meltdown is a natural way for the body and mind to cope with changes. Lord knows I’ve had my fare share for things far less important than what you are going through! Sending you good thoughts and prayers!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Jess! I will check out those Crocs "converse" style as I am thinking I need more than one pair of shoes. I am a girl, after all. =D
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