I was searching for post on how others deal with time management and working around schedules while adjusting to the changes of Lupus?
Some days - I just want to have the house to myself and not have to do anything. So I can take my time, and get online, clean an area of the house that I've been neglecting and not have to worry about my son wanting to go somewhere or my husband needing something. I wasn't feeling well yesterday, and stayed home for work. My appointment cancelled on me, and I probably could have forced myself to go in, but my hubby said stay home and rest so I did. I'm a little hard headed, and I was in the sun on Sunday at my brother in laws, and my husband said we need to get you out the sun now. I got a little sick yesterday morning, and just carried over through the day. I did get the bathroom cleaned, and dusted the bedroom, then my son took me to the grocery and I was ready for my nap.
I've read about setting a schedule up - to help with the brain fog, and just wondered if any others have done this and what tips you have to help us newbie lupies who might be as hard headed as me and still researching what the sun does to us the hard way lol.
I find my head and body can cope more with issues i need to deal with when ste's out the road and if he's about he'll go down the garden doing something because he knows i have to take things at the rate i can only go to.
It seems like you suffered being out in that sun and your hubby was right moving you and bless him for carrying and watching you.
As long as your able to deal with issues when you can that's mainly what counts and there'll be some newbie's who will answer besides but here a great link on scheduling your life with Lupus.
The article on time management is great Terri....very practical. I've picked up on some of these things myself. First, I had to let go of many responsibilities that came naturally with my position. However, I began looking around and found some gifted people who could slip into those jobs with ease. (I wasn't missed as much). In my home, I had to be less of a perfectionist and be content with help I had to keep certain jobs up. I miss doing some projects so I play a game called "Take ten" meaning I set my timer for 10 minutes and dust the living room, wipe out the sinks, straighten a drawer, mix up a batch of cookies. etc...Some days I am unable to do anything. Another day I may do several....depending how I am functioning. I do keep a book of phone numbers for some senior citizens who live along and try to call one a day. We end up laughing and talking and it helps both of us. The hardest part is letting go completely of things I can no longer do! And that would be my flower garden, laundry, and standing to cook big meals. I am using my crock pot more for 1 pot meals. My hubby does all the shopping. I so feel for those who have to do it all on their own.....prayers and blessings their way!
Thanks for sharing the article Terri! I've had a very hard time with scaling down and letting go (as Faye mentioned). I was always an A-type personality. I raised 3 daughters while going to engineering school, worked full time and built a career and a life, despite dealing with lupus. When my husband was diagnosed with stage IV cancer in 2009 I was under incredible stress and had a major flare. Since that flare up I've had persistent cognitive problems (which we all do I think). I still have to work full time (my dear husband died in 2010) and I have had to figure out how to keep working and still have a semblance of health. I write down everything, keep a calendar with me at all times and say "sorry but I can't" quite a lot. My close family and friends are aware of my disability and they keep an eye on me. "I get by with a little help from my friends".
I write down 'somethings' and that's where I get in trouble. My daughter tells me "I've told you 3 times" lol. She was here yesterday, and I told her to write it on the family calendar - your pen is the pink one! My husband just drops his keys, his phones and his wallets down where ever, and then we have the mad dash in the morning to find everything. I bought a little bin to put his things in, so we don't have to do this - but he forgot his wallet this morning : )
Terri,
Thanks for the article it was very helpful, I am really considering asking for a couple of weeks off when I see my Rheumie next time. I feel like a hamster in a wheel most times - spinning my wheels and not accomplishing things. I've asked to have my schedule at work changed so I can go in later and it fell on deaf ears with my immediate supervisor. I think I will pose the question again with another supervisor.
Faye,
That's a great tip on the 10 minute tasks, I like that. My hubby and I generally shop together, and he'll always slow down for me, and ask me if my feet are hurting. Most times I'm not even aware it. Last night, he went with me to take my daughter back to her dad's. She's taking a modeling class and I take her home and it makes it a late night. Then we picked my son up from work. It will be so nice when my son's car is fixed and that will be one less thing I have to manage. He walks to work, but I pick him up right now. Sometimes he works until midnight, not too often luckily. My family is adjusting to lupus as well.
Trisha, Do you use the electric cart in the grocery store? If I go, which isn't often, I shop on the inside isles away from the cold. Bob takes the outer isles with cold products, produce, and frozen products. Also I try to go in 'off hours' when there isn't so much traffic in the store. One night when I went, the new cart had been super charged ...and operating it was like holding back a race horse. It was humerous; however, we finished in record time! I hope you have a good day!
Faye
sunrisetrisha said:
Happy Wednesday Everyone!
PNW, I am sorry for the loss of your husband : (
I write down 'somethings' and that's where I get in trouble. My daughter tells me "I've told you 3 times" lol. She was here yesterday, and I told her to write it on the family calendar - your pen is the pink one! My husband just drops his keys, his phones and his wallets down where ever, and then we have the mad dash in the morning to find everything. I bought a little bin to put his things in, so we don't have to do this - but he forgot his wallet this morning : )
Terri,
Thanks for the article it was very helpful, I am really considering asking for a couple of weeks off when I see my Rheumie next time. I feel like a hamster in a wheel most times - spinning my wheels and not accomplishing things. I've asked to have my schedule at work changed so I can go in later and it fell on deaf ears with my immediate supervisor. I think I will pose the question again with another supervisor.
Faye,
That's a great tip on the 10 minute tasks, I like that. My hubby and I generally shop together, and he'll always slow down for me, and ask me if my feet are hurting. Most times I'm not even aware it. Last night, he went with me to take my daughter back to her dad's. She's taking a modeling class and I take her home and it makes it a late night. Then we picked my son up from work. It will be so nice when my son's car is fixed and that will be one less thing I have to manage. He walks to work, but I pick him up right now. Sometimes he works until midnight, not too often luckily. My family is adjusting to lupus as well.
I found it a good article also but before i ever looked at anything like that i new with my own body issues of my life had got to change knowing i was going down hill and especially where my strength was.
Faye since you've joined you've altered your life in so many ways as you was like Trisha trying to organize your life to suite Lupus and i'm not insulting you but you've come on terrific and altered yourself quickly to adjust, the same as i did...where as some member's do find it harder and your a treasure with helping other's experiencing it yourself....that's the same with me keeping certain jobs up in the home but where you set a timer.lol one does'nt exist with me i go around slowly and still rest in between because if i don't i'd collaspe with my legs....rollators are an heaven send i say.
Faye your still doing good otherwise but yes i'm like you feel for other's on their own because although i was on my own at one stage my dad used to pop in and get what i wanted, alot of people don't have that.
Loved you loads Faye. xxx
Faye said:
The article on time management is great Terri....very practical. I've picked up on some of these things myself. First, I had to let go of many responsibilities that came naturally with my position. However, I began looking around and found some gifted people who could slip into those jobs with ease. (I wasn't missed as much). In my home, I had to be less of a perfectionist and be content with help I had to keep certain jobs up. I miss doing some projects so I play a game called "Take ten" meaning I set my timer for 10 minutes and dust the living room, wipe out the sinks, straighten a drawer, mix up a batch of cookies. etc...Some days I am unable to do anything. Another day I may do several....depending how I am functioning. I do keep a book of phone numbers for some senior citizens who live along and try to call one a day. We end up laughing and talking and it helps both of us. The hardest part is letting go completely of things I can no longer do! And that would be my flower garden, laundry, and standing to cook big meals. I am using my crock pot more for 1 pot meals. My hubby does all the shopping. I so feel for those who have to do it all on their own.....prayers and blessings their way!
Erica i am so sorry for the loss of your hubby and those moments together can never be replaced....i see what you mean though with such a busy life besides your children and home.
I admire you keep going though and it sounds like keeping a calender does alot in your favour...where as myself i've had to lower my pace because my muscle wastage is really doing me now i've gone alot weaker besides bad legs spasms terrible.
I'm pleased your family and friends are close by incase you need them and thank you for the record quote:)
Thanks for sharing the article Terri! I've had a very hard time with scaling down and letting go (as Faye mentioned). I was always an A-type personality. I raised 3 daughters while going to engineering school, worked full time and built a career and a life, despite dealing with lupus. When my husband was diagnosed with stage IV cancer in 2009 I was under incredible stress and had a major flare. Since that flare up I've had persistent cognitive problems (which we all do I think). I still have to work full time (my dear husband died in 2010) and I have had to figure out how to keep working and still have a semblance of health. I write down everything, keep a calendar with me at all times and say "sorry but I can't" quite a lot. My close family and friends are aware of my disability and they keep an eye on me. "I get by with a little help from my friends".
If you able to afford having a small amount of time off then i would go for it and i'm only stating that as i know everyone as to pay for treatment etc in the states.
Trisha it sounds like you need some time at home to start organizing how your able to sort issues because otherwise you will be going around in circles getting no where like you have stated.
Going into work later would help you a great deal because when i wake of a morning we all need time o come around properly and function in our own way and being as it's fallen on deaf ears...try your hardest with someone else.
I haven't used the electric cart. I do have a cane if I need it, but then it hurts my hand sometimes. : (
Faye, I had to laugh when I read the super charged cart: It brings back memories when we would go shopping with my dad. He didn't see well, and took the corners sharp sometimes, and we'd go after him putting things back. I miss him. He and my brother in law would race around on the carts. I know what you mean about being around the cold aisles, I try to get out of there as fast as I can.
Trisha
Faye said:
Trisha, Do you use the electric cart in the grocery store? If I go, which isn't often, I shop on the inside isles away from the cold. Bob takes the outer isles with cold products, produce, and frozen products. Also I try to go in 'off hours' when there isn't so much traffic in the store. One night when I went, the new cart had been super charged ...and operating it was like holding back a race horse. It was humerous; however, we finished in record time! I hope you have a good day!
Faye
sunrisetrisha said:
Happy Wednesday Everyone!
PNW, I am sorry for the loss of your husband : (
I write down 'somethings' and that's where I get in trouble. My daughter tells me "I've told you 3 times" lol. She was here yesterday, and I told her to write it on the family calendar - your pen is the pink one! My husband just drops his keys, his phones and his wallets down where ever, and then we have the mad dash in the morning to find everything. I bought a little bin to put his things in, so we don't have to do this - but he forgot his wallet this morning : )
Terri,
Thanks for the article it was very helpful, I am really considering asking for a couple of weeks off when I see my Rheumie next time. I feel like a hamster in a wheel most times - spinning my wheels and not accomplishing things. I've asked to have my schedule at work changed so I can go in later and it fell on deaf ears with my immediate supervisor. I think I will pose the question again with another supervisor.
Faye,
That's a great tip on the 10 minute tasks, I like that. My hubby and I generally shop together, and he'll always slow down for me, and ask me if my feet are hurting. Most times I'm not even aware it. Last night, he went with me to take my daughter back to her dad's. She's taking a modeling class and I take her home and it makes it a late night. Then we picked my son up from work. It will be so nice when my son's car is fixed and that will be one less thing I have to manage. He walks to work, but I pick him up right now. Sometimes he works until midnight, not too often luckily. My family is adjusting to lupus as well.
All my love Terri xxx