I planned to write this on Monday or Tuesday, amazing how things get away from me. I had two order from clients and 3 others I am working on – I don’t remember a time when I had this many projects. That’s where I have spent my time as well and creating the design for Eddie’s Round Up. Then seeing Mom twice a week, doc and infusion morning Thursday and meeting a client for lunch afterwards to sign the order form.
I was telling my rheumatologist about last Saturday at the Tournament and how pleased to find the after effects weren’t very bad. I have noticed over the years that when I have done something major (sometimes not having done anything at all) I find the day after is often pretty good – I have even had ones that were wonderful. But there is something about the 2nd day that I have been known to crash, to be stiff, sore and miserable. What is it about that 2nd day? Maybe lactic acid has built up in my muscles. What I do know is I have to wait to see how I am 2 days after the event to see how well I am doing.
I was pleased to find I was doing pretty well Sunday – well enough to start trimming the little forsythia by the ding room window. It had been trimmed when John and his crew took out the wisteria, sticker bush and a few other things. It has since sent out long branches that got to a point that I couldn’t see out the window very well. I was careful where I stepped and did quite well, though the lower back wasn’t all that happy. Eddie came out a little later with the big clippers for the thicker branches – together we did a good job of trimming it back.
Monday was the 2nd day and I was doing rather well. A little stiff and sore, good thing I had an adjustment with Cheryl and a massage with Debye that day. So I did well after seeing the two of them and just had to see how the 2nd day of the forsythia trimming would go the next day. I was pretty good, a bit stiff in the shoulders but otherwise better than I hoped.
I remember the last weekend of Ike Pono, Saturday was Warrior Games. I knew I had a choice to participate or just use RA as an excuse not to do anything. I decided it was go full tilt or nothing and deal with any consequences afterwards. I went full tilt and I was stiff and sore the next day – it does happen that way sometimes. I was a little late on Sunday and not moving too well – I explained I decided to go full tilt and deal with repercussions later. I had a really nice compliment from Bruce – he told me “You are someone I want in my fox hole because I know you will have my back”.
The most frustrating time is when I haven’t really done much, just taking care of myself and suddenly I am hurting and miserable. What happened? Did I do something? I will admit I have not quite figured it out yet. I do remember the first summer I was in New Jersey – my first experience with humidity. We did have a couple of window air conditioners so it wasn’t too bad, but I was still uncomfortable. Then in September it cooled down and was very pleasant and comfortable. Then the 1st of October it suddenly went humid again and I felt as if I had been run over by a train. A clue that RA and humidity don’t get along very well in my body.
I can look back now and see it in a slightly different light and wonder – what was I focusing on and was it just one of my oh-poor-me-osis times or was there actually a trigger that put all that in motion? It is certainly easier to look back than to be in the moment feeling everything and wondering what I did wrong. I suspect I will continue to wonder how what I do will feel on the 2nd day, but look at it a little differently, maybe with curiosity, interest and wonder rather than feeling a victim and someone or something is out to get me.
My rheumatologist was pleased with me on thursday, my sed rate was down 2 points and I am feeling better. Still waiting for the surge of energy, but my joints seem to be doing better and since the sed rate is down, I will go for my infusion in 4 weeks but not see her until the following one 8 weeks later. Any time the doc spreads out the time between appointments, I know I am doing well.
These pictures have nothing to do with topic, I just thought they were adorable. Candy took them at Lake Radnor – such a variety of things and animals to see there.
I think this was taken in the Spring not too long after the birth.
They are so well camouflaged you would have to be up close to see them.
Such an adorable face!
Thank you so much Candy, they are a pleasure to see.
Tags: 2nd Day, Debye, Ike Pono, Lactic acid, Muscle, pain, Physical exercise, RA, Rheumatology
Gift of RA 
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