Managing pain, cognitive issues (Mini update #12)

Hello dear family and friends,

More good news to report. The medication level last noted are still in place and while head pain is high, I’m learning to work with it. I’m no longer supplementing so much with T3s which annoyingly impair my cognition slightly more than it already is.

The change I notice, is that I’m actually able to notice changes. Over the summer the entire thrust was to try to reduce pain because it was debilitating. Now, my resolve is to have enough pain relief to take the edge off to the point that it doesn’t exacerbate my cognitive and memory issues.

That’s where I’m at.

So, I’m able to have at least one “brilliant”, clear session of fairly taxing discussion or reading or writing or busy-ness each day. As before the summer. But now the stamina point is lengthened a lot. I haven’t scientifically clocked it but it’s definitely better. Say, as long as I don’t get upset or stressed: continuously, I’m good for over a half hour maybe with small breaks, and overall still not exhausted until over an hour. And… if I’m well rested and careful, I can have more than one a day!!

This is a big accomplishment.

When I’m exhausted, I revert back to severe headache, and-or losing words, and-or losing memory, and-or muddled and frustrated, etc. It takes quite a lot of time to rest to get my mental energy back. If I’m not careful, I get emotional and need a couple of days in bed to recover.

However, I am careful. I try not to schedule more than one big outing each day (like a doctor’s appointment) which can also include picking up a few groceries. And a further improvement, I’m now planning meals more. Cooking more. Eating more than frozen foods. Yay!!!

Doctors are happy of course. I’m not eager to mess with this med mix. We are still discussing going up one step to alleviate the head pain slightly. I haven’t decided yet. I think I’ll wait.

Otherwise, I’ve been keen to tackle two areas that have suffered sorely with lack of my ongoing loving attention this past year: 1) my gorgeous body, and 2) my apartment. Both have been neglected and are in need of serious TLC.

I’ve seen a chiropractor 6 times in past few weeks and my hips are happier. I’m doing light weight training (by light, I mean wall pushups—don’t laugh). My right shoulder is re-injured and I keep injuring it by doing normal tasks. It’s a real concern. I’ll figure it out.

My apartment is getting a little bit of help. It’s overgrown with dirt and, well, just plain mess. It’s had the once over now and it feels better. I feel better and my son feels better too. He has been an absolute Hero these past months. So much love and appreciation.

I’m immensely grateful I’ve been able to find a helper who also brings joy, understanding, non-judgement and compassion to our home, and most helpful is she helps me make decisions which is so difficult for me the moment I get a little tired.

Here’s a pic of me this morning. Just out of bed. Haha.
Lots of love and laughter…

⭐️
Charles-Amable Lenoir (1860–1926)
A Nymph in the Forest