Month: October 2017

Halloween

It’s Tuesday and it’s Halloween.  The day started pretty okay.  Roger had a mini freak-out over his shoes not being tied tight enough.  However, besides that, the day has been good thus far.  I spent my “lunch break” volunteering at the school’s book fair.  It was actually quite fun being a cashier and interacting with the kiddos.  I decided to volunteer again tomorrow during the time Roger’s class will be going to the book fair.

I have not been sticking to my calorie counting as strictly as I would like.  I even had a few pieced of Halloween candy this weekend.  However, I have been walking quite a bit more (roughly 12000-13000 steps a day).  I have decided to focus on me and try to be better with the food and the activity level.  I really need to start an exercise routine and that is the one aspect I am really having difficulty with.  I know I will feel better but just getting in gear is hard.   I’m not going to beat myself up too much for it.  I will keep walking more and eating better.  I will try to start additional exercise by the new year!

Anxiety

This week has been filled with lots of anxiety stemming from Roger.  He is anxious about time and being late, which I am certain comes from me.  He is also having meltdowns, again, about his shoes not being tight enough.  I thought we turned a corner with that, but, alas, it has returned. He also stresses over the contents of his backpack and the messiness of his hair.

When I discussed with his therapist how he’s been talking back a lot and testing boundaries, etc., she said it was a sign of stress.  The above symptoms clearly sound like he is under a great deal of stress.  If I ask him or his teacher about school, all seems okay.  Roger discloses very little about school, but has not wanted to stay home from school.  That is my indicator that all is well.  His teacher says he is great.  There are some fine motor issues but his temperament is fantastic.  I think since this is Red Ribbon Week and they have different dress up categories each day, he may deem that as stressful.  Anything out of the ordinary.  Next week is a “normal” week (barring Halloween, but they cannot wear costumes to school on Halloween), so we will see if his anxiety is lessened.

Roger’s anxiety puts us all on edge.  I feel like I’m walking on eggshells and do not want to cause an episode if there is a hiccup with the day’s plans.  It is very stressful.  This is how it was a couple of years back.  It is often heralded that autism is cyclical and there will be periods of regression for some behaviors and that seems to be the case.  Poor kiddo.  A seven year old should not have so much anxiety and stress.

Discouraging

Initially, I was going to make this blog a remainder of the week post.  However, today I am feeling quite cruddy and that’s just discouraging.  I have been eating healthy, exercising, and doing meditation.  Instead of energized, I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus.  I still have this same sinus infection/ear infection.  It has almost been a month.  The antibiotics do not help and, unfortunately, today I started wheezing a bit.  That means a third trip back to the doctor’s office next week is most likely.  I did tell Rob that if I still feel this terrible on Sunday that I am taking the day to rest/sleep.  Work and after school have been very busy and a tad stressful.  I have had very little down time this week.  I am sure that is not helping my recovery.

However, I will now list the positives of my week:  being a classroom helper on Tuesday, Roger advancing to the next level in swimming, starting a liberal local book club, a very good teacher conference on Thursday, coffee with some great ladies this morning, dinner and conversation with my parents on Wednesday, and lots of love and sweetness from my son and my husband.  Seeing that list makes my infection not seem so bad!

Weekend and the beginning of another week

Friday, a little bit after I posted my blog for the day, my husband got a phone call about his colonoscopy results.  The polyp they removed was pre-cancerous, but advanced.  The doctor seemed as shocked as we were and Rob now has to get a colonoscopy again in one year’s time.  I am happy he had an early screening due to some gastro issues.  I, too, have my second colonoscopy next year (due to having several pre-cancerous polyps) but I had three years between them.

Despite the news, we tried to make the most of the weekend:  Roger had ABA Saturday morning, followed by a play date at friend’s house, and a sitter so we could have a date night.  Sunday, we had breakfast out, followed by Six Flags.  We were all exhausted after that!  However, Roger got in my bed around midnight and I could not sleep after that. I think we both woke up for the day around 4 and got out of bed at 5.

My job flexibility enabled me to get 3 hours of work complete before my 8:50 doctor’s appointment.  I had a blood test today to see my genetic probability of cancer (specifically colon due to family history) and breast cancer (because that is automatically checked).  I go back on December 12th for my results.  Even with the lack of sleep, my day has been pretty good so far with a lot of work done and Roger’s OT and play date looming ahead of me.  I am sure I will be ready for bed come 6:30!

Always something.

Update on the remainder of my week:

Wednesday I had an appointment with a new therapist.  I was told to arrive 15 minutes early to fill out paperwork.  I arrived early and no one was there until about 10 minutes after my appointment time.  That was a huge turn off.  Second turn-off was the décor.  Way too much cutesy/ranch type of décor with an overload of essential oils.  My third issue was her disagreeing with my internist about ending hormones at the five year mark.  And the final issue was that my appointment ended at 45 minutes (and that included the time they were late and the paperwork was filled out), so in actuality my session was 20-25 minutes and cost my co-pay of $40.  I did make a second appointment for November, but am not sure if she is the right fit.  Maybe I should try a second go.  I’m sure I will obsessively think that through.  That same day I made a flu shot appointment for Roger.  That was traumatic.  We got the numbing patch and he still cried and screamed when the shot was administered.

Yesterday I took my husband to his endoscopy/colonoscopy procedure.  One polyp was found and will be biopsied.  They took other cultures to make sure nothing else is going on in there.  He was very nervous but the general anesthesia seemed to have no affect on him after he woke up.  For me, I am usually tired and I nap and then I’m up all night.  He was up the remainder of the day and went to Roger’s hip hop class with me.

The beginning of the week I made a doctor’s appointment for my remaining cough and my stuffed right ear/popping ear.  Today was my appointment and I was correct:  I have an ear infection now.  It is always something!  Another round of antibiotics and, hopefully, all will be clear.

It’s Fall…for a day or 2

Fall weather has finally hit the DFW area.  After yesterday’s high of 95, today has a high of 71.  Unfortunately, this weather will not last long as Friday and Saturday soars back up to 91!  Appreciating the dropped temperature, we will be voyaging to the Pumpkin Patch after this morning’s camp.

Of course, it wouldn’t be our normal schedule if only a leisurely trip to the pumpkin patch was the only thing on the agenda.  After that, we have my follow-up doctor’s appointment, Roger’s swimming lesson, and dinner at my parent’s.

On an exciting note, this weather made me crave Matzo Ball soup and search for the best in DFW.  I happened upon Cindi’s New York Deli.  There are several locations, one only about 30 minutes away.  I am so eager for some soup and latkes!

Happy Fall!

Happy Monday

I absolutely love Mondays and will always try to choose not to make any Monday appointments.  I get back into my groove on Mondays.  I get back into the swing of work, get back to my days alone, get back to my food and exercise regime.  Mondays are great for me.

Last week ended with me completely worn out from my first week back at work.  I hope this week I am not so wiped by the time the weekend comes.  I was an absolute nightmare to be around yesterday morning!   Depression, anxiety and stress were the key words.  Today, I am a cheery lady.  Hmm, maybe we should not discount that bipolar diagnosis!

 

Back in the Saddle Again

Yesterday was my first day back at work.  It was an 8 hour day.  I took hourly breaks to walk and move my arms.  During my lunch break, I did my 10 minute headspace meditation program and rested in bed an additional 10 minutes or so.  After school, Roger had homework and then Occupational Therapy.  After OT, we had our normal Chick-fil-A dinner and play date with his friend at our house.  It was a long day, especially since part of my workload occurred between the 7 to 9 o’clock hours.  I was very sore by the time I went to bed and woke up pretty sore too.

Today, I, again, took breaks and had my meditation/rest time during lunch.  This afternoon will be pretty packed with Roger having a trial singing lesson at School of Rock, followed by his swimming lesson, followed by dinner at my parents house, followed by spelling homework, followed by showers/bed.  I’m exhausted thinking about it!  However, the routine and new 5 minutes-per-hour (in the morning) exercise schedule has put me in a better mood than I have been.

I am hoping my health, wellness, and recovery will flourish.

Today I am very hopeful.