This is so important for me to remember, especially on days like today where the pain levels were so substantial I thought I wasn’t going to be able to get to school on time if at all. Damn feet, ankles, leg muscles, knees, and tissues above the knees were very unmotivated to calm down, and made me mentally repeat “Oh my god.” throughout the day.. Lower back reporting in with a pain and stiffness hovered in the “Are you kidding me?” zone. Hands, neck, and upper arms chiming in with “Don’t forget about us!” Trying not to whine or complain on the blog, but really...there are days. Ugh.
You know that elastic band that is put around your arm when a phlebotomist takes blood? Imagine that sensation, tied realllly tight, in the tissues above and below the joints. And realize there are many, many joints in the feet. If only we knew the cause of why the disease waxes and wanes like this. But I digress.
Last night I had to run Tilly up to see Doctor Carol as he was coughing. A lot. Neither of us slept. He has kennel cough / upper respiratory infection, and was given ATB’s. Came home to find Ellie sneezing with a runny pug nose. I wonder what I’ll be doing next? Maybe I need to make them chicken soup...I think they’d love it! Waiting for Tobster to join in the fun, too, before going to the vet again...
So now, I am taking a break, drinking the cold tea that I made this morning out of habit but knew I’d not have time to drink today. Will be packing my bag for Create tonight, for Stitch Studio, which will be really fun. A new student is joining us -- my wonderful former student teacher from last spring! I can’t wait to see her and hear how things are going in her classroom now that she has her first real teaching job! She’d always said that she wanted to stitch more...and now I can totally understand why she needs the therapy!
The only thing to do in a body like this is stay as busy as possible. If not physically, then mentally. Block off time for tasks and activities and just stay on them until sleep is the only option. Art is essential. It provides me with the buffer zone I need between mental energy expenditure and needing to feel a sense of accomplishment and competence in a world where both are precious and increasingly rare commodities. A handmade thing says “I was here, and did something.” Engaging in art lets the mind make thoughts truly visible and records evidence of journeys into the unknown. I am so honored and humbled at being trusted with guiding kids through their journeys and know that “the busy” I feel at work is the best busy there could be for me. But I still need to stitch and make things myself.
Another little sneeze from the next room reminds me that they patients need their dinners now. Cairo was accidentally out of his cage when I got home, and I still can’t figure out why. He managed to eat half a can of mixed nuts that were left uncovered. and then demolished a bowl of pistachios. He doesn’t need dinner! What a life.