Two weeks ago Lily acquired a sore on her face which quickly turned big, red and eventually bloody. The initial thought was possibly an allergic reaction to a bug bite or an infection due to a mild injury that got dirty. The third option was an abscess in her jaw.
This is when it was inflamed, before it got bloody
At first before it turned bloody, we though of the insect bit & I have her, on the advice or a vet, an antihistamine which did take the swelling down a bit.
Then I woke the next day to a bloody mess. The swelling was a collection of blood – a hematoma. So, she went into the vet at the next available appointment. The vet determined it was an infection, but was unsure of the cause. It could have been a cut that just got infected or, it could be an abscess in her tooth.
Between the potential of the abscess, the quality of her teeth, and the smell of her breath it was decided that she needed to get her teeth done. So Thursday she was put under anesthesia and her teeth were cleaned. Several teeth were also removed either due to abscess (the little back molar cause the hematoma), potential abscesses or they are going to shortly fall out on their own. ,
When she got home, I had to go over to my sister’s, so she cuddled up in Grandma’s lap under a blanket & everything . A Very calm and mellow dog, which is not Lilly. As the anesthesia was wearing off she got hungry and jumped down and ate the small bit of food I left upstairs for her. I had told mom that because of the anesthesia her balance would probably be off until not let her go down the stairs cuz she might fall. Despite these instructions, Lilly snuck down stairs & Ste the food that I’d left her down here.
They shaved he nose a bit to do a wound check.
She is recovering well.. not back 100% to normal, but close.. 🙂
This coming weekend is the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, so I just wanted to wish my fellow Canadians & all international persons within our borders, a Happy Thanksgiving!
I wish to give thanks this year to friends, to family, to Lilly (yes, I know she’s family), to good health, to positivity, to prosperity.
To those not as fortunate, I will keep you in my prayers tonight.
I know my last post was not a hugely positive one. Unfortunately I just needed to vent about what I was seeing around me. But there are many many good things that I am grateful for and they are bigger and generally more important than the issues I discussed previously. . So today I want to tell you the things I am grateful for.
Family: After several years bouncing in and out of a toxic rekationship that estranged me from everyone, I left permanently after he was finally charged. Despite great trepidation and concersn from my family, they agreed to let me stay temporarily, expecting me to go back yet again. But with their support & others listed me below, I realized that I was hurting myself & them with my behaviour. I have since rebuilt my relationship with my parents, my sister & her family. I even have some semblance of a relationship with my brother.
Geeze.. I’ve only written one & I’m already in tears as I write this!
My Best Friend: I was absolutely horrible to this woman whom I have been friends with since high school . Because of the control my ex had over me, I was a complete and total bitch to her. My ex even contributed, I found out later, to the failure of her lucrative homer business. After she had a significant health scare, I was *allowed* to visit her. We slowly started to rebuild a relationship.. I even crashed on her couch for a few month during one of the times I left him. She was, I don’t think she realizes, had a significant impact on getting my head set forward. If this has not been re-established, I may not have let the police in or let the charges be filed. She was there for me when I needed her. It took about 4 years since we reconnected for her to again call me her best friend. She never realized how important that was for me to hear her say that. I am not sure she even knows now.
Man.. another doozy.. I’m sure that there’s gonna be edits cuz I can’t see through the tears. (& more years in the edit.)
Those who know us will get it.
Durham Family Services: Because of my income level, I was eligible to access the counseling services through the region (kinda like a county in the US) The woman I met, Fran, helped me through alot that first year I was back. I worked on my self esteem, learned some new coping skills and started to love myself again.
YMCA of GTA: This is actually my gym. I am grateful for my gym because I was able to get healthier and loose weight. I also has alot of social interaction there with people & started making friends
My Lilly: Yes, I did do a blog post about how she’s helped me, but I am still forever grateful for her. Whether she knows it or not.
Friends: Old and new. I’ve reconnected with alot of people in my past like in the post about three’s, but others as well.. Add in the new friends I’ve made since I’ve been back, plus the few I managed to keep from during my estrangement. While I may or may not maintain these friendships, or I could get something new from them remains to be seen, but just having a larger social circle is helping me. Which brings me to..
Scouting: I know most people wouldn’t get this, but before my relationship, I was an active Scouter. Now I was dwindling down on what I could do, but I did enjoy it. Flash 8-10 years later.. I’m back. And my eldest nephew wants to become a Junior leader)SIT with the Beavers. We (my sister & I) thought this would be a great way for me to reconnect with people & to build something with my nephew. . So I started as a “One hour a week” Scouter. Bringing my nephew every week… Now, with an awesome team of Scouters & friend (again, both old and new) I’m a major role in the Cub section (age 8-10).. I’m able to work with the youth, yet still be able to pace myself & no over do it.. much.. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to return to troop level and do that. Fortunately, I’m actually enjoying working with this age group.
International Symbol of Scouting.
My Medical Team: To the non-judgemental support from my current medical team, I am grateful. I am now on a positive Health Care Journey. With their help, I’ve managed to improve my health . I’ve lost weight, I’ve become more fit. I’ve come off alot of medications I really did not need, and supported me through addiction, tho no one knew at the time. I know I will never be healthy enough to return to work on much more than a casual part-time basis, but I am able to live a decent life despite fibromyalgia & my 6-bilkion other health issues.
This isn’t even going through the little things I’m grateful for.. The sun on my face, The lake at the cottage. Having a car to drive.. To have a regular income. To smell the flowers.. For being able to hug people (yes, only a special few right now). For privacy. For Fun. For freedom. For Love. For painting rocks. For exercise. For healthy outdoor spaces.. & you, still reading my post!!
I’m grateful for itvall.. & to those I can thank, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Here in Ontario Canada,The first long weekend in August is the Civic Holiday, or Simcoe Day, depending on who you talk to.
My plans? Cottage hoping. I’m hoping to head out early & stop in at my BFF’s place for a few hours.. She’s already up there on vacation & I’m usually up there camping this weekend anyways. So COVID is limiting our visits..
View of the Lake from the deck
From there, I’ll be headed to the family cottage for a few quiet days.. gonna take some books, and bathing suits & Lilly’s life jacket. Have a quiet enjoyable weekend..
Not a huge fan of swimming but she can & does do it.. I think she’s getting used to it & even starting to enjoy it..
I’ve also recently reconnected with a former friend & we’re supposed to go out for coffee. I think he’s nearthe cottage & if so, I might be able to schedule a social distance coffee..
As usual, I will take my Chromebook with me, but not sure if I’ll actually use it. I rarely do.
I figure today is the perfect day to discuss this topic, as today July 24 is Self-Care Day,!
What is Self-Care?
Self-care, as defined by the World Health Organization, as what a person does for one’s self to establish and maintain health and to prevent and deal with illness. This includes hygiene, nutrition, lifestyle & activities, environmental factotrs, sociao-ecpnomic factors and self-medication. This includes physical as well as mental & emotional health.
So, basically, taking care of one’s self. & showing yourself some love.
But this is something us with chronic illnesses have a problems doing. We tend not to prioritize ourselves in the grand scheme of things. It is something we need to do to help ourselve help get us better. Not healed, but better.. I guess a more appropriate word would be improved (that is another blog post in & of itself)
So what to do to help ones self? There are a ton of things you could do. Here is a by no means exhaustive list of thngs to help improve your personal health, or self-care. A search on Google will give you additional ideas as well as suggestions for 30 days of self-care, a cheat sheet or a self-care checklist. I’m sure the list below includes information from these sources.
Self-Care Ideas
Take a walk
Meditate
Call a friend
Go out for a coffee/drink with a friend
Read
Warm bath, or hot tub
Yoga
Tale a nap
Dance or just listen to music
Sing
Keep hydrated
Sexual Acrivity
Compliment someone else (You’d be surprised at how well this can make you feel)
Plan kindness activities
Colour.. or Paint.. Do something creative
Knit, sew, crochet, macrame, needlepoint. Make something
Mani/pedi
Get a massage
Hug your kids, furbabies, nieces, nephews, grandkids
Stretch
Watch something funny – Tv show, movie, theatre
Plan a dream vaction
Plan what you would do if you won $25million
Take a trip to the salon to get your hair done
Get dressed up just to get dressed up.. If you look good, you feel good
Journal
Declutter a space on your home
Say or find posotive affeirmations. My mirror says “You’re Beautiful”. Who am I to argue wiht the mirror mirror on the wall?? 😉
Volunteer
Try something new
Ask for help!
Unplug. (This one is difficult for me)
Plan & eat a nutrional, healthy and delicious meal, bonus if its a new recipie
Hang with a friend
Watch funny videos.. I like Jeff Dunhan & Fliffy
Exercise
Eat dessert, but not every day!
Start a new, good habit
Create a bucket list.. A fanaticl one or a realisitic one, your choice
Pop Bubble Wrap!
Watch cute videos online – I love puppy videos, and the kitten ar cute too.. 🙂
Go for a drive
Deep slow breathing
Play with or cuddle with your pet
Learn a new skill
Practice positive selft-talk
Walk outside, feel the grass under your feet. (watch for glass if not in your backyard)
Forgive. Not for them, for you. it help you heal
Talk with someone, even a therapist or councillor
Remove negative people or groups from your social media
Family activity day
Make a list of what you are grateful for. Start with being alive, having shelter, and a full belly.. Go from there.
Sit in front of the campfire – Make smores, spider dogs, or mountain pies
Learn something new
Play a sport you enjoy, or watch it professionally
So.. Lots of choices as I said, There are alot of other options out there. Remember this activitiy, or lack threeof, is to make you feel better.
My Go To’s:
Meditate
Slow, deep, easy breathing – helps me sleep
Read
Drive – I love to drive.
Muisc – Listen, sing or dance to.
Volunteer (I’ve been a Scouter with Scouts Canada in some form or another for almost 20 years. – COVID’s made it a challenge)
Mani/Pedi – by myself or at a salon
Hair Salon – Love the head massage when she washes my hair
Sitting by the campfire, preferably with friends or the Cubs with approapriate libations & snacks
Massage therapy
Exercise, when viable.. Walks, jogs, Yoga Aqua-fit, arriba dance, etc.. dependng on pain & energy levels
Hot Tub. I prefer bewtween 99-102.. Can’t do hotter. 😦
Huggs 🙂 From wherever safely possible
Sex, with or without a partner
Go for a drive
Compliment somone – their hair, nails, clothing, shoes, etc..
Forgive
Colour and/or paint
Knots. Not a typical activity, but i like the challenge, plus im a Scouter, go figure.
Socialization with friends & family
Play or Cuddle with Lilly, my dog. ( See: “She Saved Me” post for more info on her.)
Call someone or at least check in for only that purpose, to see how they are.
Think or plan how i\I’d spend lottery winnings
& the obvious – Journalling. My blog, my instagram & facebook pages help me express myself.
What to Avoid:
Excessive or inaprropriate drinking or drug use
Maintaining toxic relationships
Argue excessively
Ovedoing an exercise routine
Stressful situations
Gambling
High-risk behaviours
Voilence to one’s self or others
Other self-destructive behaviours
Self-isolation (except as needed for COVID, but even then you can zoom or call or text) aka Social suicide
In November of 2011, a little puppy was born. In February of 2012, she became mine.
Prior to us getting her, I’d had alot of issues. My relationship was severely toxic & abusive. I was no longer was in contact with close friends & family. My health was rapidly deteriorating & my disability made me almost house bound. My depression started going into overdrive & I did not deal well.
As a result, I have lost track of the number of suicide attempts I had over the first 5-6 years of our relationship. It was so bad that I wrote on my meds list “In the event of a Suicide Attempt Do NOT Let me go home”. I was on 5 different antidepressants & they were not mixing well either.
But my life Changed when in February 2012 when I was given a life to take care of. Lilly.
I now had a “reason to live.”
She became my world. She was 100% mine. My partner did close to nothing with her on his own. He didn’t feed her, groomer her, take her out. He did occasionally play with her, but I don’t think he ever loved her. But I did.
So despite the increasing toxicity, I was able to survive because I had her. I had to be around to take care of her. I honestly believe, she would have suffered if I was gone & left with him.
She was my world. She was the reason I got up in the morning – literally. I had to take her out for a walk in the morning to do her business.
My relationship came to a sudden end when his son overheard his Dad threatening Lilly’s life. Now I don’t know if the boy knew his Dad was talking about Lil, or if he thought the treat was towards me. Either way he called 911. My ex was arrested and charged with Uttering Death Threats I believe the charge was.
I took Lilly & moved back home to my parents despite their misgivings. I got counselling, months and months of counselling. I was able to focus on my health. I reconnected with old friends and made new ones. I managed to maintain friendships from the time I was with him despite him. I am so lucky to have both of my best friend’s back as two of the closest people to me. I’ve rebuilt my relationships with family, my parents, my sister & her family, my brother & his family.
I am happy, reasonably healthy, and alive. Thanks to her.
Today, or rather the wee hours of the morning of today, he Didn’t get it.
So, we get in from a walk with my puppy, & I do our bedtime routine.. I crawl into bed, and at about 1:30am- 2am … my leggs seize! From hip to the very last muscle at the very bottom on my feet.. Not a charlie horse where it cramps but everything, both leggs, seized up.. Normally it’s just one legg & it’s not hugely nasty like this.. But it was hugely nasty in both limbs.. They’re like charlie horses in that I have to gain control over the muscles however a charlie horse requires a short, but hugely nasty controlled clenching almost like creating a controlled, but more intense spasm then its over. But not with this. It doesn’t need as much force, but it does require a nice chunk of time in the clenched state, significantly more time. Unfortunately that means a longer duration of pain.. But I can handle that.
A little later at about 3am, the dog goes nuts cuz she’s gotta go bathroom.. One of us needs to take her out or she goes in the apartment. But he’s too tired, has “no energy”. Even after I explain what happened, he still expects me to go.. So almost 15 minutes to dress into jammie pants & a tee beside me that I have for when I need to take puppy out at night. And another 45 min to walk from the back-side to the front door. An hour to do a 5 minute potty break.
You’d think knowing how much knowing my pain can impact me.. and the intense fatigue to goes along with it that he’d be more understanding.. So, today I you’d think he’d have more understanding & empathy.. Nope, this time he Don’t get it. *sigh*
Fibromyalgia 
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