Work can be a nice break

April 29, 2019 

I went for my first hike since surgery this weekend. It was 3.4 miles and beautiful. We were up in the pines with family and we had so much fun. The hike was adventurous, so much fun, and the weather was amazing.  My hubby brought our slack line, so we were able to get that hooked up between a couple of trees and we all had a go at it.  Needless to say but Emma is probably the best at it at this point.  

Nothing too exciting with eating good food on our outing in the pines.  In fact, most of it was pretty bad.  I can say that I am still experiencing mourning for certain food.  We went out for ice cream at one point and I could just feel my mood decline because I can’t eat it. And trust me I’ve tried.  A few bites here and there and it is a no go for now.  I don’t getting dumping or anything like that it just makes me nauseous within an hour or so eating it.  Man do I miss being able to enjoy a single scoop of whatever ice cream I’m in the mood for at the time.  I have faith that time will come some day.  

Today is Monday.  I worked today as usual.  And I remembered that Mondays I’m usually exhausted from a busy weekend and I enjoy going to work for the reprieve.  Let me just say my children wear me out on the daily.  haha.  And even after this pretty relaxing yet busy weekend we had it was so nice to go to work and enjoy another part of my life again.  

Survived my first week back to work

April 26, 2019

Today, I feel extremely optimistic.  I just finished my first week back to work. I am exhausted and I didn’t even work my full 8 hours shifts. I worked an average of 6.5 hours each shift. I did feel I was starting to come down with a cold or something in the beginning of the week so that is probably another reason for the fatigue.  I’m tired but it felt so good to be back!  It felt good to see all my friends, feel I have a purpose, and be helpful again.  Not that I don’t feel I have a purpose at home.  It’s just different and can be a bit mundane at home doing all the household stuff.  Anyway, now I know I can go back to work and I can eat when I need to. And I can drink when I need to. And both of those things can be a tad bit flexible when I need them to be.  And now that I’ve had an exhausting week back to work we’re headed out of town for a nice relaxing weekend in the pines.  Okay, maybe not so relaxing as we have lots of stuff to do planned.  Lots of outdoorsy stuff.  It should be fun.  

Going back to work

April 20, 2019

I’m starting back to work this week. I’m going to do a reduced time shift though. So instead of working 10 hours shifts 3 days a week I will be doing 8 hour shifts 3 times a week.  I know I’ve mentioned this before, I am so fortunate to have such supportive and caring coworkers, supervisors, and managers.  So I’m mentally preparing my food menu for Monday to make sure I have plenty of it.  I’m anxious to see how my eating schedule is going play out at work.  Thankfully since my last acupressure appointment my nausea is almost nonexistent compared to what it was. I was getting nauseated every time it was time to eat. Like my bodies single saying ‘you’re hungry’.  It was awful. But now I never get nauseated when I’m hungry.  I do still if I eat too fast, too much, or something that doesn’t agree with me.  But I can mostly control these things so they don’t happen too often.  I’m so thankful for this. So now I’m confident my eating schedule can be a bit flexible when needed while I’m at work or just out and about in life for that matter.

This evening we celebrated Easter with some family. The weather was perfect for spending the entire time outside. Food was perfect. Ham and scalloped potatoes with watermelon and strawberries!  It feels so good to be able to sit and enjoy certain feeds again.  Like the watermelon and strawberries!  Oh have I missed the fresh fruits!  I’m being extra cautious while trying new foods by trying one new things at a time and giving it a few days before I try another one.  Kind of like what pediatricians recommend for babies.  And I’m still not eating skin on any fruits or veggies.  That will come with time.  I’ll try it out when I feel comfortable.  But being able to sit with family, enjoy the good food, enjoy the kiddos playing, have good conversations felt so good.  

Mental Breakthrough

April 10, 2019

Today has been a break through kind of day. I still have moments of negative thoughts and emotions. More than I would like to be having anyway.  And today is really going to help me turn that around. 

This afternoon I had my second acupressure appointment.  It was with a chiropractor that started practicing acupressure a few years ago. My mom is a patient of his and highly recommended him. About 2 days after my first appointment I noticed a pretty drastic difference in the amount of nausea I was experiencing.  So I made my 2nd appointment which was today.  During the appointment I felt definite physical changes at points of discomfort so I knew this was going to be another good session. Immediately after I don’t feel any changes in nausea or appetite. But we’ll see how I feel in a couple of days. 

And to top my day off I had a Skype counseling session as my counselor recently moved to Texas.  So bummed!  But, it was great to talk to her as always. I have never left her thinking ‘man, I wish I didn’t do that’ because I always feel tons better after my sessions with her. She reminded me that I need to fight for my joy.  Nobody else is going to be able to give me joy.  Yes I might find joy in those I love but ultimately it is up to me to decide to feel joy or not. So I need to do something everyday that brings me joy. And I know this, but it’s oh so easy to forget when you’re feeling down.