Feeling down due to fatigue & undiagnosed health issues

[Elizabeth CP]

I haven't been using the forums much apart from a couple of responses to others posts. I stopped as I was too busy & trying to keep up with the forums was becoming too stressful. In September My husband went to Europe which was great although tiring due to the pace of the tour we did. Unfortunately a few days before returning home I fell heavily on concrete steps hurting my right side. I continued on relying on icepacks to manage the pain. I couldn't sleep because of the pain when lying down. The last day I came down with a bad cold which developed into a chest infection later on. The pain eased after 6 weeks & I recovered from the chest infection but have ongoing problems with fatigue & abdominal discomfort. My GP arranged pathology tests. The blood tests are normal but urine isn't. Today I was sent for a ultrasound of kidneys & bladder. Next week I have a gastroscopy & colonoscopy. My stress levels seem to be escalating out of proportion each time I see the GP & get sent for more tests. Prior to my accident my mental health issues were settling down but the last week it is much worse. I have lost my temper a few times in the last week without much provocation. This is not normal for me. I have been on a diet for several months but I am now finding it really hard to stick to it I just want to go & eat food I know will make me feel worse. The diet is a healthy one which I normally find easy to stick to because the food is satisfying.

I just want to get back on track & feel in control of my life & not feel so stressed & down. I also feel guilty for feeling this way because There is no confirmation of a serious illness.

[Elizabeth CP]

Thank you Shell for your beautiful present. It is a real talent to chose the right gift for someone. Unfortunately not one of my talents!!! I love the book of photos of Switzerland. I imagine it has some stories in it perhaps about the history or the people living there or other interesting information to inspire me & help me imagine myself there. I have never been able to make nice shortbread so I really appreciate the homemade shortbread. I am sure it is delicious. I will share my homemade mincepies with you. My kids think they are nicer than any from the shops as I make my own fruit mince. I'll also give you a scoop of my special Christmas icecream I made yesterday using the recipe my mum got when I was about 13.

I am sending a special hug to you and lots of good wishes for Christmas & the new year.

[Elizabeth CP]

Thanks Croix, I replied earlier but it disappeared. The list of things I did was spread over several days & I had help moving bricks. I've wrapped most presents Waiting for an email reply from my son to find out who all the presents he had delivered here are for then will wrap & label them. I have most things organised as far as I can. Tomorrow will be hectic & my house & garden will end up a disaster zone but it will start tidy except the spare bedroom study & my room. They got pushed to the bottom of the list along with my son's present. I realised I had no way to finish it before Christmas so I'll work on it after. My son is in the UK so I can't get anything to him on time.

My husband was invited to carol singing at a person from church's house last night. We went. It was nice. I hadn't done anything Christmassy apart from the rush to get ready. The person running it arranged things beautifully so it felt relaxing. I've never spoken to him before but he was lovely. I found myself talking to the men rather than the woman. I don't feel as if I have much in common with the other wives.

I will take a sleeping tablet tonight so I can sleep so I'm not overtired. My leg is still keeping me awake.

I hope you & anyone else reading has a lovely day tomorrow

[Croix]

Dear Elizabeth, with a Christmas wave to Shell~

By the time I compiled that list I suspected it would be totally out of date as you would have done heaps more, which of course you have.

Going to the carols sounds really great, just the thing to take your mind of the everyday. As a lad I had a good voice and sung at may concerts and of course carols. It was a delight. Unfortunately my voice broke and then went awry. I sound like Lee Marvin singing 'Wandering Star', not a pretty sound. So no more carols except quietly in the back row:)

Worrying about rooms not being ready and a mess afterwards does not sound all that productive. It will sort out.

I hope you get a good rest and have a great day - even with some silliness and fun if possible (You too Shell)

Croix.

[Elizabeth CP]

Thanks Croix, I meant my comments re rooms not being tidy as a positive, I chose to focus on the essential The rooms not tidied will get done later but don't get used at Christmas. My singing is terrible so I avoid it at all costs but it was nice to listen to others sing carols &just silently mouth the words so I didn't spoil it with my voice.

Today I need to wash up the dishes which got left yesterday. My son washed up a lot & put other stuff in the dishwasher but dessert was served later. I left it so I could get to my brothers place at a reasonable time.

The food turned out well. The meat cooked perfectly & my son carved it.Happy with my new oven. I was showing my kids my new oven & cupboards & pointing out how pleased I was with the way I filled the gaps. That is not something I find easy. One DIL then said well since you are pointing out what a good job you did this could have been done better & pointed out what she thought I should have done better. Typical She is a perfectionist. At least she said after that she only noticed because I pointed out what I had done,

As I said my house did end up a disaster zone but it won't take too long to clear up. I had 7 grandkids under 7 yesterday so there would be something wrong if the place stayed perfect. The weather was perfect yesterday so I could use my oven without it getting too hot & we could eat outside which limits the mess. We then come inside to open presents back outside for desert & then playing with water. Then dried everyone & out to the local park so my grandson could show off his new bike. He rode to our place with his dad. Unfortunately one grandson was unwell. He wanted to join in everything but couldn't. I promised him I would go to the lake with him as soon as he recovers. I general the day was good except for a couple of melt downs from tired kids & one DIL getting upset over something. Had to stop other DIL giving unwanted advice but managed to smooth things over. Spoke to my 2 children in England My dtr is spending Christmas with her brother & family so that was nice

[Croix]

Dear Elizabeth~

I'm very pleased it all went well. Ah the washing up, it breeds when you are not looking:)

I'm sure you did an excellent job on the stove and cupboards, what a pity your DIL has no social skills, still I'd imagine pointing out her shortcomings would be counterproductive even if justified - pity.

Kids do get tired and upset, I guess it is all part of the celebration. Pity adults get upset too, kinda takes a bit of the gloss off it all.

It's great to be able to catch up with your family in the UK, I remember when one had to book the international call a month in advance! (and then take out a mortgage). Now just Skype away.

I had a pretty good time, though my wife had too much cooking to do, but had planned carefully to spread the load. I wash up after each time as I'm entertainer whilst the cook is busy.

Croix

[Elizabeth CP]

Thanks Croix. Glad you had a good Christmas. I remember the only contact we had with my family in the UK was by letter, I was an adult before my parents had a phone & even then calls to England were so expensive.

The perfectionist DIL is very good in most things so I can cope with her odd inappropriate comment. She is willing to help or when more appropriate allow my son to help even if it means waiting longer for him to do things she needs. She is an excellent mother & wife so I'm happy to have her as a DIL. Unfortunately can't say the same about the other DIL.

I've tidied the house & caught up with the dishes. It was superficial mess from unwrapping presents etc. Eating outside saves having sticky floors to clean!!

Today has been a lazy day. Too hot to do much.

[Croix]

Well I guess one out of two DILs isn't that bad, I've been extremely lucky, both my DILs have been lovely people. Mind you they had had a bit of an education. I remember the first one when newly introduced sat in the front room with me and when the talk moved around to pets confided in me that 'some people have their pets inside'. I had to smile as our two dogs were peeping round the doorway from the kitchen at her.

I'm glad you had a lazy day.

Croix

Croix

[Guest_1055]

Thankyou so much for the mince pies Elizabeth , I am imagining their scent. Mmm . Appreciate your special icecream and hug as well. Hug back to you.

Smile and waving back at you Croix.

Shell xx

[Guest_1055]

PS... Ah I am so glad you like the book and shortbread too and you are welcome.

Me xx

[Elizabeth CP]

I am looking for some inspiration. I have been pushing myself too hard over the last week & a half on some renovations. This has taken much longer than I expected. Result is I'm exhausted & every muscle aches. I have not been sleeping well thinking/worrying/planning what needs to be done & worrying how to manage. Plus the aching body has made it hard to relax. Frequent headaches also not helping. My house looks like a disaster because I had to move everything out of the kitchen.

My psych suggested that i go out tomorrow & do something relaxing. Trying to relax at home is impossible until I get everything back in order which I can't do effectively until my floors are dry. I need to find something relaxing to recover so I can be effective when I put everything back.

What suggestions have others got. When I have a break I often go for long walks which I enjoy but I think I'm too tired to do this.