Friday 24 April 2015

Five on Friday

In the last few posts I've talked about how well I've been feeling in myself on this new medicine regime and with the positive effects of the 'free from' diet.  I knew it would happen, but I had a reality check again this morning.  FACT ~ I have a sick and broken body.  When I say I'm good it's more that I am at my best 'new normal'.  After feeling so positive after the Easter break - instead of taking the opportunity to rest and replenish when the children returned to school, I tried to push through.  Unfortunately, the inevitable circle of overdoing things lead to a flare and ultimately a crash emotionally and physically.  
I must do better at listening to my body and applying pacing plans again.

This has happened before (and of course it will happen in the future!)  I just need to be mindful of the fact that I have a whole host of health issues that I need to manage each day.  Sometimes it sucks.  But of course, there are always things to find in amongst the challenges.  I choose to find happiness in those Simple Things!!

Five things that have made me happy this week:

#1  Little Lady was awarded her Rookie Lifeguard trophy after completing her bronze, silver and finally gold levels.  

This is a big achievement - CPR, swimming in clothes, swimming with a dummy, rescuing people from drowning etc.  It started as something different to do because she loved swimming and had completed all the learning stages.  She's delighted with her trophy and did show and tell at school with it this week.  I'm a very proud mummy.

#2  The blossom on my apple tree is in bud.  



For the last couple years we've had minimal crops but the blossom looks promising for this year.  In the meantime, the flowers are beautiful.  As is the gorgeous blue sky in contrast against it.  It has been a gorgeous week of blue skies here which is good for the soul.

#3  Slowly growing piles of crochet Target Squares. 


Enough said.  These squares are very soothing and I have taken them on travels recently!!  In long car journeys, at the park, waiting for the school gates to open at pick up time - you name it!  Can't wait to start joining these beauties together!

#4  Enjoying beautiful colours and flavours in a pretty bowl.  


So appreciative of reading The Immune System Recovery Plan - and feeling the benefit of my new regime.  It's by no means a cure but the Hydroxychloraquine and elimination diet have seen my symptoms reduce from 9.5/10 to 7/10.  When I've been in flare to that degree for around 6 months even this reduction is life changing.  Still a challenge but there is hope - and for that I am ridiculously grateful.

#5  Forever grateful for my Family
The understanding of my children and Husband of my physical limitations and impacts of chronic pain.


I have grieved for the life I should have led.  For a family who is physically active my physical ability could be an issue and I won't lie - for me it always will be.  But I am so grateful for my Hubby doing those things with the Kiddie's.  For cycling, running, climbing, trampolining, hiking... and so much more.  Regardless of the weather.  Striving to do what is good and not taking the easy option.  I know I do other things with them and together we provide a good balance.  But we are a tight unit - perhaps even more so due to the health challenges we've been through.  It takes strength to fight on... and together we muster just about enough.

Hope you have had some happy moments this week.  Take care until next time,

J9 x
Today I'm delighted to be joining in with Amy and her Five on Friday Linky Party

28 comments:

  1. Firstly a very well done to your little girl for such a fabulous achievement! You must have been bursting with pride. I have a friend that lives with chronic illness, and am always inspired by her courage and strength. She accepts and doesn't accept her limitations, if that makes any sense? As you've written you have a lovely family unit, and maybe it wasn't the one that you envisaged, but it works for you. Sending love for a great weekend. The blossom and blue sky combo has made my heart sing this week too.
    Leanne xx

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    1. Thank you lovely. The pics in your post made my heart sing! For the love of kernow, ;0) J9x

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  2. You have a beautiful family... and you take lovely photos! It must be hard to face your challenges..Your choice to focus on the joyful things is inspiring. I love the colors of your afghan squares.. It's going to be so pretty and cozy!
    Happy wishes for your weekend!
    Tamara <3

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    1. Thank you! And happy weekend to you too! J9x

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  3. What a proud moment for a mother, a great achievement for your little one. My husband suffers from chronic illness and I also look after my ageing parents but we get by. In fact in makes us stronger and brings us all closer together.

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    1. What strength you must have. I think carers have a hard job. I can't imagine seeing my hubby in the pain that I am in. Blessings to you and yes, I agree we are closer due to this, J9x

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  4. It is true we need to listen to our body but for some reason we ladies do not seem to be good at that. Wishing you less pain and better days. You are so right to be proud of your daughter and of you too! your crochet looks so incredibly neat, wish mine looked as good as that x

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    1. Oh I'm sure your crochet looks great! Blessings to you, J9x

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  5. I am jealous of your blossoms on your tree. It is still chilly here in Canada. Your breakee looks yummy. Cheers, Nessie

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    1. Oh wow. I feel for you. Hoping there's sunshine in your days soon! J9x

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  6. I agree that it's important to listen to one's body, and I, too, need to be mindful of the fact that I have health issues that I must manage every day (though of a different kind). Good for you for realizing these things and still making the effort to appreciate what's positive in your life. I strive to do the same. Know that you're not alone. *hug*

    - Audra from A Path to Create, Not Find (apathtocreatenotfind.blogspot.com)

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  7. What a very touching post. I too sometimes grieve for the life I should have had, for different reasons, but then I realise that I wouldn't have had the good things I do have, which are still good, just not the things I expected. I suppose it's like expecting roses and being given tulips instead. But I don't have to deal with chronic pain, and I know that that's very different. Keep striving. Sending you a hug (and well done Little Lady, that's fab!) x

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    1. Thank you- and yes I'm happy with so much of my life and this has taken me down a path which means I recognise and appreciate every day things so much more. Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a lovely comment, J9x

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  8. You have such a positive outlook, Janine. I'm so glad that food changes have been making a difference in your health. Your bowl of yummy fruit looked delish - I can see why you are enjoying it so much! Congrats to your little lady. She looks quite proud of herself - as she should. Is crochet what you do most of when you are confined to bed? Your basket of squares is growing quickly - it will be a blanket before you know it! Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Hi! Yes, you're right. I crochet when I am bed bound to help me feel productive and to avoid getting low mood. Also crochet has been proven to reduce pain messages being received by the brain as it is focusing on something else! Positive all round. I learnt to crochet specifically for these times as I was mentally struggling. I love it now and it's my craft of choice! Take care, J9x

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  9. Congrats for your little one's achievement. I'm sorry you are feeling poorly. I know it's hard to rest when you are busy with your family, but please try and take it easy. Your photos are so beautiful; I love the brightly colored crochets squares. My very best to you. Hugs, Pat

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    1. Thank you! Hope you have a great weekend, J9 x

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  10. Janine, I'm so sorry things have gone downhill today. As you say, you will learn to sense how far you can push things I think, and then be able to stop and rest earlier. I think your family will always be incredibly proud of you, and how much you achieve and how positive you are. I genuinely believe your bond with your children will be stronger because of what you are going through together. You're an amazing lady Janine, you've never stopped trying, and that is your great strength. Well done to Little Lady on her Rookie Lifeguard Trophy, she so young to have done all of that, I'm hugely impressed. Loving the apple blossom here too, the sun was out today and the scent was gorgeous. Let's hope there are lots of apples. I'm liking the look of your basket of squares. I like projects that involve lots of little bits. I quite fancy a basket of squares too, I shall give it some thought. CJ xx

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    1. What a lovely comment CJ. Thank you so much for all your support and bloggy friendship! J9x

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  11. Well first of all, those are five great things, but I think that the greatest might well be your daughters wonderful achievement!! Congratulations to her!!!!! It must be hard to have such difficulties that mean that you need to have number five and to be grateful for your family in this way, but I am glad for you that despite the problems you have great help and support. I hope that the diet, and remembering to pace keep doing great things for you. It is very hard when you have a setback when things are going so well for anyone, so I imagine that this is hard for you too, I do hope that you will find your way through to more great times though. Enjoy your crocheting in the meantime and thinking of good times to come will bring some comfort I hope. Thank you so much for joining in. I hope that you are able to have a great weekend! xx

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    1. Thanks so much Amy. You're such a kind soul. Happy weekend, J9x

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  12. Wow, your daughter is amazing! Congrats to her.
    It's so encouraging to hear positive things even though it is clear you struggle.
    Thank you for being an example of that...
    It's so nice to meet you! I'm visiting from the link up! I host one as well and would love to have you over!
    Carolyn
    http://www.ccmcafeeperspective.com/2015/04/5-on-friday-jobs-prep-colors-annoying.html

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  13. Take care...and let others do it! And congrats to Little Lady on her achievement - way to go.

    Diana

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  14. These is a lovely Five on Friday. I am very impressed by your daughters achievement, isn't she a little star? Have a lovely weekend with your beautiful family. I am off to read a few more posts now, I am new here. x

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  15. Congratulations to your daughter, that is amazing! I do hope that things improve for you too, you are always so strong and positive here, it takes my breathe away really and I am quite sure you find it unbelievably hard to do that sometimes. I never fail to be humbled and in awe of you for it.

    S x

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  16. Hi Janine,
    I have come to your blog after being away from the blogosphere for the very reasons you outline here - doing too much, pushing past the limits knowingly and then suffering the consequences. As I read your description, I heard the echoes of my own experience and you have articulated the feelings very well. I can't believe we have both been struggling at the same time. I am sorry that you too have been battling lately but glad that your meds are working and your dietary strategies are helping you. I agree, when one is very ill, changes which may seem insignificant to those 'on the outside' can make a huge difference to one's quality of life and ability to function.
    After a challenging time, I am, at last, able to get into my 'recovery phase' and I will be thinking of you and sending healing vibes. xx
    Jodie

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