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Category: PTSD

Published on Leave a comment on Struggling. Bruised but not broken.

I'm struggling a bit to keep anxiety under control. My pain levels are too high and I've not had much sleep.

Today I saw Dr. D at his office. It was a good session yet I dissociated most of the time. It was as if I sat beside myself the entire time talking to him. It wasn't a bad session, I was just very dissociated.

The building he's in is not handicapped accessible. The age of the building falls before the law required all newer buildings to be accessible to all. So I have to walk a long distance to the front door, up stairs and down the hallway to his office which can be difficult for me now. Today it wasn't difficult, it was excruciating. I told Dr. D that the owner will make the building handicapped accessible when he himself needs the access. Until then, he'll hide behind the grandfather law that allows him to operate in a less than user-friendly way. I suppose a person has to experience the loss of mobility to fully appreciate accessibility laws. It's an annoyance to some but a life line for people like me.

After therapy my pain levels were so high that I required Oxycontin so as not to lose my mind! I took the meds and got under the weighted blanket and cried my eyes out. It's been an awful day.

Besides pain there is an increased amount of anxiety that has gone past my usual lavender fix and gone straight to Clonapin. Add to anxiety a nice infection on my chest from the rash I had due to a Bactrim reaction and you've got yourself one very maxed individual. I scratched the rash and it got infected right, dead smack in the middle of my chest. This time I have an antibiotic ointment.

So, I'm struggling a bit, trying to keep my head above water, trying not to be too discouraged. One way I'm staying encouraged is to do some work in my Gratitude Drawing Journal. I'm also going to read older entries in it to remind myself of the good in life.

I'm behind on reading blogs, answering emails and texts but I have managed to return phone calls to local friends who are part of my support system. In an effort not to isolate, I've accepted visits from friends and from the elders at the Kingdom Hall. I'm trying to do all I know to do to help myself through the depression, anxiety and pain I'm experiencing.

I may be exhausted and bruised, but I'm not willing to give up. I don't feel like throwing in the towel, but I do need a little bit of time to do some self care so I can recharge, and emotionally recover, from an hellacious few months. I'll be back to reading blogs, texting and emailing very soon.

Last but not least, I've still got the same CNA, the one that quit. It's a long, drawn out story about why she's still here, but she is. She and I are in what I call the healing process. We are working out our differences and trying to make things stable, productive and peaceful. We'll see how things progress. During this hard time she is being very helpful. The last two weeks have been really good.

Faith

2

Published on 2 Comments on My weighted blanket test

For two weeks I'm going to use the 12 pound weighted blanket every evening. I'd like to know if my phantom limb pain is reduced, if general Lupus pain is reduced and if nightmares will be reduced. I feel as if I'm asking for a miracle of the blanket but hey, people say they work wonders.

Honestly, I've already done one week and have a significant decrease in night time phantom limb pain. I've also seen a drastic change in pain levels since I've been using a mix of German Chamomile, Lavender and Marjoram essential oils on both lower limbs. (This mix works well for all nerve pain / neuropathy.) The blanket and the oils are keeping the pain below my personal baseline. So I think I have the answer to my first weighted blanket test question. Yes, it helps with phantom limb pain. My Podiatrist agrees and suggested it's continued use.

In a week I'll know if the decreased pain from Lupus is significant enough to attribute it to use of the blanket.

So far, nothing has relieved nightmares which plague me on and off. Right now they're beating down nightly. I can't break away from my mother humiliating me in some way. I was fighting in my sleep before the blanket. I can say for a fact that fighting has stopped and I don't move around as much, but nightmares are still strong and damaging. There's no blanket for that.

I had to add a small fan beside the bed because the blanket holds my body heat something fierce. Lol. A small fan helps, and I like the noise.

Faith

2

Published on 2 Comments on On getting a new caregiver (CNA). Wound.

I sure know how to go through CNA's. I suppose this happens often in this field. They've got a lot of turn over. My current CNA put in her 2 weeks notice last week so next week with her is it.

This is the 3rd time in 6 months that she's gotten angry with her supervisor and quit. She calms down in a day or so and cancels her resignation. I told the supervisor that she will try it this time too and she did, but I told her I believe it's time to part ways and that her last day is the day agreed upon by the company, Friday. She is not happy with me right now. She thinks I should give her a 4th chance.

When I told her I won't give her another chance, she went into this long to-do about how I'll probably have trouble getting a good CNA and that they'll cause me problems, and I'll miss doctor appointments. What she doesn't seem to get is that she's guilty of the same and that's why I refuse to allow her to stay. Her attendance, reliability and mouth are big problems now. I'm missing appointments and going through a lot of unnecessary stress.

I talked to the company and told them that I know having this CNA hasn't been all bad. Only recently has it gotten to the point where I feel like the sum of it requires I allow her to quit. It hasn't been horrible for a long time but what I've learned is that you give people a chance and even a second chance to get themselves together. However, a third and fourth chance with no sign of change is ridiculous! You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink!

Sooo, it's time for another new CNA. I'll be praying about it in hopes of getting another few months of good work. That's the goal, it's not set too high either. Just give me a few good months of work. I believe I got 4 from the current CNA.

Things will work out. I'm sure of it. And if they don't, I'll complain about it on the blog. You can be sure of it.

Wound (blood discussion)

I'm relieved that the infection was knocked out by being chocked full of high doses of meds for a month. It still hurts like all get out though because the wound is still there. It's been bleeding quite a bit and hasn't scabbed over at all. One of the good things about seeing blood everyday is that it means the circulation is good enough for regular bleeding. Lack of circulation caused the foot to die and be amputated in the first place. So any sign of circulation, even blood, is seen as a positive sign.

It's going to take a bit for this to heal. I'm amazed at how large of an area was affected and has to heal....... I saw an amputation heal in an amazing way. This, too, will heal.

Faith

Published on Leave a comment on On Collecting Illnesses

I collect tea and porcelain dolls. My body collects illnesses.

This is my second round of meds for the infection in my feet. At the beginning of the second round I had a side effect from the medication that caused a rash from my neck to my stomach, front and and back, arms and shoulders. I'm all jacked up with a yeasty rash!

I can only shake my head! I mean really? Can a girl catch a break, please? In the meantime, the infection is steadily growing in size on the left foot.

I could easily get depressed over all this but I'm trying to keep encouraged and keep on going. Taking care of myself and spoiling myself helps me endure things like this.

One of the things that should be helpful during this time is my CNA. For months things were good but right now they are coming to a rapid conclusion. There's trouble in CNA paradise. She and I had a long, long, pointed talk but I'm not sure anything got through. I see this ending soon. The problem is attendance and entitlement. She also lets me know just how expendable I am, which feeds into my abandonment issues. I told her that, but she wasn't able to hear it.

I know my plate is full right now but I have hope that things will soon calm down in a wave of relief.

Tonight I'm having BBQ ribs made in my slow cooker, a small salad and a baked potato. For dessert I'm having tea and carrot cake. I'll end the night by doing a soothing and healing wash in Tea Tree oil, Oregano essential oil and a dab of Lavender essential oil. This will help my chest and back situation. I then have a nice book to cap off my evening.

Faith

4

Published on 4 Comments on Foot Stuff. Fear of Pain.

I've been going in to see the doctor more than normal because my body is having a hard time fighting the infection. The days I've not gone in she's called. I'm also to keep a photo diary of the changes to the wound site, which I've been doing. The infected area changes in size almost daily. It is amazing to see, amazing in a frightening way.

Today the doctor said the test results show I do not have MRSA. She originally feared it, but that is not the bacterial infection we're dealing with. She said it's necessary for me to go to see a specialist who will do x-rays to look at the foot, and a doppler to look for blood clots.

I was nervous about this appointment. I keep expecting the doctor to say there's nothing more that can be done for me. I fear more pain than anything else. Pain of the infection, pain and weakness in my legs, pain of another amputation. Pain. I fear it.

I never, ever want to come close to where I was in the hospital when the pain was so bad I prayed to die! I believe that happened 3 times. Even when I didn't pray to die, when I wanted badly to pull through, I feared I'd lose my mind because of the pain. Pain felt like it broke me. It left a crack in my head and on my heart.

I see in my head the way my body swelled with 70 pounds of excruciating, excess water weight. I see in my head and remember vividly black feet that once held the most painful, huge boils. It was horrendous! I fear ever having to do anything like that again. I fear I will.

The right foot is the biggest issue. The doctor said the meds aren't working but she wants me to try another round. So, more vomiting, more insomnia, ears ringing and other super fun stuff. The specialist will most likely change treatment but for now I do round two of the same.

I see the specialist Wednesday.

I'm discouraged and fearful but still determined to keep going.

It's 4pm, my CNA is gone for the day but we put dinner in the crock pot for me. I'm having roast with potatoes, carrots and green beans. There's a nice cup of tea in my future.

Faith

Published on Leave a comment on Foot Stuff. Good Stuff.

Three times last week I saw the doctor about my right foot because of the infection. She took a small biopsy to see exactly what type of infection is giving me the blues. I should know Wednesday when I return to her office.

I'm still handling it ok emotionally, I think.

I hate, hate, hate the medications I'm taking right now. They make me vomit, cause panic attacks and insomnia. I hate this crap but I know it's necessary. Last night I tossed and turned until finally I abandoned all aromatherapy and natural healing for a nice, green Clonapin. That helped some but not enough to keep me asleep.

Despite the feet being infected, especially the right one, I've had some really nice things happen this week. Here's my gratitude list :

  1. I was quite shocked and very grateful to receive 3 new, blue blankets in the mail. 🤗 I was so surprised and overjoyed. How awesome. I'm spoiled rotten. LOL. One of the blankets is a weighted blanket! Omgoodness I love it! Total score!
  2. I got a beautiful, large book on butterflies of the world.
  3. Using German Chamomile and Marjoram essential oils on my feet helps with Phantom Limb Pain, as does the weighted blanket.
  4. I had homemade strawberry shortcake with my CNA.
  5. I've had a lot of phone calls and visitors this week. I also got a couple notes which I will add to my card box.
  6. I heard, saw and recognized my first Catbird. Very cool bird.

Faith

1

Published on 1 Comment on Foot Infection. Humility.

Today I saw the doctor for the second time this week. She said, you seem really calm. I said, I know where this foot ulcer thing could easily go. I'm trying not to panic. I'm trying to do one day at a time without borrowing tomorrow's troubles.

The left foot (amputation site) is aggressively infected with a foot ulcer. Everyday it looks worse despite following orders, taking all medications and keeping up with dressing changes.

Yes it worries me but I can't panic right now. I feel like I did when I was in the hospital and they told me I was going to lose the foot. I told them to do what they needed to do, just return me to my family and friends. I was afraid but determined to live. I was determined, grounded and clear about continuing my battle. That is how I feel right now, determined, grounded and clear in my desire to never give up, come what may. I have Lupus so stuff is going to come! But right now I have a bit of extra gas in my emotional tank which let's me feel strong enough for this, again.

So far I have not lost the leg due to the infection. So far further amputation (from the knee down) has only been discussed to let me know all the factors in my current situation. The goal is obviously to stop this infection and manage my circulation and blood system. I would say that treatment is appropriate right now and that a little time will tell where we go from here.

Since I don't know exactly where we go from here, since nothing is sure, I've chosen not to borrow anxiety and troubles. I've decided that day to day work is best for me. Thinking too far ahead may even compromise my health by adding to the stress my body is already under. When needed, I've let myself cry. It relieves stress and helps things not build up inside.

Last but not least. I'm in need of a blanket. Because I'm not fully continent, I had an accident. It was last Saturday after my nurse's aide left. So I got in the shower on my own then stripped the bed. I was going to try to put on new sheets only to discover all were dirty and that I only own one blanket, which I just stripped off the bed. I would have done the laundry but it's on the second floor and very far from my apartment. I am physically unable to get there and I can't transport laundry in a manual wheelchair. To make matters worse, no nurse's aide was to come until Monday morning which left me wrapped in the flat sheets without a blanket until then.

This will never happen again! I will be getting a blanket when I get paid on the 3rd of June. It's already humiliating to have accidents but to lie on a stripped, cold mattress bc of it is nothing short of insult to injury. I've got a decent amount of sheets, but I'll hit up the Amazon website for a blanket very soon. I've got a nice blue blanket in my near future.

In all the madness, I am still painting and focusing on my goals.

Faith

Published on Leave a comment on Art and Healing

I'm in a decent mood despite health issues. I'm still struggling with an infected foot that requires wound dressing changes daily. It's kind of ugly at the moment as far as the foot goes. I'm still on antibiotics and steroid cream.

Well, I've been able to paint and do some collage work in my art therapy book. I had this apartment messed up bc I pulled out papers and stuff for a collage. Looks like I'm going to need to start collecting collage materials again. I don't have many materials for it to speak of, so collect I must. It felt so good to let go and let art! I quickly cleaned my studio apartment after I let go, but let go I did. It's the first collage in a year!

I go in to see Dr. D two times a month now which is really helpful bc I feel like there's actually a point to the art therapy. I was just describing it to him over the phone each week then showing it mass when I saw him once a month in his office. Now that I see him every other week I feel like there's a point to doing the assignments. Sooo, there's a lot more art in the book than normal and not just geometric shapes. That's a huge step forward, moving past just geometric shapes in black and white. It feels good to let go.

I knew I was shut up inside. I knew I was closed off and that was why I could only get out shapes. I wasn't trusting the process, or much of anything at all. But, I had some really good break throughs the last few weeks. Those revelations have given me strength and the ability to better endure. I feel as if I got a bit of information that put a little extra gas in a tank that was running on empty. With this propulsion, I've seen an increase in art. I couldn't be more pleased.

While I am still struggling to get my foot healed up right, I am doing much better emotionally. What's interesting is that people tell me my voice sounds stronger, more calm. I feel better inside, that's for sure. With a little emotional healing and a lot of art, I just may be able to see this battle through.

Faith

Published on Leave a comment on Risk. Be More

Dr. D and I discussed the possibility of me painting almost daily at set times. This would allow me to know ahead of time what to expect. I need set times for things as well as lists to feel more control over my environment and situation. Setting a specific time to paint and doing it has helped me to relax more while painting. There are no expectations. No pressure to produce view worthy materials. The goal is to create and to risk. At first I was concerned about wasting paper and paint but truthfully, I have plenty of both so paint I will.

I've learned a few things over the years about size and media for my personal use. If I use paper that is too big then the project is overwhelming and may not be completed. Paper that is 8 x 10 is usually undaunting, however, there are times I'm so closed up that I need 5 x 9. These sizes also mean if I'm confined to the bed I can still paint with relative ease.

I know for a fact that I'm a paper artist. I love paper, especially textured papers. Oh they just do something to me. Pencil, pen, brushes and other tools are musical as they hit different textured paper. I absolutely love it.

I've been asked if I paint on canvas and create larger art but the answer is no, I usually don't. I'm not comfortable with creating larger art. There's been so much discussion on this subject but the bottom line is this: I am an artist who creates smaller works on paper. Staying within these bounds means I stay true to my craft. It allows me to freely paint instead of attempting to become something I'm not. When I allow myself to paint at a size comfortable for me, I am able to express myself and risk creatively.

Be More by Sundrip

"Be More" is a 7 x 10 watercolor and ink piece created in a wire bound Canson notebook. The art therapy piece expresses the need to bring my emotions to a more balanced view.

I see myself in such a negative light and demand a lot of myself. I'd like to lose the idea that there's something fundamentally wrong with me and get closer to the balanced view that I'm just a flawed human being like everyone else.

After creating the piece free style, with no expectations, I looked at it and began to write what it brought up. The first thing that came to mind is that it's disorganized and very raw. This didn't feel negative to say. It seemed to reflect how I've been feeling lately, disorganized and like I'm just flailing about like a fish out of water. I noticed that the two people dominate the picture. They hold hands and share a small red flower. Though both have a missing foot, one has her mouth open and the other is closed.

As I began writing words like disorganized, fearful, disliked, desperation and paranoid, it occurred to me that I should write how I'd like to be and ways that I am at times. The other side of the paper includes words like risk, flexible, fluid, acceptance and giving. Right between the two figures and by their feet is the word 'integrate'. This reflects my desire to be more harmonious with reality. Reality is that I'm not all bad or all good. Things are no so black and white with me.

Be More detail 1

Of all the words that were written, one sticks out the most. It is the only word that appears in all capital letters and that is the word BURDEN. I ...feel...like...a..burden to others! It'll be quite the struggle to get that emotion in check.

It felt really good to complete this art therapy piece. I like free style painting. I like adding converse words/ideas that turn the piece into a learning and mindful experience.

Faith

4

Published on 4 Comments on A Year Ago Tomorrow

It feels like yesterday but tomorrow it'll have been a year since the amputation. I was ok until it was time to be alone, then I fell apart.

The two people I talked to commented that I've come very far in a year. They said there's been loss but that I've made great strides. In prayer I said that what I needed was someone to grieve this loss with me, validate it, not encourage me to keep going and see the bright side. I said I needed someone to understand my tears and understand how complex it is to lose a part of yourself.

Yes, I've come a very, very long way and beat nearly impossible odds. That can't be disputed. What I have a hard time with is justifying this level of upset over half a foot missing but my grief, as confused about its validity I may be, is in fact strong if not consuming. I told my therapist that watching the foot die for a two month time period is the part I can't seem to get over. Seeing.. remembering how far my body had to be pushed for two months !!! brings tears of anguish to my eyes!! I can't be any clearer when I say that watching a limb die is worse than the amputation itself.

I'm not angry about being in a wheelchair. I knew this was part of my future bc I've been ill for years. But I miss long walks beside my dog outside! I miss my dog.

This is all so new. New pain to get used to, new eye level from a wheelchair and seeing the world, new home, different body...... Is a year long enough to adjust to such things?

Tomorrow will be a long, busy day. The carpet is getting cleaned after the water heater drained all over it. This means my little bed has to be moved as well as a few personal items and plants. It shouldn't take long but it'll be an ordeal. My nurse is coming tomorrow and I will be going to the Kingdom Hall. It's going to be a full day. I didn't plan it that way. There sure won't be much time to wallow in my thoughts, or much time to recharge mentally as I try to transition from one task to the next. Let us hope I have enough energy for all this on a potentially emotionally charged day.

Faith

See On Losing More. https://www.sundrip.com/2018/05/05/on-losing-more/ The entry before the amputation.

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