I'm asking because you might have ideas for how I can make what we do less stressful on me. Most days I am completely wiped out by 1:30-2 pm and would love to do nothing other than sleep the rest of the afternoon. Not really possible, though. :P

See, I found out that have some sort of autoimmune disease. I go to a rheumatologist next week, and will most likely start some type of big time medication. We're talking possibly chemo drugs. I want to make sure my life is simplified as much as possible, so at least life can run in the house even if I am laid up due to medication. From what I can tell - it's most likely either RA or lupus. Both of them usually are treated with methotrexate which can have some pretty bad side effects for a couple of days after taking it... and it would be a weekly dose. Soooooo.... in my attempt to simplify, I am asking for help to make sure I have things as simple and able to function without me being up and around.

As far as meals: I have a freezer full of pull out meals that dh can easily prepare. I will be restocking around the 15th, so we should have food for those days when I can't get out of bed.

Housework: The kids have a chorechart (familytools.com PEGs system) and it works really well. DH does laundry if needed. I really think that is ok, too.

Entertainment: I have the DVD's all put into binders, so the kids can bring a binder up to my bedroom and we can pick out a movie to watch together there on really bad days, if needed. Also, the kids have a cubby system full of games that they can play by themselves during the day.

School work: We're reading Story of the World 3, and I got it on CD so they can at least listen to the stories. Austin and Nate are able to do 95% of their work without me being in their business all the time. The only things I do WITH them all are History and Science. If needed, we could cut the History to listening and talking abuot the stories in SOTW. Austin is reading books that go along with history, so he is getting more out of it. Science is Apologia science (Botany), pretty classical in nature. We may just have to reserve science for weekends with Dad if I can't do it. Austin and Nate are 100% self-sufficient for LA and almost that for math. With a DVD player in my bedroom, I can have Adam and Lauren sit on my bed and watch the MUS dvd with me and then do their 'work' right there with me. Adam reads to me, and Lauren is trying to read, too, but she is happy with Nathan reading to her, too. I have a couple of Leap Frog DVD's for Lauren (math circus and some letter factory/word factory dvds) and I have a collection of Scholastic story books on DVD for Adam and Lauren. They do ETC on their own for the most part, but could do those laying in bed with me, if needed.

I want to try to keep life as normal as possible. But I also want to be prepared for the possible/probable days where I can't get out of bed.

This weekend I actually buoght a cane because my hip hurt so bad. I am hoping this will give me a little more support so that I can take the kids to the zoo once in a while just to get out (they have homeschool programs a couple of times a month). But by having the cane, I should be better able to go and do those things without ending up in major pain for a week after. crossing fingers there.

Sooo... can you think of anything else?

I have to run, but I'll be back to give you a few ideas. The biggest thing I can think of is energy conservation. Sit when ever possible. A tall stool to wash the dishes. If you have stairs bring everything with you that you may need for the day or use your kids as helpers.

I'll be back later.

I am so sorry about your diagnosis. ((hugs))

As a mother who has gone through cancer (surgery to remove tumor both times then one time chemo for six months and this time radiation treatments of which I have only four left!) twice myself I have some quick advice for you.....

Paper plates, paper napkins, and possibly even paper cups. I know it's not "thrifty" and I know its not "good for the environment" but a mama's gotta do what a mama's gotta do to be able to take care of herself so she can turn around and take care of her family. Many times we use paper products so clean up is easy.

I don't sleep well at nights right now- my leg is being treated on the inner thigh and the skin is so beat up hard to find a comfortable way to sleep at night.... but before I go to bed I will set out a snack for my boys to eat in the morning- bagel wrapped in plastic wrap, baggie of cereal, granola bar, yogurt in the fridge- so when they are up at 7 am and I just can't get myself out of bed that early they can go eat a snack until breakfast time. Then they go and play while they wait for me.

I know you just switched to the Army life- contact your FRG leader (this should be your husband's BC's wife) and let her know what is going on. They are there to help in times like this. Let them know that you may need help. Don't say no when someone offers to help. I have had a lot of help from my church friends. It's hard to swallow your pride and let someone come in and scrub your bathroom, but if you've gotta rest you've gotta rest. So take help when offered.

PM me if you ever need to talk to someone. I'll send you my phone number. Because although our illness might be different I'm sure we will have similar situations.

((((big hugs))))) and prayers going your way.

Tawnya

Tawnya, thanks so much!

ok, the FRG... what do I do when my dh is the commander (he'll be a company commander)? (this will be him on our next move in June) And, he's in school right now - so not even sure where I would call. Thanks for the heads up, I will find out where to call and call and ask about that, though.

I am so glad my kids are older... they can get themselves pretty much anything to eat. They even make eggs and oatmeal on the stove (of course, they are 9 and 10!).

I am so sorry you are dealing with this. Of course with the can do attitude I always see from you. I am just . . . wow. You are one strong woman.

I know, Heather, it's such a blessing to have the older ones. I was home yesterday puking my guts up and Katie, 8 1/2, was able to 100% care for Jake for the morning. I feel badly for her, because she was feeling under the weather herself, but Jake is 6 1/2 and even with the autism or maybe because of it, pretty self-sufficient himself.

Being able to prop yourself up in bed and read with them will be enough for the days you can't get out of bed. I've really been there with the fatigue, and what I have found overall is that you just need to cut back your expectations of what you can get done in a day. This is so incredibly hard for me and sometimes I end up feeling really depressed about it, which makes the fatigue even worse. If I just sink in and allow myself a few really low-energy days, I find I come out of it with some strength for a while. I know the meds themselves may cause some symptoms, my mom is on chemo drugs for her Sjogren's, and she has a few side effects that are complicating things. But overall she feels better; she just has some days where she has to lay low. She has found the same thing, and that also when she overdoes things for even a day she feels awful the next day.

:hug: You can call me anytime you need to talk. I'm home without the kids for much of the day so I can really be a good listener. :)