Today I awoke to rain. And not just a little rain, but a continual dropping. The forecast says it is to rain non-stop here in the Midwest for the next 10 days and that means nasty pain for Fibro and Lupus sufferers.
It is hard for me to manage pain on good weather days, but rain brings on a whole new layer of joint issues that cannot be described. Add Lupus issues to that and the swelling starts, neuropathy in the extremities, barely able to maneuver laundry, dishes, etc. Today my right knee is swollen causing neuropathy in the right calf. My spine has also been giving me fits, and a heating pad has become my best friend.
I had an MRI of my upper and lower spine last week. Anyone who sufferers with Fibro and/or Lupus and who has had an MRI knows just how badly your body locks up from having to stay still 100% still when you are in the dreaded MRI tube. Add claustrophobia to that scenario and let’s just say that “mind-over-matter” didn’t even come close to what I mentally endured. Thankfully they played music from Mercy Me to help calm my mind and for me remember that God was in control of my mental situation. Needless to say, I am very thankful it is over-and yes, God got me through, but not without a fight over my mind for almost an hour!! Results in 2 weeks…
What are they looking for? I believe the doctor said he was looking to ruling out MS, DDD (Degenerative Disk Disease) and Lupus related myelitis (spinal cord inflammation) and see if maybe it’s only osteoarthritis… ONLY…
For the benefit of trying to be healthy while dealing with pain, I exercise.
I stretch daily and ride an Airdyne bike or use a treadmill 5x per week, muddling through the pain as I force myself to do this daily torture in the hopes I am improving my overall health. I’d like to hope that is the case, since I feel like death-warmed-over when I am finished each day. But, hey! I am trying… and “they” say it helps…
So, today it is raining and I am making dough…
I have managed to make 4 loaves of sour dough dough to be stretched and folded throughout the day. Tonight, I will roll them out and to be placed in pans to rise for 10 hours. It will be baked in the morning. Sour dough is all the rage these days, but I have been making it since before it became popular. It has a low glycemic index and, thankfully, does not rock my blood sugar. I make regular sour dough and cinnamon raisin sour dough loaves. Both make great toast, sandwiches, french toast or just slathered with plenty of butter!
I hope today is dry in your neck of the woods, and if not, I am praying for your pain levels to be manageable. Maybe you will bake some bread, too. If not, go buy one of those freezer loaves and let it rise, then bake that. The smell of it baking is worth the effort, just saying.
God Bless- The Fibro-Lupus Momma of Ten
