Emergencies- going out of your energy envelope

I am having to give support to my daughters partner as her mother had very suddenly become ill and is now receiving palliative care only. It has all been such a shock and the children need lots of support.

I am trying hard to support them while at the same time looking after my own needs and am finding reserves from somewhere but know I will eventually crash.

sometimes it is necessary for a special occasion or a time when others have greater need to deliberately go out of your energy requirements.

So if you know it is coming up have rests before and plan to have rests after. Rest as much as possible during and look after your own needs in order to look after others. A bit like putting your own mask on first before your child in an aeroplane.

Make sure you have plenty of medication including emergency supplies and anything else you use for pain relief. Drink plenty of water and eat enough snacks- now is not the time to watch your weight. Take your medication regularily set an alarm if necessary.

If others offer help take it whether other freinds or official support don't be afraid to ask.

Use whatever is there to get through it and when it is over give yourself praise for your efforts ans look after yourself and ask others to look after you too.

love and hugs

Gadget Babe

I do really love a gadget my favourite one being my ipod but I like to find other things not as expensive to make my life easier and more interesting or just for fun.
Here's my list of top gadgets:
Ipod Touch- not only can you listen to music and podcasts, I have talking books meditations, films and games on it. hours of fun and distraction. Am completely addicted to bejewelled an application to add onto the ipod.

Nintendo DS- I don't play on this so much now becuase of the games you can put on the ipod but like 42 card games for solitaire games and Professsor Leyton puzzle games as well as brain training- goota keep the brain working somehow.

Nintendo Wii trainer- Ok the only one I am top at is the sitting down meditating but it does get you moving in a fun way although cannot master ski action and watching other people try to hula hoop is a just hilarious for some reason.

Remedi Pain Relieving Device- like a TENS machine but more powerful and you place the pads on your spine to block the pain signals to the brain. I don't find it works so well for pain above the neck but it does take the edge off the pain and the Remedi Company are always extremely helpful with repalcements or repairs in fact I now have a spare one that I was able to purchase at a cheaper price.

Tempur cushion- this is a very soft cushion that I made a bag for so I look like I am just carrying around a bag which I then sit on. Very useful to increase your confort in restaurants, pubs so you can stay longer only criticism is it is a bit heavy so I had to make a more manly bag for it ie brown instead of orange flowers so that my hubby will carry it for me.

First Class Sleeper- this is an inflable cushion that goes behind you to increase the comfort while on an aeroplane. It was invented by an airline pilot and makes airplane seats and other seats much more comfortable by giving more support behing your back and neck.

Electic Heating Pad- bought this for about £10 in Lidl but they are about £20 lovely to give heat where there is pain or just to warm up the bed. I keep one upstairs and one downstairs. Blissful heat.

Wheat or Rice Pack- Have made several of these using a tube of material half fill with rice and add some dried lavender. If you don't know how to use them they just go in the microwave for two minutes and are lovely and warming for pain. I particularily like them for facial pain as they can be held around the face for good pain relief.

Multi-adaptor- when I go away anywhere I take an adaptor with me as I have so many gadgets to plug in and you never know how many sockets will be in your accomodation whever staying with relatives or hotel.

Woollen wrap or cardi- have a lovely woolie wrap that can make sure you keep warm I find can get increased pain levels if get suddenly cold or also double up as a pillow or cushion. Its all about comfort.

Duvet Days

Have just had a day in bed yesterday where although wanted to get up just couldn't from fatigue and pain so settled down for a day in bed.

I try hard- not always successfully- to keep my bedroom a haven where I am as comfortable as possible and have things around me to amuse and entertain me.

I have pretty PJ's or put on comfy tracksuit have plenty of water and few snacks to keep me going in case no-one around to bring me any.

Unless it is a day where I know that sleep is the only thing to do I open the curtains so I can look out at the trees in the park behind my house.

I have a kind of toolbox as recommended on http://www.painsupport.co.uk/ps_home.html.

Anything I think will make the time pass in as happy a way possible:
Happy DVD's, My Ipod and Nintendo DS for listening to music, podcasts or playing games, my notebook for jotting down ideas, my lists of plans for the future.
I might ring someone if I feel up to it or text if I don't just to make contact with the outside world. I might go on my laptop if I feel up to it to pass a bit of time send emails, look up things that interest me. I also like to write a few cards or letters but sometimes am not in the right frame of mind for this.
I had a lovely day once when my daughter joined me and we had a beauty day. Doing each others nails, having a facial and meditating. So I might do this on my own if no-one around.
I do like to have visitors and leave my door open for that but I don't always get them and sometimes feel like the mad auntie locked away in the attic. It is hard if there are too many of these days but I try not to let myself get stir crazy and stop myself from having too many negative thoughts. I've had days like these before, I've coped with them and I will get over them. What do you do to cope with duvet days