Recently I have had some problems with my back and neck and arms. Not so bad but still... The back pain has interrupted my sleep for a couple of nights. And I have had that bad burning feeling in my arms and legs who I quite seldom have these days. Pain is NOT a big issue for me these days (because I am so much better) but I was beginning to fear it a little bit. The thought of back pain over Christmas, not being able to sleep etc. Anyway -yesterday my best friend called. She is a twin mother (the children are only two years old) and her husband is almost blind. Christmas is soon to be and the children are sick with high fever and soon her mother in law are coming etc . A bad scenario ! I decided to help her and told her that she could mail me a shopping list and that I would help her with that. I told her to really "shop for a month or more". And she did! I got a HUGE list. I went to the shop and spent some hours there shopping and shopping. Actually it was fun! I am not Florence Nightingale at all - I just really wanted to help her from the bottom of my heart - and it was absolutely my own choice. No one expected this from me (I think that was important). I was (though) a bit worried about my neck, back and arms. Would they collapse. In the end I had about 10 heavy bags that I should carry from the car to her apartment. But I was so busy so I didn´t have time to think about it so much. Neither did I have the time to think about my fatigue(who wasn’t that bad at the moment but always lingers on a bit). I did what I had to do and - my pain subsided! And so did my fatigue. I slept all night like a baby. Of course this is not the first time I have tried this approach -"just go ahead and do it" And a lot of times I get worse. But I think that my knowledge about TMS is so much better today and BECAUSE OF THAT I now can benefit from the strategy. I am truly amazed! With this post I am not saying "be Florence Nightingale and help all the people around you!" Quite the opposite -when I read all the posts about taking care of old mothers I think that you really shouldn´t have to do that.
But I did my shopping with very light heart - I helped a friend who I really like and who never ever puts any obligations on my shoulders. I feel free with her. And because of that is was a joy and a strenuous/absolute distraction from my TMS witch really worked. Merry Christmas from cold Scandinavia !
Amazing shopping experience
Posted - 12/22/2004 : 09:29:46
