My daughters are currently walking (WALKING!) to the convenience store for a snack. I used to walk to the store for a snack when I was young. Gosh, I was trying to remember how far away it was...had to be at least nine or ten blocks and up hill both ways!!! I can't claim snow because, well, I grew up in Louisiana! My sisters and I used to walk or ride our bikes everywhere! It didn't matter how far because it was safe back then in the 70's a.k.a. the stone age! We'd play outside till my mother called us in for supper. During the summer we'd play outside after supper and instruct my mom to call us when it was time for our favorite TV show! Simpler times... No technology or video games. We had to play outside or read a book (God forbid!), because there was nothing else to do! Childhood obesity wasn't a problem then. I truly believe that our technology is killing us. All the obese children and adults (I count myself among them!), are because we have machines or computers to do everything for us. Kids sit and play video games now for entertainment. If they want to play with someone else they just attach their video game to the internet and instant friend! No playing outside anymore, it's not necessary. My youngest daughter, Victoria, isn't as interested in video games as my oldest, Rose.
.Victoria is very out going, loves to be around people. She very athletic with an adventurous spirit! Like I was before Ankylosing Spondylitis. She loves to run, climb trees, jump on the trampoline, swim, anything active! I used to be like that, but because of the debilitating fatigue and pain, I don't like to move much.
Which brings me to my problem, exercise! Exercise is supposed to be beneficial to Ankylosing Spondylitis sufferers. Problem is I don't have the desire or the energy to exercise. I used to get up early and go religiously to my water aerobics class. However, ever since Rose's diagnosis of AS, I have really quit. At first it was because of the stress, then I just didn't want to get up! All I wanted to do was sleep. I think that is because I was so depressed and anxious about her diagnosis and getting through school, that I forgot about me. I have been losing weight, 50 pounds so far, but lately I haven't been keeping track. My plan for the summer is to get back on track. Go back to regular exercise, keep track of what I eat. These things require that I attend meetings, which I have been missing! I know in order to take care of my husband and children, I must take care of myself. It's not an option. It's not something I can skip if I don't feel like it. Now it is really life or death. I won't die if I miss a water aerobics class but it will cause the "death", if you will, of my "life". I won't have one. The pain will be unbearable and my world will shrink to the inside of my house. I don't want that! Summer is fast approaching. Last day of school is tomorrow! So exercise I must, food plan I must follow. Blech!
Retrospectively, before AS I was able to glide through life rather easily. Now my life is full of schedules of medication, doctor's appointments, and the like. I have to diet and exercise. I have to keep my house cleaner as I trip over things on the floor. If I fall I'm out for at least a week, that is, if I don't hurt myself. Having a flare really interferes with my "schedule". I usually don't exercise during a flare because I don't want to irritate something that already has extreme irritation! Maybe I should, I don't know. Something else to ask the Rheumatologist.
I got a letter from Social Security about my disability hearing. They will contact me when my hearing is scheduled. I hope its not during my husband's week off or during the time we are driving to pick up/drop off our daughters for a visit with my sister and my parents. I guess we will have to be flexible. I hope my husband's boss is as flexible...
Now that I've solved most of the pressing problems of our country, I will close. Going to lunch with my daughters, they get out at noon, to celebrate the end of school. Doctor appointment for Rose later that afternoon. Shopping for "beach boots" (aka swim shoes, a little term I picked up when we lived near the beach!), as we are going tubing on Friday! My shoulder won't stop hurting, so taking it easy till then. Don't worry I'll let you know all about it! I'll take plenty of pictures, too! :-)
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