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Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Friday, June 17, 2011
My Sockhead Hat
Pattern: http://bohoknits.blogspot.com/2009/05/sockhead-hat.html
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Reading Health Info
I moved my appointment with the sleep specialist up from June to April; I do not think my insomnia has been sufficiently resolved, and I still need help.
I spent most of the day reading the health information which the patient advocate at my TMD specialist's office provided. Since I have another appointment coming up shortly, I wanted to "prepare" a bit.
Some facts about migraine timing-- they can follow periods of stress, occurring in the "letdown" phase. To counter that, the suggestion was to try to slow down during the stressful period but to pick up the pace a bit afterwards-- the idea being that a more even work/stress load keeps blood vessels in the head from contracting then dilating suddenly and causing a migraine. Helpful maybe, interesting for sure; it encourages me to observe my body's patterns more closely at the very least.
I also read the pamphlets given to me about anxiety disorders. I don't think I have one, but I do believe there are times when hormones cause me to be tense, endlessly indecisive about stupid stuff (like whether to dare to deplete my kitchen pantry of a can of salsa verde by opening and consuming it), and anxious for a few days in a row. I startle easily (at completely unspooky things), have nightmares (usually bugs or intruders, but horrific even if the content seems ordinary), and have serious mental BATTLES not to dwell on life's negatives and lose perspective (depression). Sometimes I lose the battles too despite my best efforts. Win or lose, all I want to do is be by myself, because the battles are fierce and require concentration and reflection to work through.
Those brief periods mimic anxiety disorders and could be taken for one by health practioners looking for buzz words in my help requests-- but I don't believe they are, because the next hormonal shift makes all that nonsense evaporate. Suddenly, no anxiety; I'm just tired instead. And, the 3-day episodes reoccur on a monthly basis-- the details change (what I'm tense or indecisive about), but the essentials remain.
Besides, the meds I take already include one anti-depressant (for hormonal mood swings) and one anti-anxiety drug (to calm my brain for sleep, thus combatting insomnia). Seems to me that if I really had an anxiety disorder or depression that those meds should take care of it. The fact that they don't (during those short episodes) leads me to believe that hormones are the culprits rather than anxiety or depression.
This is a breakthrough for me. I've never been able to state what's happening to me in that phase so clearly before. I fully intend to show this to the health professionals who are trying to help me. And thinking about what I've written, it's no wonder I feel a little crazy or out of control some days-- these ailments do a number on my mind as well as my body. It ain't NO fun, believe me.
Let me just say that here's one female who's longing for menopause. I honestly think heart disease and/or breast cancer (risks of these increase for women after menopause) would be easier to bear than the constant and severe emotional up-and-downs that are the same-old same-old, yet always seem to take me by surprise. I'll take my chances; bring on "the change" even with the risks.
Okay, enough of that rant. Moving on!
****************************************************
I resumed knitting again today. I'd been working on a sock and had almost completed it, but the pattern says to bind off "with double strand"; I don't know what that means and haven't been interested in finding out. I'm sure it's not difficult, but I wanted to knit without practicing new techniques for a while. So I've put that aside and have now resumed a blanket I hadn't worked on since back in October, I guess. I'm ready to finish it (or at least make some progress on it).
Tomorrow I need to do some chores and errands. I've been ailing and "battling" for three days already which is three days too long.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I spent most of the day reading the health information which the patient advocate at my TMD specialist's office provided. Since I have another appointment coming up shortly, I wanted to "prepare" a bit.
Some facts about migraine timing-- they can follow periods of stress, occurring in the "letdown" phase. To counter that, the suggestion was to try to slow down during the stressful period but to pick up the pace a bit afterwards-- the idea being that a more even work/stress load keeps blood vessels in the head from contracting then dilating suddenly and causing a migraine. Helpful maybe, interesting for sure; it encourages me to observe my body's patterns more closely at the very least.
I also read the pamphlets given to me about anxiety disorders. I don't think I have one, but I do believe there are times when hormones cause me to be tense, endlessly indecisive about stupid stuff (like whether to dare to deplete my kitchen pantry of a can of salsa verde by opening and consuming it), and anxious for a few days in a row. I startle easily (at completely unspooky things), have nightmares (usually bugs or intruders, but horrific even if the content seems ordinary), and have serious mental BATTLES not to dwell on life's negatives and lose perspective (depression). Sometimes I lose the battles too despite my best efforts. Win or lose, all I want to do is be by myself, because the battles are fierce and require concentration and reflection to work through.
Those brief periods mimic anxiety disorders and could be taken for one by health practioners looking for buzz words in my help requests-- but I don't believe they are, because the next hormonal shift makes all that nonsense evaporate. Suddenly, no anxiety; I'm just tired instead. And, the 3-day episodes reoccur on a monthly basis-- the details change (what I'm tense or indecisive about), but the essentials remain.
Besides, the meds I take already include one anti-depressant (for hormonal mood swings) and one anti-anxiety drug (to calm my brain for sleep, thus combatting insomnia). Seems to me that if I really had an anxiety disorder or depression that those meds should take care of it. The fact that they don't (during those short episodes) leads me to believe that hormones are the culprits rather than anxiety or depression.
This is a breakthrough for me. I've never been able to state what's happening to me in that phase so clearly before. I fully intend to show this to the health professionals who are trying to help me. And thinking about what I've written, it's no wonder I feel a little crazy or out of control some days-- these ailments do a number on my mind as well as my body. It ain't NO fun, believe me.
Let me just say that here's one female who's longing for menopause. I honestly think heart disease and/or breast cancer (risks of these increase for women after menopause) would be easier to bear than the constant and severe emotional up-and-downs that are the same-old same-old, yet always seem to take me by surprise. I'll take my chances; bring on "the change" even with the risks.
Okay, enough of that rant. Moving on!
****************************************************
I resumed knitting again today. I'd been working on a sock and had almost completed it, but the pattern says to bind off "with double strand"; I don't know what that means and haven't been interested in finding out. I'm sure it's not difficult, but I wanted to knit without practicing new techniques for a while. So I've put that aside and have now resumed a blanket I hadn't worked on since back in October, I guess. I'm ready to finish it (or at least make some progress on it).
Tomorrow I need to do some chores and errands. I've been ailing and "battling" for three days already which is three days too long.
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Friday, March 5, 2010
Catch-Up Account
I need to wash dishes, shower, and do some errands, but I've had insufficient sleep for 3 nights running; all I really want to do is crash.
The TMD specialist I saw yesterday sent me home with the equivalent of a fat book's health reading and an appointment for next week to adjust my bite guard. I read some of the info last night, and already discovered a few new facts.
I also stopped by a branch of the Louisville public library. I borrowed some great books: Deerproofing Your Yard and Garden, Getting Started Knitting Socks by Ann Budd, and a DK sushi book that's downright amazing! Coincidentally, Ree Drummond (who's blog I follow) has posted an account of a sushi night she hosted (which I just discovered this morning). I decline to eat raw seafood, but I think sushi-making is in my future-- a wonderful intersection of art and cooking and eating!
When I got home, the garden supplies I had ordered the previous day were waiting on my front porch. I was astonished and thrilled-- now that's service! I sent an email to Gardens Alive to thank and compliment them.
I did end up with a bad on-and-off tension headache for which I took Tylenol. I also took 2 whole sleeping pills instead of 1.5 as usual but still awoke a couple of hours early-- with a bad tension headache. I took Midrin, and thankfully that seems to have given the headache a kick in the rear. Now if I could just summon some energy.
I did call the unemployment office to get information about financial assistance for medication. I'll have to go to the appropriate office and apply as soon as possible. $165 for a 1-month supply of one medication (no generic available)-- yikes!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
The TMD specialist I saw yesterday sent me home with the equivalent of a fat book's health reading and an appointment for next week to adjust my bite guard. I read some of the info last night, and already discovered a few new facts.
I also stopped by a branch of the Louisville public library. I borrowed some great books: Deerproofing Your Yard and Garden, Getting Started Knitting Socks by Ann Budd, and a DK sushi book that's downright amazing! Coincidentally, Ree Drummond (who's blog I follow) has posted an account of a sushi night she hosted (which I just discovered this morning). I decline to eat raw seafood, but I think sushi-making is in my future-- a wonderful intersection of art and cooking and eating!
When I got home, the garden supplies I had ordered the previous day were waiting on my front porch. I was astonished and thrilled-- now that's service! I sent an email to Gardens Alive to thank and compliment them.
I did end up with a bad on-and-off tension headache for which I took Tylenol. I also took 2 whole sleeping pills instead of 1.5 as usual but still awoke a couple of hours early-- with a bad tension headache. I took Midrin, and thankfully that seems to have given the headache a kick in the rear. Now if I could just summon some energy.
I did call the unemployment office to get information about financial assistance for medication. I'll have to go to the appropriate office and apply as soon as possible. $165 for a 1-month supply of one medication (no generic available)-- yikes!
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Tuesday, February 16, 2010
A Jaunt to Nashville
Yesterday my parents and I headed down to Nashville to visit family friends, shop, and weather permitting, we'll explore Belle Meade Plantation as well.
As a side benefit, I got to do some knitting (finished 1/3 of the first of a pair of socks) while watching the Olympics on TV.
I saw the Chinese win gold and silver in pairs figure skating, American Seth Wescott win his second gold medal in snowboard cross, and Alexandre Bilodeau receive Canada's first gold medal on home soil. It was great, and I stayed up later than I should have to watch (then woke up excessively early this morning).
It's tough not to get migraines when traveling because of the many stressors that are an inherent part of the process. I had to take Midrin again before dinner last night but thankfully stayed well. Great dinner at Macaroni Grill.
Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:BelleMeadePlantation.JPG
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As a side benefit, I got to do some knitting (finished 1/3 of the first of a pair of socks) while watching the Olympics on TV.
I saw the Chinese win gold and silver in pairs figure skating, American Seth Wescott win his second gold medal in snowboard cross, and Alexandre Bilodeau receive Canada's first gold medal on home soil. It was great, and I stayed up later than I should have to watch (then woke up excessively early this morning).
It's tough not to get migraines when traveling because of the many stressors that are an inherent part of the process. I had to take Midrin again before dinner last night but thankfully stayed well. Great dinner at Macaroni Grill.
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Saturday, February 13, 2010
Miscellaneous
I did a bit of everything today--
- errands--prescription pickup, library book returns
- chores-- fell UP hill after retrieving an errant wind-blown garbage can from the "valley" plot next door-- not painful but had to launder my mud-smeared coat
- knitting-- a lacy ear warmer headband using leftover yarn
- gardening-- the armchair planning variety-- thinking about building, filling, and planting raised beds
- movies including An Affair to Remember for Valentine's
- Olympics-- video snippets of yesterday's opening ceremony
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Fairly Quiet Day
I woke up feeling a lot better than yesterday, but it wasn't long before dizziness and nausea set in again. I think the symptoms may be side effects from the antihistamine I'm taking (to reduce fluid buildup in my ear).
I got so drowsy I couldn't have kept my eyes open with toothpicks and took a 1 1/2 hour snooze. Looking up drug interactions, I think I'll try Claritin instead of Zyrtec because the latter may be interacting adversely with a medication prescribed to me for insomnia.
I purposely skipped church today, waiting until the weather and I are better.
Today's in-front-of-the-TV-project (when I was awake, at least): I unraveled a portion of my knitting, then knitted almost back to where I was to get rid of the big oopsie I made. There's still a minor boo-boo, but I think I can live with that-- I'll add a crochet edging if the mistake proves too glaring; I just can't face any more unravelling.
Besides, I'm hoping to finish the project shortly. That would be great because it's winter wear: a combination hood-scarf entitled Garter-Stitch Balaclava by Mary Jane Mucklestone. (PDF pattern available via Knitting Daily.) Mine is made of Knit Picks Swish Worsted Lawn-- a medium yellow-green 100% wool yarn that is machine-washable (will not felt). Tassels will be omitted, however; they're cheery but a little too Santa's-elfish for my taste.
I got so drowsy I couldn't have kept my eyes open with toothpicks and took a 1 1/2 hour snooze. Looking up drug interactions, I think I'll try Claritin instead of Zyrtec because the latter may be interacting adversely with a medication prescribed to me for insomnia.
I purposely skipped church today, waiting until the weather and I are better.
Today's in-front-of-the-TV-project (when I was awake, at least): I unraveled a portion of my knitting, then knitted almost back to where I was to get rid of the big oopsie I made. There's still a minor boo-boo, but I think I can live with that-- I'll add a crochet edging if the mistake proves too glaring; I just can't face any more unravelling.
Besides, I'm hoping to finish the project shortly. That would be great because it's winter wear: a combination hood-scarf entitled Garter-Stitch Balaclava by Mary Jane Mucklestone. (PDF pattern available via Knitting Daily.) Mine is made of Knit Picks Swish Worsted Lawn-- a medium yellow-green 100% wool yarn that is machine-washable (will not felt). Tassels will be omitted, however; they're cheery but a little too Santa's-elfish for my taste.
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