Category: Fatigue

Numb & Number

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On Tuesday I worked from home for 6 1/2 hours. A long day for me whether at home or the office. It doesn’t seem as long at home because I don’t have the 60 mile round trip drive!

Late morning I started to realize I was very cold, then realized it was only my right hand. It was freezing. I went into Dave’s office, placed my right hand on his bare right arm and he said it was freezing to the touch. My left hand however, was fine. I’ve always had circulation problems with my hands and feet, but never just one at a time. Very odd.

Then I thought it was where my arm was hitting the edge of my desk for my mouse. My desk or mouse location have not changed…I have. I took a break from my computer to whip up some lunch and while slicing some veggies and ham for a sandwich, my index finger and thumb on my right hand went numb and stayed that way for awhile.

It doesn’t hurt, doesn’t prevent me from doing anything with them, it’s just very discerning and a bit annoying not knowing exactly what is causing it since I had the ruptured annie. The feeling in my fingers came back just as quickly as it came on and it’s always in my right hand. I REALLY need to find out what’s taking so long with the referral from my PCP for the neurologist. I’d really to have an appointment set up to
discuss things like this with her.

Still Here

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I’m still here, but getting wicked tired, especially on the days I’m working. Mostly my eyes and head bother me at the end of the day. Now I think I’m fighting a head cold or sinus infection of some kind. Have felt really horrible the last two days.

BUT, I did finally get my hair cut. I’ve been putting it off until I felt I could handle having my head jerked around and setting backwards over the sink. I was tired when I got home, but so glad I did it. I look and feel so much better having a good hair cut. LOL It’s been a LONG time!

Working

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Today marked the start of my third week of working three days a week. I put in four hour days the first week of Feb., then worked until 2:00 last week and tried it to 3:00 today. That might have been pushing it. If I didn’t have to drive home 30 miles afterwards, I could probably put in a full day….or maybe not.

With my disability running out in March, I’m starting to feel I’m on a strict time table to work a full 40 hour week, but I might not happen for awhile yet and I’ll just have to take the cut in pay and lose all my personal/vacation time if need be. I’m not sure if the disability can be extended if the Dr’s say I need more time or not. Looking into it.

It has felt good to have to get up in the morning and be somewhere, other than a Dr’s appointment. I’m feeling useful again and that’s really important. I just wish I weren’t so darn tired when I get home. It takes a lot out of me. I am sleeping better the nights I work, so I guess that’s good, but it also makes it hard to get up in the morning.

My annie-related headaches are decreasing in intensity finally. I find my eyes are bothering me more than my head right now. They get very tired and sore after working and driving and stores are still an issue. So I’m still recovering and have to remember that. I’m a long way from 100% still, but it’s getting there.

I’m trying not to complain to people at work when they ask me how I’m doing because in reality, compared to where I was in October, I’m doing great. I shouldn’t be complaining. Poor Dave has to endure my complaining. He’s been a saint through it all. I’m not sure I deserve him.

Big Step!

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After weeks of talking about it, today I finally did it and drove myself to work and back. 60 miles round trip.

I got up at my “normal” time (well, a little later) and left the house at my normal time to get to work at my normal time. Things were….well….normal! LOL

It really felt good. I was a little nervous leaving the driveway, but as soon as I hit the road, it felt very routine. My car could probably drive that route by itself anyway. It was 5 below zero out, but the roads were clear & dry.

I made myself stay very alert and got stuck behind the school bus traffic, so the other cars weren’t going any faster than me, so that was good.

Once I reached the interstate it felt as if nothing had changed. I even swore at an idiot who was driving like on. Just like old times.

My reality check was when I exited and almost rear-ended a pick-up truck. It was then I realized I had let my guard down on the interstate…I cannot do that just yet. I can’t rely on my brain to trigger those reflexes instinctively just yet. I have to stay aware – all the time when behind the wheel. Which can tire me out as well.

By the time I got to the parking lot at work, my eyes were aching and my head was a little sore, but really not too bad. Very doable. I was pleased to have made it.

I worked for four hours and left at noon. I didn’t want to push it in case I would have trouble on the drive home.My head and eyes were bothering me just a little bit. Of course I picked the coldest day of the winter to go out, but again, once I hit the road, I felt fine.

The drive home was uneventful and I stayed far more alert. There was also less traffic at that hour than first thing in the morning.

When I got home, I was very, very tired. More like I haven’t slept in two days. That kind of hazy,mrunning-on-fumes sleepiness. I ate some lunch, called my mother to tell her the good news, then promptly fell asleep on the couch while “resting” my eyes.

Overall, I’m really pleased with myself and the fact I wasn’t overwhelmed and in horrible pain when I got home. I hope to try this three days next week and build up from there. Guess I better start getting some exercise.

This was a big step for me and one I needed to do. I may feel like crap tomorrow, but at least I know I can do it…aneurysm be damned!