I found out Wednesday that the reason I was still feeling bad (it kept getting worse) is that I had strep in addition to the flu!
The benefit of it being strep is that I could take an antibiotic! After less than 24 hours on it, I felt so much better. I’m still not 100% (lingering chest congestion from the flu, etc), but I’m about 90%. I have probably continued to overdo it since I’m honestly just tired of being “down.” I was also trying to get ready for Karis coming home and her friend visiting!
These past few months have been pretty rough. Between being sick in January and this month, things going on with some family, adjusting to another move, etc, I just really want to get into some routine.
Of course, now we are in Spring Break! I am happy about that, though. Karis is home for the next week! Today we will be celebrating her birthday by going thrifting, and she is getting a small tattoo with her friend (who brought her home and will hang out for a couple of days). They are currently sleeping in because they didn’t get here till about 1:30 AM, then they weren’t able to go to sleep right away. We will start the day by having lunch as a family somewhere of her choosing!
My Mental Health Lately
My mental health has been in a little bit of a rough spot lately. It hasn’t been terrible, but not amazing either. I had gotten on a new medication that seemed to be helping me a lot, then I got sick. Sickness is the WORST on my mental health. Not being able to do the things that I want to do, being forced to sit around, not being able to be around people, etc really affects me.
A week ago, my nurse practitioner increased the recent medication that she put me on, but the side effects were too much (it can cause something called Akathisia which is “movement disorder characterized by a subjective feeling of inner restlessness accompanied by mental distress and/or an inability to sit still”), so I went back down. It’s a really terrible feeling that is hard to explain with words!
I realized yesterday that the issue wasn’t the medication, it was being sick.
In addition to that, my NP isn’t 100% that I have bipolar 2; we are just taking it one day at a time. The medication helped pretty quickly, but I was in the midst of deep depression. I’m pretty sure I do have it, but she is slow to give labels. And since I also have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, ADHD, and PTSD, many symptoms overlap! We will see!
All I can do is take one day at a time and live a life of gratitude and service!
My Little Homestead Update
I had twenty-two baby chicks (twelve from Murdoch’s and ten from Tractor Supply). Seven of the ten from Tractor Supply died, so they gave me a refund. A few days ago, I finally had the energy to get out and pick up some more chicks to replace the ones that I died. They seem to be doing well! So that means none of the chicks from Murdoch’s have died which tells me where I will be buying chicks from now on! It’ll probably be a while since I have so many! I look forward to adding eggs to the things I eventually sell!
As I Learn and Embrace Who I Am…
I’m realizing that I really do feel that the “crunchy/homesteader” “label” does fit me pretty well. I often run from labels because I do NOT fit nicely into a box. But, I do love so many things about that world including the intentionality and slowness that comes with that way of life. There are many things that I don’t agree with or that don’t fit me as well. I made a little graphic for myself to help me process through that, and I thought I’d share. I don’t owe anyone an explanation or anything, but it mostly helps ME. Which is what my whole blog is for! So, here it is!
This has been my thought process for years (none of this has changed), but I often tried to hide part of these truths because I wanted so badly to fit into a box. It’s okay that I don’t; in fact, I think it’s better that I don’t fit into a box!
My Talk with My Doctor
While I was waiting for my strep test results, the doctor wanted to discuss my lipid panel from the fall. He asked me if anyone had talked to me because he was concerned. I had talked with a couple of other doctors about it, and they didn’t seem concerned. He told me it’s because I’m considered young when it comes to heart disease, but he tries to look at the long-term. I have had pretty high numbers for 12+ years. It’s clear that it’s hereditary for many reasons, and he feels that diet and exercise alone will never bring the numbers down. So, I have decided to go back on medication for it. I will also be adding in my exercise because he feels that’s the most important thing for heart health (he mentioned keeping an eye on my saturated fat, but he feels that the medication will be the most helpful for this). He said that exercise is the most important thing for heart health.
I have been struggling with getting into an exercise routine again since quitting Street Parking, but I have also been sick a lot. I’m hoping to get back into a routine soon. I plan to start with walking daily, then I’ll add some running, then some strength training. It’s going to be a slow process.
I will also try to be more intentional with my diet again as I have been having a LOT of saturated fat and sugar lately. It has been mostly homemade, but that doesn’t always make it “better” for me.
I can’t wait to share more of my plans coming up!
Stay tuned!
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