My summer was hijacked by hospital appointments, and I am looking forward to my favourite time of year for seasonal celebrations. Read on for my take on the October prompts for the Chronic Voice Link-Up.

DISABLING

It has been almost six months since I collapsed while out with friends. Because the incident happened while I was seated at a table in a restaurant and I had not done any physical activity that might have caused it, I was admitted to hospital and given a series of tests to try and understand why my heart rate was so high, but I exhibited no other symptoms of illness. I now feel fully recovered and all subsequent tests have returned negative or clear results, but there is one more investigative test yet to take before I am given an official diagnosis, or maybe an “un-diagnosis.” I have not been allowed to drive since the incident in May and this ban lasts for 6 months according to DVLA regulations, as stated by my cardiologist. I am completely lost without access to my car, and it was worse during the school summer holidays when our local public bus company went on strike for a month. We literally could not leave town unless somebody could fit me and my daughters into their car. I am desperate to get behind the wheel again, but I respect the reasons why I had to give up driving for a short time.

ENABLING

In other news, I continue to take prescription medication to treat corneal neuralgia that developed because of my chronic pain condition, Lymphedema Distichiasis. I take a 40mg dose of pills every day and this seems to be working. The heaviness around my eyes is almost completely gone, I no longer feel stabbing pains around the edges of my eyes, and I feel that I can see more clearly without the effects of the neuralgia. My medication is enabling me to live almost completely pain-free for the first time in over 20 years. There are still ingrowing eyelashes to deal with, but they grow less frequently, and I feel better able to cope with my condition, especially since I have been using blood serum eyedrops to combat severe Dry Eye Syndrome.

COMMITTING

Now that I spend less time dealing with my chronic pain condition (endless phone calls to doctors and hospitals, ordering and collecting prescriptions, using hot flannels to relieve pain), I find myself able to work more on my personal blog and freelance writing projects. I am committing to publish an article on my blog every day, while also ensuring that the content meets the criteria I set for myself. Have a look and tell me what you think. I love the creative freedom to publish whatever I want, and the blog gives me a focus away from chronic pain and the discomfort of my condition.

COMMUNICATING

My eldest daughter recently started her High School journey, and suddenly I am communicating with two different schools for two different children. It has been a little overwhelming to receive dozens of emails containing information, news and updates about the schools and what they are doing with our children, but I prefer it this way. It is nice to feel part of the school community, and I look forward to some evening visits that the high school has organised to ensure that parents are well informed of their daughters’ development and how the structure of our education is changing and growing.

REINVENTING

Autumn is here, and traditionally this is the time to hibernate, to rest and recuperate after a busy spring and summer season. Mother Nature is shutting down, trees shed their leaves and small animals retreat to their burrows. At home I am in the process of “putting our garden to sleep” by trimming down dead flowers and overgrown shrubs, putting away our garden furniture, and generally tidying up the outside space before we experience the first frost of the season. But what about me? I feel that I have spent my summer in hibernation since I couldn’t do much outside of the many hospital tests and appointments I had to attend. Now I am reinventing myself in time for winter. I want to get back out in the world and be sociable, network for my businesses, and enjoy being active again. I much prefer autumn to summer anyway!

Chronic Voice Link-Up

I joined the social network for A Chronic Voice because I needed to find people who understand what life is like with chronic illness, people like me. Today I have written a post using the October link-up prompts, to show my experience of living with a chronic pain disorder. Click here to find other blog posts from fellow chronic pain sufferers, or #spoonies as we call ourselves online.

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