Living with Chronic Illness

Living with chronic illness, my daily "to do" lists don't look like most.  I can't plan much because I don't know if I'll be able to get out of bed that day, how much I'll be hurting, or what level of energy I might have.  With a husband and five active children, there are plenty of things added to each day.  I have to keep my own plans simple.  Very simple.  Many times this has left me feeling like a failure because I can't do as much as others.  Or overwhelmed and paralyzed because there was so much to do and I didn't feel like I could do anything.  As a therapeutic project, I spent a lot of time examining my life and figuring out what I could realistically expect to get done each day.  This way, even on my worst days I can feel like I've accomplished something.  It helps.

Worst Days:

• eat something
• do something - anything
• try to communicate current status to family

Bad Days:

• eat
• make my bed
• put a bra on
• spend time out of my room, at least five minutes
• communicate with family

Down Days:

• eat
• make my bed
• get dressed
• open curtains/windows
• shower if needed
• brush teeth and hair
• try to spend some time outside, no matter how small the amount
• let family visit with me in my room

Iffy Days:

• eat
• make my bed
• get cleaned up enough to leave the house
• open curtains/windows
• leave the house
• talk to someone outside of my family, even if only online
• clean something - anything
• shower if needed
• spend time with family outside of my room, no matter how small the amount

Good Days:

• eat healthy food, try to stick to schedule and track
• make my bed
• get cleaned up enough to visit with friends
• open curtains/windows
• drive somewhere - anywhere
• go for a walk or do yard work
• listen to a conference talk/devotional or read church magazines
• shower
• pick up the living room
• talk to someone outside my family, in person or by phone
• try to stay out of my room

Great Days (add any of the following to Good Day plans):

• do something creative (write, draw, color, crochet, flute)
• do something that feeds my soul
• do real exercise
• meditate
• vacuum the living room
• straighten the dining room
• clean the kitchen, including a load of dishes
• do a load of laundry
• write a list of what's been weighing heavily on my mind
• run errands
• shop for fresh fruits and vegetables
• play a game with someone
• clean for 15 minutes - no more
• do deep breathing
• do calendaring/scheduling
• do budget/bills
• spend more time out of my room than in it

Every Night:  choose one thing I want to get done the next day; forgive myself if it doesn't happen
Every Day:  pray and spend some time in the scriptures, no matter how small the amount
Bonus Points:  talk to my husband in person and make some kind of physical contact

I try to make my bed every day because it makes me happy.  Anything beyond what's on these lists would be a major accomplishment and might cost me the next day.