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Angel
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| Posted: Aug 03 2009 at 8:39am | IP Logged
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I'm not talking about anything really horrible, just -- every year we've lived in this house and this area of the country my allergies/asthma have gotten progressively worse. They start in May and don't let up until October. If I get any kind of virus during this time period, it never goes away... just sort of blends into the next one. (Since we're in contact with more people during the summer, we do pick things up. For instance, today we're headed to the doctor to make sure 3 of my little boys don't have strep.  )
So, I am basically running at 75% of "normal" energy (or less) and unable to breathe (because of stuffy, runny, itchy nose or wheezing - thankfully under control now!) for half the year. I can't manage the standard "use an air conditioner" advice because a)our house doesn't have central air and b)it's not usually warm enough to use a room air conditioner. No remedy really works well. I need to clean the house from top to bottom but for that I would need a babysitter, and I don't have one.
Anyway, what I really want to know is how those of you who have to cope with long periods of subpar health do it. I rarely feel bad enough to be confined to rest, but I rarely feel good enough to do what I know I am capable of doing if I only felt better. After several months of running at a fraction of "normal" speed, the amount of "stuff" there is to deal with is a little overwhelming (to put it mildly). As a family, we don't do well with lesson plans written by other people, so I can't just sign up with Seton, etc. I need to provide my kids with some structure, but I can't stay up late to do it, or get up really early, and my dh is too busy to take a day off for that. (It's more important that he's taking off a few hours today to help me get the little boys to the doctor when I feel rotten myself.)
In prayer, I have often been impressed with the idea that I only have to worry about what is needful and to let the rest go -- no matter what others might think. But what is really needful? How can I deal with this situation -- which I can only alter so much; I can't make it go away completely -- with a more peaceful attitude? (Crying about it only makes me stuffier!  )
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Angela
Mom to 9, 7 boys and 2 girls
Three Plus Two
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Aug 03 2009 at 9:04am | IP Logged
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well, not ever giving yourself time to really rest might play into it. You need rest to heal.. and if you keep pushing yourself, a cold can drag out longer than it might otherwise.
and have you tried vitamin C supplements for the allergies?
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Milehimama
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| Posted: Aug 03 2009 at 9:49am | IP Logged
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Make a list of what the "basics" are - things that must be done every day (for us, math, spelling words, reading). Add on to that slowly. It's okay if you have a history lesson once a week. It's okay if you only do science experiments once a month. You don't have to have Tea with the Saints in order to learn about the saint, and you don't have to say a full rosary before lunch in order to pray as a family.
Use the children's reading practice to fit in history, science, culture, religion. Assign them Magic Schoolbus or Magic Treehouse books, or books about animals, or easy readers about Ben Franklin.
Choose curriculum that is more "self teaching", that kids can do more or less on their own. If this means you are using a language workbook instead of "First Language Lessons", that's okay, too.
If you know that half your year will be "light", instead plan to your strengths. Plan to do more in January (when there's not much else to do, anyway.) Plan extra history activities in February. Do science camp in March and art camp in November. In Summer, do swimming lessons or let the children make a garden on their own (with direction from you.) In summer, when you are feeling low, work on home ec (teach the kids to make a meal or two). Work on "shop". Teach the kids to sew or knit or crochet or other handwork. Let them have extra nature time while the world is in bloom and spend hours exploring the fields or woods. Plan your school according to the rythms of the year and your life.
There's no law that says subjects must be taught twice per week for 45 minutes each day! God gives us each unique circumstances and has His own plan for our lives.
Sudafed works well for my allergies. I can't take Benadryl because it makes me so sleepy, it's impossible for me to watch the children; the sudafed is safe for nursing and pregnant moms and I'm almost always one of those, LOL!(I buy generic, but not the PE stuff, the stuff you have to show your driver's license to get.)
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Milehimama in Houston
Mother of 11 - 8 Church Militant and 3 Church Triumphant
Mama Says
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Servant2theKing
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| Posted: Aug 03 2009 at 10:02am | IP Logged
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Angela, longterm illness of any kind makes it so difficult for Mom to function. Getting enough sleep and rest is vital, as Jodie pointed out. When my children were younger, I relied heavily on siestas...we camped out in my bedroom (with snacks, books and toys if some were restless). Now that menopause has brought severe insomnia issues, I sometimes have to revisit the practice of siestas!
One book that I've found very helpful is, "Prescription for Nutritional Healing; A Practical A-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals & Food Supplements", by James F. Balch, MD and Phyllis A. Balch, CNC. The sections devoted to allergies and asthma are pretty comprehensive. In addition to Vit. C (1500 mg. /3 x day), both sections recommend Calcium/Magnesium (1500/750 mg), B Complex (100 mg) and extra B12 (300 mcg/ 3 x day). There are other recommendations, but those are some pretty basic supplements that might help you feel better. (Wherever the amounts varied, I've listed the lower dosage)
Have you considered running a dehumidifer during your worst seasons for allergies and asthma? Sometimes, high humidity is an even bigger culprit than heat. I have HUGE issues with high humidity...we have to run a dehumidifier on our main level yearround. The price runs between $100-$200, but the cost has been well worth it! A tip we discovered...rather than having to frequently empty the condensate water container, use an adaptor to attach a hose, then run it into a drain...in our case, we have the hose running alongside a furnace vent, down into our basement, into a floor drain. Ours is a Fedders brand...the directions for using a drain hose are right in the manual. Sure beats constantly emptying the dehumidifier!
Our Lord has already offered you wondrous assistance through the words of wisdom you shared, "In prayer, I have often been impressed with the idea that I only have to worry about what is needful and to let the rest go -- no matter what others might think." Trust in those words implicitly and follow them faithfully! Praying for you and your family. May the Lord grant you peace of heart, mind and soul, along with health of body, according to His pefect Will for you and your loved ones.
p.s. Dealing firsthand with illness can better prepare our children to be compassionate adults and/or to accept infirmities of their own.
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All for Christ, our Saviour and King, servant
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Mimip
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| Posted: Aug 03 2009 at 2:50pm | IP Logged
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Angela,
While I don't have a long term illness I suffer from debilitating migraines a few days a month or even a week. I just want to offer a big hug and tell you that God "don't make mistakes". I know you are laughing right now but sometimes I wonder about God giving me 4 children to take care of while I am so very sick and I have to just smile. You NEED to worry about the absolute basics during the summer. Do not commit to anything extra even cleaning the house extras.
In our house we have "migraine toys". I know it sounds funny but there are independent file folders and toys and videos that are only brought out when Mommy is sick. Because I spend the day in the bathroom throwing up, my older ones (they are only 9 and 7) spend time reading to the littles or entertaining.
My mom thinks I am crazy to homeschool when I get so sick but I think they are learning. It is not ideal, I wish that I did not get them and I am trying to identify more triggers but I have to live with them. As Servant said above they are learning compassion and love and they are also learning flexibility.
I'll be praying for you 
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In Christ,
Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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4Real Forums : Our Lady of Good Remedy and Care
Topic: dealing with Mom's extended illness
