Barbie and I have been
just about on the same progression path with our syndromes/diseases/illnesses
and after over 6 years, we both have found some things that help us deal with
our situations tremendously. We came up with a list of 10 things that we would
be very hard pressed to live without. The list below is in no particular
order.
1) Computer/Smart
Phone/Tablets
For
me it is my Kindle. I watch movies and TV, read books, get onto social media sites, look up information, etc. (you
get the picture). These items keep us connected to the outside world and give
us about 99% of our entertainment. Without them we'd
be lost. Of course Wi-Fi is a given here too.
2) Facebook (and other
social media sites)
OK, this
is one we love to hate! My first foray into finding people that suffer from the
same rare syndrome I have was on MD Junction and though that helped it lacked a
personal touch. Soon after I found Facebook was much more my thing and discovered many people that not only shared the same illness but a lot of other
things as well. Facebook, in all its frustrating horribleness, will
always be more of a comfort than a headache to me and I am grateful for all it has brought me.
3) Sports Bras and Yoga
Pants
Basically
all forms of comfortable clothing but for me as long as I have a sports bra and
yoga pants on with a t-shirt over it, I can go anywhere. It is the "in
fashion" for doctors’ visits, prescription pickups, drive thru Dunkin
Donuts runs and even allows for easy movement in the grocery store. Barbie's
favorite summer look: boxer shorts and a tank top with a loose t-shirt thrown
over it to pull the look together.
4) Healthy Snacks
Yes, we
all need to be eating healthier but sometimes it is hard to even pull ourselves
up out of bed to put something together. Keeping healthy snacks around that are
an easy go to for when you can't get up enough energy to cook is key to our
survival.
5) Baby wipes
Why baby
wipes? Well, they are a quick and easy way to clean up if someone is coming
over and you don't have the energy to take a full shower. They are also great
after sleeping if you are prone to night sweats and don't jump right out of bed
to take a shower or bath. Don't even get me started on their uses for those of
us with IBS...
6) A Place for
All Our Pain Relief Items
About 4
years ago I got to the point with my pain that I'd try anything. I must have a
dozen different creams and ointments and another 2 dozen different OTC or
natural remedy items at any given time. Though not all were successful, a lot
work on different levels of pain or on different parts of my body, so I am hard
pressed to throw any of them away. I keep them all in a Rubbermaid bin right
next to my bed and visit it all the time to combat whatever muscle, bone, joint
or nerve pain that decided to pop up that day.
7) Grabber Reaching
Tools
I
currently own 4 of these and have them strategical placed around the house.
Side Bar: I also put a trash barrel (kitchen size) in almost every room around
the house so I never have far to go to throw things away.
8) Paper Goods
If cooking gets us so tired, imagine what washing dishes does? I keep a plethora of paper
plates (I like the horrible styrofoam ones because they are sturdy) and plastic
utensils on hand at all times. In fact, I believe I have forgone making
something to eat and opted to go out instead if I was left to use actual plates
and utensils because I dreaded the cleanup. One other thing I use a lot while
cooking is aluminum tins. That way I can throw
them away after cooking is done or they make it easy to store leftovers in.
9) Netflix
I don't
believe I need to explain this one but will give honorable mentions to Hulu and
Amazon as well.
10) A Pet
Dogs and cats (and all other animals for you non-conventional people) serve
many purposes. They give us companionship, they are good at sympathizing and
don't mind when you lay around all day (in fact most my pets loved that I lazed
around with them hours at a time). They also give you a purpose to get up and
take care of their needs which in turn makes gives you an opportunity to take
care of yourself.
I hope you enjoyed our
list that we put together and please leave a comment if you have ones you would
like to add.
Contributed by:
Barbie & Janet
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