While January moseyed along at a leisurely pace, February took off like it had somewhere better to be. I barely blinked before realizing it was time to write a new blog. So, do I tackle two months in one go? Kill two birds with one stone? Not that I’d ever throw stones at birds—let’s just say I’m multitasking!
January started with a belated Christmas present in the form of the flu—or at least I think it was the flu. The tricky thing is, I get my flu shot every year like a responsible adult. So when the flu finally catches up to me, it’s not nearly as dramatic as it wants to be. Thankfully, that means I can still function and avoid any unnecessary hospital trips. (Side note: Why were there no flu shots when I was a kid? Seriously, I feel cheated.)
The downside? This so-called “mild” flu overstayed its nonexistent welcome like an unwanted houseguest who doesn’t pick up on hints. I missed several trips to the day center and swimming—though, let’s be honest, the weather was doing its best to keep me inside anyway. Mother Nature had a full-blown identity crisis, swinging between “mild winter” and “arctic tundra” with no warning. If I wasn’t dealing with a runny nose, I was dealing with temperatures that made me rethink my life choices.
When I wasn’t sneezing or shivering, I found myself revisiting an old skill—one I hadn’t needed in years. Having CRS is like receiving a never-ending surprise gift. Not always a fun surprise, but definitely unexpected.
This time, lifestyle changes led me back to a skill I once had but hadn’t used in ages. Dusting off the mental cobwebs, I called in reinforcements—aka experts who actually know what they’re doing. With their help (and the ever-reliable Jessy), I realized I remembered more than I thought. Sure, I still need a little backup, but I’m confident I’ll be back to using this skill independently soon. And let me tell you, that feels pretty great.
My confidence got another boost after a surprisingly short (but sweet) conversation during an evaluation with the home care nurses. Turns out, I’m still managing my personal care just fine—thanks in part to my trusty Medido, which makes sure I take my medication on time. I probably won’t see the nurses again until my next evaluation. That’s a win in my book!
Meanwhile, the physiotherapist made an earlier-than-expected appearance after some uninvited pain decided to crash the party. Luckily, the physio knows exactly what to do—as long as I keep up with the exercises afterward. (Why do they always say that like it’s optional?)
You ever have a favorite dish soap, snack, or brand of medicine that just disappears from existence overnight? One day, it’s sitting there on the shelf, and the next—it’s like it never existed. I recently had this experience with a medication I’ve been taking for years.
When it’s dish soap, you just grumble and get used to a new scent. When it’s medicine? Oh, that’s when the real fun begins. My body decided it did not appreciate the switch, and the side effects were not on my wish list. Hopefully, my next doctor’s visit will come with a more suitable replacement—preferably one that doesn’t make my body throw a tantrum.
On a brighter note, the pedicure lady paid a visit, and my feet are now significantly happier. I even made it to the day center a couple of times—though those visits were cut short due to the pain that sent me to the physio in the first place. The GP now has me on a treatment plan, but full healing will take a few weeks.
Life’s always a rollercoaster, but at least I’m never bored. Whether it’s tackling day-to-day challenges or figuring out how to manage pain, there’s always something going on. The best part? Mom’s dog, who is always available for cuddles and playtime.
The last weekend of February, I had a mini photo shoot with him. I was all set to use a new (well, new to me) camera that Jessy kindly donated from her collection—only to realize the battery was dead, and my brain had zero recollection of how to charge it. So, I did what any resourceful person would do: I used my phone instead.
I’ll drop a few of my favorite shots below.
See you next month, dear readers!
Blog Written by CJ, Edited with ChatGPT.
CRS Life 