Check In Easter Sunday 3-31-13

Yesterday and today were pretty good days.

We didn’t have a traditional Easter dinner because today was also my grand son Landon’s 10th birthday. We were invited to my stepson’s and his girlfriend’s home to celebrate.

Landon wanted spaghetti and garlic bread so that’s what we had. My stepson’s lady Melissa made this totally awesome birthday cake for Landon. Isn’t it cool??!!

It’s a cookie dough flavor cake with cookie dough frosting between the layers. The bunny butt and carrots are fondant and the grass is colored coconut with a ring of Kit Kats around the outside of the cake. It was so moist! I knew I shouldn’t but I had a half a slice of a thin sliver of it. It was so good! And since I took my diabetes medicine, even with all the carbs and sugar I ate today, my blood sugar was only 112 three hours later, so it was all good.

Saturday I went shopping for about 3 hours with my daughter. We went grocery shopping and I went to JoAnn’s to get some buttons and bigger safety pins. I have been working on crocheting burial kimonos and crocheted diapers for angel babies for our group God's Tiny Angels . I didn’t get a picture taken yet but will post it soon. They work up pretty fast and the need is great. I got the pattern for the diaper and kimono here Love You More Than The Bus Blog. The pattern has been approved by Teeny Tears for use for charity donations.

All the buttons at JoAnn’s were on sale for 50% off which sure helps. It’s amazing how expensive buttons are any more.

So, two days in a row out of the house. It’s been a very long time since that has happened. My daughter drove yesterday and my husband today. I’m still having just a bit of dizziness off and on so still just a little leery about driving yet. But, the weather was so nice the last 2 days and it sure was nice to get out in it.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m still having some bad days, more like bad hours than full days though. I’m still needing to sleep more than I would like, so an afternoon nap is pretty much a given daily at this time. The anxiety still comes and goes, sometimes for no reason at all. I know I felt shaky and nervous when I needed to leave home the last two days, but I’ve found a fourth of a Xanax seems to take the edge off and once I’m out of the house I seem to be ok for at least 3 or 4 hours. My mood is definitely better. I do seems to have some more energy than I did, actually getting some housework done that’s been needing to get caught up. I actually have more interest in doing things and wanting to get out of the house than I’ve had for quite awhile. I’m still not anywhere near 100% there yet, maybe 40% at this time. But things are for sure getting better. I know it’s going to take time but I really feel the Effexor is taking me in the right direction. I’m starting to see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.

Until next time….take care of yourself.

Check In 3-20-13

Today was better than yesterday. I’m still wanting to sleep a lot. Wasted a good part of this morning and some of this afternoon. Guess my body and brain are still adjusting. But I did get ambitious this afternoon and evening. Got the dishes done, swept all the floors, got the garbage and litter boxes ready to go out since tomorrow is garbage day. Went out and got the mail. Even got some more crocheting done. Almost finished with an off white and lavender baby blanket. Just need to finish the shell edging. If I get it done soon I will post a picture. Thinking about making a matching hat to go with it.

Until tomorrow!

Addressing Depression And Anxiety 3-13-13

Not even really sure where to begin, so I guess I will just start.

For quite some time now, I have been dealing with depression, anxiety and social phobia. My daughter suggested maybe I should blog about my feelings and experiences as it might help me and help others going through some of the same things.

I don’t usually broadcast to others about my depression, etc., because I have found that if someone hasn’t experienced it themselves, they really don’t understand. Heck, I don’t totally understand. My doctor, family and good friends know about my problems, but that’s about as far as it goes until now.

At the end of December, I FINALLY admitted to myself that I needed help. That in itself is a HUGE step when you are dealing with depression, anxiety and/or any kind of social phobia.

You are NOT crazy. You DO need help. These medical issues are not just something that you can “get over it”. It just doesn’t work that way. All of these are contributed to by neuro transmitters in your brain, at least that is what I am learning from talking with my doctor and research I have done.

Depression and such issues sneak up on you. I used to be a very social person who enjoyed going places and doing things. Over a long period of time I have progressively gotten to the point where not much of anything has any interest for me. I don’t have much motivation or energy to do anything either. I seldom leave my home. I HATE BEING THIS WAY!!

In December I started on Xanax for my anxiety. That has helped a LOT, with the anxiety. My doctor also started me on Paxil, which addresses the serotonin in your brain. At first it seemed like the Paxil was helping, but that only lasted for a week or two. Evidently, that isn’t my problem. So we are switching me to a new med starting on Friday. You have to wean down on the dose of the Paxil before switching or you can get some pretty nasty side effects.

I will stop for tonight and post more tomorrow. Otherwise this post will be way to long for anyone to want to read it. I will address some of the issues that I have been having, side effects from the drugs and other things as I go along. Thank you for listening.