“If At First You Don’t Succeed…. There’s Always The 12 Days of Christmas”

If at first you don’t succeed…..

Christmas Day Crisis

Christmas Day was pretty much a right off for me. I was so unwell with a stoma blockage that caused many issues, including my pain medication not being absorbed.

On top of that, I had a major fall requiring a 000 call to scrape me off the floor….literally!!

On Christmas Day I always like to wear a new outfit. It’s been a long time tradition and makes the day feel even more special.

This year, I couldn’t get out of my pyjamas, couldn’t style my hair, or put any makeup on, as aside from the fall, I have frozen shoulders due to my unstable spine causing me to use my upper body too much to hold me up.

I could barely eat. Thankfully we had a really lovely Christmas Eve with phone calls and videos from family and other special moments throughout the day…it was beautiful. It was my silver lining.

This happens with chronic illness. This is the life of someone living with chronic disease.

We never quite know what’s around the corner. Our diseases couldn’t care less if it’s a birthday, or Christmas, or any other kind of celebration.

The 12 Days of Christmas…25th Dec to 5th Jan.

Then came Boxing Day. It’s still Christmas. Christmas Day starts the 12 days of Christmas, so even though I still  couldn’t put on my new Christmas clothes, style my hair, put on makeup, we did manage to open our Christmas presents which seemed fitting on Boxing Day.

I also managed to send an online Christmas greeting to friends… even if I did use an old photo!

I’m still struggling after my Christmas Day fall, and it’s now the 28th Dec. I’ve stayed in my nightie today and put on a bandanna as my hair has yet again thinned so much I look like I’m bald. If my hand and arm worked, I could style it, but that’s not an option, so I had to think outside the box

If you are feeling unwell, if your disease is flaring and you feel swamped by an avalanche of symptoms, don’t lose hope. We know so often this will pass or at least ease a little.

Take the pressure off today. Go with the flow and do what your body needs. Look ahead to better days and plan a recovery treat. Something to really look forward to.

My husband and I are going to be celebrating Christmas over the 12 days of Christmas… little by little. No plans, just relax with Christmas movies, test cricket, lots of rest, add yummy food when we feel like it 🎁

Take care

Sam xx

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