The Upside of Downtime

I'm sure I've mentioned before that I'm not good at resting on command. With my Christmas travel time just over a week away, I have things I want to get done around the house. Fortunately, I've done all my shopping and wrapping; now I need to put everything in a big box to take on the road. When my friend was helping me wrap gifts on Monday, she mentioned that she should have brought her ribbons and bows over to decorate the presents. I told her I had those things, but I learned the hard way that there's no point in putting them on until I get where I'm going. Not only do they often fall off. They sometimes catch on something and tear the wrapping paper.

My doctor told me to lie down with my leg elevated for the next few days. I'm taking pain medicine, glucosamine, steroids, and Celebrex, and still my entire leg hurts. It hurts less when I lie down. In the thirteen or so hours I've been awake today, I'd say I have spent maybe a total of two hours with my leg up. The biggest problem -- apart from thinking something needs to be done right away -- is that the steroids make me really edgy. I feel like I'm going to burst right through my skin, and it's hard to lie down while I'm so restless. My new friend (the one who's been helping around the house and yard) texted me this morning to see if I needed anything. I was so grateful! I hadn't picked up my prescriptions from yesterday, and despite the edginess I didn't want to leave the house. I especially didn't want to go hobbling around from store to store. So she got my medicine and a few other grocery items for me, then hung out and helped with some household tasks that would position me to be able to get things done while my leg was propped up.

One activity I've been engaging in more than I would have otherwise is finishing my crochet projects. I had planned to make a blanket for each of my sons, but that has proved a great challenge. If I can at least get the oldest's finished -- and I think I can -- I can present his at Christmas and give the other two theirs later. So, it seems, that some good may come of my forced rest after all. That doesn't mean I like it.