A Link-Up with A Chronic Voice

Can you believe it is Autumn and October already?!  Everyone is saying it, but where exactly has this year gone?  And, in actual fact, it has been an age since I last did a link-up with Sheryl from A Chronic Voice.  Her link-ups are an opportunity to engage and learn from other chronic illness bloggers and I was reminded, after reading a few other blog posts in the link-up, how much I value the opportunity to reflect on the prompts that Sheryl provides.  Here is the link with all the details if you would like to take part yourself.  This month’s prompts are:

Producing

Acquiring

Switching

Disappointing

Forming

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Producing

This year has been a year of change for me; I have had so many new challenges to contend with both personally and professionally.  As you may know, if you have read my previous blog posts, I am now working as an independent speech and language therapist after taking early retirement from my NHS post, as a result of my progressive Multiple Sclerosis.  It was only at the start of this year that I really knuckled down to making a go of it as, last year, I was recovering from my HSCT treatment.  Then Covid-19 struck and – ahhhhh! – my independent work took a (not-surprising) hit.

However, I have been determined to keep going as my job and the satisfaction it gives to me is so important.  I can only work for a few hours a week, but those few hours are precious to me.  As such, over September and into October, I have been PRODUCING numerous speech and language resources to use with my client group online.  Working online via Zoom teletherapy has allowed me to keep my hand in with work whilst the pandemic ranges and I am trying to keep myself and others safe.  The bonus? I can provide therapy from my own home, at a time that suits me, with clients from around the world whilst wearing my comfiest tracksuit bottoms. It has opened my eyes up to a whole new way of working that can hopefully continue into the future.

Acquiring

As a result of this new way of working with my client group – teletherapy via Zoom – I have also been ACQUIRING new skills in regards to technology.  In some ways, it has been a little bit frustrating as I know that my former NHS colleagues are also using this therapy practice now; why couldn’t I have used it when I was struggling so much in the NHS, as a way to maintain my ability to work?!  Nevertheless, I am pleased that I have been able to extend my skills in this way, as it only makes me a better and more versatile therapist.

I’ve been lucky this month in that I am not only enjoying confidence in my working life, but I have also been ACQUIRING it in my personal life.  I am a newly single ‘spoonie’ parent and, despite my MS fatigue and my work, I have managed to keep going; keeping the kids organised for school, making them dinner almost every night and even having a bit of social life with regular friend catch-ups 🙂 I am very lucky in that the kids’ dad and I are good friends and he, and our families, are helping me too.

Switching

With autumn here, I would normally be SWITCHING on the heating, but we have been boiler-less since August! Which means no heating or hot water and I am having to pop to my parents’ for showers. Until that has been sorted, I have been using my heated blanket in bed (bliss!) and using oil-filled radiators that my friends have lent me.

Snuggling down in my warm bed and consciously SWITCHING off my devices has given me the opportunity to enjoy some good books; it is amazing how much better I feel when I have a break from my phone and social media.

Here are the three books I am reading now:

   

Disappointing

I’m lucky in that there is only one thing that I have found DISAPPOINTING this month: the length of time it is taking me to get a new boiler!  I have applied through the government’s Affordable Warmth scheme, which means the new boiler will be cheaper for me, which is great, however…. the length of time it is taking to go through all the ‘checks and audits’ is a bit of a joke.  Considering the scheme is meant to help the most vulnerable (I qualified because I get Personal Independence Payment – PIP), we are having to wait in the cold for a long time.  I long for a nice warm shower in my own bathroom!

Forming

As a result of the spasticity in my legs due to my multiple sclerosis, over the next few weeks I plan on FORMING a little ‘spasticity care package’ for myself so that I have everything needed to help make me feel as comfortable as possible.  Some of this will be virtual – I have recently invested in another year’s membership of the MS Gym, as I have found the exercises so helpful for my spasticity and I have also found a really useful restorative yoga video on YouYube that I have favourited that really helps my legs.  In addition, I’m waiting on a delivery of a handheld massager and some new oils to go into my aromatherapy burner so that I can FORM a routine to use every evening before bed to help work out all the knots.  These, plus my magnesium tablets and bath soak should hopefully help – keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming blog post on whether they all help!

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So, that is my October link-up with A Chronic Voice!

I hope that everyone is well and enjoying the Autumn (if indeed it is Autumn where you are!).  I personally love the cooler weather, crisp leaves, excuse for even more hot chocolate than usual, and long Sundays when the clocks go back with a warming glass of red wine.

Love and light,