Going Green

 

This morning was the “tipping point” for several decisions that I’ve been avoiding making. I don’t know if you are familiar with the term or the book by Malcolm Gladwell, but there is a moment in time when an idea or a person or a tiny event changes everything that follows. Sometimes you don’t see it except upon reflection much later. My pain level this morning was the tipping point for me.

I’ve whined a bit over the last year about pain being the shadow of my life. At level two, even though it has been almost constant, it has not interfered much with my daily activities. It tends to be better during the day and takes over a little more strongly at night. Pain was actually the reason I first started getting up at 4am. I simply couldn’t stay in bed any longer once the morning pain began.

Now my pain is getting out of control and must be dealt with more directly. It is my opinion that the burning, tingling, numbness, weakness, and cramping are all due to the statins I’ve been taking for cholesterol. The level of pain is strong enough to wake me from a sound sleep and I’ve cried out loudly enough to wake my husband. Enough. Time to revisit the doctor, and revisit our attack plan for my cholesterol.

Time also to make a serious change in my lifestyle. I’ve been toying with the idea of returning to a vegetarian diet and I think it is time to do it. I was a vegetarian for a while when rheumatoid arthritis plagued me and I read that meat increased the severity of the pain. The change in diet seemed to help, but over time I simply drifted back into eating meat again.

March, spring, new beginnings…seems like a perfect time to embrace a different plan. So I’m going green. I hope my middle child does not get too excited! There will be no juicing or green grass smoothies or eating of things I can’t identify! I will simply return to veggies, nuts, fake eggs, and a little skim milk. Suggestions welcomed!

Have a great day!

Comments

[Megan]

I'm sorry to hear about the pain. Even more sorry that it's statin related.

Your pain levels must be high indeed if it's only a 2 that wakes you up. I'd hate to feel what an 8 would be on your scale.

My sleep study showed lots and lots of pain that keep me waking throughout the night. Pain that I didn't know was there until I treated it--it was so "normal" to me. 4 a.m. has gone away for me and I honestly hope not to see it again. I prefer 5:30 a.m.

I hope you find some peace.

As a gardener, you are well qualified to become a vegetarian, hopefully sooner rather than later if your weather holds.

[katrina]

well, that saves me that lecture that i was going to give you later...