april1848
04-22-2008, 03:25 PM
Yesterday the weather was beautiful and I decided to work on my flower bed. I tilled, weeded, planted, divided, sowed seeds and watered. I worked for about 4 hours. It didn't take long before I was in a ton of pain and overheated, but I enjoy gardening so much that I just didn't want to stop. By the time I was done and washed up I could barely move. My muscles were twitching, my legs were pins and needles, my feet were numb. I got hit with a fatigue that was so bad that I swear even blinking was hard.
I laid on my couch for an hour just not moving. Today I feel a lot better, just leg weakness and very painful joints. I feel angry and frustrated that four hours of gardening made me feel so bad. There's absolutely nothing that I love more than digging in the dirt and helping things grow, the smell of soil, and the total satisfaction it gives me. I hate that one day I may not be able to do this at all. I know I should have stopped yesterday when I started feeling bad, but I just didn't want to. I feel stubborn and childish because I refused to listen to my body. I wanted to do more in the garden today but I'm not feeling so well.
I guess I just needed to vent. I'm angry and sad that I can't work outside all day long. I'm having trouble accepting that I have limitations like this, when I'm 29 years old!
I laid on my couch for an hour just not moving. Today I feel a lot better, just leg weakness and very painful joints. I feel angry and frustrated that four hours of gardening made me feel so bad. There's absolutely nothing that I love more than digging in the dirt and helping things grow, the smell of soil, and the total satisfaction it gives me. I hate that one day I may not be able to do this at all. I know I should have stopped yesterday when I started feeling bad, but I just didn't want to. I feel stubborn and childish because I refused to listen to my body. I wanted to do more in the garden today but I'm not feeling so well.
I guess I just needed to vent. I'm angry and sad that I can't work outside all day long. I'm having trouble accepting that I have limitations like this, when I'm 29 years old!
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Nenu
04-22-2008, 03:56 PM
April, remember my house cleaning leading to a trip to the hospital with a spinal migraine? ;) It SUCKS! I'm right there with you, feeling like I can't do all the things I used to enjoy, like going out all night with friends (there's no way I can go without regular 6+ hours of sleep now).
april1848
04-22-2008, 04:17 PM
I feel like I'm being a baby but I can't help it! I can't go out much anymore either. I'm an early to bed, early to rise person and when I deviate from that I don't do too well.
I may work in the garden a little bit later, but I'm not going to overdo it. I don't want to end up in the hospital from that!
I may work in the garden a little bit later, but I'm not going to overdo it. I don't want to end up in the hospital from that!
Nenu
04-22-2008, 04:22 PM
Gardening is definitely therapeutic April. Don't overdo it however. If you garden in smaller amounts, you'll probably have more time that you will be able to spend with your passion :)
MSJayhawk
04-22-2008, 04:36 PM
I have built several raised beds for my mother with the assistance of my son. The beds are made of plastic lumber and are 18 inches high. This allows the bed to remain accessible from a power chair or easy to sit on the edge and pick flowers or veggies. My mom has Parkinson's and has found the beds easy to use. She now has 8 beds which are 47.5 inches by 26 feet.
kimpossible67
04-22-2008, 05:45 PM
April, I had flowerbeds like you can't imagine. I know just what your talking about, the feel of the soil, watching the "babies" grow. This year I'm divorced and in a tiny apartment. What I wouldn't give to be able to throw myself on the couch in pain after working in my flowerbeds :) I'd tell you to take it easy but coming from a hardcore flower fanatic myself, you probably won't, lol. Enjoy the glory, at least when your in pain and exhausted, you have such beauty to show for it, right? What are you growing? Are you annuals, periennials or both?
april1848
04-22-2008, 07:12 PM
I grow everything. Yesterday I just planted pansies, alyssum and anemones, and I sowed cosmos, nasturtium, and sweet peas. I'll wait a few weeks before I really go crazy with annuals. Perennials are my favorite though and I planted so many last year that I don't have much room left.
I also do container gardening. I have a large porch and I painted a lot of the pots myself. In those I grow perennials, annuals and herbs all together. One pot is always reserved for shady plants (it's under a tree) and one is reserved for cascading petunias. I am obsessed with flowers. It used to be my job so I learned a lot.
My mom moved into an apartment with just a balcony and I turned it into a garden a few years ago. I'll be working on it next week. I put flower boxes along the ledge and I plant trailing plants in them. Then there are lots of painted pots filled with her favorite flowers and one just for herbs that she uses for cooking. It was hard for her to move from a house with a yard to the apartment, so every year I buy and plant everything and she takes care of it. I saw the most beautifully "landscaped" balconies when I was in Italy so I tried to copy it for her. And when she opens the door to the balcony it smells heavenly.
I used to do landscape design, and I did design handicapped-accessible beds. I've found container gardening to be much easier than dirt gardening. One day I want to put in a little pond with a waterfall. I just love it!
I also do container gardening. I have a large porch and I painted a lot of the pots myself. In those I grow perennials, annuals and herbs all together. One pot is always reserved for shady plants (it's under a tree) and one is reserved for cascading petunias. I am obsessed with flowers. It used to be my job so I learned a lot.
My mom moved into an apartment with just a balcony and I turned it into a garden a few years ago. I'll be working on it next week. I put flower boxes along the ledge and I plant trailing plants in them. Then there are lots of painted pots filled with her favorite flowers and one just for herbs that she uses for cooking. It was hard for her to move from a house with a yard to the apartment, so every year I buy and plant everything and she takes care of it. I saw the most beautifully "landscaped" balconies when I was in Italy so I tried to copy it for her. And when she opens the door to the balcony it smells heavenly.
I used to do landscape design, and I did design handicapped-accessible beds. I've found container gardening to be much easier than dirt gardening. One day I want to put in a little pond with a waterfall. I just love it!
taosdaphne
04-22-2008, 08:54 PM
Yes, we all face limitations of one sort and another. Container gardens are a great way to go,as are annuals that take little work (I'm addicted to lilies ane peonies, myself).
But just because we have MS does NOT mean we have to give up our passions--we just need to learn some accomodations, like the raised beds. I can still ride my horse, just need some help getting up on him, and 30 mins is about as long as I can last (so far--nearly slid off the saddle from muscle weakness the other day), And I can go back to old passions, like playing piano. I played comnpetitively when a kid, and then didn't play for almost 20 years. My partner bought me an electronic keyboard for xmas, and I'm happpily doing Hanon exercises and mangling Bach. :) The MS isn't as big a problem as some arthritis in 2 fingers of my right hand, but I get such joy from this I'm not likely to quit, even tho I know there's no way I'll ever be as good as I was at 16. Makes me happy!
So be happy and do as much as you can, even if you have to break things down into smaller icrements.
Oh my gosh! Forgot to feed the dog! no wonder she's barrking!
But just because we have MS does NOT mean we have to give up our passions--we just need to learn some accomodations, like the raised beds. I can still ride my horse, just need some help getting up on him, and 30 mins is about as long as I can last (so far--nearly slid off the saddle from muscle weakness the other day), And I can go back to old passions, like playing piano. I played comnpetitively when a kid, and then didn't play for almost 20 years. My partner bought me an electronic keyboard for xmas, and I'm happpily doing Hanon exercises and mangling Bach. :) The MS isn't as big a problem as some arthritis in 2 fingers of my right hand, but I get such joy from this I'm not likely to quit, even tho I know there's no way I'll ever be as good as I was at 16. Makes me happy!
So be happy and do as much as you can, even if you have to break things down into smaller icrements.
Oh my gosh! Forgot to feed the dog! no wonder she's barrking!
kimpossible67
04-22-2008, 09:19 PM
April, I can see in real life, you and I would be fast friends! I miss it so much. I've never been much of a container gardener but as of my current lifestyle, I guess I'll learn how. I had a huge (35x50) raised, surrounded by boulders with a flagstone walk (that my ex made me) and I planted the entire thing. I either started it from seed or bargained shopped. My style was cottage and it was beautiful. I'm so ecclectic, if I liked it, I grew it. I love beachy colors, blues, pinks, reds, peach, orange, white, yellows, etc. I could "see" your description and it sounds gorgeous. The only thing I don't like about greenhousing is the heat and humidity, yikes! Lifes a garden so dig it!
kimpossible67
04-22-2008, 09:20 PM
Yes, we all face limitations of one sort and another. Container gardens are a great way to go,as are annuals that take little work (I'm addicted to lilies ane peonies, myself).
But just because we have MS does NOT mean we have to give up our passions--we just need to learn some accomodations, like the raised beds. I can still ride my horse, just need some help getting up on him, and 30 mins is about as long as I can last (so far--nearly slid off the saddle from muscle weakness the other day), And I can go back to old passions, like playing piano. I played comnpetitively when a kid, and then didn't play for almost 20 years. My partner bought me an electronic keyboard for xmas, and I'm happpily doing Hanon exercises and mangling Bach. :) The MS isn't as big a problem as some arthritis in 2 fingers of my right hand, but I get such joy from this I'm not likely to quit, even tho I know there's no way I'll ever be as good as I was at 16. Makes me happy!
So be happy and do as much as you can, even if you have to break things down into smaller icrements.
Oh my gosh! Forgot to feed the dog! no wonder she's barrking!
LOL, spoken like a true MS'er, haha
But just because we have MS does NOT mean we have to give up our passions--we just need to learn some accomodations, like the raised beds. I can still ride my horse, just need some help getting up on him, and 30 mins is about as long as I can last (so far--nearly slid off the saddle from muscle weakness the other day), And I can go back to old passions, like playing piano. I played comnpetitively when a kid, and then didn't play for almost 20 years. My partner bought me an electronic keyboard for xmas, and I'm happpily doing Hanon exercises and mangling Bach. :) The MS isn't as big a problem as some arthritis in 2 fingers of my right hand, but I get such joy from this I'm not likely to quit, even tho I know there's no way I'll ever be as good as I was at 16. Makes me happy!
So be happy and do as much as you can, even if you have to break things down into smaller icrements.
Oh my gosh! Forgot to feed the dog! no wonder she's barrking!
LOL, spoken like a true MS'er, haha
kimpossible67
04-22-2008, 09:22 PM
I have built several raised beds for my mother with the assistance of my son. The beds are made of plastic lumber and are 18 inches high. This allows the bed to remain accessible from a power chair or easy to sit on the edge and pick flowers or veggies. My mom has Parkinson's and has found the beds easy to use. She now has 8 beds which are 47.5 inches by 26 feet.
That is really cool. I had heard that raised beds get warmer sooner. I worked for a lady that had a greenhouse and all her beds were raised. I liked it alot. Good for you and your Mom!
That is really cool. I had heard that raised beds get warmer sooner. I worked for a lady that had a greenhouse and all her beds were raised. I liked it alot. Good for you and your Mom!
Nenu
04-23-2008, 07:11 AM
Haha, April's awesome. I think we all want to be her real life friend. :) ~hugs~
tuckersmom
04-23-2008, 08:27 AM
Hi April,
I am a lover of "good dirt" as well! We have lots of flower beds and I miss those long days in the sun and working on the beds until I was covered from head to toe in dirt and mulch and up to my hips in flower pots.
I have been out 2 days in a row and it has been glorious! I have my first sunburn of the on my sholders! The temp. are in the 50's in the am and then low 70's in the afternoon. Perfect! I am exhausted today but have to get one of the fields cut before the rain. I don't have anything to do for Thurs/Fri so I can rest.
I have found if I get out at daylight and work until about noon... eat lunch, take a nap and then go back out after dinner for a few hours I do really well and get lots done! I can't always stick to that schedule but when I can, it really makes it much more like the "good ole days". It can be sad and frustrating to acknowledge our limitations BUT it inspires us to find new ways to get the same things done.
Take care of yourself.:)
Lisa
I am a lover of "good dirt" as well! We have lots of flower beds and I miss those long days in the sun and working on the beds until I was covered from head to toe in dirt and mulch and up to my hips in flower pots.
I have been out 2 days in a row and it has been glorious! I have my first sunburn of the on my sholders! The temp. are in the 50's in the am and then low 70's in the afternoon. Perfect! I am exhausted today but have to get one of the fields cut before the rain. I don't have anything to do for Thurs/Fri so I can rest.
I have found if I get out at daylight and work until about noon... eat lunch, take a nap and then go back out after dinner for a few hours I do really well and get lots done! I can't always stick to that schedule but when I can, it really makes it much more like the "good ole days". It can be sad and frustrating to acknowledge our limitations BUT it inspires us to find new ways to get the same things done.
Take care of yourself.:)
Lisa
april1848
04-23-2008, 01:41 PM
I wish you guys were my friends in "real life"!!!!
After a flood we hired a guy to put in some drains on the side and back of the house. My husband is FURIOUS because there's no grass there anymore, just dirt. I am ecstatic though! The possibilities are endless! I could just throw down some grass seed and call it a day, but grass is boring!
I'm having visions of groundcover and endless drifts of bulbs. Husband wants some boxwood and grass...boring. I'm picturing wooly thyme on the side of the house, which can be walked on, smells like heaven, and even blooms for a few weeks.
Just looking at all that dirt is making me happy. Any ideas?
After a flood we hired a guy to put in some drains on the side and back of the house. My husband is FURIOUS because there's no grass there anymore, just dirt. I am ecstatic though! The possibilities are endless! I could just throw down some grass seed and call it a day, but grass is boring!
I'm having visions of groundcover and endless drifts of bulbs. Husband wants some boxwood and grass...boring. I'm picturing wooly thyme on the side of the house, which can be walked on, smells like heaven, and even blooms for a few weeks.
Just looking at all that dirt is making me happy. Any ideas?
Nenu
04-23-2008, 01:48 PM
April, after having my house lifted and the foundation rebuilt, you can imagine the state of the land around the outside of the house. It requires some TLC. You sound like the woman for the job! ;)
april1848
04-23-2008, 02:06 PM
I wish I could come and do it!
I used to design landscapes for really wealthy people. It was a lot of fun since they had no monetary limits! I have limits, but there's still a lot I can do. I still drive by their houses once in awhile to see how things look.
Unfortunately I'm still in a lot of pain. I'm going to see my PCP in a few minutes to see if he can give me something. I'm so frustrated! I feel like I'm 80 years old. I'm not used to pacing myself so much.
A few weeks ago for my birthday, my husband, best friend and I went to the art museum to see an exhibit that I was looking forward to. There were a lot of stairs in the parking garage and the museum. I could have used an elevator but I'm a stubborn fool. By the end of our day my legs were jello. These are the things about MS that are making me crazy! I used to be such a hyper person and I got so much done. I was able to work full time, go to school full time and have a life besides.
I'm not giving up on the things I like to do, I just have to find different ways to do them.
I used to design landscapes for really wealthy people. It was a lot of fun since they had no monetary limits! I have limits, but there's still a lot I can do. I still drive by their houses once in awhile to see how things look.
Unfortunately I'm still in a lot of pain. I'm going to see my PCP in a few minutes to see if he can give me something. I'm so frustrated! I feel like I'm 80 years old. I'm not used to pacing myself so much.
A few weeks ago for my birthday, my husband, best friend and I went to the art museum to see an exhibit that I was looking forward to. There were a lot of stairs in the parking garage and the museum. I could have used an elevator but I'm a stubborn fool. By the end of our day my legs were jello. These are the things about MS that are making me crazy! I used to be such a hyper person and I got so much done. I was able to work full time, go to school full time and have a life besides.
I'm not giving up on the things I like to do, I just have to find different ways to do them.