Sigh... and I was doing so good!
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 216
Sigh... and I was doing so good!
BurningChrome here, have not posted in awhile.... I quit (again) 5-6 months back, was doing SO good! 20 miles a day on the exercise bike, dropped 26 lbs. Had (still have) a great job, but back in late November, I came down with a serious lung infection that has been tested 8 ways to sunday and they are still clueless as to what is wrong. Cracked some ribs I was coughing so bad 6-7 hours a day. Was in the ER twice unable to breathe (they had to give me an IV morphine drip to ease the pain enough so I could even breathe the last time). Seeing multiple pulmonary specialist now, it's definitely not bacterial so most likely viral so antibiotics won't help, only time and rest.... But, sitting in the house ALL day, every day, just SO bored, I did the _Stupid_ thing and started drinking again as that was the _only_ thing that brought relief (physical and emotional) and brought down the pain...... SOB!!! So, back to square one, cutting out all alcohol and like all humans, I will just learn to live with it. Docs are convinced that only rest and _Lots_ of time just taking it easy will be the ultimate cure, it's just SO boring staring at the wall waiting to get better. Any suggestions on the extreme boredness of just "living to get by"? I'll most likely be laid up for another month or two at the least. Just 8 weeks ago I was doing 20 miles a day on a bike, now I can barely climb a single flight of stairs :-( Sigh.... Oh well, this is our lot in life, I fully believe that once I finally get over this infection and get back to full time work and exercise, I will be back where I was, doing good, making good progress, but for now, it certainly does suck!
Thanks for letting me rant.....
..Mike
Thanks for letting me rant.....
..Mike
Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 114
This may sound kind of silly... but I am thoroughly willing to come up with 'assignments' for you to complete. When I was down for six weeks after a surgery, and I had all the t.v. I could handle, I gave myself 'assignments' to complete in a day (that I could physically handle, which wasn't much, I can tell you).
It included internet scavenger hunts; book reading assignments; creating a business plan; creating a vision board. I realize it sounds rather silly, but I can tell you, I wasn't bored. I didn't have anyone to be accountable to, though (which really sucked -- I still felt alone). So, I'd be happy to do this kind of thing with you, if you want... see if it works or helps.
Let me know.
It included internet scavenger hunts; book reading assignments; creating a business plan; creating a vision board. I realize it sounds rather silly, but I can tell you, I wasn't bored. I didn't have anyone to be accountable to, though (which really sucked -- I still felt alone). So, I'd be happy to do this kind of thing with you, if you want... see if it works or helps.
Let me know.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,378
Welcome back Mike
I'm largely housebound...I used to be bored and drink too - nowadays I never seem to find enough hours...if I'm not on SR, I'm reading, or doing something on the net, or some small chore around the house, or watching some DVD....
I think Mark is onto something too. Maybe there's more than boredom going on.
Were you doing AA? Can you make a meeting?
I hope your lung problem gets better - cutting out alcohol will definitely help whatever is wrong
D
I'm largely housebound...I used to be bored and drink too - nowadays I never seem to find enough hours...if I'm not on SR, I'm reading, or doing something on the net, or some small chore around the house, or watching some DVD....
I think Mark is onto something too. Maybe there's more than boredom going on.
Were you doing AA? Can you make a meeting?
I hope your lung problem gets better - cutting out alcohol will definitely help whatever is wrong
D
Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,649
It sounds like exercise was your program and it seemed to be doing the trick...until you got sick. Have you considered using another program while you are healing from this illness? AA, Smart, outpatient treatment, counseling?
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Mike....
Please quit messing around with your life.
Drinking is not going to help with an infection.
I too go to a lung specialist ...for COPD and had a
lung cancer removed this past June.
They would not have done the treatment on a drinker.
I can't get up the steps to an AA meeting....so now I attend
another that is on the ground floor....
Get serious and get sober.
Please quit messing around with your life.
Drinking is not going to help with an infection.
I too go to a lung specialist ...for COPD and had a
lung cancer removed this past June.
They would not have done the treatment on a drinker.
I can't get up the steps to an AA meeting....so now I attend
another that is on the ground floor....
Get serious and get sober.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 216
Originally Posted by Corri 
This may sound kind of silly... but I am thoroughly willing to come up with 'assignments' for you to complete. When I was down for six weeks after a surgery, and I had all the t.v. I could handle, I gave myself 'assignments' to complete in a day (that I could physically handle, which wasn't much, I can tell you).
It included internet scavenger hunts; book reading assignments; creating a business plan; creating a vision board. I realize it sounds rather silly, but I can tell you, I wasn't bored. I didn't have anyone to be accountable to, though (which really sucked -- I still felt alone). So, I'd be happy to do this kind of thing with you, if you want... see if it works or helps.
Let me know.
It included internet scavenger hunts; book reading assignments; creating a business plan; creating a vision board. I realize it sounds rather silly, but I can tell you, I wasn't bored. I didn't have anyone to be accountable to, though (which really sucked -- I still felt alone). So, I'd be happy to do this kind of thing with you, if you want... see if it works or helps.
Let me know.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 216
Originally Posted by Dee74
Welcome back Mike
I'm largely housebound...I used to be bored and drink too - nowadays I never seem to find enough hours...if I'm not on SR, I'm reading, or doing something on the net, or some small chore around the house, or watching some DVD....
I think Mark is onto something too. Maybe there's more than boredom going on.
Were you doing AA? Can you make a meeting?
I hope your lung problem gets better - cutting out alcohol will definitely help whatever is wrong
D
I'm largely housebound...I used to be bored and drink too - nowadays I never seem to find enough hours...if I'm not on SR, I'm reading, or doing something on the net, or some small chore around the house, or watching some DVD....
I think Mark is onto something too. Maybe there's more than boredom going on.
Were you doing AA? Can you make a meeting?
I hope your lung problem gets better - cutting out alcohol will definitely help whatever is wrong
D
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,474
Hi Mike,
I think your body is telling you it needs to rest and recuperate, and you know that the best thing is to take it easy. But, there are still lots of things you can do. I'm glad you're back.
I think your body is telling you it needs to rest and recuperate, and you know that the best thing is to take it easy. But, there are still lots of things you can do. I'm glad you're back.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 114
BC:
You said you were bored in your first post. Here you say its all you can do not to sleep 14 hours a day and shuffle around the house. Do you keep booze in the house that's easy to shuffle to? How are/were you getting your alcohol? For the 10ish hours that you are awake in a 24 hour period, is it during the day, when you are home by yourself? Is it at night, when everyone is asleep? When?
Sorry for all the questions, and if I sound like an interrogater. It is normal to be depressed during such a length of illness and inactivity. Having a plan to face the waking hours, even if it is minute compared to what you used to do, may help???
Thanks Corri, I appreciate the thought :-) I have some good days, but most days, it's all I can do to not sleep 14 hours a day and shuffle around the house abit. On the plus side, I am so very fortunate that I am married to a good woman who is doing everything she can to keep me eating and taking care of me. Thanks again tho! ...Mike
Sorry for all the questions, and if I sound like an interrogater. It is normal to be depressed during such a length of illness and inactivity. Having a plan to face the waking hours, even if it is minute compared to what you used to do, may help???
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: New England
Posts: 5,285
Hi BC and sorry about your illness and relapse
Someone else posted that it sounds like exercise was your program....maybe your getting sick is your bodies way of telling you you need to do more.
Exercise is a great tool for staying sober IMO but I don't think it should be your program in entirety.
IMHO
Someone else posted that it sounds like exercise was your program....maybe your getting sick is your bodies way of telling you you need to do more.
Exercise is a great tool for staying sober IMO but I don't think it should be your program in entirety.
IMHO
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 216
Originally Posted by Corri
BC:
You said you were bored in your first post. Here you say its all you can do not to sleep 14 hours a day and shuffle around the house. Do you keep booze in the house that's easy to shuffle to? How are/were you getting your alcohol? For the 10ish hours that you are awake in a 24 hour period, is it during the day, when you are home by yourself? Is it at night, when everyone is asleep? When?
Sorry for all the questions, and if I sound like an interrogater. It is normal to be depressed during such a length of illness and inactivity. Having a plan to face the waking hours, even if it is minute compared to what you used to do, may help???
You said you were bored in your first post. Here you say its all you can do not to sleep 14 hours a day and shuffle around the house. Do you keep booze in the house that's easy to shuffle to? How are/were you getting your alcohol? For the 10ish hours that you are awake in a 24 hour period, is it during the day, when you are home by yourself? Is it at night, when everyone is asleep? When?
Sorry for all the questions, and if I sound like an interrogater. It is normal to be depressed during such a length of illness and inactivity. Having a plan to face the waking hours, even if it is minute compared to what you used to do, may help???
Wow! Corri! _Thank you-! I truly appreciate your brutally realisic (sp?) questions.... (And I mean this in the best of ways!). You are correct, I was buying alcohol on the way to/from my 2/3 times a week doctors appt.s. It was just so easy! I had two doc appt.s today and additional blood tests but drove straight home aftwerwards. Thank you for slapping me around and asking the hard questions, you are _SO_ right! If I am this ill, what the hell am I doing getting back into drinking. Short term, "makes me feel better", but I _Know_ it is is not helping me heal myself. I am driving/walking the straight and narrow as I was before...
Thank you again for pointing out such an obvious thing! You will hear from me again shortly, much healthier and alcohol free. Only someone who really cared would have said what you did. Again, Thank you! It's people like you who help people like me!
..Mike
A work in progress
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 16,633
Hey, Mike,
Sorry for the problems, but it looks like you are getting honest with yourself. Which is a GOOD thing.
Get some structure going in your day. Try to do a little more for yourself each day--it will help you to feel you are doing what you can to aid in your own recovery.
I forget where you stand with the idea of AA, but it wouldn't be a bad time to do some reading, maybe talk with some people in the program. If you can't make a meeting, someone would be glad to come out and help you get started--you only need to call your local Intergroup.
Glad you're back here with us.
Sorry for the problems, but it looks like you are getting honest with yourself. Which is a GOOD thing.
Get some structure going in your day. Try to do a little more for yourself each day--it will help you to feel you are doing what you can to aid in your own recovery.
I forget where you stand with the idea of AA, but it wouldn't be a bad time to do some reading, maybe talk with some people in the program. If you can't make a meeting, someone would be glad to come out and help you get started--you only need to call your local Intergroup.
Glad you're back here with us.
SR Fan
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 7,910
Hi Burning Chrome - I'm so glad you're getting sober again (and your body is too!) So sorry you've had such bad problems lately. I've been laid up with back issues for a week or two at a time, nothing like the months you're talking about. I was never so grateful for my laptop during those times (TV too).
While in bed, I've made DVD's for family (using Movie Maker and iMovie) - it's a lot of fun. I've also knitted (which happens to be latest thing, supposedly, in Hollywood, though no one really cares! Even the guys are doing it)......
Try Googling "things to do while recovering from an illness" - you'd probably find lots of ideas!
Get better soon!
While in bed, I've made DVD's for family (using Movie Maker and iMovie) - it's a lot of fun. I've also knitted (which happens to be latest thing, supposedly, in Hollywood, though no one really cares! Even the guys are doing it)......
Try Googling "things to do while recovering from an illness" - you'd probably find lots of ideas!
Get better soon!
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 15
I really like what people already posted here. I am stunned that someone above offered to give you assignments - what a generous offer.
For myself, when my disease is active, I isolate myself. Isolation and this disease seem like natural counterparts. I've also realized that in order to be a happy well balanced human being, I need a certain amount of social interaction every day. I can go without it - I often do - but it's like getting enough sleep. So physical isolation created by circumstances beyond your control is a genuine challenge.
On the other hand, you have to ask yourself if some of the isolation mind-set could be the disease creeping in. There is always a "good" reason to drink, if your disease is becoming active and suggesting reasons.
Another principle that springs to mind has to do with finding ways to get out of yourself and your problems, no matter how much your disease would like you to focus on yourself. I was thinking of a website called Best Friends animal welfare that needs volunteers to do things online.
Anwyay, I'm sure there must be as many ways to combat isolation as there are people "stuck" at home - whether they are handicapped or ill in some physical or psychological way, or caregivers, or maybe just don't have a car. There will always be a good way to recover, if you're disease lets up on you enough for you to hear it.
For myself, when my disease is active, I isolate myself. Isolation and this disease seem like natural counterparts. I've also realized that in order to be a happy well balanced human being, I need a certain amount of social interaction every day. I can go without it - I often do - but it's like getting enough sleep. So physical isolation created by circumstances beyond your control is a genuine challenge.
On the other hand, you have to ask yourself if some of the isolation mind-set could be the disease creeping in. There is always a "good" reason to drink, if your disease is becoming active and suggesting reasons.
Another principle that springs to mind has to do with finding ways to get out of yourself and your problems, no matter how much your disease would like you to focus on yourself. I was thinking of a website called Best Friends animal welfare that needs volunteers to do things online.
Anwyay, I'm sure there must be as many ways to combat isolation as there are people "stuck" at home - whether they are handicapped or ill in some physical or psychological way, or caregivers, or maybe just don't have a car. There will always be a good way to recover, if you're disease lets up on you enough for you to hear it.
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