Monthly Archives: July 2022

July 24 2022

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My blood pressure has returned to normal. My feet no longer hurt. My knees are getting better with each passing day. I got a new adjustable bed. I think that has helped my knees as much as anything. I had a Zoom appointment with my psych doctor. I’m continuing to lose weight at a fast pace. I’m now at my lowest weight in five years. I’m still mostly wheel chair bound. I’m starting to walk short distances with a walker.

My mental health has improved too. I was in a dark spot for quite a while earlier this summer. I’m still sad about having to give up my apartment and my independence. But it was for the best. I know have around the clock access to medical treatment. I don’t have to cook for myself anymore. I think the smaller, and more balanced, meals are helping me lose weight. I’ve lost enough weight I was taken off two blood pressure medications. I’m still afraid to walk without a cane or walker. I’m still a fall risk.

I still play lots of computer games. My roommate and I usually leave each other alone as we have different interests. I’m still getting used to having a roommate after living alone for almost eighteen years. While I mourn the loss of my freedom, independence, and privacy, I know I made the right decision to give up my apartment and move to long term care.

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Making My Peace With My Decline

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I’ve been living in long term care for over a month now. Updates are in order. My feet no longer hurt. Now it’s both of my knees. I can barely stand up because of the pain, let alone walk. My knees hurt so bad I can’t even lay on my back in bed because of the pain. I’m back to sleeping in my recliner most of the time.

My high blood pressure issues have been solved. Now low blood pressure is a problem. I can barely stand up or go to the bathroom without feeling like I’m going to pass out. I also have the problem that I’m forced to do physical therapy even though I can barely stand up without passing out. I try to explain my problems to the nurses. No one is listening. I can’t get anyone to listen to my problems. Supposedly a doctor ordered me to do physical therapy even though that was NEVER brought up the only time I’ve met with a doctor since I’ve moved to long term care.

I couldn’t manage my blood pressure issues and mental health at the same time anymore. Home health coming to check in on me a couple times a week was only temporary. I live alone and I can no longer drive. So I couldn’t get to any of my doctors’ appointments. My blood pressure meds couldn’t be renewed via Zoom calls. That’s why I opted for long term care. I can’t drive so I can’t get to my medical appointments. My mobility is severely limited to where I’m wheel chair bound now. Even though I’m in long term care, my problems are still not being listened to. I am by far the youngest person in my facility.

After years of loss, fighting mental illness, no one taking my complaints serious, decline of physical health, loss of friends, loss of career, and the general overall decline of the state of the world, I have made my peace with my mental and physical decline. I’ve even made my peace with death. I’m tired of fighting losing battles. I’m tired of trying to put a positive spin on everything. No, my mental health will never get better. No, I can’t fight mental illness and physical decline at the same time anymore. I am tired of being ignored. I’m tired of being blown off. I am tired of being told I’m lucky. I am tired of being told to man up and stop complaining all the damn time. I’ve made my peace with death. I’ve made my peace that most of my dreams will never be fulfilled. I’ve made my peace with declining health. I’ve made my peace with the world never being a good place. I don’t know why no one else can.