Author: hidradenitisandme

I’m so thankful today for a decent night’s sleep 😴😴…it was the most sound I’ve had in a notable time. I’m attributing it to my new adjustable bed 😊.

Over the years that I’ve had HS, my most comfortable position for sleeping, is on my back and occasionally on my right side. Up till now, I’ve used reading pillows to assist in maintaining my desired position, but always end up sliding out of place.

My new bed was delivered yesterday, and I’m very pleased with the level of comfort. There’s nothing like the feeling of awakening and knowing you slept sound. I’m going to pray for a repeat tonight 🙏🏽. Perhaps this is the answer to my problem.

After two weeks and two days, I’m back in my room!👏🏽 Yaaaaaay!

From finding a contractor, clearing out of my room, relocating to my sister’s place… packing up and clearing out of there..and now finally, here in my new room and in my bed..Whew! Praise Jah!

I look forward to settling into my new environment. I’m very thankful for aaaallll the support and help my loved ones gave throughout this process…. Can’t wait to close my eyes and hopefully sleep sound. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED 🥳

Two weeks ago today that I came to stay with my sister Leah, while renovations were done on my room. The time has flown, and though anxious initially with adjusting to my environment/routine, I’m now settled and it’s time for me to return home..lol.

As previously posted, my body took a bit of a blow as my mind made it’s adjustments and adaptations, so I made it my aim to be very aware of remaining calm and taking note of when I needed to take a breath, pray, not think and just relax. These steps are important no matter what’s going on in one’s environment.

Soooo, I’m going to continue to proceed calmly as I make the transition back home over the next couple days… taking my time getting set up and moved back in…Oh, and I’m very pleased with the finished product!☺️

There you have it! After much deliberating, thinking, overthinking and downright dread…. MY ROOM IS DONE!!! I’m thankful to Jehovah and my family for their loving support and help during this time….❣️

“Blood is Thicker than Water”…..never have more untrue words been spoken! I’ve learned that solid, honest, supportive, consistent friends are your true family….. They’re the family you choose!

I attended a meet-up with my HS group today. Many shared their personal experiences and stories. Most times I participate, but appreciated just listening today. It really is helpful being reminded that you’re not alone.

Most valuable to me though, was having my beautiful sister, Lydia, listen in with me on our video call since she was unable to log in. Her support and determination to share this part of my life with me today, touched me to the point of tears.😭 This woman has proven to be an encouragement and source of strength to me in so many ways! Our 20+yr friendship continues to grow stronger and more sure, as we keep Jehovah as our individual anchor and the sure foundation of our bond. I’m truly blessed!

So for the past few days I’ve been bleeding and draining a lot from an HS spot on my lower right abdomen. This morning, the area was noticibly puffy which made me nervous at the thought of a flare potentially brewing.

I treated the site with tea tree oil and ichtammol ointment, and applied extra bandaging since the flow of fluids was so heavy. Despite the added layers of gauze, I still drained through the top I was wearing.🙄

After returning home and changing the dressings, I could see the puffiness was still there. I used some of my topical clindamycin and covered it with new padding. After a couple hours, as I prepared to change for bed, I had once again saturated it. The cause…I don’t know…but the puffiness has gone down….. I’m thankful for that… We shall see what tomorrow brings..

Will Always Lovvvvvvvve This!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽😉😉🥰🥰

I took this pic almost three years ago to the day. My sister Lori and I were invited to accompany some friends to their timeshare in the Poconos. It was an enjoyable and relaxing time aside from a couple hiccups in getting lost and the salespeople of course. 😉

With the past year making it unsafe to travel (and in my opinion with it still being unsafe) I’m appreciative of the memory of this day/weekend that flashed up in my timeline today.

Here three years later, I find myself preparing to vacate my room for renovations to be done over the next week and a half or so. I’m glad it’s being done, but when you have a bunch of “stuff” to move and more than everything, have to be displaced from your sanctuary….the one place where you can get completely comfortable, it’s daunting. Nonetheless, I’m thankful for the help from my sister and nephew as well as my sister Leah, allowing me to stay with her during this time.

Perhaps next year this time I’ll be visiting my friends in GA, be on a beach somewhere or in Europe.🌍 But for now, in this moment, I’ll remember to be grateful and anticipate the completion of my favorite place….my room🥰

Remembering my dear Neph’s, James Devon’s graduation from LIM in 2017.

This little boy of my heart/27yr old man, has proven to be a blessing to me in many ways! He not only looks out for me in practical ways such as bringing me a meal or my laundry, but he checks in to make sure his auntie is okay mentally and emotionally. He has character, depth, perception, honesty and authenticity that many two and three times his age have yet to attain.

Love him beyond words…

Physical maintenance is a must with HS. As mentioned in previous post, it’s the bandaging, pads, ointments etc…but having to deal with my monthly cycle on top of that….Ummmm, yeah🙄😏

This feels like too much to manage sometimes. Quite frankly, too much stuff coming out of too many places! 😠 I feel like I want to break out running at top speed in hopes of outrunning this body I’m presently in.

This is an impossibility, so in the moment, my mind often does a search of sorts… looking up, down, right then left…. In a way, looking for a way out, but for now, there isn’t one. Living in the moment is best, but at these times I think.. another day, week, month, year of this? That’s definitely not productive. So instead, I’ll close my eyes, be thankful that I got through the day and look for a better tomorrow.

Five years ago this week, my family and I took our second, of what would become our annual Ocean City, NJ trip. We would rent a house, pack our vehicles, and enjoy a change of scenery for a few days at the shore. I miss doing this since the interruption of Covid.🙄

Below is a picture I took of my father at the rental home where we stayed that second time in May of 2015. Though different in many ways due to dementia, I’m able to see in him where a lot of my strength and determination come from. Heart attack, abdominal surgeries, brain bleeds etc., haven’t taken away his overall positivity and ability to push through despite.

Be it environment, genetics or both, I’m sincerely appreciative for my father’s influence on me. There’s no doubt that it has helped me face not only HS, but life challenges overall.

I’m grateful.