‘I’m bored. Bored, bored, bored.’ (stamps foot)
Think this is The Teenager expecting me to entertain him? Nope. It’s me talking to a friend.
Something all the leaflets about all the symptoms of MS don’t cover is the sheer, mind-numbing boredom that comes with it.
MS itself is never boring – there’s the unexpected delight of waking up in the morning wondering just what symptom it will chuck at you today, and MS has a whole bag of them. But with these symptoms comes the crushing boredom.
Top of the list is the boredom that comes with having to sleep. A lot. It’s a huge time-waster, it’s not fun or cushy and there is nothing more boring than heading for the sofa – again – when there are so many other more exciting things to do. I’m bored of being in the house so much while life continues elsewhere. I’m bored of boring my friends with the endless symptoms:
‘How you doing?’
‘Oh, you know. I dropped a mug this morning. I tripped over the cat. I went to sleep. I had a bit of a wobble. How’s you?’
‘Well, after I partied all night, I had a fabulous day at work before whipping up a dinner party for eight. The usual.’
Then there’s the boredom that comes with all the planning. MS is like a stroppy, badly-behaved toddler you have to lug around – for life. Before you go anywhere, you plan where the loos are, you work out if there’s a cafe nearby to stop for a break, you pack a bag of stuff, you can’t stay out too late.
When your world shrinks and spontaneity is something you have to seriously think about, there’s not an awful lot of options left. Friends tire of always being bailed out on. I’m out of synch with them, going through an accelerated old age in my 30’s. The highlight of my day is getting a pen and marking an asterisk next to interesting programmes in the Radio Times. Years ago when I saw someone do this, I was scornful. How tragic, such an empty life. I mean, who does that? Um, well, me now.
So how can I combat this boredom? What can I do from the comfort and safety of my couch? Wordsearch puzzles? Solitaire? Spray-paint the cat purple? Any suggestions gratefully received.
Hello been that bored miserable and asleep on my bed not been able to comment, but after having night out with 6 friends on Saturday and watching my hubby cook for 7 yesterday and waking up to your new fab blog you have give me that kick up my rear. I need ha 🙂
I had bad news last week my Ms ha love the fact I have claimed it as being mine 🙂 I was told after another MRI all my brain pain and decreased sight that there’s more lesions , I ok tho thought I had brain tumour so it was a relief .i am 45 wrong side of forties and when i married my husband 24 and a bit years ago we got given an extra gift MS 🙁 well its been rocky road and I am going to get to my 25 this year with my sticks or scooter or sure someone will carry me, not been able to dance lately , but phils a big guy and like to make people smile sure he will pick mu up as usual 🙂 well I need to go get out my bed and clean pjs , Lyn my friend , MY pa she says is doing the ironing take care Chris
Hi Chris,
Thank you for the nice comment! I’ve been a complete lazy whotsit this morning. Just managed to get in shower and I’ve got to leave house in an hour. Too tired.
Anyway, I’m really sorry to hear your news, not good, but sounds like you’ve got a pretty decent bloke in Phil! Sadly it’s just me and the cat here and she’s doing my head in again. Not my fault if it’s too cold for her to step outside.
Right, better get ready. Got hospital eye appointment…hoping for good news. Really don’t want laser eye surgery (but could make for a funny blog post!).
X
Hope all goes well with eyes x
Thank you! My mum’s coming with me to hold my hand, lol.
X
This comes from the comfort of my bed, snuggled up and warm and actually feeling quite smug that I have an excuse to do so today -have you ventured outside yet? I donned my disgusting old jacket (not as sartorial as H.R.H.s), over my dressing gown and went out to let the chickens out and check the sheep,only to be dessicated, by the wind and blinded by the tears streaming from my eyes! Horrible! It was bliss to climb back in here with a lovely cup of tea and watch ‘Call the Midwife ‘on BBC iplayer. I’m just about to go travelling via Google Earth -after I’ve expended massive amounts of energy making myself a cup of hot chocolate. Sometimes there are benefits to this m.s. malarkey!
Sounds like you’re having a fabulous morning! I have taped Call the Midwife to watch later tonight. When I booted the cat out earlier, it was pretty cold and windy so not looking forward to leaving house at 12.
Travelling via Google Earth is a snappy idea, never thought of doing that!
Was just thinking whilst I was in the shower (all best thoughts happen there, odd), that I really must not be so hard on myself. I don’t seem to nurture myself as much as I should, always measuring myself against old benchmarks, meh. So I will borrow a couple of your ideas and look forward to a hot chocolate when I get back from the hospital, before whizzing round the earth by computer….
Don’t feel so bored any more, thank you!
X
You hit it right on the head: it IS boring. There’s an old blues song on a CD my husband has called “You Talk Too Much.” Part of the lyrics go, “You talk too much, you worry me to death. You talk too much, you even worry my pet.” When I first heard it, it sounded to me like, “…you even bore my pet.” So now we sing that version instead, as it amuses us (see how boring we are?).
That made me laugh out loud!!! I’m so bored now that I have eaten a bag of onion ring crisps, watched 6 people give birth (One Born Every Minute – telly programme) and read all the newspapers from yesterday. Still bored. And tired. Must find new hobby…
X
Have to admit, in the last couple of years as my legs are getting worse i have become a dab hand at DIY. I found a fantastic cordless drill, sander and other bits,and pieces. As long as I can get myself perched in a comfy position I can do pretty much anything. My next project is sanding and decorating the stairs ( I want to decorate the risers to look like bookends – google it, there are images online). Sort of plan a step or 2 at a time so it’s going to take a while ( I have 3 floors plus a cellar in my house). Have also started making things with a sewing machine. Can honestly say I never imagined myself getting to 40 and being ‘handy’. Husband finds it hilarious as I can no longer nag at him to do things at the weekend, cos frankly I can do it better myself. :-). I ‘celebrated’ 20 years since my first symptom last year and all things considered, it could be worse. Still walking (albeit with a bling walking stick and not really going any great distance). Been on copaxone for 7 years and it has been amazing for me (plus no side effects)
Hi there!
You’ve just reminded me I have a sewing machine tucked away in my cupboard!! Yay, I could have a new hobby and be running up new duvet sets in no time. Thank you!
I’ve had a sleep and woke up feeling less bored. I’m going to tackle a complicated recipe (i.e. more than 5 ingredients..). I did try to make shortbread at the weekend but kneading it killed my hands so I chucked it on the compost heap, lol.
I’m pretty handy with the DIY, working with the builder, but never seem to get round to doing anything in the house. My toilet seat is still wonky. Mind you, I painted the bathroom a couple of weeks ago, even if it did take me all day. Thank you for reminding me I’m not completely useless!
X
Tried a quilt cover once. Found it more annoying than it was worth. :-). Managed roman blinds for my son’s room. Still brag about it.
Blimey, that’s pretty impressive! I knitted a scarf for the cat once (boast, boast)
X
Nah knitting can’t do. My hands aren’t very good for holding smaller things (prefer a hammer drill 🙂
Sadly, it was a couple of years ago. My hands get sore now. But I do like holding a drill! Especially a pneumatic one, lol. When your hands are already shaky, it’s great, as you don’t notice!
X
Yes it is sooo boring but I am making an effort to get out more…volunteer, whatever I can find. I cook more and clean out clutter etc. I think I need to get tired from doing stuff so I can rest easier
I volunteer, but not enough really! I just need to start doing little things more, like walk to the shops rather than take the car. I’m in such a rut right now!!
X
There is nothing wrong with asterixing the Radio Times – it gives one a sense of purpose!
During my last big relapse I was so bored that I got round to reading all those challenging, worthy books that always stay at the bottom of my to-read pile. I would never have got through Cloud Atlas without lots of time on my hands.
Other suggestions – coffee and /or wine with friends, walking, cycling, massages, learning how to apply make-up really well by watching online Lisa Elridge videos. Planning a brilliant new business. Watching “Doctors” (I know I am scraping the bottom of the barrel!)
Your blogs are great.
Hi Melanie!
Thank you for the compliment – always guaranteed to cheer me up. Funnily enough, I read Cloud Atlas and still don’t understand it!
Will google Lisa Elridge, sounds like just what I need, seeing as Carly never called me back, meh.
I am feeling very inspired today now and as I’m not working tomorrow (supposed to be studying), I am planning to do two or three things differently. I am utterly fed up of doing the same thing each day. I really, really want to walk more, and I’m hoping to meet a great friend (hi Caroline!) for coffee later this week. Bless her, she has offered to do some different things with me after reading today’s blog. She is fabulous.
A brilliant new business would be excellent. Someone tweeted me today saying I should publish all my blog posts into a little book. Mulling it over!
As for Doctors, I have been known to watch it! And Heir Hunters – oddly fascinating. I am working my way through Tuesday in the Radio Times. I now smile every time I pick up my highlighter!
X
You’ve all got me thinking now. I actually live in Belgium and at the moment we are very snowy, meant to be heavy overnight too. I am very unsteady in slippy conditions so am probably going to have a snow day tomorrow which means log fire, hit choc and a day of Dutch television ( the Dutch channels are full of all the very best in rubbish American soaps IN ENGLISH!!!!) Mind you Heir Hunters is also interesting. Don’t you hate it when the lovely neighbour who looked after the person for years gets screwed over by the 23 cousin 5 times removed who has no idea this person even existed. 🙂
You lucky thing! Snow days are fab and we have far too few here. An excellent excuse not to feel at all guilty about lying on sofa all day.
I love watching Heir Hunters for that very reason. Plus, the greedy relatives who say, ‘oh, we kept in touch, we saw her once a year’. I’m ashamed to also admit I watch (whisper) Jeremy Kyle. Obviously this is for educational purposes, for my health and social care degree studies.
Enjoy your log fire and hot chocolate. Am not at all jealous, honest. They do lovely cakes in Belgium, don’t they? So hope you have stocked up!
X
Ah I only get bbc channels, don’t get itv. My husband would divorce me if he ever thought I’d been watching mr Kyle . 🙂
Maybe that’s why I’m still single??
(you could always watch it on youtube or itv player. just saying….)
X