Writing Prompts for April

Each month Cheryl from A Chronic Voice sets out a list of writing prompts for those that suffer with a chronic illness. The prompts this month are;

• Tiring
• Educating
• Receiving
• Giving
• Quieting

Tiring

I made a vow that I needed to get out of the house more, at least once a week. I made this vow after spending 14 days without leaving the house at all. However, I think I may have overdone things by going out several times a week and tiring myself out.

When you live with a chronic illness it’s hard to strike a balance. If I stay home all the time then I just feel tired constantly. If I go out I feel tired, but in a different way. I do get so sick and tired of looking at these four walls though. Maybe I can get a balance when it’s warm enough to sit in the garden, that’s going out without going out!

Educating

This is quite a relevant prompt for me this week, there has been a lot of educating going on.

I did a course in poetry, it’s something I’ve always loved writing but I’ve never really spent time learning the basics. I enjoyed the course, which was online, but in a group of people so it was good to get and give feedback.

I’ve also been educating myself about the drug Rituximab. I’m going to see my consultant next week and I’ve wondering whether to ask about it. So I did some research first. I’m still not sure it would help but a few others with my condition have had good results so I’ll see what my consultant says.

Another thing I’ve been learning about is Bi-lateral Alternating Stimulation Tactile (BLAST.) I won a pair of Touchpoints from a competition I entered at Naidex and was keen to find out how they work. I’ll definitely be writing more about them as they do have an affect on calming stress amongst other things.

Receiving

There has been much receiving going on too. As I’ve already said, I won some Touchpoints from Naidex. It’s the first time I’ve won a competition from an exhibition, despite entering them all the time.

I’ve also received a new cooker as my old one kept cutting out. My eldest son paid for it but I’ll be giving him some money back towards the cost. I haven’t really felt inspired to cook more though.

I also received some news this week. My youngest son is believed to be on the Autistic Spectrum. It wasn’t really a surprise, but it’s always like taking a huge leap from thinking it to knowing it. He’s still my gorgeous Little Man though.

Giving

I’ve been busy with my crochet and I gifted my Nephew’s daughter a baby blanket for her new baby due in a few weeks. I also sent along a rabbit that I’d made for her other daughter.

I’m also in the process of making a baby blanket for my other Nephew’s daughter, she is due in June and is having a little boy.

I can’t believe that both my brother’s are great grandparents already. I know they are older than me, but I’m not even a grandparent yet, never mind a great grandparent!

Quieting

I’ve been so busy it’s taking it’s toll as even though I’m just a week after my IVIG treatment, I’m feeling totally worn out. I need to take some time out and rest.

My favourite ways of spending quiet time is by crocheting and listening to an audio book. I also like to get engrossed in a good tv program.

I love it when I’m left alone in peace and quiet, I’m quite happy with my own company. It doesn’t happen too often though. I need to fit in all the peace and quiet I can in the next week as it will soon be time for the kids to break up from school.

Linking up with the lovely Cheryl from A Chronic Voice for this months writing prompts