Things have been more than a little difficult in our home for the past couple of days. With a sick senior dog, our grandbabies staying with us, and increased pain in my knees and hips, we’ve had to share some of the tasks I usually perform around the house and with the children. The worry for our furry friend has been weighing heavy on us, as keeping her comfy and happy is our one of our top priorities. We constantly monitor her needs, ensuring she has a cozy spot to rest and is getting the right care, which can be quite taxing emotionally.
Additionally, having the grandbabies with us has been a joyful, yet exhausting experience. They require constant attention and engagement, from playing games and reading stories to supervising their activities, ensuring they stay safe and entertained. Fortunately, my boys and husband are more than up to the task; they’ve been stepping in to help with daily chores like cooking and cleaning, as well as playing with the little ones. Their support is invaluable, making this otherwise challenging time a little easier to manage. It’s heartening to see how we come together as a family, sharing both our burdens and our joys as we navigate these trying days.
As I tried to find exercises to help with my pain, I stumbled upon this Daily Symptom Tracker from the Arthritis Society of Canada. It’s an exceptionally well-thought-out PDF designed to help you not only map your pain but also serve as a valuable resource to show your PCP during your next visit. Keeping track of symptoms can be a crucial step in managing pain and having a documented account allows for more informed discussions with healthcare professionals.
You can find the original HERE. To downsize it to an A5 size, you simply need to go into your page setup and add a custom size of 210mm x 148.5mm.
Hopefully, this Daily Symptom Tracker will serve as a helpful aid for keeping track of your pain management.