Posted by fallsfall on March 9, 2004, at 7:38:20
ADLs are Activities for Daily Living - those are the things that everybody does every day to keep functioning - eating, cleaning, shopping, getting dressed etc.
I am so depressed.
I can't take care of myself. My kitchen is cleaner these days because I've stopped cooking and eating (except chocolate, I get the required number of calories a day from chocolate).
My dogs are bored, so they start acting up and getting into things. I can't take them for a walk every day. They are afraid of the invisible fence, but have stopped staying in my yard if I don't put the collars on so I try to take them out in the yard on leashes, but they don't like the leashes. I need to get them back in the invisible fence collars so they can walk around, but as soon as I put the collars on them they'll refuse to leave the porch. I just don't have the energy or consistency to give them the training they need to survive with the fence.
I was supposed to see the dentist about 3 months ago (I'm supposed to go every 4 months). I haven't flossed in about 6 months - I can't floss when I'm depressed. The dentist doesn't understand.
I have some fungus or bacteria or something gross on my feet. It makes them very dry and uncomfortable. Last summer, my doctor told me to use a particular kind of ointment - twice a day for (I think it was) a month. I still haven't gotten rid of it because I can't get the stuff on my feet on a regular enough basis to do any good. I did finally buy some socks (the laundry doesn't get done very often) and even some more shoes at Goodwill because I'm supposed to be changing socks & shoes at least daily. The stuff works better if you wash your feet first. How am I supposed to wash my feet twice a day?
I'm on SSDI and they are reviewing my case (mostly because I started working 10 hours a week). They sent me yet another 4 page form with fun questions like "What difficulties, if any, do you have caring for your own personal needs (e.g., grooming, dressing, cleaning, etc.)? Do you require any assistance? If YES, please explain." What am I supposed to say? "I don't bother caring for my personal needs because it's too hard. Yes I need assistance, but I don't get any?"
The SSDI form got wet in the mailbox because after the mailbox got hit by the snow plow LAST winter, I did manage to get it back on the post, but the door doesn't shut right so all my mail gets wet.
I know what to do: Choose one small thing and do it, feel good about that and then maybe choose one more small thing. So what am I supposed to choose for today? Should I eat? or wash my feet? or take the dogs for a walk? or fill out the SDDI form?
So I'm choosing to whine on Babble, 'cause I need some hugs.
poster:fallsfall
thread:322348
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040305/msgs/322348.html