A Goal Without A Plan Is Just A Wish

It is crazy to look back and see how much has changed and how much hasn’t since I left Nashville and returned to Boston at the beginning of August. And things that really emphasize that are my Project Kate updates.

Physical Health

My infusion has kicked in! I’m doing so much better than I was a few weeks ago and dramatically better than I was in October. Now, that doesn’t mean that every moment of every day is great. I still have bad pain days and bad pain moments. I’m significantly better in the morning than I am the evening. My knee is still a problem. But now I am able to do yoga and walk pretty much every day and my overall daily function is significantly better than in October. I’m seeing a chiropractor again, which will hopefully really help as well. As I say whenever anyone asks me, as long as I don’t dislocate my knee again before I have surgery in February, I’ll be okay.

Mental Health

Still doing great! Pretty stressed with my graduate school applications and everything, but still doing well. It is definitely helped by my daily yoga, walk, praying, and meditation. And here’s something else that I don’t think I’ve talked about before but probably affects things: some of my fibro medications are low-doses of medications also prescribed for depression and anxiety. The doses are different depending on the reason they’re prescribed, but I’m on them so they’re probably helping at least a small amount.

Graduate School 

I’ve been talking about it for months and now it’s finally here – my first application for a masters of literature is due this month. After a GRE delay last month (I had an awful pain day the day before and of my original test day), I took it yesterday. I’m heading up to Maine today with my dad for a few days because he has a meeting at UMaine, so I’m going “pull a Walden” as I say and hopefully nearly finish my applications. Since they’re all pretty much the same, after I submit my first one I’m going to go ahead and hopefully have all submitted by the 20th so that I can properly enjoy Christmas without the stress hanging over me!

Work Plans

I’ve been doing more freelance writing and editing, but it is definitely on the back burner while I finish and submit my applications. I’m doing some (since I do, you know, need money), but it isn’t top priority. If you would like me to edit something for you, just email me and I’ll give you a quote!

Other Plans

I was eating kind of healthy before Thanksgiving, then I spent a couple of days eating really horribly, and now I’m all about the health food. My chiropractor recommended that I see a naturopath to figure out what I should and should not be eating to help my body work as well as possible, so hopefully that will work out well.

Like I said, I’m doing yoga every day. I’m still volunteering as a tutor, which I love doing. I’m spending time with family and friends, which is great.

I have also started doing a daily Gospel reading and journaling as a part of Advent. Going to church is physically difficult for me due to my back pain, so I’m hoping this will help me stay close to God and Jesus even if I’m not well enough to go to mass. I don’t really talk about my faith on here a lot because it’s a very personal thing, but it is important to me and it makes me sad that going to church can turn a good pain day into a bad one in just one hour.