Multi-tasking and the Dystonic brain ...


Posted by Moderator-JB ® , Dec 10,2001,20:27   Archive
To make all the rest of you feel as if you fit right in ...

Previous to BEB/Meige and all the rest of this garbage I could run faster than a locomotive, leap buildings in a single bound etc, etc, of superwoman fame.

It has recently come slammingly to my attention that my brain simply refuses to multi-task anymore whether due to meds, Dystonia itself or a combination thereof.

How about the rest of you?

Judy (who has 4 - 8 week old Shephard/Rott rescue pups quartered in my living room, a realty deal about to close, presents to wrap, photos to prepare, stockings to stuff and a husband's BD tomorrow ........ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz)


--modified by Moderator-JB at Mon, Dec 10, 2001, 20:29:21




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Re: Multi-tasking and the Dystonic brain ...

Re : Multi-tasking and the Dystonic brain ... --- Moderator-JB
Posted by Shirley-Arkansas-USA ® , Dec 10,2001,21:34 Top of Thread Archive
Well, I couldn't leap tall buildings but I was the charge nurse on a floor of a rehab hospital and supervised 3-4 other nurses and a couple of nurses aids, made rounds on the 40 or so patients with the doctors, played pharmacist and respiratory tech and EKG tech (since I worked on weekends and these people weren't around to perform these duties) gave meds, admitted and discharged patients, took off all orders and carried a full patient load of my own, charted on all the patients, arranged for staffing if someone called in sick, answered the phone and call lights, did secretarial duties (she wasn't there on the weekend, either) took care of emergencies and solved everyone's problems-all the while smiling. I did occasionally get to go pee over the 12 hour shift but rarely took any other breaks-just ate on the go. And I handled it most of the time very nicely or at least got through it.

But Judy, I haven't put up a single Christmas decoration, I have a husband in Colorado while I am here in Arkansas. My 86 year old father calls me approximately 6-8 times a day frantic about something. I'm in the process of trying to find a suitable nursing home for my mother who may not live long enough to even get there and I can't drive. My son is driving me around when his college classes and finals permit. I've done no Christmas shopping. My last botox did not work well except to get rid of my smile. It did that rather well.
My trash compactor died and Sears has one black one. My appliances are almond (excuse me-the proper name is now Bisque(sp)). Two other stores that I went to no longer carry appliances. I have a whole in my cabinet where my trash compactor was. I put a trash can there temporarily and my collie had a field day with it last night and woke me this morning gagging. I threw on some clothes and stumbled down the stairs to let him out noticing bits of chewed up paper everywhere. He happily spent the morning outdoors munching on grass while I cleaned up the bits of paper in the house. Apparently, what he found in the trash to be so appetizing didn't agree with his stomach.
My son told me today that he was out of underwear (I'm not trying to get anything started here) Had he thought of bringing his laundry down or doing it himself? Well, no. Multi task? I feel lucky to accomplish a single task. I did do the dishes today and was able to tell my son that he actually wasn't out of clean underwear due to my ability to still do laundry. The pets were all taken care of and I did go through one of my stacks.

I'm not at all motivated and struggle with my eyes more days than not. Medications are making me tired or at least that is what I am blaming it on. Things are a little worse than they normally are and I am hopeful that they will at some point get better.
What was the question, Judy? I'm afraid that I have forgotten the purpose of this tirade I have just plopped on everybody. I guess that I am a little overwhelmed with things right now. No sympathy, please.

Shirley in Arkansas spinning her wheels and getting nowhere




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Re: Multi-tasking and the Dystonic brain .../shirley

Re : Re: Multi-tasking and the Dystonic brain ... --- Shirley-Arkansas-USA
Posted by kathy ® , Dec 17,2001,06:41 Top of Thread Archive
altho this is sad, you write better than erma bombeck, hollidays always bring on stress. it sounds like your mother is your worst problem now and i hope you do get this solved. would an in-home nurse work at all if you can't find a home immediately??



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Re: Multi-tasking and the Dystonic brain ...

Re : Multi-tasking and the Dystonic brain ... --- Moderator-JB
Posted by MaryNY ® , Dec 10,2001,21:41 Top of Thread Archive
Hi Judy - Multi-task? Is THAT what I have been trying to do? I blame it on the meds, the BEB, the busy-ness, anything I can think of that's not spelled g-e-t-t-i-n-g o-l-d ! I certainly know what you're saying, though. I have notes all over the place, if I remember to "write it down", and thoughts whirling around together in my head. Just a few hours ago, I saw my 14th grandchild, born today, a beautiful little girl, and the oldest is just 17....I have finally given in to the practice of giving CASH for Christmas! After all, 7 of them are teenagers, and you know how hard they are to buy for! But I do still make ornaments and other stuff for them. I have always been the type to be doing three things at once, but it's beginning to get to me. Especially today, while I cared for Mary Grace's three older siblings! Love them dearly, but I'm whupped! Mary



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Re: Multi-tasking and the Dystonic brain ...

Re : Multi-tasking and the Dystonic brain ... --- Moderator-JB
Posted by Sally - in - Idaho ® , Dec 10,2001,23:57 Top of Thread Archive
Judy,

I call that list of yours multi-tasking. How much more do you want to do? Just sit down and cuddle a puppy and take a break.

Like all of you, I used to be unflappable about doing six things at once. Now, if there are six things a week on my list, I fall to pieces. I keep blaming the crossed wires or whatever that caused BEB/ Meige for messing up my whole nervous system. Don't think it's only old age, as I know lots of old-agers who still trip the light fantastic with vim and vigor.

I spent the entire day puzzling over which one of four used books to give in a book exchange for my writing group tomorrow. Couldn't decide, so finally called the used book store and found that they had another copy of one of them. So I ordered it and am giving the duplicate. How stupid!! Then I also managed to make a double batch of frozen fruit salad ... one for my party and the other for the office party of one of my sons. That is about the extent of my day. We had frozen pizza for supper! Again. Had it last night, too!

Weary, dithery Sally in North Idaho




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Re: Multi-tasking and the Dystonic brain ...

Re : Multi-tasking and the Dystonic brain ... --- Moderator-JB
Posted by Joanne Matuzas ® , Dec 11,2001,08:23 Top of Thread Archive
OK, I do have to say I have never quite been of superwoman fame but was surely able to handle my share and more. Am still acting as if I live that way in that I am still working at this job, think I can drive anywhere I please, and live life as "usual". But I get reminded more often now that my life is different as is my "brain". Like yesterday afternoon I got a call from my chiropractor's office that I missed my appt. and forgot I even made it even though it was written in the "planner". Like going to the store for 3 items and I can only remember one of them and forgot the list. Maybe this is more short term memory loss than multi-tasking but I think they go hand in hand. I am managing at the office as most of the time I am able to break down the multi-tasking into time periods and hope for a miniumum of interruptions...:<) Anyway, I have a new challenge with the last round of botox injections last week. He used a bit less in the eyelid muscle area so my eyes would close more easily but it's not working as planned and my eyes are kind of closing but not squeezing together with my breathing difficulties. So if I am unable to get a follow-up appt. I'll have to slow down quite a bit. The joys of this disorder. But I am grateful I have this BB to vent my frustrations and that you all understand them. Take heart...I know God has a plan for my life and it
isn't what I figured it to be!!! Letting go and letting it unfold is the tough part. God Bless you all this holiday season. Joanne M. San Diego, CA



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Re: Multi-tasking and the Dystonic brain ...

Re : Multi-tasking and the Dystonic brain ... --- Moderator-JB
Posted by joyce whitt/NC ® (Joyce Whitt,joyce whitt/NC), Dec 11,2001,08:32 Top of Thread Archive
Judy I know where you are coming from. I too back in my younget days could do several things at one time. My husband used to claim that I could iron, read a book, watch TV and tell exactly what was happening on the TV and in the book and my ironing is good. In fact I once used to like ironing, it was so calming, and relaxing. But now I do good to iron what is needed for that day.

When I worked I usually was the only one in the office and I did EVERYTHING. I miss those days. I once worked at a Junior High School. It was newly formed , just me and the Principle and 1600 students. I loved it. IN fact I have loved all my jobs.

My mind too goes in 40 different directions and I set goals for the day and usually one thing might get accomplished. It took 4 days to get my tree up and I keep saying I have got to wrap the presents. I love Christmas, but for the last two years I have not been able to get out into the bustle of things and frankly I have been depressed because I can't get out and do what I want to do. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the pace at Christmas could be a little slower and to realy think of the true meaning of Christmas. I sent everyone on my BB list a Birthday Invitation, I hope you appreciated the reason for this season. I have got to stop preaching, you will kick me off the BB.

Sorry Judy, but my mind just went off into another different direction.
When my mind won't work like I want it to - I call them Senior moments and I have lots of them. We all have oldtimers disease. I guess we just have to laugh about it and go on. Our friends will understand and those who don't , well they are not friends anyway.

I had better stop, Joyce in NC where the weather is rainy (good we desperately needed the rain) I go next Tuesday , Dec. 18th to get eyebrows tacked back up, will keep you informed. I got the Botox Nov 26th and that is the opnly day my eyes were opened, now I have the blurred vision and double vision again. Oh the joys of this dis-ease.




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Re: Multi-tasking and the Dystonic brain ...

Re : Multi-tasking and the Dystonic brain ... --- Moderator-JB
Posted by June in Toronto ® (June Floyd,June in Toronto), Dec 11,2001,10:46 Top of Thread Archive
I haven't been able to multi-task since beb/meige, Judy. I was a super lady before that, full-time job, and all that stuff (you know). Now its one thing at a time, if I am capable of even that, and please...can I do it quietly as even that one thing I find noise aggrevates and my eyes do not cooperate. We have gone from a house to an apartment and that relieves a lot of work to be done, but does create other stressors like the management rules.....(I won't go on about that:-)

As we are leaving town tomorrow I did put up our small artifical Christmas tree early this year - but know what, when I put it away I don't take the decorations off so just have to lift it out of the box and sort it out a bit (ssh that's my secret)! I also managed to make a fruit cake in November, so now its just about ripe. We mostly give money to our family and I've just added a couple of stocking stuffers with each, to make it a bit more personal. Going away, although I am really looking forward to it, means I have 8 days less to do the holiday stuff - but, heh, its supposed to be a religious/family/sharing time and I keep trying to remind myself of that.

The bottom line ladies and gentlemen is that we could live in Afghanistan, so I know we all count our blessings.

June in Toronto (beb/meige) who is typing this listening to hubby playing carols on the piano (its beautiful) - he's still...practising for the church ladies luncheon today, where he's going to wow them I know!




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Re: Multi-tasking and the Dystonic brain ...

Re : Multi-tasking and the Dystonic brain ... --- Moderator-JB
Posted by Dee in OR ® , Dec 11,2001,17:21 Top of Thread Archive
Multi-task? I could get 10 things done while my husband got 1/2 of a project finished! I used to have "thought waiting", I'd have a zillion thought going thru my mind at once, all very organized and I could do them and scratch them off the list. Now, if I complete a thought I am lucky! I can't even take care of my two puppies! My 83 year old mother has a hard time understanding that I can only do one thing at a time now and I easily get overwhelmed. Is it meds, dystonia or menopause? Who cares, all I know is...um--I forget what I was saying!

Dee in OR




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Re: Multi-tasking and the Dystonic brain ...

Re : Re: Multi-tasking and the Dystonic brain ... --- Dee in OR
Posted by Ann Doyle ® , Dec 12,2001,07:15 Top of Thread Archive
I can take a nap and listen for the phone to ring at the same time. Does that count as multi-tasking ?
Seriously, I have trouble following TV show like West Wing (my favorite). I have to give it my full attention. Like you, I knitted, talked , read and watched all at one time. No problem. Now BIG PROBLEM. Ann Doyle



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