10/19/11

Pumping Iron

I feel like a new woman.  Seriously.  No, I haven't been hitting the gym to pump iron.  Laundry baskets carried up stairs multiple times a day still serve as my only source fitness.  Although as my energy level increases I may once again be ambitious enough to seek out intentional physical exertion.


As it turns out I was totally iron deficient!  I discovered this quite by accident. Out of desperation I bought iron suppliments.  It only took a few days to feel like my batteries that were chronically drained were being charged once again. 

Once I unexpectedly noticed such an extreme change in my energy level and a lifting of my totally overwhelmed, slightly depressed mood...I thought maybe I should look up iron defiiency anemia.  It described me!...right down to the light headed fainting feeling, creepy crawly restless legs, and total utter exhaustion..although I can't say I've ever been tempted to eat dirt.  I don't know how long I've been putting up with it...but for the last year I really have not felt well.   When combined with my relatively new issue of stomach acid gone wild I felt like I might be dying a slow death.  The more exhausted I was the more coffee I consumed...the more my stomach rebelled and attempted to eat me from the inside out.   I figured this must be what getting old feels like, at 34.  I assumed that this is what having 4 kids and homeschooling feels like.  This was as good as it got for me.   I just didn't understand why I felt so tired (all my kids sleep through the night!).   I'm kicking myself for not taking care of it sooner...I had grown so used to feeling miserable and tired that I stopped being concerned about it.  From what I'm reading I should probably still go see a doctor and get some blood work and testing done.  

I'm very glad to report that I don't need to retire to a rocking chair just yet!!  
I had suspected that iron depletion might be a cause but totally underestimated how much iron I would need to reverse the depletion.  I thought that eating my decent healthy diet and garden greens would be enough... I guess it wasn't.  I am also trying to be intentional about getting more quality natural iron sources into my diet.  Red blood cells here I come!

I am finally feeling on top of things again...parenting, schooling, house work.  I feel like I just might be able to pull it off!     All the deep cleaning/ spring cleaning...organizing and projects that have loomed over my head as impossible tasks for the last couple years are getting checked off my to-do list.  Even though I have a nasty head cold this week, and am a little run down and sleep deprived....I still have more ambition and energy than I did a month ago.  Crazy.   Even sick with a cold, I'm gutting closets, sorting storage areas,  rearranging bedrooms, and vacuuming underneath couches and beds.  Now I just feel normal tired.  

I know you are all just thrilled with me aren't you?  Because everyone in the great wide webdom of blogsphere cares about the oxygen levels of my blood right?
I thought not....but
sometimes it's the little things
that make a big difference. 


I have too many "little things" that are depending on me, too many little things to enjoy, teach and cherish
to be overwhelmed with my own lack of  hemoglobin.


This littlest monkey in particular keeps me on my toes lately!  They can sniff out weakness like a bloodhound.  Game on kids!  Mommy is back.


I have more exciting news than iron supplements that I've been waiting to share...
but you'll have to wait just a little longer.  Stay tuned....and no, it has nothing to do with supplements or my rapidly aging body. 


3 comments:

Valen and Carol said...

Amy experienced that during a pregnancy and our friend recommended dessicated (sp??) liver and it brought Amy's iron right up without the nasty complications of constipation. Have to get it in a health food store.

Marcy Payne said...

I am so glad you found out why you were feeling icky!! Do go to the Dr and make sure it is all good. But YAY!!! Kids CAN sniff weakness like a starved dog can smell a meal 100 miles away. Maybe better than that. LOL!

Can't wait to hear the exciting news.

And by the way, you're little gal is so flipping cute. Well, all your kids are, but those pics of your littlest are priceless.

Kim said...

Thrilled for you and your iron supplements! :) Really, that is awesome.

By the way, we have nearly the same table/chairs/bench. Our chairs are slightly different but the colour is the same too. Love that bench!

Don't make us wait too long for the next bit of exciting news!