Chronic Illness Complicates Our Moving Adventure

How many times have you moved? We've moved at least 10 times. Most of the moves were for a reason related to family. Our kids were always first, which has pros and cons.

Our kids are all adults and leading happy and productive lives, so I would never go back and change the reasons for the moves. (Of course, I would definitely go back and change some of my decisions.)

I've made peace with my choices and do my best to follow Christ in all areas of my life. It's a daily challenge, just as it is to find myself contented.

My health problems are surely prohibiting me from being much help in this move. The few things I have done are continuing to make me pay dearly.

Moving is really hard, but being chronically ill makes it even more difficult. Besides the physical exertion, there are so many medical decisions to be made.

• Transferring all my medications to a pharmacy that offers autofill and delivery. I also have to find a compounding pharmacy for two of my drugs. I think I'll have to drive 25 minutes to pick these up.

  
  

• Finding doctors is hard, because of my recent surgery. I began trying to get an appointment with an ankle specialist in late March. There were many phone calls and forms filled out. Yesterday was the first day that the clinic found my records. I now have that appointment on June 12! I'm so thankful. I still have to find a GP. Other appointments I need to make are for: cardiologist, pulmonologist, immunologist, neurologist, dermatologist, and dentist.

I have only scheduled appointments for Ankle orthopedic specialist, Wrist orthopedic specialist, and eye doctor. My wrist will have to wait until August, even though it's very swollen and has 2 dead bones. I hope to see my dentist soon, because I have a broken crown. Going to the doctor has to be at certain times in the year and that doesn't work when you're a new patient. It's i. important to start as early as possible in seeking out new doctors. Making decisions about which doctor to see is tough, and sometimes it doesn't work. It's a journey!

Here are some other difficulties we experience moving with chronic illness. I highlighted some of my ideas to make things better.

• Lining up all the services we'll need at the new house is tough with my severe brain fog. I've lined up the water, trash, electric, and internet. Those are the main things. I just made a list on my calendar and checked off the things as they were complete.

• Riding in a U-Haul with Hubby, son, and dog is going to be painful. When I don't keep my ankle propped up, it immediately starts to swell. In the truck my foot will be on the floor and I won't have any ice packs. I plan to take Ibuprofen for inflammation. We will only drive 5-6 hours each day, so I'll be able to prop it up in the hotel and use ice, too.

• Unpacking at the new house will not happen immediately. When I was young, with only Scoliosis to give me pain, I could unpack my house very quickly. The adrenaline always pushed me to set up the house and make it a home. That certainly doesn't happen now. I will gradually unpack the boxes and rest a lot.

• Anxiety is a daily problem for me, as it is for so many people. Moving to a new house is a little scary. We haven't actually been in the house. We watched many videos sent by the realtor. He's a friend to us and helped us to get the floors refinished and the walls painted before we arrive. I daydream about how I will decorate our home. I love to look on Pinterest and get ideas for layouts and colors, which makes me less anxious and more eager to arrive and get started.

Psalm 63:7

For You have been my help,

And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.

Are any of you moving this summer? Many families do and it would be more fun to be on vacation. I am making the choice to look for joy and be content in all that God provides.

@2025, copyright Lisa Ehrman