What My Days Look Like Living With AS: Part 2

Editor's note: You can read about the first part of Katie's day with AS here.

It’s now about 8 AM. I pull into the driveway and put the car in park. Getting out is difficult some days, and today is, unfortunately, one of them. I swing the door open and bring my legs around. I firmly grasp the handle on the door to prevent myself from losing balance. I get myself out and shut the door, and make my way into the house, trying to move as quickly as I can so that my neighbors don’t see me struggling.

As soon as I walk in the house, I throw my keys on the table and make a b-line for the couch. I fall back and let out a huge sigh. Finally, some rest, but not for long.

Virtual learning/homeschooling

My eight-year-old son is currently in virtual learning, which means I have to be with him pretty much the entire day. Lucky for me, he is a bit more independent than my 10-year-old and doesn’t require as much assistance getting ready for the day. I don’t think he or anyone knows what a relief this is to me.

Spontaneous back spasms

At about 9 AM, I bring myself up and off the couch and make my way towards the kitchen to make myself a second cup of coffee. I make it halfway there when my back starts spasming. In shock, I reach out and grab the wall and moan in pain and frustration. I’m stuck here for about 2 minutes before I regain the courage to start moving again. I’m having a horrible pain day today thanks to the rain and storms we had the night before.

Once I get my coffee, I make my way to the stairs. “Ugh, this s#*t again,” I think to myself. I make my way up, cautiously, slowly, one small step at a time. When I reach the top, I head into my room to get myself ready and then to my son’s room to start his school day.

Housework that has to be done

I won’t bore you with the details of my son’s schooling, but while he is working I take that as an opportunity to get some housework done. Laundry and dishes are the two most difficult tasks at hand for me. For laundry, I have to stand on my tiptoes and reach down into the washer to pull out all the clothes. Then, I have to bend over to put them in the dryer. It’s such a pain, but with a family of four, this is almost a daily task. And dishes, I think you could imagine what an ordeal that is.

Carpool line troubles

Around 2:15, I get ready to go pick up my other son from school. I have to get there at least 30 minutes early, otherwise I would be at the end of the line. This is a love/hate situation for me. Love because of peace and quiet, alone time, and the seat heater. Hate it because sitting for too long causes my pain to worsen, and on days when I’m really fatigued, I have a hard time staying awake.

Once I pick my son up and get back home, I give myself a little breather. We’ve made it to the early evening hours, which means bedtime is looming just around the corner. Agh.