The signs of a flare ending: Lupie starts to do normal human things

lupus.cheezburger.com

Ways to tell I'm getting over a flare:

• I make an appointment for 7pm, and think I might actually be awake for it.
• I buy groceries, and get the actual things we wanted.
• I have the energy to save money and buy meat from the wholesale butcher, and fruit and vegetables from the greengrocer, instead of just ordering all my fresh food from the supermarket.
• I cook meals.
• I actually have a choice of clean clothes.
• The house becomes less like a disaster zone between visits from the cleaner.
• I can actually stay awake for twelve to fourteen hours.
• I write.
• I sew.
• I do all kinds of things I like to do.
• I stop leaving hair everywhere (when flaring, I shed worse than my pets do.)
• I see things that need to be done and do them, instead of collapsing in a heap crying.
• I walk more and use the mobility scooter less.
• I need less coffee to get through the day.
• I use fewer pain killers, and don't really notice.
• More music, less tv.
• Things just get done. 

The danger of getting over a flare:

• taking it for granted that I can do things.
• trying to fit too much in, to do too much.
• pushing past the limit and causing another flare.

Right now, I'm enjoying that I'm starting to be able to do more, and trying very hard to stop myself from doing anything that will cause me to get too sore/tired and start a fresh flare.