u/Kind-Champion-5530

I probably have it because of a long career in a loud work environment, but it's been getting worse since I retired. A little silence would be a relief. I'm in Donegal and I'm used to going to Dublin, the North, or Galway to see consultants. Any good experiences with Audiologists or other consultants out there? I'm seeing my GP next week to ask for a referral.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to be in pain for the rest of my life thanks to degenerative spine issues and autoimmune shite. It's been a struggle, but over the years I've mostly come to terms with it.

I was on a waitlist for an 8 week outpatient pain management class for years. I finally got in and did the course; it was fine, mostly about exercise, meditation, and healthy eating along with the usual "drugs r bad" lecture. I enjoyed it, though, and left feeling pretty confident that I'm doing everything I can to stay healthy.

My poor wife, though... She's been the best partner I could ask for throughout all of this. But she had a long career in high level management, and never totally let go of that goal oriented side of herself.

As we drove home from the last class, she asked me whether I had a path forward out of my pain. It hit me then how much she was hoping for a magic solution. She had been so hopeful that I'd find answers, and really? There are none. I gently reminded her that there isn't a cure, and my focus is now all about living well with what I have. Just watching that little spark of hope leave her eyes made me so sad.

There's really no caregiver support where we live, so I'm looking for some online support for her. We have a great relationship, but I don't have the spoons to be there for her as much as I want to. It's just so hard to see her go through the same grieving process that I had to deal with. Sometimes things just can't be fixed.

I just realized that all I really want to eat are fruit and nuts. Dairy is ok, and legumes are acceptable. But seriously, if I could live on prunes and almonds, grapes and cashews, pears and pecans, or cranberries and walnuts I'd be so content right now. I'm really struggling to eat a fully balanced diet.

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Whatever happened to my deep love of pasta and cheese?

I just need to have a bit of a rant...

I don't get it, why suppliers are so freaking cheap they don't include enough drills to complete their kits. I just finished a project with 4 big paintings. Every one had a shortage of at least one color, and naturally the ones they shorted were fairy dust drills, so it's impossible to find matching replacements.

How expensive would it be for them to provide enough drills? I'm guessing pennies. I'd rather spend a little more and get all the drills I need. I want to take my work to the framer to celebrate a year of working on them, but instead I'm going to have to spend hours schlepping around the internet looking for replacements. So frustrated!!! And now I have to find a place to store the canvases flat until I get the drills that I need.

And of course the seller isn't responding, even though I've offered to pay for more drills. 🤬