First, I love that you declare your in-laws to be in "good health" before you get to the part where your MiL is complaining of health issues. Nice, open mind you're displaying from the second sentence on. It makes your grudging admission that maaaaaybe she has some real physical ailments all the more special.
Look, I've been the DiL worried about her in-laws, worried about their health (both physical and mental), and frustrated because they seem to be stuck in a rut in which even they acknowledge that they need some kind of change, but never work up to making it. Boy, have I. So despite you jumping up and down on a button of mine, I have some sympathy.
But then there's that button. There are so many things I want to say to you about chronic pain and fatigue, and I kind of want to shoot icicles from my eyes at the Annies for the "enjoys her maladies," but to LW, I'm just going to say this:
Back off. It's not your decision how your MiL lives her life. Maybe she doesn't want to get out of the house. Maybe, after a lifetime of working/raising kids/etc, spending time in her own home with a minimum of company is exactly the reward she wants. Maybe she is genuinely in pain, but is (shockingly!) willing to push through that pain for something she enjoys (I know: what a weirdo!). Maybe she just wants to be left alone, but knows you won't take, "Sorry, I'd rather not today" for an answer. In any event, leave the woman alone.
You and your husband are nearby should the need arise. Right now, though? Not your life, not your decision(s). Both you and she will be happier if you just let it go.
no subject
Look, I've been the DiL worried about her in-laws, worried about their health (both physical and mental), and frustrated because they seem to be stuck in a rut in which even they acknowledge that they need some kind of change, but never work up to making it. Boy, have I. So despite you jumping up and down on a button of mine, I have some sympathy.
But then there's that button. There are so many things I want to say to you about chronic pain and fatigue, and I kind of want to shoot icicles from my eyes at the Annies for the "enjoys her maladies," but to LW, I'm just going to say this:
Back off. It's not your decision how your MiL lives her life. Maybe she doesn't want to get out of the house. Maybe, after a lifetime of working/raising kids/etc, spending time in her own home with a minimum of company is exactly the reward she wants. Maybe she is genuinely in pain, but is (shockingly!) willing to push through that pain for something she enjoys (I know: what a weirdo!). Maybe she just wants to be left alone, but knows you won't take, "Sorry, I'd rather not today" for an answer.
In any event, leave the woman alone.
You and your husband are nearby should the need arise. Right now, though? Not your life, not your decision(s). Both you and she will be happier if you just let it go.