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"Quality of life"......a gift that just keeps on giving.
The 2020 Holidays are over. What was your favorite gift? Was one of your gifts what I call a “quality of life” gift? Was it a new special pillow that made you sleep better? Perhaps you were given something that made your life a little easier like new shoes with a softer sole. Or maybe your family gave you a Mayo gift like the Pain course or a Habit workshop?
It’s never too late to think of and thank yourself for your endurance, generosity, and kindness to yourself. And these may be things that you have never mentioned because you didn’t want to be a burden or a nuisance or appear to be selfish.
I went crazy this year and got three of my quality of life gifts. I’ll share them with you and hope you realize how very important they were and are to me.
1. My MFR therapist began to feel that one session a week was not sufficient. So, we set up a six week trial of 2 sessions per week. The difference in tolerance was amazing. I didn’t have to endure increasing discomfort for 7 days….just 3. And so….gift #1. When I let my family know they found a way to help with the additional cost called a “stocking stuffer”.
2. For over a year I have been noticing more and more pain in my hip. Several years ago, I had an injection which was done poorly and so I wasn’t too excited about trying again. This time I had a chat with myself. “Why, Chris, are you going through increasing pain when there is a solution?” So I gathered my strong determination, had the injection, and am just jumping for joy. And my insurance covered it. Great…..another quality of life gift received and appreciated.
3. My 2021 quality of life gift brigade begins tomorrow when I have my preliminary appointment to fix my arthritic thumb. I can no longer open a jar or turn a key in the door lock. Seven years ago I had anchovy surgery on the left thumb. It is perfect. Now, why have I let the other one reach such a painful stage? I really don’t like surgery but this one is relatively doable and I won’t need too much help at home.
So Happy Holidays to me.
And thank you friends and family who shouted encouragement and helped support my wishes for a few things that just needed to get done.
What items would qualify for your quality of life? Let’s all share and help each other develop our 2021 list of can dos and must-dos.
Be happy and content in 2021.
Chris
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@ess77. Dear Elizabeth, I missed your posts and wondered/hoped you were ok. Thanks for keeping us updated on what's going on with you and your son. We've never met, but I consider you to be an unsung heroine with an indomitable spirit. You've spent so much of your life caring for others, first your mother and now your son...all while dealing with your own serious medical problems. By sharing your stories, you have touched so many people on this site who have come to care about you. I wish we could reach out and care for you as you are going through this bittersweet time...bittersweet because all you're dealing with is is so difficult and energy-draining but wonderful because your son is getting the help he needs. I hope you aren't going through this on your own and will reach out for help if you need it. The wonderful medical staff at St. Mary's saved my life a few years ago from two bleeding/spurting ulcers; and a nice Mayo social worker helped me find a rehab center to recuperate and helped with other things. I couldn't deal on my own, needed help, and help was available. You and your son are in the prayers and thoughts of quite a few people. Please take care of yourself! Nancy
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6 ReactionsIf you will notice at the top of the forum there by your photo there is a triangle, click n it and select profile. Scroll down and you will see that you can turn off recieving e-mail!
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1 Reaction@mjpg2013 @artscaping
What a truly wonderful post ♥️ I wasn’t a member in 2021 and started my own cancer journey in August 2021. The start of aggressive treatment for stage 4 appendix cancer. Now 2+ years NED and so extremely grateful to my body for how hard it has fought. How much I appreciate these extra years and however many days/weeks/months/years I may have ahead.
So glad this post has been resurrected at this particular time of the year a few years later!!
I’m definitely going to give the questions posed the attention they deserve.
I hope everyone on this original post is doing well ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹🙏🙏🙏
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7 ReactionsIn August 2021 my life imploded . A dire diagnosis with a very poor prognosis. A less than 10% chance of making 2 years. This post and comments made me sit with myself. In August 2024 I acquiresd 2 Labradoodle puppies and collected them at 9 weeks on 4 September 2024. A few months before Christmas. But still an affirmation of life and a future.
I was fed up with myself. Inbetween quarterly surveillance scans since May 2022 essentially waiting to hear I needed to fight for my life again. Putting off living out of fear of dying. No!
I can’t truly express how much my 2 pups have added to my quality of life: An expense I don’t regret - ever. Obligations I have accepted with love and sometimes huge frustration when they’re being puppies ❤️🩹
2 special little souls who enrich my life immensely each day.
Yet who I’ve also had to make pragmatic plans for, just in case ♥️🐾
So important to keep pushing forward - realistically.
Making the most of our time, in whatever way we find meaningful 🙏♥️🐾
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27 ReactionsI feel like you made a wise decision for so many reasons. And making pragmatic plans ‘just in case’ is very responsible. However, I imagine that these pups will only add years to your life while absolutely enriching it. A warm hug to you.
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6 ReactionsThank you for such a beautiful and heartfelt post. You are an inspiration!
I'm so glad that those two pups have come into your life and enriched it, and I'm glad for the unconditional love you have for each other. Continue to enjoy them, and keep on pushing forward. Wishing you all the best! 💕💕
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7 ReactionsI have diabetes type 2 and my HbA1c raise up to 7.0 %. This is the limit to control blood sugar with safe range.
I pay attention to my daily meal and exercise every day, however, these day I had been under a heavy stress regarding my daughter. Mainly, after meal my blood sugar raise up to 200 mg/dl.
I am really concerned with lab data because my mother developed to take hemodialysis.
Also, high blood sugar give damage to my vascular condition.
I will try to control my blood sugar to prevent CKD or any other related desieses.
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2 ReactionsStress regarding your daughter could be contributing to the increase in your a1c reading. But continue eating healthy meals and exercising. Your doctor will want you to try and keep your alc under 7.0%. So, see if there's any way for you to reduce or even eliminate the stress in your life. That will help a lot.
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1 ReactionThank you for your advice.
You're welcome. Wishing you all the best!