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Gratitude: Today, I'm grateful for...
Studies have found that expressing daily gratitude improves both physical and emotional well-being. It helps us focus on what is good in our lives, the world and others. It also helps us find the silver lining in our challenges. Gratitude turns what we already have into enough. Gratitude brings us joy. I’d love it if you can share something you’re grateful for today. I’ll start.
I’m grateful I have both the ability and luxury of taking long daily gratitude walks through the beautiful nature that surrounds my home.
I’ll take you through my typical walk:
When I open my front door to leave, I’m usually greeted by a few adorable squirrels, three crow friends, juncos and wrens who all hope for a walnut treat before I go. My walk along the creek down the street brings me peace with a variety of 100-foot trees, flowers of every shape and color, grass, fascinating wildlife, sounds of a babbling brook, birds calling, squirrels chasing, etc. Each day, I also see bunnies, ducks with ducklings, egrets, lizards, turtles, a variety of small birds, butterflies, and sometimes coyotes and hawks.
I meet new people along the way as we share our love of nature. I am also greeted by their happy, adorable dogs. Sometimes I learn something new. Sometimes I feel like I was able to bring joy to someone by letting them know they are worth a few minutes of my time. That brings me joy. Half the people in my large retirement community live alone as I do. Today, I met a lovely 96-year-old woman who walks a half mile with her cane and sweet rescue poodle every day. Impressive! She didn’t look a day over 80. I never miss an opportunity to smile and say hello to everyone who passes by. When I arrive home after an hour or so, some of my wildlife buddies are usually there to welcome me back with the enthusiasm of a dog.
When my last dog went to Heaven a few months ago, my camera became my new walking companion. Once I’m home, it’s time to upload my latest nature photos. I relive my walk all over again through the eyes of a zoom lens and a 32” monitor that together reveal extraordinary colors, patterns, textures and wildlife expressions the naked eye can’t see. I’m sharing a few pix from today. Can’t wait to go again tomorrow! 🙂
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It's odd how things change in just a months time. At my appointment on Monday I'm asking for a different care manager. I have been complaining to her and the doctor about her lack of communication skills and what I precieve as disrespect. She even called me once to tell me my doctor was looking at drugs she didn't think I would tolerate.
It's to the point I'm willing to get a new doctor. I really like the one I currently have, but his staff keeps me on edge.
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7 ReactionsToday I am grateful for modern medicine - with all the flaws and failings, there are more treatments available for more conditions and diseases than ever before.
We can become frustrated, even angry, at delays in diagnosis and treatment, but I remember as a child watching a Grandpa and Great Aunt dying of cancers that are curable today. And as an adult, watching my Dad die of a cancer that is now treatable.
Recently an excellent Nurse Practitioner detected an irregularity in my heartbeat, when I was at Urgent Care seeking Paxlovid for my Covid. She ordered an ECG and packed me off to the ER. A heart blockage was discovered, and thanks to modern medicine we can do a trial of medications instead of surgery.
I have had numerous joint replacements and repairs, keeping me mobile and alleviating pain - 2 generations ago, I would have been in a wheelchair without these technologies.
The Patient Portals, which some love and some detest, with the easy sharing of information, have made healthcare more seamless as we see many specialists, and safer as all of our medications are listed in one place.
Since this is a gratitude discussion, what part of modern medicine has made your life better?
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13 ReactionsI am grateful for the care I receive. This past week my oncologist expressed how pleased he is that my current treatment regimen for multiple myeloma is going so well, and everything is working out well given my complicated case. Also, I saw a cardiologist for the first time, who expressed surprise and liked how much I know about my health conditions. And lastly, I had to "go to bat" and take a hard stand with the ongoing dialysis fluids situation, and won! It makes the work I do on advocating for my own health all worth it!
Ginger
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16 ReactionsThe small mirror in some of the MRI tubes that allows the patient a view of the room during the procedure. This really helps to ease the closed in feeling of being in the tube. A small addition that makes such a big difference.
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9 ReactionsI'm extremely grateful for my care team that actually cares! I'm working with some wonderful doctors and NPs that listen to, believe me, and are proactive in helping me find solutions. The complicated, exhausting, confusing, and demoralizing poor health journey I've been on these last couple years would have felt unbearable, if it wasn't for them.
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10 ReactionsYour descriptive comments are so uplifting. Thank you!
Today I am grateful for the 19 years I've spent with my beloved dog, Itchy. He passed away peacefully in my home on 2/13. He was 21 years old. Needless to say, my grief is beyond measure. But, a neighbor offered words that are really helping and I thought they may help others in this position:
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."
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14 ReactionsYour sweet dog was very very cute. I’ve lost three over time. It hurts a lot.
I keep a photo of each out on a shelf and they remind me of how much each one gave me.
Happy sad!
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3 ReactionsClose your eyes and he’ll be there. Then hug him, let him love you, and you can just smile
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2 ReactionsI am so sorry for the loss of your precious dog! Hugs!
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