Time to give up? Mourn and accept new health reality?

@keeptrying

I think that it can be healthy to have times of solitude. My wife and I live out in the country, and most days don't see another person. When weather and health permit, I'm outside in the yard and gardens. No one bothers me then. Generally, I feel better about life during those times. My service dog is never far away from me for very long. She always comes to check on me, and sometimes will lie in the grass and watch me.

I think I know myself enough to know that it's helpful to me to reach out to others. I visit a woman who just celebrated her 104th birthday. I don't know which of us looks forward to those weekly visits more. She's a treasure trove of interesting experiences. She loves that I can look up events and locations on my phone.

Lots of people don't like to be alone. They are happiest in a group of people. Not I.

I say, enjoy your alone time while you can.

Jim

I don't remember who is credited with saying it before Clint Eastwood, but one has to know their limitations. I believe it is fine to know your comfort zone and if opportunities arise that allow you to enlarge it a bit and you are able to take them, that is perfectly fine. If one attempts to do something or yearn for something that is simply no longer possible, then it may be time to mourn that friend and move on. Before I was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis, I was at the gym every morning at 5AM for 90 minutes and no longer am able to do that and I miss the workouts, and the friends I had there, but it is simply not going to happen in the same way again. I still try to workout at home when I am able and motivated, but that leaves out the friends part, but it is simply what I am able to do and I accept that. I don't think that is the same as "giving up".

@keeptrying I'm with @oldkarl. It can be depressing to look back at what was instead of looking forward with what is. Life really is about changes and how we react to the changes. Me, I hate change. I hate that I can't walk more than a few blocks and then it's a struggle but I just try to do the best I can and work on seeing if I can go a little further each day. I think it's always a good thing to reach out and see if there are ways or treatments you can do to help with your current health problems. Each of us are unique and there just maybe that one thing out there that will help. I have resigned myself to never being able to run but then I couldn't run very fast even as a kid. Now I'm the guy you want to be with if a bear is chasing you. All you have to do is outrun me which is not too hard to do. ☺

Do you have any hobbies that you enjoy that you can do? I like taking pictures of critters out of my window in the room where I have computer. Took this one yesterday - squirrel jumped on my bird feeder and ate most of a large bird seed wheel.

Hoping you have a pain free rest of the week.

John

I have neuropathy in my feet from chemo. (Taxol) Some of us are loners and being around people doesn't matter so much. I'm lucky that I have friends and family that love me. I live out in the country alone and with numb feet can't drive. But, I know how lucky I am to have my view be of majestic oak trees and hills, humming birds and squirrels. I'm 80 and Gabapentin actually gives me happy flashes. Treatment for breast cancer was a bummer, but I feel lucky to still be here. I learned that coloring greeting cards with gel pens is so soothing; my cats drive me nuts jumping on my creations, but it is very enjoyable.