1. < Just Want to Talk

Gratitude Discussion Group

Posted by Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor @debbraw, Nov 24, 2018

Hi everyone! Just before Thanksgiving @michellegraffradford posted a blog called Gratitude Changes Everything. She suggested three techniques to help incorporate gratitude into our daily lives:


  • Start the Day with Gratitude (before getting up think of three people you are grateful for)

  • Maintain a Gratitude Journal to record times when you are grateful

  • Count Blessings – not sheep! (Review the day and remember moments of gratitude)


Her blogpost was so inspiring that a lot of us decided we wanted to form a Gratitude Group to keep the attitude of gratitude going. The blogpost area is not an ideal space for a big discussion group so I am moving the discussion over here to the “Just Want to Talk” Group. Let’s use this space to share and discuss our Gratitude Journey. I’m going to suggest that we each try to take a minute from the day and post here what has made us feel thankful today. It can be as small as a stranger’s smile on the bus or as large as fulfilling a major life dream – or anywhere in between. We can also discuss how we are doing with the three techniques. Sometimes it is easier to form new habits with support from others.

Michelle's full blogpost is at the link below. You may want to review it or print it out to help get started!
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/living-with-mild-cognitive-impairment-mci/newsfeed/gratitude-changes-everything/
I look forward to hearing from others in the Gratitude Group and to having others join us here! Thanks to those who already shared great stories. If you haven't yet, what gratitude will you share today?!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Just Want to Talk Support Group.

Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Sep 11, 2019

Today I am grateful for my new care team. Having moved almost 800 miles away to a new state, in the middle of a health crisis, seemed so counterintuitive. But the plans for the move were made [new home purchase for retirement, someone has to live in it, not rent it out] before the issues reared their collective head. I have two new specialists, in a town 115 miles drive each way. Having now met with them both, we are proceeding to additional testing to determine what exactly is going on. It is certain I have Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, but the stage will be determined by bone marrow biopsy next week, and genetic testing to figure out what type of lymphoma it is. Complicating that is my kidney disorder that has reared its head. The team is considering if and how the two may be connected. I am patiently [okay, maybe not real patiently!] waiting to see what everything points to before a care plan is discussed. It is exhausting to do the drive, have the appts then drive back. Three weeks in a row I will be making that drive. Yesterday was week one of three [two weeks ago was the first trip up]. Keeping my mind from awfulizing things but also looking at the realities is also tiring.
Ginger

REPLY
6 replies
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Sep 11, 2019
In reply to @gingerw "Today I am grateful for my new care team. Having moved almost 800 miles away to..." + (show)
@gingerw

Today I am grateful for my new care team. Having moved almost 800 miles away to a new state, in the middle of a health crisis, seemed so counterintuitive. But the plans for the move were made [new home purchase for retirement, someone has to live in it, not rent it out] before the issues reared their collective head. I have two new specialists, in a town 115 miles drive each way. Having now met with them both, we are proceeding to additional testing to determine what exactly is going on. It is certain I have Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, but the stage will be determined by bone marrow biopsy next week, and genetic testing to figure out what type of lymphoma it is. Complicating that is my kidney disorder that has reared its head. The team is considering if and how the two may be connected. I am patiently [okay, maybe not real patiently!] waiting to see what everything points to before a care plan is discussed. It is exhausting to do the drive, have the appts then drive back. Three weeks in a row I will be making that drive. Yesterday was week one of three [two weeks ago was the first trip up]. Keeping my mind from awfulizing things but also looking at the realities is also tiring.
Ginger

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@gingerw
That’s quite a jaunt but that’s what happens when you move to the sticks.
Jake

REPLY
Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Sep 11, 2019
In reply to @gingerw "Today I am grateful for my new care team. Having moved almost 800 miles away to..." + (show)
@gingerw

Today I am grateful for my new care team. Having moved almost 800 miles away to a new state, in the middle of a health crisis, seemed so counterintuitive. But the plans for the move were made [new home purchase for retirement, someone has to live in it, not rent it out] before the issues reared their collective head. I have two new specialists, in a town 115 miles drive each way. Having now met with them both, we are proceeding to additional testing to determine what exactly is going on. It is certain I have Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, but the stage will be determined by bone marrow biopsy next week, and genetic testing to figure out what type of lymphoma it is. Complicating that is my kidney disorder that has reared its head. The team is considering if and how the two may be connected. I am patiently [okay, maybe not real patiently!] waiting to see what everything points to before a care plan is discussed. It is exhausting to do the drive, have the appts then drive back. Three weeks in a row I will be making that drive. Yesterday was week one of three [two weeks ago was the first trip up]. Keeping my mind from awfulizing things but also looking at the realities is also tiring.
Ginger

Jump to this post

@gingerw Do you have someone to accompany you? It seems that a long drive gets even longer when you don't feel well. We'll be here to support and encourage you. God bless.

REPLY
1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Sep 11, 2019

@sandytoes14 Hi Jen I wish you all the best and hope this helps . I found a CBD tincture that helps me its just the cannaibis from the hemp plant but went through a lot of them this one I'm on helps the best so good luck

REPLY
lioness | @lioness | Sep 11, 2019
In reply to @gingerw "Today I am grateful for my new care team. Having moved almost 800 miles away to..." + (show)
@gingerw

Today I am grateful for my new care team. Having moved almost 800 miles away to a new state, in the middle of a health crisis, seemed so counterintuitive. But the plans for the move were made [new home purchase for retirement, someone has to live in it, not rent it out] before the issues reared their collective head. I have two new specialists, in a town 115 miles drive each way. Having now met with them both, we are proceeding to additional testing to determine what exactly is going on. It is certain I have Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, but the stage will be determined by bone marrow biopsy next week, and genetic testing to figure out what type of lymphoma it is. Complicating that is my kidney disorder that has reared its head. The team is considering if and how the two may be connected. I am patiently [okay, maybe not real patiently!] waiting to see what everything points to before a care plan is discussed. It is exhausting to do the drive, have the appts then drive back. Three weeks in a row I will be making that drive. Yesterday was week one of three [two weeks ago was the first trip up]. Keeping my mind from awfulizing things but also looking at the realities is also tiring.
Ginger

Jump to this post

@gingerw Glad you have found some good Dr,s and good care teams . You know we are all here for you even to just talk. Do you have a pet to go with you on that long trip or audio books? Is your house all in order now the way you want it to be . Glad you like your new digs

REPLY
1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Sep 11, 2019
In reply to @gingerw "Today I am grateful for my new care team. Having moved almost 800 miles away to..." + (show)
@gingerw

Today I am grateful for my new care team. Having moved almost 800 miles away to a new state, in the middle of a health crisis, seemed so counterintuitive. But the plans for the move were made [new home purchase for retirement, someone has to live in it, not rent it out] before the issues reared their collective head. I have two new specialists, in a town 115 miles drive each way. Having now met with them both, we are proceeding to additional testing to determine what exactly is going on. It is certain I have Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, but the stage will be determined by bone marrow biopsy next week, and genetic testing to figure out what type of lymphoma it is. Complicating that is my kidney disorder that has reared its head. The team is considering if and how the two may be connected. I am patiently [okay, maybe not real patiently!] waiting to see what everything points to before a care plan is discussed. It is exhausting to do the drive, have the appts then drive back. Three weeks in a row I will be making that drive. Yesterday was week one of three [two weeks ago was the first trip up]. Keeping my mind from awfulizing things but also looking at the realities is also tiring.
Ginger

Jump to this post

@gingerw That is a long drive, particularly if you have to do it alone, which I suspect you do since you are in a new area where you probably do not know many people yet. At least you are happy with your care team, that will make it worthwhile. Plus, you are happy with the area where you have moved. It sounds as if it's exactly what you and your husband wanted.

Keep us up to date on the results on how the testing goes, hopefully nothing bad shows up, try to not "awfulize".
JK

REPLY
sandij (Sandi James) | @sandij | Sep 11, 2019
In reply to @gingerw "Today I am grateful for my new care team. Having moved almost 800 miles away to..." + (show)
@gingerw

Today I am grateful for my new care team. Having moved almost 800 miles away to a new state, in the middle of a health crisis, seemed so counterintuitive. But the plans for the move were made [new home purchase for retirement, someone has to live in it, not rent it out] before the issues reared their collective head. I have two new specialists, in a town 115 miles drive each way. Having now met with them both, we are proceeding to additional testing to determine what exactly is going on. It is certain I have Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, but the stage will be determined by bone marrow biopsy next week, and genetic testing to figure out what type of lymphoma it is. Complicating that is my kidney disorder that has reared its head. The team is considering if and how the two may be connected. I am patiently [okay, maybe not real patiently!] waiting to see what everything points to before a care plan is discussed. It is exhausting to do the drive, have the appts then drive back. Three weeks in a row I will be making that drive. Yesterday was week one of three [two weeks ago was the first trip up]. Keeping my mind from awfulizing things but also looking at the realities is also tiring.
Ginger

Jump to this post

One week down, 2 to go! Audio books are great for road trips. Where in the US do you live? Would be great if you could find a traveling buddy.

REPLY
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Sep 11, 2019
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@gingerw Do you have someone to accompany you? It seems that a long drive gets even..." + (show)
@jenniferhunter

@gingerw Do you have someone to accompany you? It seems that a long drive gets even longer when you don't feel well. We'll be here to support and encourage you. God bless.

Jump to this post

No, Jennifer, I drive by myself right now. My husband is still 800 miles away, working towards retirement. I follow the mantra "find joy in the journey", marveling at the beautiful landscapes surrounding me while driving. The miles go by quickly!
Ginger

REPLY
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Sep 11, 2019
In reply to @lioness "@gingerw Glad you have found some good Dr,s and good care teams . You know we..." + (show)
@lioness

@gingerw Glad you have found some good Dr,s and good care teams . You know we are all here for you even to just talk. Do you have a pet to go with you on that long trip or audio books? Is your house all in order now the way you want it to be . Glad you like your new digs

Jump to this post

@lioness No pet; besides, I would not want them to stay in the car while I am in the dr office for a couple of hours. I am sussing out radio stations. And have a stick with over 900 songs on it, courtesy of my husband - he's techy like that! House gets an additional influx of boxes every 4-6 weeks when he brings another load up, so it is a fun thing to arrange items only to rearrange after next load. My craft area is set up except for my worktable [he is using it as dining table until he comes up].

@contentandwell I really do love this area. It is so peaceful and healing. I have had two people volunteer to drive me up and back if I need another kidney biopsy and my husband cannot be here. Very kind of them!

@sandij We have bought our retirement house in a small [pop. 867] town in rural Oregon.
Ginger

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1 reply
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Sep 11, 2019

@gingerw
I know what you mean. When I travel 300 miles to My Shasta the scenery of the last 66 or so miles makes up for the rest of the trip.
Jake

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