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.

@contentandwell

@jakedduck1 If you haven't had a seizure in 7 or 8 years why did they suddenly take your license?

You have an interesting statistic there about HE episodes. I never heard that, I just knew that not everyone gets them. I really hated them so much. After each I was so depressed because losing control is not something that is easy for me. I would think that when I felt one coming on if I just was determined enough I would be able to prevent it but of course that was not to be. I have not heard of Non Convulsive Status Epilepticus, I need to google that.
Thanks for being glad I made it, I sure am too.
JK

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@contentandwell
Like Linda @lioness mentioned, at least in California doctors are required to report any loss of consciousness to the Motor Vehicle Dept., suspensions are nearly automatic. The DMV sends a 1 page questionnaire I have to answer and 5-6 pages for the doctor. Depending on how the doctor answers the questions and the DMV employee reviewing my case, they can reverse the suspension without a hearing, fingers crossed.
I find it funny, although confusing they say they have to maintain safety for the motoring public. Interesting they aren’t concerned about the safety of the motoring public for the few weeks it takes them to suspend my license. Trying to figure out reasoning by a gov’t agency is something I’m glad I don’t understand.
Jake

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@jakedduck1

@contentandwell
Like Linda @lioness mentioned, at least in California doctors are required to report any loss of consciousness to the Motor Vehicle Dept., suspensions are nearly automatic. The DMV sends a 1 page questionnaire I have to answer and 5-6 pages for the doctor. Depending on how the doctor answers the questions and the DMV employee reviewing my case, they can reverse the suspension without a hearing, fingers crossed.
I find it funny, although confusing they say they have to maintain safety for the motoring public. Interesting they aren’t concerned about the safety of the motoring public for the few weeks it takes them to suspend my license. Trying to figure out reasoning by a gov’t agency is something I’m glad I don’t understand.
Jake

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@jakedduck1 I must have missed, or forgotten, that you lost consciousness recently. That is scary. They really do need to be very careful if that can happen, but as you say, it seems odd that you can continue to drive for a few weeks!
JK

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In reply to @jakedduck1 "@" + (show)
@jakedduck1

@jakedduck1 Great answer!

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@contentandwell

@parus I am about to be searching once again for a new PCP. I hate this. All of the good ones up here are not taking new patients. Now that the doctors are all owned by the hospitals it's a whole different world too, more like a business and they have 9 - 5 jobs with no OT since if patients are in the hospital they are cared for by hospitalists, and if they get sick beyond office hours they go to urgent care.

I was told the last time I had to find a new PCP to stick with a doctor of internal medicine, they are better at diagnosing generally, and are better for older patients. Family practice doctors are just that -- good for young parents and their children.

@jakedduck1 I'm sorry to hear about your license. If your seizures are under control then I hope you can get it back. I lived in fear of losing my license when I had cirrhosis with HE episodes. A person with an HE episode should not be driving and in some states that's an immediate cause to lose your license. I never lost mine, I am not sure if it's not a law here or in MA or if it was because my HE episodes had symptoms that let me know I was about to have one so if I was out I would immediately head home. Sometimes I would not get one at all, but sometimes an hour or two later I would. In between episodes I was perfectly cognizant, which is not true for many people who have HE.
JK

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@contentandwell It is discouraging going to a doctor. I had blood work done and have heard nothing. So blasted irritating!!! I am endeavoring to be optimistic since this doctor is internal medicine. Hard to get help for medical issues when we are not even allowed to talk or ask a question. Depression has taken hold. Another biopsy Monday morning to check status of bladder. Finding myself living in a world that has become unappealing. Grateful I am still treading water. Best I can do for now.
I hide away and no longer feel like trying.

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@parus

@contentandwell It is discouraging going to a doctor. I had blood work done and have heard nothing. So blasted irritating!!! I am endeavoring to be optimistic since this doctor is internal medicine. Hard to get help for medical issues when we are not even allowed to talk or ask a question. Depression has taken hold. Another biopsy Monday morning to check status of bladder. Finding myself living in a world that has become unappealing. Grateful I am still treading water. Best I can do for now.
I hide away and no longer feel like trying.

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@parus. Never stop trying. Don’t let the negatives overwhelm the positives. I know, some days that’s hard but when those days happen we just have to hold on for the better day that’s around a corner.

Doctors sure are not what they used to be, I think that the hospitals have caused that by not allowing the doctors to care for their patients when they really are sick, as in hospitalized. I don’t see that at MGH but I sure see it locally. When I was inpatient in the local hospital my PCP never once came to check on me, and I was in about four separate times. When I was in MGH, almost all of my doctors stopped by, even those whose specialty had nothing to do with what I was inpatient for. I think MGH expects of them, and they do encourage their doctors to be very caring.

I hope the the biopsy results are good. Keep on treading.
JK

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It is a beautiful sunny fall day today in the Midwest! Just spent 2 hours cutting down some of my perennials. Still have lots more to do. It takes a lot out of me. Have four buckets and a large tarp full to be taken to the city compost pile. I am so grateful for my brother who will come and take it for me. He also cuts my lawn. But the crazy thing is I will shovel and blow snow when winter comes. But the snow blower has an electric start and is self propelled. Along with the area to blow snow/shovel is smaller than the area for cutting lawn. What is nice is he does not mind cutting the lawn.

Also I am having my family over for Thanksgiving this year. My family takes turns. So every 2 1/2 yrs I have either Easter or Thanksgiving. It is potluck with the home that is hosting makes the meat. Well for the second time, since I have was diagnosed with CM and SM, my sister-in-law has graciously volunteered to make the turkey. She knows that I do not have the strength or dexterity in my hand to either lift or clean off the bird. As a thank you I give her a beautiful fall floral arrangement.

I am so grateful for my family. I don’t know what I would do without them.

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Hi, I am new here. Just finishing up dealing with pneumonia where I had a C-T scan that showed ground glass opacities and 2 new lung nodules. Nevertheless, I am so grateful that I am on the road to recovery and feeling much better than I have felt in couple of months. I still have to be seen by a pulmonologist, but I am optimistic that it will go well and so is my wonderful primary care physician. Lots to be grateful for, from an understanding boss to great family and friends that got me through all this!

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@parus

@contentandwell It is discouraging going to a doctor. I had blood work done and have heard nothing. So blasted irritating!!! I am endeavoring to be optimistic since this doctor is internal medicine. Hard to get help for medical issues when we are not even allowed to talk or ask a question. Depression has taken hold. Another biopsy Monday morning to check status of bladder. Finding myself living in a world that has become unappealing. Grateful I am still treading water. Best I can do for now.
I hide away and no longer feel like trying.

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Oh @parus - It sounds like you are having a terrible time. I know for me, anytime I hear the word "biopsy" - even if they follow it with "routine" or something else - it is scary. It is difficult not to feel down in the dumps when we are having physical problems and pain. I hope you just keep treading water and see the light at the end of the tunnel soon. I am hoping you get some relief. I know that the one thing that definitely IS appealing in your world is your little grandson. Have you built anymore dinosaur forests or volcanoes for him?!

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@birdmom9726

Hi, I am new here. Just finishing up dealing with pneumonia where I had a C-T scan that showed ground glass opacities and 2 new lung nodules. Nevertheless, I am so grateful that I am on the road to recovery and feeling much better than I have felt in couple of months. I still have to be seen by a pulmonologist, but I am optimistic that it will go well and so is my wonderful primary care physician. Lots to be grateful for, from an understanding boss to great family and friends that got me through all this!

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Wow! Welcome to Connect, @birdmom9726 - and especially welcome to this Gratitude Group. Your post just made my day. There's not much I enjoy more than meeting new members of the Gratitude Group, but hearing your heartfelt story and having you share so much optimism made that even better. I'm glad for you that you are recovering. Since you are new to this group, I just want to make sure you know about all the other great resources here on Connect. You may be especially interested in the group on Lung Health. You can check it out here:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/lung-conditions/

Will you take a look, explore a little and then come back here to chat more?

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@debbraw

Oh @parus - It sounds like you are having a terrible time. I know for me, anytime I hear the word "biopsy" - even if they follow it with "routine" or something else - it is scary. It is difficult not to feel down in the dumps when we are having physical problems and pain. I hope you just keep treading water and see the light at the end of the tunnel soon. I am hoping you get some relief. I know that the one thing that definitely IS appealing in your world is your little grandson. Have you built anymore dinosaur forests or volcanoes for him?!

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@debbraw Your comment brightened my day in that you recognize how I am feeling and didn't invalidate how I am feeling for now. Discouragement, for me, has always been an obstacle and being such a passive person I typically walk away or just throw in the towel. Coming here helps me to realize I am not alone in my struggles. I want to be the encouraging person. Being on the receiving end is difficult for me. I am beginning to realize admitting fears and weaknesses is not always a form of self-pity. Thing is I continue to try even when I don't want to at times. Navigating the medical system with all of the restrictions can be disheartening. I like to believe there are medical professionals that are well qualified and try the understand the hoops they are required to go through. These large corporations run their lives and have ceased caring about quality and only seem to care about quantity. Being a doctor has become a 9 to 5 job where emergencies are not tolerated well. It is hard to get adequate medical care when a doctor is strapped to a laptop and watching minutes tick away. I so want to believe they still have caring in their work and are not simply punching a time clock to get a pay check. I know I have little to no trust in the medical care I am receiving. When questions are not allowed or possible options discussed and I am dismissed from an appointment by a laptop closing and told I can check out I feel lesser than. Maybe next time I will try a body slam-and yes, I am kidding about the body slam. My last appointment with the PCP I had a list of questions, symptoms, etc. I arrived prepared to be efficient and expedite my appointment of 40 minutes and maybe received 10 minutes. Hard not to have an attitude!!!
I am grateful in other areas and keep plugging along. The thing that keeps me going is my little grandson and knowing I am the only blood family his daddy and him has-big responsibility on my part.
Yes, I am still doing paper mache props for his dinosaurs and army men as well.
Thanks for a place to come and be honest for a while. A scary world out there. I am able to help some of the residents in this apartment complex with understanding how to text and other things. It saddens me as most of them are at more of a loss than I am when it comes to technology. I know I am impaired in this area and can understand the fear and inadequacy others are feeling.
Living in a world where equality for all is means being treated like a criminal. Just how it is in this world of equality.

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