Connect
"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
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.
Connect
For me 2021 seems to have dropped in with a bang! All in one day. I visit the cardiologist and leave with a monitor I have to wear for two weeks. I go to the Pain Clinic and find my shoulder issue needs to be addressed by an orthopedic surgeon. I leave the Clinic with nothing for my high level of pain! I go back there on Thursday for trigger point injections for Fibromyalgia and Monday I visit the surgeon. I come home with the same amount of pain I left with this morning, nothing to take for it and face another night of little sleep. Sometimes you can't seem to get ahead!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsMy quality of life gift this holiday season, was being one of the first 3,000 out of 250,000 people in Pinellas County Florida over 65 to get the Pfizer vaccine on Wednesday the day before Epiphany. The only side affect has been sore arm. We are feeling so fortunate as we now see a light at the end of the tunnel and can start planning to see our grandchildren in Colorado later this year. Getting vaccinated was my first new years resolution. Now I'm working on the second which is to encourage everyone else to get vaccinated.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
8 ReactionsSORRY to hear that, hope things get better for you soon.....may the force be with you.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsMy best Christmas gift actually arose out of a difficult situation form y daughter - she suddenly had to depart her condo after a flood, so she moved to our home while packing and moving the flat. She is a very independent woman and fiercely resists asking for help, usually until she is "over her head." This time she agreed to let us help, and moved her pets, plants and workstation here. It was wonderful being together through the holidays and being able to really help her with packing and cleaning. It is with mixed feelings that we help her complete the move to her temporary apartment this weekend, but we reestablished new bonds - as 3 adults. She has been out of our home for over 20 years and when she moved it was as a very young and immature student with lots of adolescent baggage. She came back as a mature, competent and amazing adult. We are blessed.
Sue
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
10 Reactions@sueinmn It's wonderful when your children become adults that you respect and like, and when you know that they are good people. Success for them is also great but I count being good people as being more important. I can understand how much you will miss her after having her around for a while. I miss my kids terribly.
I like to say that the jury was out for a long time on my son and daughter but thankfully when the verdict was returned it was a great one. I'm happy that your daughter has also progressed into adulthood so well.
JK
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions@contentandwell and @sueinmn, Children.....now those folks can tug at your heart. I found out that I could no longer be a member of the jury.......I have been surprised to see how well they can do without my service in that role.
May you be content and at peace.
Chris
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsWhat a great way to recruit examples of the quality of life gifts. Let's hope they carry on and spread the word.
May you be safe and protected.
Chris
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@starfirey2k, @suzanne2, Hang on, hang in there.....give 2021 a chance. It just needs to get this uncomfortable stuff out of the way and then it will be all yours to live and cherish.
Chris
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsGood afternoon @lacy2, Thanks for sharing your magic wand with us. MFR stands for myofascial release therapy. The connective tissue throughout our bodies....ligaments, coverage for muscles and tendons is called Fascia. When it gets hung up and restricted the result is pain. Let me see if Jennifer @jenniferhunter can explain how MFR can help your body and your health. Thanks for responding.
Chris
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsCongratulations, Don! You're on your way to a better quality of life for sure! I got my Maderno vaccine last Tuesday, the 1st day available at Mayo Clinic Jax. I was thrilled. No side effects. Have an appt for the 2nd one which may well be easy, too, or not.....I don't really care. I'm simple thrilled to have my body making antibodies for this nasty virus.
Let us know when you get your 2nd shot and any effects.....then grab your bicycle and on to Colorado!
Blessings, Elizabeth. Jacksonville!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions