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Mentor

"Quality of life"......a gift that just keeps on giving.

Posted by Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor @artscaping, Jan 8, 2021

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

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

cldmeyers | @cldmeyers | Jan 25, 2021

In December 2019 I had a really bad fall. Immediate concerns were a cut over my eye and mild concussion. As things settled in, I found that I had a trigger thumb, plantar fasciitis, and over time developed a calcium deposit on my Achilles tendon. I also aggravated arthritis on the inside of my left knee. I waited for 6 months, thinking everything would settle down. I could barely walk and couldn't use my left hand for anything. I had fallen on my right side, but all of the damage was on my left. I finally started dealing with these, one thing at a time, with a sports medicine orthopedist. My left hand is back to normal and I am pain free. I also was having physical therapy and seeing a chiropractor. It takes a village and a will to become pain free again.

REPLY
4 replies
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jan 25, 2021
In reply to @artscaping "@ess77 How exciting, even for Samantha to have a "quality of life gift". I am just..." + (show)
@artscaping

@ess77 How exciting, even for Samantha to have a "quality of life gift". I am just thrilled that your lumbar pillow fits so perfectly in your new recliner. Congratulations. I just might put a recliner on my list. I have never had one. Jay has one for his man cave, aka the office. I walk by and see him cozy and comfy surfing the net.

We do a yoga pose in which we end by grabbing our knees and giving our legs a hug. Enjoy.

May you be content (for a little while) and have peace and comfort.
Chris

Jump to this post

Hi Chris - we must be linked somehow. I usually sit on our sofa, near Jerry in his recliner, when in the living room. Lately it has become uncomfortable for me. We have a big puffy, ugly recliner across the room that was meant for rocking babies and snuggling little ones, but is eyesore to me because it doesn't fit. For several days I have been exploring more streamlined replacement recliners. If you decide to get one, be sure to sit in it in all positions first! Most are so large they "swallow" a smaller person!
Waiting for safer times to go furniture shopping.
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jan 25, 2021
In reply to @cldmeyers "In December 2019 I had a really bad fall. Immediate concerns were a cut over my..." + (show)
@cldmeyers

In December 2019 I had a really bad fall. Immediate concerns were a cut over my eye and mild concussion. As things settled in, I found that I had a trigger thumb, plantar fasciitis, and over time developed a calcium deposit on my Achilles tendon. I also aggravated arthritis on the inside of my left knee. I waited for 6 months, thinking everything would settle down. I could barely walk and couldn't use my left hand for anything. I had fallen on my right side, but all of the damage was on my left. I finally started dealing with these, one thing at a time, with a sports medicine orthopedist. My left hand is back to normal and I am pain free. I also was having physical therapy and seeing a chiropractor. It takes a village and a will to become pain free again.

Jump to this post

"It takes a village and a will to become pain free again." Every therapist and patient should have this posted! Congratulations on undertaking the big task of getting as healthy as you can be. It is truly a quality of lif gift to yourself.
Sue

REPLY
Hank | @jesfactsmon | Jan 25, 2021
In reply to @cldmeyers "In December 2019 I had a really bad fall. Immediate concerns were a cut over my..." + (show)
@cldmeyers

In December 2019 I had a really bad fall. Immediate concerns were a cut over my eye and mild concussion. As things settled in, I found that I had a trigger thumb, plantar fasciitis, and over time developed a calcium deposit on my Achilles tendon. I also aggravated arthritis on the inside of my left knee. I waited for 6 months, thinking everything would settle down. I could barely walk and couldn't use my left hand for anything. I had fallen on my right side, but all of the damage was on my left. I finally started dealing with these, one thing at a time, with a sports medicine orthopedist. My left hand is back to normal and I am pain free. I also was having physical therapy and seeing a chiropractor. It takes a village and a will to become pain free again.

Jump to this post

@cldmeyers
It's just so nice to hear about someone's success story for a change. Thank-you for getting yourself healed and sharing it with us all! Best, Hank

REPLY
ess77 - Elizabeth | @ess77 | Jan 25, 2021
In reply to @artscaping "@ess77 How exciting, even for Samantha to have a "quality of life gift". I am just..." + (show)
@artscaping

@ess77 How exciting, even for Samantha to have a "quality of life gift". I am just thrilled that your lumbar pillow fits so perfectly in your new recliner. Congratulations. I just might put a recliner on my list. I have never had one. Jay has one for his man cave, aka the office. I walk by and see him cozy and comfy surfing the net.

We do a yoga pose in which we end by grabbing our knees and giving our legs a hug. Enjoy.

May you be content (for a little while) and have peace and comfort.
Chris

Jump to this post

A yoga pose? Really, Chris? Wonderful!
I do seated yoga....or, I used to do seated yoga. Loved it. Maybe I'll be able to get back to it.

How's the thumb? I need an update! My thumbs are soooooo jealous! So are all their neighbors. All my fingers would love a facelift!

I like the recliner as I do better when I keep my feet elevated. This helps with fluid management. I'm plagued with 3-8 lbs weight gain overnight, so have to stay on top of it. Getting back to some exercise will help lots. Primary aldosteroneism.

Samantha sends her love. Her pure is very loud. Comforting. She actually just allowed me to give her a big hug!

Wow....Blessings, Chris. Be well. Elizabeth

REPLY
2 replies
ess77 - Elizabeth | @ess77 | Jan 25, 2021
In reply to @sueinmn "Hi Chris - we must be linked somehow. I usually sit on our sofa, near Jerry..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Hi Chris - we must be linked somehow. I usually sit on our sofa, near Jerry in his recliner, when in the living room. Lately it has become uncomfortable for me. We have a big puffy, ugly recliner across the room that was meant for rocking babies and snuggling little ones, but is eyesore to me because it doesn't fit. For several days I have been exploring more streamlined replacement recliners. If you decide to get one, be sure to sit in it in all positions first! Most are so large they "swallow" a smaller person!
Waiting for safer times to go furniture shopping.
Sue

Jump to this post

I sat in hundreds before settling on the one I got. It's designed for a women's body, different dimensions. And, is space saver, sits closer to the wallor has a smaller footprint.

Electric is great unless you have storms, surges, etc. We do, tropical storms and hurricanes and winds.

I don't do well sitting on a couch for long. I get really uncomfortable, body screams at me! So, have a recliner in den and bedroom. Fiance and I had related recliners. He was a big man, so he needed a larger chair.

Hope you are well, Sue. Blessings, Elizabeth

REPLY
2 replies
ess77 - Elizabeth | @ess77 | Jan 25, 2021
In reply to @ess77 "A yoga pose? Really, Chris? Wonderful! I do seated yoga....or, I used to do seated yoga...." + (show)
@ess77

A yoga pose? Really, Chris? Wonderful!
I do seated yoga....or, I used to do seated yoga. Loved it. Maybe I'll be able to get back to it.

How's the thumb? I need an update! My thumbs are soooooo jealous! So are all their neighbors. All my fingers would love a facelift!

I like the recliner as I do better when I keep my feet elevated. This helps with fluid management. I'm plagued with 3-8 lbs weight gain overnight, so have to stay on top of it. Getting back to some exercise will help lots. Primary aldosteroneism.

Samantha sends her love. Her pure is very loud. Comforting. She actually just allowed me to give her a big hug!

Wow....Blessings, Chris. Be well. Elizabeth

Jump to this post

Think I meant 'purrrr'! Fingers!

BTW: my hands and fingers are screaming at me for a rest! Too much type and activity. I exercise them, but this is ridiculous.....turning on voice text.
Elizabeth

REPLY
Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Jan 25, 2021
In reply to @ess77 "I sat in hundreds before settling on the one I got. It's designed for a women's..." + (show)
@ess77

I sat in hundreds before settling on the one I got. It's designed for a women's body, different dimensions. And, is space saver, sits closer to the wallor has a smaller footprint.

Electric is great unless you have storms, surges, etc. We do, tropical storms and hurricanes and winds.

I don't do well sitting on a couch for long. I get really uncomfortable, body screams at me! So, have a recliner in den and bedroom. Fiance and I had related recliners. He was a big man, so he needed a larger chair.

Hope you are well, Sue. Blessings, Elizabeth

Jump to this post

Thinking I may have shared this before, but will share again because it has been huge for my husband. He has drop foot that happened after back surgery that also resulted in MRSA 23 years ago. His leg is weak. He's been active, but getting out of a recliner was hard. We decided a lift chair recliner was worth considering. And, we were shocked at the price, which generally ran between $2000 and $3000 depending on fabric. I took a chance and ordered a $500 model on eBay. Brand new, OK color, man sized. It has been a life saver. So good that we ordered another one for our summer place. Mentioning this because it was so well worth it. His recent episode with an epidural gone wrong that left his other leg with weakness has added to our thankfulness that he has this chair.

REPLY
2 replies
ess77 - Elizabeth | @ess77 | Jan 25, 2021
In reply to @julieo4 "Thinking I may have shared this before, but will share again because it has been huge..." + (show)
@julieo4

Thinking I may have shared this before, but will share again because it has been huge for my husband. He has drop foot that happened after back surgery that also resulted in MRSA 23 years ago. His leg is weak. He's been active, but getting out of a recliner was hard. We decided a lift chair recliner was worth considering. And, we were shocked at the price, which generally ran between $2000 and $3000 depending on fabric. I took a chance and ordered a $500 model on eBay. Brand new, OK color, man sized. It has been a life saver. So good that we ordered another one for our summer place. Mentioning this because it was so well worth it. His recent episode with an epidural gone wrong that left his other leg with weakness has added to our thankfulness that he has this chair.

Jump to this post

Hello, Julie. I briefly thought about a lifter, but decided to wait and work on strengthening my legs, feet, back .

I've had trouble with weakness in those areas and now, thanks to pool exercise and dopamine giving me my balance and legs back, I can stand up usually on the 1st try.....not able to do that for years!

So, glad I waited May need a lift in future. They are wonderful.

What a steal off Ebay. Congrats....hope your husband enjoys his.

I do have electric upstairs, older manual in den. Love the electric, but got stuck 2x when electricity was off....had to 'fall' forward in the chair to get up.

Blessings. Elizabeth

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Jan 25, 2021
In reply to @cldmeyers "In December 2019 I had a really bad fall. Immediate concerns were a cut over my..." + (show)
@cldmeyers

In December 2019 I had a really bad fall. Immediate concerns were a cut over my eye and mild concussion. As things settled in, I found that I had a trigger thumb, plantar fasciitis, and over time developed a calcium deposit on my Achilles tendon. I also aggravated arthritis on the inside of my left knee. I waited for 6 months, thinking everything would settle down. I could barely walk and couldn't use my left hand for anything. I had fallen on my right side, but all of the damage was on my left. I finally started dealing with these, one thing at a time, with a sports medicine orthopedist. My left hand is back to normal and I am pain free. I also was having physical therapy and seeing a chiropractor. It takes a village and a will to become pain free again.

Jump to this post

@cldmeyers That's inspiring that you were able to stick with finding the best options and treatment for yourself. I'm really happy for you that you are getting back to normal.
JK

REPLY
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