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"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
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What a great share, @cldmeyers! After a fall resulting in 7 fractures several yrs ago (all on one side, too) and another time the very slow recovery from plantar fasciitis, I can truly commensurate with your challenges and celebrate your success in getting back to being pain free! Physical therapy can add it's own pain but oh, the rewards in seeing it through.
Hope your post will boost others to do whatever it takes, whether through research or action, to do the work necessary for more successful health outcomes. Thanks for your post and contributions to "our village".
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2 Reactions@ess77, For sometime here, I've been suspecting that you were another of our "true" warriors at overcoming challenges. Have to say I am both awed and impressed not only at your electronic "quality of life" choices but also at your ability to get them all functioning! You go girl!!
Glad to hear you are healing from the recent, very scary bout of sepsis! If your Samantha is anything like Precious, she is proving an excellent cuddle comfort during these stressful times. Can only imagine her not liking to share your lap with an electronic device! lol
Precious has deemed herself my computer editor and we have to have frequent discussions about the need to move from my desk to lap so that I can continue keyboarding.
Your enterprise calls for a frequent fluffing of feathers and continuing self-hugs because both really help boost the spirits!
As for your increased energy now, I've often thought nothing feels better after being ill than feeling better again! Thanks for your uplifting post. Hope you and all find some smiles in each day.
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3 Reactions@ess77, Smiling because who says we have to sit on couches? very big grin (vbg). Mine faces the tv so I stretch out with back pillow support and Precious perches on tummy as we view our favortie shows together....she prefers animal programs but likes the pro-football games too.
With back problems enhanced by aging...sigh...I find I can't sit comfortably anywhere for long now...except in my wonderful feminine styled vintage recliner. With my most recent sofa purchase, I ordered two "special order" stylish manual recliners. When neighbors came over, husband tried to recline in one and it was so stiff it was a struggle! Should have called furniture store to loosen; instead it took months to "break in" the two newbies. Of course the store model reclined easily because of many shopper try outs! Who would have thought? lol
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1 Reaction@julieo4, I so agree that an electronic recliner can be a game changer. With my mom's increasing Parkinson's, we bought an electronic one for her and it worth every penny. Always a very independent woman, she accepted her lessening mobility with a grace and positive outlook I can only hope to emulate. However, she was embarrassed to be seen in public in a wheel chair so the new recliner, in addition to comfort, allowed her more dignity and sense of control. Thank you for your post!
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3 ReactionsSo you guys need a thumb update. I have the brace on and wear it most of the time. The injection fluid is at its apex and ready to dissipate. I am clenching my mouth and trying to avoid too much of that because it makes other areas become tight.
CYA Chris
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2 ReactionsOuch! My sympathy Chris - Thumb injections were my very worst - even my ortho agrees! Last week I had a shoulder injection, and by comparison it was a piece of cake. Hope it brings the nedded relief.
Sue
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2 ReactionsYep, Sue. Thumbs hurt so much that the thumb injections were almost welcome, but not quite.
The lower back shots are definitely the worst! I'm pretty tough re pain, usually, but they made me scream, cuss if I was so inclined but didn't!, and tell the doc how much I loved him! I'm so glad not to be getting any steroid shots now. Steroids saved my life re sarcoid when I was 40, helped me breath, increased my energy, helped chronic asthma and bronchitis, kept me going in many ways through the years. But, I had a plethara of side effects, as well.
But, my hands/fingers/wrists do hurt a lot still. I'm using them more and shots would help. I have a new hot wax treatment machine I got for my hand therapy...got it last year when in PT for hands and shoulder. Haven't felt like setting it up until now....even to help me feel better. Dipping them in later today, wrapping up in plastic and towels and wallow in the warmth and relief!
I'm finding back pain is helped more from THC/CBD than anything else. Fibro, also, but it's a combination of help for that. Interesting how different issues are better helped by different approaches.
Hmmmmmmm.........guess that's part of what I'm learning as I'm aging. Would have helped if we'd known some of this stuff when first going through the issues. Interesting, I went into the pain issues.....'cause I'm hurting more w/this set-up. So, must figure out how to best use my toys.
Well, thanks, Chris, for the update. I see now why you've been so quiet about the surgery. You're in the middle of dealing. I'm so sorry you're in pain, but the soon to come outcome is so promising. I do wish I could have had your options.
Blessings to you and all!
elizabeth
Almost worth being sick....to enjoy feeling better.........And, yes, this life has been filled w/serious challenges. What to do?
What you do is keep going, grit those teeth if need be, but understand you're likely going to deal with painful TMJ! As it happens, it's very painful, too....and led to some of the $15,000 I recently spent for teeth repair, replacement, in the middle of covid19.
Ain't life fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blessings all.
elizabeth
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1 Reaction@sueinmn, @ess77, How delightful to hear from you two. You understand so much. Sometimes I just want to "listen" to all of you about similar issues that I have. I no longer jump to conclusions. One thing for sure @sueinmn, thumb injections are pretty dicey.
And here is my other "bad memory" from the surgery on the left thumb. If you recall, I lived in a small valley at 6000 ft up on the mountain. My friend Janice told me to make sure I told them about the altitude so that they allowed room in the bandaging for swelling. I did my best....he is a very good hand surgeon and I was personally introduced to him by my shoulder & knee surgeon. He kind of told me that he was the surgeon and would definitely know how to bandage the thumb no matter where I lived.
Are you ready for this? When I awakened I thought the bandage was pretty tight and so I reiterated my request to the "check out" technician. After being reassured, I jumped in the car and headed up the mountain along with a supply of Percocet which I knew nothing about.
Within an hour I was vomiting and unable to find relief from the pain. So back in the car, I went, with my friendly driver who had warned me. As soon as we arrived (1-hour drive) the surgeon's PA met us and completely redid the bandaging. When I asked, he did tell me that the medication sensitivities were listed on the chart but nothing about altitude.
Unfortunately, that memory is pretty vivid right now and I am turning chick, chick, chicken. Give me another week or so and I will see where I am emotionally. I know this quality of life issue is still on my list and it needs to be done.
Thank you for your kindness and attention.
May your life be one of ease.
Chris
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2 Reactions@artscaping, So sorry you are having such a hard time now! Hope you start feeling less discomfort Soon!
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