@arniec I'm happy to hear of your retirement goals! Enjoyable activities are most certainly needed in helping to live more successfully with chronic symptoms. I structure my distractions in a weekly schedule. I've been unable to work for 5 years now and really benefit from keeping a daily/weekly planner, like when I used to work. It keeps me on par with holding myself accountable to the tools I learned at Mayo Pain Rehab. The structure has helped me tremendously.

The last nugget I want to give you about PRC is that the beauty and success of the program comes from the team approach they take to comprehensive rehabilitation for individuals affected by all sorts of disabilities (including neuropathy). I yearned for a team to collectively review my case and put my needs first. I also had gone to PT, psychologists, pain management docs for years prior, but it wasn't a package deal, so to speak, no-one worked together for my best interest. Total game changer for me. I'm glad to hear you will keep it in your back pocket for possible consideration in the future.

Congratulations on your upcoming part-time position! May you enjoy the reduction of hours and find joy. Don't wait for full retirement to find those distracting activities. You're worth it now! 🙂