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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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You know, @gingerw, I understand this need for organization and how that is truly giving yourself a "Quality of Life" gift. I'm actually much the same. I don't do well in chaos, or what in my mind appears as chaos.
That's been a real issue the last several years as my son was very ill and my focus was with him. Before that, for many years before her death, I was my mother's "caregiver". Add the focus on my health now and my organization abilities have and are suffering. That's partly why I'm so thrilled w/this thread. It's helped my focus, gently guiding me to address my needs.
And, as Mayo helps me with my issues, if I can keep on a level ride, reduce the ups and downs, I learn better health management skills - physical, mental, emotional....l'm better able to organize my life. It's a crazy circular living.
Thank you for your help in this personal process. I have a feeling many of us need this to improve our lives.
Blessings. elizabeth
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5 Reactionsok, Chis @artscaping, Sue @sueinmn, fiesty76.......MN, MN, NM????? do I have it now?ess77, elizabeth in florida
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2 ReactionsElizabeth - As I recovered from the MAC infection in my lungs and the accompanying antibiotic regimen, it finally hit me that I am not superwoman and I cannot do it all. Also, that I quite possibly will not live forever. I had already found these wonder friends at Mayo Connect, and started to look more deeply at issues other than my lungs.
That led me on 2 QoL paths last year - getting my home under control and getting my pain managed. It was truly "baby steps" at first - one shelf or drawer a day with the organizing, one new stretch or exercises per session from the therapist. It is still baby steps many days, but so satisfying.
One thing I love to do is read, and as I began applying more mindfulness in other areas, it spilled over there. So this year, I have added mindful variety to my reading. Every other book is a new author, every third a non-fiction...it has really got me thinking and seeing things differently.
Baby steps!
Sue
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5 Reactions@gingerw. @artscaping, Celebrating you and how you both bring so much to our forums with you creative, illustrative ways of "putting those 26 letters..." together. Your gifts of writing benefit us all.
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5 ReactionsGiggles, @ess77, NM is my next door neighbor. I live in TX but count MN and NM as two of my favorite states. Two trips to FL were also a delight but have far less experience with your state. I couldn't agree with you more that being a member of these forums has "helped my focus, gently guiding me to address my needs". Well said, Elzabeth!
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4 ReactionsHelp! OK, fiesty76. who lives in NM??????
Was it your comments in discussions that got me confused?
I WILL get you all straight!
Thanks. My focusing ability is so much better. And. my brain is much happier. I'd be much better if my son were improved, but I'm staying on tract and spending my energy more on me for now. That's a good thing. Yesterday I had a couple of little precancerous areas removed. Feels good to be proactive, not as so frequently playing catch up, only dealing w/current issues. Next week more of those!
Update on QoLGifts:
1. Replacing desktop files/programs, EVERYTHING ERASED, erased by my fit watch charging, plugged into the desktop USB and the charger connected to the watch w/magnets - May call HP tomorrow? Geek Squad? Can't face the job, yet. Can't handle that much more learning.
2. Installing mouse on laptop tomorrow. Gotta'! For my mental health.
3. Called Consumer Cellular support today, as my storage has almost reached it's limit! Wow! I've been using it as a computer, like the 'kids' do! The mouse will help. I won't increase to $100 monthly plan.
4. I can't seem to figure out why I seem to have a lot of emails stuck in Google? I'm trying out Microsoft Edge instead, so I think Google is being ugly!
5. That one is pretty important, as I'm missing my messages.
5. Still feel pretty piius. I did get everything bought and working, such as they are. Really does feel good, folks.
That's it for now.
Blessings all!
elizabeth
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2 ReactionsThank you, Sue. You are so supportive and have wise, encouraging suggestions.
I don't read well anymore....maybe the new glasses w/prisms will help. We'll see. But, I'm checking into audio books. And, since getting off so many meds, my comprehension and focus have improved. I'm reading online so much now, so I may be able to actually pick up a book again. I think my eyes have gotten stronger, I'm realizing they don't tire as they did.....Missed that part of my life.
My laser focus now must be what you did last year....I must get my house in order. A good friend from my past stopped by to see me today. Amazing! She moved several years ago and we lost touch. What a lovely surprise....she has a couple who works for her whom she thinks can help with my home projects. What a gift! I can't do it by myself, so this may be the answer that saves my life! TYGod!
Off to bed. All this good stuff is exhausting!
Blessings, all.
elizabeth
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1 Reaction@ess77, You are asking ME? who lives in NM???? LOL That, cyber friend, is like the pot calling the kettle black, vbg. With my increasing short term memory hiccups I do well to remember my kitty's name. OTOH, it sounds as if you have no signs at all of brain fog. Congrats on all you've gotten done!
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1 ReactionHi Chris I don't know how I missed this. Yes we're missing Texas but my dear friend reported yesterday that many of our neighbors are not very careful, so social butterfly that I am, I'm better off here. And my favorite "almost 5" has gotten me playing outside. Yesterday we were romping up and down the dunes near his house, in knee deep snow. Monday Bompa will come too so the 2 yo can join us. I can't carry him anymore.
Today is devoted to Master Gardener volunteer activities- refining plans for our next training Webinars and setting up some spreadsheets-hard to keep up!
Wishing you a comfortable day as we look out at the weather- about to begin sleeting here.
Sue
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5 Reactions@ess77 It is Sundance who lives in New Mexico. He signs off with "Land of Enchantment", their state motto.
Ginger
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3 Reactions