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Title: How I cope and retain what sanity I have... Post by Miz_D on Dec 17th, 2007, 6:30pm Ahhh...we're such a courageous and resourceful bunch aren't we? I've been thinking a lot lately about some of the little things I do (non-medicinal) and have done, to cope with my chronic CH. Although they may sound silly, these things really have made a difference in my attitude and the quality of my life. My husband and I are empty-nester's now with our children and grandchild living back in Canada. I am semi-retired from owning a business. I still see clients once in awhile but, thanks to the unpredictability of this condition, I schedule around my ch as best I can. Never gonna be rich but who gives a shit? Not giving advice here, just thought I'd share a bit. My post is kind of long but it sure was fun doing it...:) So, here are some of Miz D's tips and tricks to wring every ounce of joy out of every pain free moment: 1.Play with my puppy 1st thing when I get up...gets me laughing no matter how tired I am from night hits. 2.Dream up new martini concoctions for those rare times that I can actually have one. 3.Have small casual dinner parties (even if we just order in pizza) with friends so I'm nice and close to the 02 tank. 4.Putter in my garden and try to grow things (especially lovely flowers) when I feel and look, like shit...no makeup required! 5.Ask my wonderful hubby to read to me from whatever current novel I am reading while sucking on 02 and waiting for meds to kick in. 6.Take Buddha (my pup) for a ride through town...top down, music blaring...even if only for 15 minutes between hits. 7.Try different hobbies 8.Take short, little classes and workshops at the local community college 9.Change the name of “demon” or the “beast” to Mr. Owie ...somehow this makes it a little more manageable and I don't feel as scared of him/it with a name like that 10.Ask an understanding friend to take me for a drive in the countryside...(I love being a passenger, I find extremely relaxing and this works wonders for me especially when I get hit 10-13 times a day and am too fatigued to do anything for myself). 11.Got to lunch at my favourite restaurant 12.Create a writing group 13.Work on a personal website 14.Clean and redesign a room in my house...makes me feel like I accomplished something. 15.Make or buy a friend a little gift...nothing expensive but something I think they'll really enjoy 16.Paint my toenails a bright colour, usually something glittery cause I like the bling! 17.Shop online or in person if I feel up to it...nothing like getting myself a little prezzie 18.Visit the ch.com website and read the message boards 19.Call Linda at family services and have her listen sympathetically to my ranting and rambling...(thanks again luv) 20.Mediate 21.Go to a “yoga for healing” class 22.Get a massage 23.Call up an old friend and ask them how THEY are doing and find out what's going on with them 24.Try on some of my fancy dress clothes that I never get to wear and parade in front of hubby when he's watching tv 25.Turn the reggae music up loud and dance around the livingroom. 26.Start a 'chronic pain support group' 27.Go out just for coffee and desert 28.Volunteer locally to help build (much needed) dog parks on Maui 29.Visit the humane society and share some uninhibited, unconditional love (and yes, that's where buddha came from) with its furry residents 30.Throw paint on canvas and call it painting 31.Make greeting cards from some of my favourite photographs that I like to take 32.Go to the bakery and just hang out with the smells 33.Send my hubby emails while he's at work to tell him I'm thinking about him 34.Get a new tattoo 35.Travel whenever possible 36.Go to a wig store and try on different hairstyles just for fun 37.Make an “in the event of my death”video...sounds morbid but it was a hoot....guess you had to be there... 38.Give nicknames to inanimate objects 39.Visit an art gallery and act like I can afford to buy something 40.Look myself straight in the eye in the mirror and wink 41.Spend an afternoon at the lavender farm Well, that's what comes to mind at the moment...I'm sure there's lots more but its time for lunch. If you feel so inclined, I'd love to know what others do to bring a smile to their face and transcend their pain if only for a short time. |
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Title: Re: How I cope and retain what sanity I have... Post by Linda_Howell on Dec 17th, 2007, 6:49pm 41 of them too. That is a super great attitude Danielle. Never let the beast win. Never give up on life because of him/her and live life between the hits. Glad you had fun writing these bewcause I sure had fun reading them. You go girl.!!!!!!!!! Linda |
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Title: Re: How I cope and retain what sanity I have... Post by DennisM1045 on Dec 17th, 2007, 8:41pm That is some inspiring list Danielle! Thanks for sharing it. We all need to remember to live each pain free moment. For me it is as simple as hearing the laughter of one of my kids or making my wife blush. Nothing too grand. Just the simple stuff of life. -Dennis- |
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Title: Re: How I cope and retain what sanity I have... Post by brewcrew on Dec 17th, 2007, 10:53pm Great post! Only one problem: 2. There are only two flavors of martini - gin and vodka. Anything else isn't a martini. ;;D |
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Title: Re: How I cope and retain what sanity I have... Post by George_J on Dec 17th, 2007, 11:04pm on 12/17/07 at 22:53:48, brewcrew wrote:
Funny you should mention this. I'm reading an Ann Rule book right now, and one of the prosecuting attorneys in it made up weird drinks as a hobby. Two of his martini flavors were tiramisu, and Key Lime Pie. Not advocating, just sayin' . Maybe it's something only a lawyer could love. Great list, Danielle--I particularly liked #37: Quote:
I like your sense of humor. Best wishes, George |
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Title: Re: How I cope and retain what sanity I have... Post by Miz_D on Dec 18th, 2007, 2:09am Glad you liked it Linda...talking to you inspired me Dennis - I'm not even going to ask HOW you make your wife blush... Brewcrew - I know, I know...but i'm a heathen! George - What the book called? "Key Lime Pie" sounds yummy... Just reread my list and realized #20 should read "meditate" not "mediate"! [smiley=laugh.gif] |
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Title: Re: How I cope and retain what sanity I have... Post by George_J on Dec 18th, 2007, 2:14am on 12/18/07 at 02:09:07, Miz_D wrote:
"Too Late to Say Goodbye". Ann Rule writes true crime non-fiction. Just a brief mention of weird martinis. Best, George |
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Title: Re: How I cope and retain what sanity I have... Post by underwire on Dec 18th, 2007, 3:39pm Great list--I love Ann Rule but she and Lifetime are off limits while hubby is in a cycle. He suspects that I am gathering information to commit the perfect crime! |
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