I have epilepsy. Other people have fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, migraines, cancer or some other devastating disease. There are so many ways your life can be affected by what is going on with your health. Whatever the chronic illness you are dealing with, here are some ways I have come up with that make me feel better. Ten of them, in fact.
Here they are, in no particular order...except #1, because it is really #1: Okay, now #1 is going to be #10 because I can't figure out how to make my Word thing make the numbers go in the opposite direction. It is going 1,2,3, not 10, 9, 8. You would think it has never seen a shuttle countdown or watched David Letterman. Whatever.
You and I know that it should countdown. So, think about it that way. Sorry to be so difficult. Dang computer
- “Count your blessings, name them one by one...” Do you
know that song? Be thankful for your blessings. I am so thankful for
my bed. I am thankful that, although I miss working, when
a seizure strikes, I can lay down immediately. I can just stay
inside if I feel like I am having a seizure day, or after I've had
one. The post-ictal headaches are horrendous, and all you want is a
nice, quiet, place to lay down!
- (Actually, I wish you could see me with this computer right
now. It is about to be chronically in the back yard.) Okay. 2.)
Realize it is okay to waller, too. Or wallow...but I can say it no
other way but waller. To each his own. Anyway, wallering is what
pigs do to cool down, to rest. Sometimes we just need a moment, or a
day, to waller. Just also know, that wallering TOO much can just
make the hole deeper, so don't waller too long. Get up, get
going...decide that you are going to do one productive thing, no
matter how small.(Start with brushing your teeth. That will benefit
EVERYONE.)
- It is okay to ask for, or receive help. Even if you are too
stubborn or ashamed to ask for it, accept help when it is offered.
Your friends and loved ones want to do something, anything, to help.
On that note:
- Have someone go to the library and get some funny books. Erma
Bombeck (my favorite), Lewis Grizzard, Rick Bragg...those are some
of my favorite authors. Read funny blogs...search Google to find
some. Be sure and subscribe to “sleeping in an unmade bed”. I
hear it is a riot!
- Find a support group in your area. HOWEVER, if you go and
there are a bunch of Wendy Whiner's, you may not want to get
involved. I mean, signing up for “balloons” to bring at the next
pity party is just counter intuitive.
- Spend time with positive people. If you have some good
friends who are still with you even after your life changing
illness, lean on them. Go to lunch if you feel like it, or have them
over for coffee and Little Debbies. Or vanilla wafers. Or whatever
people who don't live in the South eat. Just don't cook.
- If you feel like it, keep your little area of the world clean
and organized. If you can hire someone to do it, go back to #1 (#10)
and be thankful.
- If you feel like it, get up and get dressed for the day, and
put on lipstick. (This is optional for my male readership). My old
ladies at the nursing home where I worked all those years would
always tell me to “put your lips on”. It really does help you
feel better when you look good.
- Look at videos of kittens and puppies on You Tube. There is
no way to keep from smiling. Look at videos of babies giggling.
- If you are a Christian, read the Bible everyday. If you are not a Christian, find someone who is and talk to them about what they believe. There is
something transformative about the Word of God. Read inspirational
quotes. Just Google that, and pages and pages will pop up. Something
is bound to resonate with you.
That's the list! I am glad to be through. This dang computer and I do not get along sometimes, and it makes it very hard for me to be the witty, compassionate encourager I was born to be. See how this paragraph after the list is on the left with the list?? Whatever computer. You better be glad I am about to use you to watch some cute kittens on You Tube, and you better not mess that up.
Love and joy!Vicky
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Watch the Alabama 2012 championship football game. That is uplifting, I don't care who you are (sorry, LSU).
ReplyDeleteAmen and Roll Tide! ~love you!
DeleteOk in for my daily humor, thanks for sharing your backwards list, its ok, we understand. And I completed#4 #7 if you count the other way!! :) Now I have to tell you about my new project I created and part of it came from reading your blog and the humor I have found, you know you could write your own book and be another Erma Bombeck, but I will just visit. So now back to my project, I have a friend and my partner, and we came up with a way to promote bloggers, (when we find one we really like) and we have named it "Star Bloggers", your it. You can read more about it on my blog at Star Bloggers and see the button you could if you want to display!! Let me know what you think after reading the post:)
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying sharing your blog and reading your posts. I hope you have a great day!
Karren
Oh, I LOVE that idea! Since i am so new, there are LOTS of blogs for me to follow in depth. I am going to choose two, also...just to follow, not take over your idea or anything. Thank you for the "writing a book" comment. I have heard that all of my life. I guess I need to get around to it! Thank you so much! I grabbed my button! I am going to make a separate award tab for it!!! Yeah!!
Delete~joy!
Vicky
Love your list! You are very funny and inspirational! And I'm with Karren, you should write a book!
ReplyDeleteHolly
Thank you! Hope you are having a great day!! Be sweet!
Delete~joy!
Vicky
YAY!! THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH for being my 200th!! Follower!! It means so much! I love your blog, so I'm a new follower too! :)
ReplyDeleteWell, I am so glad that made you happy! I love to make people happy! I just noticed that when I clicked on GFC I was going to be 200, and I thought that was so neat!
DeleteCome on back to visit!
thank you for this insightful post! you taught me something today.
ReplyDeleteGood! Learning and laughing is a great way to spend a few minutes of your day! Be sweet! Come again soon!
DeleteMy daughter is coping with epilepsy and trying to adjust to no driving, heavy doses of meds, etc. while caring for her family and farm. I know how difficult this transition is for her and I'll pass your advice along to her. Thanks! ~ Maureen
ReplyDeleteIt is very, very difficult to adjust at first, and honestly, everyday. I have had mine for almost 5 years. Now, Emily can drive, and that helps tremendously! It just helps to keep a positive attitude, it really, really does. I'll pray for her. Will you reply with her first name? I like to pray for people by name!
DeleteThanks for your visit, Maureen! Come again soon!
joy!
Vicky
Counting my blessings is definitely helpful, although it makes me feel ashamed some times for feeling miserable -- but I've learnt how to be positive about this too :)
ReplyDeleteI don't have epilepsy, but I do have a chronic condition. It's called de-myelinosis, it's actually a first stage of MS -- but it doesn't mean that I'll develop the illness for sure. It is somewhat ironic, for one of the things I love most in life is walking, and I'll seriously miss it, if this condition ever decides to kick in.
One thing I didn't do was frequenting a support group of MS patients. While I'm still in good shape, I don't want to have the illness around me, even if it is to learn some things about it. No, I want to hang around healthy people and behave like a healthy person (except for the things that I shouldn't do, of course, as they would worsen my condition).
One thing that bothers me is that people feel embarassed to talk about illness -- I don't!
Oh, and I never wear lipstick! ;)
Three points, don't let groaning about your pain/fatigue/etc make you fell guilty. You have a right to feel whatever you are feeling. But, lso pay attention to #2...DON'T Waller!! A little bity tiny tea party size pity party is okay, just don't throw a big ole dinner party with a 5 course meal!
DeleteAnd, yes, i am very open with my illness...have you seen today's post? People don't like to talk about it because either they don't know what to do to help, or they are afraid of sick people. That's it.
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you will follow me some way so you can come visit again soon!
joy!
Vicky
Thanks, Vicky, for your fabulous post - and congratulations! I am featuring you this week at Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading more of your inspiring posts in the future!
Ramona
Create With Joy
http://create-with-joy.com
Awww, Ramona, how sweet!! I am doing a follow-up to my Bride of Frankenstein post tomorrow about wearing the ambulatory EEG harness for 72 hours...I will post them both tomorrow to the party. You are very kind to feature me...so generous. See you at the party tomorrow!!
Delete~joy!
Vicky
I was sick for 20 years with parasites, brain tumor, and a neck fusion. I decided that just because I was miserable didn't mean I could make others miserable so I decided to be as joyful as possible and my family thanks me. I am your newest follower. I love happy people. You might like my blog!;)
ReplyDeleteOh, and it absolutely affects the whole family, doesn't it? It's just different when "Mama" is sick. I know, honey. I hate you've dealt with your troubles so long. I will most assuredly stop by your blog when I get a chance..Thank you for stopping by to see me!
Delete~joy!
Vicky