HI SP! (Special People)....
Well - First time I haven't written a blog for more than a month! It's been a very busy few months for me, as many of you know.
Imagine being told by 2 doctors that your kidneys just aren't doing their job for you. What a shock for someone who's sailed through life, throughout her first 74 years, without any significant health issues.
Lucky me - both my docs felt that because of that very clean health history, it was possible for my body to restore itself to recovery, with some help from a few meds and supplements. Little did I know I'd become a living, breathing pharmacy! I found my self with a full, daily schedule of 16 of them! I created a chart to keep it all straight.
It's been 4 months since this all started. My docs warned me not to expect a quick fix, and to be patient. Ha! Guess they don't know me very well, huh?
The good news is - it seems they were right! Slowly, and now more quickly, my good ol' self seems to be resurfacing. I feel much like I did before this whole challenge began. I've even been "released" from 4 meds now... with hope to drop as many more as possible - soon!
I won't bore you with all the overwhelming details I had to pay close attention to. Suffice to say, it all seems to be working. We're all thrilled with my progress. That includes my darling husband, who stuck by me every step of the way, and also my patient, loving family and friends, whose support and caring definitely helped me cope. A heartfelt THANKS to each of you!
Now I must share - today's activity is what inspired the title of this blog.
I had lunch with a dear friend of mine, who's the CEO of a highly regarded community organization, dedicated to helping distressed families get back on the path to a successful life. It's been my pleasure to help with some of their very worthy projects over the years.
As my friend and I parted after lunch, we transferred from my car to hers, four very full red top bags of nearly new clothing - mine! They were all falling off my much smaller body - one of the nicest results of my "ordeal" - and I didn't even have to work at it! (Please don't be mad at me!)
I've learned so much from this frightening experience. Thought I'd share a few highlights and insights I'm learning from it all...
•I'll never take my good health for granted again. I'll be cognizant that it's a precious gift, to be much appreciated.
•How lucky was I to have a loving, devoted partner - to share each step of this threatening process with me. Also my dearest family and loving friends, who offered their support and concern at every step - I'm so grateful for each of you! Studies show that improvement and recovery is much faster and more successful with solid support from those you love. Bless you!
•I've been trying out healthier habits to aid my healing.... (eating, drinking, exercise, sleeping) that my doctors have suggested and from the research Mike and I have been doing. What an opportunity to recognize those that are working for me! They'll be my new friends - for life!
•Throughout my career, I've always shared ideas and techniques about making good choices for enhancing your quality of life, even if they aren't "popular". During this health challenge, I had the opportunity to re-examine a few of my own, and re-evaluate what's really important - and which are NOT - to give me the best chance at maximum happiness and the best potential for a great future.
•New realization for me: Slow down and PAY ATTENTION! You all know how patient I am. HA! I'm learning that I may be able to prevent future problems in my body (and probably in my mind too!) if I habitually slow down and think about what's going on, and how I can improve on it. I'm determined to give this one a real shot! Let me know if you see a difference - please!
•Last, but not least.... stay POSITIVE! More and more research shows that lots of good health is more likely if you have a generally positive attitude. I'm finding that age (or "maturity" as I like to think of it...) can create more skepticism about most things than it used to. Perhaps the lessons I've learned throughout my life are trying to help me prevent repeating mistakes. But, I don't want them to turn me into someone who doesn't trust her gut anymore, and do what I think is right. Tricky balance, huh? Here's to keeping our glasses ¾ FULL! Having a feeling of potential success for most things gives me a definite advantage, I feel, to get there. Life's opportunities make me smile. Even the struggles and disappointments are easier to cope with, if the future feels bright. Is that your take too?
Well, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it!
Good luck to each of you, my SPs.....
May your life be filled with many happy experiences, and the making of wonderful, forever memories!
And when tough times come along, may you find the strength and courage - (and luck, lots of it!) to face it, deal with the adversity, and pull yourself through the knothole without getting any permanent scars.
Let's carry on, dear friends, and enjoy life to its full glory!
Love and luck,
Eve
July 3, 2015.