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What’s the kindest thing you can do for yourself after a long, exhausting day?
Life is undeniably a whirlwind for patients and caregivers in the PH community. We find ourselves sprinting from lab visits to medical appointments and rushing to grab medications from the nearby pharmacy.
It’s a marathon-like day for anyone. Most days, we barely have the energy to make it back home.But after such a demanding and action-packed day, what is the kindest act you can do for yourself?
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4 Replies
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I’m sharing this since @Randolph Reynolds had trouble posting. He wanted me to share this in the Mental Health forum, so I thought this was a great spot to add his update. Randy says, “I felt like commenting about my EQ or emotional quotient. It has been dinged of late. The most bothersome is that no longer can I have telemed with my specialist, but it is back to the 120-mile drive to see him. I have to have a friend take me down to Phoenix, and I go through three O2 tanks. Added to that, the last half of October has more than the usual doctor’s appointments; most have nothing to do with PAH
Such a month. The leaves are in their best colors, a this used to be a special time of year, but I have let my EQ sag my happiness. All this is necessary to maintain some quality of life. The management of my disease is working well. So I tell myself, what the h…? Press on until it is done. Best to all.”Randy, what is the kindest thing you can do for yourself after these long trips and a busy day of appointments? I would suggest rest and recharging in between these longer appointment days. I’m grateful for your friends who drive you to and from these appointments. Hugs and prayers are you get through such a busy month!
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@Randolph Reynolds don’t be too hard on yourself for moments of feeling down. It’s understandable that the challenges and changes caused by your health take a toll on your mental wellness. Gray days are normal, but from what I read in your book you know if real darkness sets in that it’s time to seek help.
I hope like @jen-cueva suggests, I hope you find ways to pay yourself some kindness, especially after a difficult medical day. You enjoy writing and you mentioned how much you usually enjoy the fall. Maybe you can combine the two? Write something that takes place in an autumn setting.
I wish you the best.
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I enjoy going to the beach and getting my feet in the sand and the water when possible. I find this grounds me. Often, this can be done on the way home after my appointments.
On other days, talking to a close friend, taking a nap, or reading a good book under my comfy blanket helps me after a long day. Hot tea, latte, or a cocktail, if I can tolerate it, helps, too. 🍸
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I wanted to share this older topic with some of our newer members and maybe the older ones. It’s usually Monday for me, and it’s not always when I have appointments. But this weekend, after being inside most of the time, I am becoming stir-crazy, so I hope for an afternoon ride to the beach later this week.
But I also find sitting outside in the sunlight helps boost my mood. If I do an SBUX run for my favorite beverages, that’s even better. I prefer not to cook or even decide what we have for dinner and no dirty dishes. Does anyone else have those days?
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