Relax...Get a Fish

Relaxation and peace are an important part of the recovery process. It serves us well to surround ourselves with things that promote feelings of peace and serenity.

Saturday I am going to find "GRACE"-my fish. I have already decided on the name. I am visualizing a light blue/silvery with some yellow. Whatever the case, I know when I pick one out, it will be the right one for me.

I always get a betta fish. Beautiful, hearty, easy to care for. Cost...about $10. A great investment in your peace.

I have a glass (octagon shape)bowl on hand from prior. I fill the bottom with round stones of many colors and put in one structure (cave, tunnel). I clean once a week and it takes about 15 minutes. Well worth the benefit.

Also, I have a mini-waterfall fountain. It is about 10" square and about 8" tall. Water bubbles and streams down over patina green stairs creating a very relaxing sound and a pleasant visual. Of course, I added some stones on the stairs and some other cool stuff at the base.

Water...it is all about the water. We are made of mostly water and it allows the spiritual flow of our inner being to connect to our natural inner peace. The peace is there, it is really a matter of allowing it.

What do you say...are you ready for a fishie? Is it time to explore a fountain?
Consider your options..water will serve you well.

Relax...make it a peaceful day.
Brenda

Memory Tools

I would like to share some memory tools that have assisted me with the wish that they will help you.

One of the areas of my brain that are being effected right now is my memory and cognitive areas. So, I asked myself, what can I do to assist myself better in these areas and how can I help others do the same?

I want to share some memory tools and ideas that may serve you if you are experiencing a memory challenge right now.

Some of these are from my sister Jean who has MS. She found some small things that make a big difference. Here we go...

1)TIMER

I have a little square PYREX kitchen timer. It is great...fits right in your pocket. You can set it for 30 seconds or 6 hours. Whatever time increment will serve you.

The timer right on your kitchen stove comes in handy,too. I have found that I will hook one of our 3 puppy dogs out and 10-15 minutes will go by and my intention was more like 5 minutes. Now, I just set the clock timer for 5 minutes.

Use these timers for many things-
need to call someone, need to take a med, want to catch a certain show...whatever you want.


2)STICKY NOTES

These sure are handy! I have been in love with these for years. I use the flag ones a lot for flagging great quotes or special pages in my books. Use the square ones for reminders around the house. Be free with them...don't hold back. Use them to jog your memory and remind you of tasks to accomplish during the day. Do you have an appointment? Need any meds to pick up?

3) LISTS

I admit, I love my lists! I keep a clipboard full of blank papers that I am welcome to write stuff down as it comes to mind. I recycle any of my office papers that were only used on one side. Also, I found several notebooks that had "old stuff" in it. Just tear out those pages and you have a "new" notebook. Re-use the back of junk mail. There is paper everywhere...use it.

4) PUZZLES AND GAMES

These will keep our memory train moving. Now, I'll be honest, I like search-a-words, jig saw puzzles and crosswords...they are okay. I do not generally spend time on them. I do feel at this point, they are important to strengthen my memory and cognitive skills. I have a bit of a challenge "connecting-the-dots" sometimes. The games and puzzles certainly assist there. Also, I play Mah-Jong. A computer game in which you match up tiles. Again, connect the dot stuff.


5) ASSOCIATION

Find things that you can "hook-up" with other events. For example, Mark (my wonderful husband) calls me from work at 9 AM to chat a few minutes on his break. Well, 9AM happens to be anti-seizure med time so it is a good "hook-up". I always remember my pill.

What associations can you make that can hook things together?

My sincere wish is that you discovered something here today that will assist you. If you have some tips to share...please do. Myself and others will appreciate that. Thank you.

Whatever you do, remember to make it a great day.

Peace & Wellness
Brenda

Dr. Khanani

My oncologist really does have my best interests and concerns in mind. Dr. Khanani at Athol Memorial Hospital is a great doctor. I have to be honest, at first I was not so comfortable. In all fairness, it was not him but yet the capacity of my relationship with him.

My doctor visit the other day could have been better. I have some balance, steadiness and strength issues with my legs right now. Turns out I have a blood clot in my leg. Due to something with the radiation I received, I cannot receive a thinner to break up. So, I spent Tuesday night at the hospital awaiting a procedure the next day to have a little umbrella thing inserted my artery in my neck. If the clot travels, my lungs, brain and heart are safe. That's cool.

I had a bone scan today as part of ongoing watch. I know already that is is clean...my bones aren't the kind that like cancer. It willl have nothing to do with it.

Thanks to Dr. Khanani for taking such good care of me. The whole staff at Athol Memorial Hospital is great. People that truly care. I am very grateful.

Moving forward....
Brenda

Good Vibrations

It's all about the VIBE! I am spending time to specifically raise my vibration. You can look at this VIBE as your overall attitude.

Your attitude is a composite of your thoughts, feelings and actions. Thinking positive thoughts, feeling good feelings and taking right actions.

When I find myself not feeling so positive, I recognize that I am allowing these feelings and that they are not serving me. I see that I have a choice right now to change these thoughts to ones with a better vibration.

Here try this...CHANGE YOUR VIBRATION! We are energy...we get to direct that energy into channels that will serve us and make us strong and happy.

Ideas to change that vibe...
-call someone you love and ask them to share some good things going on with them
-Watch a feel good movie
-Do something you love
-Listen to Christian Music (this serves me very well)
-Google things that interest you online...lots of FREE good stuff
-Pray for others
-Send out thinking of you cards
-Enjoy some nature
-Get a beautiful nature pic book (lots of feel good photos FREE online, too)

You can do it! You have the power to change that vibration and FEEL GOOD!

Sending love and good vibes!!
Brenda

Sunshine

I am so appreciating and enjoying the abundance of sunshine that has been around. Sunshine makes you feel good...well, it does me anyway.

Spring is a great time to gain a new perspective on growth. Time to add something new to your life, something to put a spring in your step.

What would make you feel alive and growing? Pick up a simple house plant that you can enjoy and tend to. Put a porch swing/canopy in the yard...go sit and sway in nature a while. Even park it on a rock, or stump and just "be" out of doors. Walk around the yard. Enjoy a bird feeder or two.

We have great surroundings...6 acres of woods and nature...nice. I enjoy it!

How are you going to celebrate spring?

Totally enjoy your day today.
Brenda

Awesome Days

Man...I have been on cloud-nine! Just so many great little things going on in my life. They have built up to happiness as part of the "synergistic effect" (the whole is greater than the sum of its' parts). Enjoy your day.
Brenda

Feel the Love

I am so grateful for the medical care I am receiving. Now that I have had a seizure and cannot drive, I am even more grateful for the American Cancer Society Road to Recovery Program. They make sure that you can get to all your treatments. The men and woman that drive for the program are angels...they truly are.
I want to take a moment to mention a few. I do have a favorite because we talk Deepak Chopra and Wayne Dyer. Peter is a great guy with big goals and a big heart. I love talking to him. He shines a loving, powerful spirit and always is in a great vibration.
Bob is another great guy that helps many people including his elderly brother. Bob is kind and very patient...it is never about him and his schedule.
Ron is another wonderful man. He works at the former LaChance Rehab Center (now Legends). He is a kind of counselor that lends spiritual guidance. He is very involved in his church and is very loving and caring. I really admire him. There are lots of great caring people out there and I am so grateful and blessed to have met these people.

If you have an open afternoon or day (or you know someone that does), the Road to Recovery Program can always use more drivers! There was a stipend but I am not sure if they are running on any funds. The gas may end up out of pocket. But, believe me, it will be a few dollars well spent because getting to our treatment is very important and much appreciated.

Today was a very good day.
Brenda