I would just like to wish all the reader of my blog – both new and old a very Merry Christmas and hope it brings everything you wish for and much more. I would also like to wish everyone the most wonderful New Year and hoping 2014 is an amazing year for everyone.
But most of all I hope everyone has a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Take care
Rhiann xx
Christmas – it’s often known as the ‘most wonderful time of the year’. It is also however, a stressful time of year, with all the preparations that need to be made – the presents, food, decorating the home and so on. Add living with a chronic illness to the mix and the stress is exponentially increased. The fatigue that often accompanies many different chronic conditions makes it very difficult to plan for Christmas, or even to feel the joyfulness of this time of year.
Whilst everyone is making lists of all the material goods that they wish to be under the tree come Christmas Day; we spoonies are wishing to be free of the debilitating symptoms that affect our whole life. Simply, we wish for a cure; a cure that will end the chronic illness in which we live, so we can live a normal life.
This year, however, whilst shopping with my carer for presents for my loved ones – parents, friends that have been there for me throughout the year, and of course my dog, made me very happy. It was then that I remembered the old adage ‘it is better to give than receive.’ And this is true, especially when living with a long-term chronic illness – Christmas allows us the opportunity to give back to those who are there for us everyday of the rest of the year. The presents we give, of course, do not have to be expensive, but they are simple small token of thanks for everything that they do for us.
Speaking to my close loved ones, they often speak of the helplessness they feel; they are not able to take away the hurt, upset and anguish that accompanies chronic illness, and as much as they wish they could cure me they obviously are not able to do so. However, instead they do what they can; they offer to help in the ways that make my life easier such as taking me to places that I need to go, be there for hospital appointments, do the little chores that I cannot do, as well as doing the little things that lifts my mood such as buying me chocolate or putting on my favourite film, and during holidays such as Christmas buying me little gifts to cheer me up as well giving me things that are practical.
Therefore, being able to give presents at this time of year, makes me very happy that I am able to do something, even if it is a small token of gratitude, and give back to those who give so much to help me throughout the entire year.
After all, isn’t giving to others encompasses the spirit of Christmas?
This post is for the December edition of the Patients for a Moment Blog Carnival which this month is being curated by Abigail from Hidden Courage.
Welcome to the final day of the National Health Blog Post Month Challenge hosted by WEGO Health. Every day during the month of November I will be writing a new blog post related to health and living with a chronic illness based on given prompts provided by WEGO Health.
Today’s prompt reads:
That’s a Wrap! Nominate someone for a Health Activist Award and write a post about why you nominated them!
I nominated someone for the ‘Health Activist Hero Award’ sometime ago.
The person was a very good friend of mine, Anya. Anya also has her own blog ‘The Patient Patient‘. Anya writes about living with several long-term health conditions. However, this is not the only focus of her blog, but she also writes about the self-management of such health conditions, and how patients can and should be involved in their own care.
Not only does Anya write so eloquently and passionately about the issues she discusses in the blog, but she also chosen a career path in this particular field, and also mentors others, as a tutor for Self Management UK (formerly the Expert Patient Programme, and also speaks to healthcare professional and students regarding patient involvement and the biopsychosocial model of disease. But, alongside all this, Anya is a great friend and there for me and others who are experiencing tough times due to long-term health conditions.
In my opinion, Anya is a Health Activist Hero who really deserves to be recognised for all she does; and for helping give patients a more active role in their own care, and educating future doctors to the importance of patients and how they can be an equal participant in their own care.
To nominate someone for a WEGO Health Activist Award; you can do so by visiting: http://awards.wegohealth.com/
Welcome to the penultimate day of the National Health Blog Post Month Challenge hosted by WEGO Health. Every day during the month of November I will be writing a new blog post related to health and living with a chronic illness based on given prompts provided by WEGO Health.
Today’s prompt read:
Toot that Horn! Want to hear a secret? You’re awesome! (It’s actually not even really a secret). This is going to be hard for you, O Modest One, but you gotta give yourself props today! Wrote three things you love about yourself – things you’re great at – or just want to share. Don’t you dare signpost or undercut those self-compliments!
I will admit, I have struggled so much with this prompt. I am not one for, tooting my horn so to speak, and struggle with making lists of what I love about myself; or about what I am good at. I even tweeted about this, as I was so stuck:
Preparing the rest of the posts for #NHBPM! Stuck on one where you have to write about awesome you are! Anyone want to write it for me? xxx
— Rhiann Johns (@serenebutterfly) November 25, 2013
A great friend of mine, Anya replied to this:
@serenebutterfly I’ll email you a few things to get you started! ; ) xxx
— Anya de Iongh (@anyadei) November 25, 2013
The next day, whilst checking my email, I came across an email from Anya, who came up with a list of things that make me awesome. In the email, she writes:
- You always support and think of others even during your own tough days
- You always tweet kind things
- You always rise even after falling
- And you rise consistently well!
- You are dancing beautifully despite the relentless rain and storm
What do I think makes me awesome, the question asks? Here are some that I finally managed to come up with!
Those are the things that are awesome about me – through my own eyes and those of a close friend! Are there other things that we have missed, that make me awesome? If you have any then please comment below, and make my day as well as giving me something lovely to read and remind myself when I am struggling or just generally having a bad day…
Welcome to the twenty-eighth day of the National Health Blog Post Month Challenge hosted by WEGO Health. Every day during the month of November I will be writing a new blog post related to health and living with a chronic illness based on given prompts provided by WEGO Health.
Today’s prompt reads:
A Time to Give Thanks: What’s the one thing you’re most thankful for? Write a list of three things that you’re thankful for, excited about, or inspired by.
Although it’s extremely difficult living with a chronic illness, it still is however important to remain grateful and give thanks for everything that is good in our lives. We must do this in order to remain positive and upbeat despite our journey through illness so we remain resilient. So what are the things that I am most grateful for despite living with a neurological condition?
I am thankful for my friends and family. Having material items such as tablets, and other computer devices to stave off boredom and to keep me occupied whilst stuck in bed, however, it is the people in your life that are constantly there for you and make travelling the road of chronic illness so much easier. For example, I blessed to have amazing and supportive parents. Parents who are always there for me; taking me to places where I need to go, or do little jobs that I am unable to do. For example, whenever I am stuck in bed, my Mum or dad regularly comes to my room and asks whether there is anything I need, such as a drink or something to eat, and they will bring them up to me, without any complaints. In addition, a couple of weeks ago, when I was going through a particularly tough time with my illness, and as a result was constantly in tears, my Mum was there for me, whenever I needed her – she would phone me from work to see how I was, or would give me a cuddle, and wipe my tears for me. My parents make it easier to live with my condition everyday, and no amount of words can adequately express my thanks and gratitude to them or how much I love them.
Then there is my dog Honey, and although she can be incredibly cheeky, and naughty at times, she is at other times the most sweetest, caring and loyal dog. For example, whenever I am having a bad day, or feeling depressed, she is giving me cuddles and kisses. Or, if my legs are particularly bad and I am falling over constantly; she is there by my side instantly to make sure that I am OK and not hurt. And then she will follow me around; never wanting to leave me out of her sight until I am safely lying on a sofa or on my bed. Last week, when my parents were out of the house doing shopping and other chores, and I was unable to get out of bed, Honey would regularly run up the stairs and peer into my room to check on me and satisfied that I was fine, she would return downstairs to lie on the sofa. Once I fell whilst on my own, and was unable to get up afterwards, and she lay down beside me the whole time, until Mum came home approximately 20 minutes later, soon as she came through the door Honey rushed to her to alert her that I needed help. She is a super dog!!
And I am finally thankful for my best friend, and surrogate sister Aisha. Aisha has been my rock, and her friendship and support has meant to much to me. Every day she sends me a message on an instant messaging service or via Twitter to see how I’m doing and if I am having a rough time, or need someone to talk to, she is always there. And even during tough times, she always makes me smile with her words, and take comfort in her encouraging speeches. Once, there was a time, where friends were walking out of my life and cutting all contact with me, so I am blessed and grateful that I have found such a wonderful, caring and supportive friend.
Looking back at this prompt, I have learned that it isn’t the little material items that we should be grateful for but instead be thankful for the people (and pets!) that are in our lives and make life with illness easier and more tolerable.
What things are you grateful/thankful for? As ever would love to hear your thoughts so please comment below…