Thanks Lisa. Seems like there's always one more way we can get around diffuculties. My daughter got me one of those pill holders that I only have to press gently w/the side of my hand. I said: Oh, that won't be any easier. Ha! It is so wonderful to only wrestle w/those awful bottles once per week!
My fave is the last! Take care of yourself. Take your med. Do your blood tests... Tell people what you need. It is very hard for a woman used to caring only for others, especially if you are a Christian, to realize that you must take care of yourself.
First of all, no one else will because they cannot understand what needs RA creates. And second, you will only be more useless in other ways if your needs go unmet. It's hard, but we must take care of ourselves even when that means we need others to help us do it.
Kelly
Great job Lisa,
To which I would add, make the small effort to have small joys and beauties in your life every day. Whether it's small beautiful objects, paintings, souvenirs that remind you of a wonderful time, postcards, or whatever is meaningful to you, beauty is not "extra" or a luxury. It's also great to get your hair done, have a facial, buy a lovely smelling body lotion, wear beautiful perfume (aromatherapy is for real) -- but so many of us just can't afford these things very often these days, if at all.
But it doesn't cost anything have little things close around you that make smile, and that remind you of who you really are: someone with loves and passions and memories and interesting thoughts, not just a patient, or, as I can call myself on a bad day, "a useless cripple."
I remember who I am through my sense of humor -- a very potent medication -- and through my love of beauty. To some, my bedroom is cluttered. To me, it's filled with evidence of an interesting life and lively mind. And this is essential to me when my disease gets me down.
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Awesome tips! I especially like the idea that the touch lighting - I had never heard of that.I can reach most of my lamps (either use a dressing stick to turn on the lights or rely on the attendants), but it's fascinating that you can turn on the lamp by just touching it.
The tough lamp is pretty cool. There are lamps made that way initially which are available in stores like Bed, Bath, & Beyond or Home Depot, etc. It makes it very easy to adjust the lighting without having to be specific with your hands. Although you do need to be able to reach the lamp...