It's 'Monday Me!'

[DonnaBoll]

I have to keep telling myself that some of you are doing things that make you feel better mentally and/or physically.

Taking care of ourselves mentally is just as important as our physical health, I think. My mood can sure affect how my day goes. Anyone else feel like this?

Yesterday I woke up in the foulest mood. It was the day I was participating in the Mid America Transplant Celebrate LIfe 5k/ 1 mile walk. I was meeting my oldest daughter and my grandson there. He was walking with Nana and Grandpa. 😊

Talk about something changing my whole attitude and mood. There were hundreds of people who were 'donor families' , recipients, or family and friends of those who were affected by organ donation. Yesterday surely was my mental health boost that I needed.

I hope you all experience a day or even a moment that changes how you are feeling. Would love to read about some of your experiences.

[Lilydoll10]

Glad your day ended up being a winner for you and all those participating… for me getting outside, whatever the weather, walking in nature boosts my mood. Listening to Dr Michaels Mosely’s podcasts “Just one thing” on BBC iplayer is another- so many scientifically based things we can do to help ourselves feel and be better physically… I’m struggling atm with low mood directly linked to a new diagnosis of PBC and the fatigue. I know it’s meant to help exercising but I’m finding it hard to go to my gym classes and do the things my peers are doing… but then I read a quote in the weekend newspaper by a woman who has found she can only concentrate on poetry atm not novels and has found a new love for it that she didn’t have before… this one is helping me atm,”I have done nothing all summer but wait for myself to be myself again.” By Georgia O’Keeffe

So I’m going to explore poetry too

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to Lilydoll10]

First of all, I am so glad you felt comfortable sharing with us. Being newly diagnosed is life changing to say the least. We all know exactly how that feels... and not knowing anything about it for the most part. It is surely a period of adjustment - and some days we still all struggle with the diagnosis. It is hard to keep moving when the fatigue 'hits' us. Fatigue is an issue we all have differently and finding what helps us. You do what works for you. If you walk regularly that is great. Even if you can't keep up with a class maybe utube some chair yoga or simple weight bearing videos. I am in the process, at 74, of trying to find what I want to do to keep myself busy.... sometimes I try new craft ideas, a new crochet stitch - or just walk. PBC is not easy in any way. Always know you are never alone. Get your information about PBC from authoritative sources like The PBC Foundation. I strongly encourage you to join this organization. It's free and they offer so much support mentally as well in informative postings. I take it you live in the UK somewhere from your post. pbcfoundation.org.uk

I love the quote you gave us from Georgia O'Keefe about finding ourselves again. That is something so many newly diagnosed - and even years later - struggle with how they feel they are different people now - less able to do what they did before especially due to the fatigue. I know in many ways maybe we are different but in time you will be able to find some positives about having this diagnosis. For most of us it surely helps us see the small things in life that maybe we've missed before. You sound like you are open to new ideas and opportunities for learning. That is such a big part of the whole process- accepting where we are in life and knowing it is our responsibility to live our lives to the fullest at any point we find ourselves at.

I hope you continue to post here and let us support you in every way. We are all in this together every single day. No one is alone here. Please reach out anytime for support or just a kind word we all sometimes need

[Lilydoll10 in reply to DonnaBoll]

Thankyou so much for replying and supporting me, I’m finding this a really helpful forum and feel safe airing my daily worries and feelings about the situation. ☺️

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to Lilydoll10]

Don't ever think you are not joined by most of us who feel the very same fears and uncertainty. Don't ever let PBC define who you are..... we are all so much more. Live life!

[Michi1]

Donna, I'm glad you had an event to take your mind to a better place. It's not easy to learn to change your state without outside influences like that, but it is possible. I allow myself a limited time to feel the feelings and wallow in my moody funk, but then consciously take action to change my state. That might look like playing some fun music and dancing until I feel better, getting outside, or going to the gym. Sometimes I turn to a flow state project like painting or reading a good book.

[butterflyEi]

My days are much the same one to another but the day before yesterday I was visited by a young family who came with their 6 year old. Whilst the family came to complete some work for me I had the pleasure of entertaining the 6 year old. We had such fun and it was a lovely change from the usual routine. Like one of your other contributors I find it difficult to read so I find myself playing word games which keeps the mind from stagnating.

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to butterflyEi]

I can certainly relate to how much joy it can be to be spending time with a younger person. Their sense of wonder and innocence is a real gift they share without even knowing it. The other day I spent some time with my 12 year old Grandson making a gingerbread Halloween house. His laugh was infectious! It gives us a sense of life being so simple - if only for short time.

[MrsFlee]

everyday in my life is cauos

🥺

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to MrsFlee]

How can I help make it less chaotic? Stress can make our liver enzyme numbers increase.....