Trying to be positive & thankful

[Cat-a-Tonic]

When I saw my GI a few weeks ago, he told me several times to "think positive!" I'm naturally kind of a pessimist and thinking positive is sometimes a struggle for me, especially with being ill all the time. But I've been making an effort, and I decided to think of one positive thing that I'm thankful for every day. I started this on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, I was thankful that I didn't vomit in the MRI machine. I had a bad reaction to the IV contrast they gave me, it made me really dizzy but it didn't make me nauseous or vomit. The techs said that, while it's rare to have a reaction to the contrast, most people who do have a reaction tend to get nauseous and/or vomit, sometimes in the machine. So I'm thankful I didn't do that!

Yesterday, I was thankful that I have a good GI. I needed a refill of my Zofran but I didn't have any refills left on my prescription. My pharmacy said that they could fax my GI to see if he would authorize a refill, and that it could take up to 2 days. I dropped off the prescription in the morning, and by lunchtime I had my Zofran and my GI also authorized further refills. I was quite pleased and thankful for that!

Today, I'm kind of constipated from my meds (Entocort & Amitriptyline). So, today I'm thankful that I don't have diarrhea (my usual symptom). I'm not super comfortable, but I can't really complain, and I'm going to enjoy it because I know that soon enough I'll be back to running to the bathroom multiple times a day.

Has anyone else tried thinking like this? If so, what are you thankful for today?

 

[Jennifer]

There's a thread on page 2 very similar about being proud of yourself today for ____ reason/s.
http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=8641

I'm glad that you're trying to keep positive though.

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

Crabby: I didn't think this was that similar to the other thread - after all, I'm not proud of myself because my GI refilled my prescription. Just thankful.

 

[bushydougie]

I have been getting annoyed with myself as every morning I always seem to have something to moan to myself about. I hate never feeling well and always having some little niggle or other. I was thinking that I must try and be more positive about it but it's so hard when you wake up with pain or another new symptom...

 

[biteyshark]

Cat: I tend to be a pessimist at times, especially when I'm not feeling well, so I have been like that a lot lately. I think that thinking positive can help, even physically, so I've been trying to make more of an effort to do so too. Thanks for reminding me

Today I'm thankful that I finally realize I'm not going through this alone anymore, and even though I haven't been on this board too much, it's been really helpful already. Before it felt like nobody understood how bad the pain can be, and how awful it is to not know what's wrong with me or how to fix it.

The stories on the board made me realize that many people can relate, so I feel thankful that I know I can come vent on here if I have a really bad day.

 

[rygon]

Bushy, at least you can be thankful for living in an awesome city. Been there a couple of times (albeit with beer goggles) but it was so cool.

 

[bushydougie]

Thanks Rygon. You're right it is great. Just wish I had a bit more energy to enjoy it at the mo!!
One of my best friends got married in Grimsby. That's the only time I've been there...

 

[rygon]

Lucky you lol. Although the surrounding countryside is nice. I went to back to basics in leeds .. totally overwhelmed by the sheer greatness or the music and the fish tank.. with fish.. in a club. So when you are feeling good what do you normally get up to?

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

Today I'm thankful for my lovely husband (well, I'm thankful for him every day, of course). And rice krispies treats, I'm thankful for those and I'm thankful I can digest them. I miss out on so many tasty treats, I'm glad there's one or two delicious things I can still manage to eat.

 

[bushydougie]

Yum! I'm thankful for not having to cook tonight as we're going to get some pizza in

 

[rottengut91]

I'm thankful the night from hell is finally over and that my husband got my son ready for school today and stayed home a few extra hours so I could get some rest. Boy, I don't know what I would do without him sometimes.

 

[Domsmom]

I'm thankful that I have a beautiful family...great husband, son, and daughter.
I'm thankful for that I have a Saviour who knows what I'm going through and one day it will all be over.
I'm thankful that I found this forum to help vent some frustrations....and a million other things.
Really there are more things to be thankful for than to be upset about. I guess it's just easier to think about what's bothering you....

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

Today I'm thankful that the wind has finally died down somewhat. We've been having a terrible windstorm here for a couple of days now - 30 mph winds with gusts of something like 60 mph! I'm thankful that seems to be over now.

Domsmom, you're right that there are more things to be thankful for than upset about! It's just a matter of trying to make yourself focus on the positives rather than the negatives.

 

[ChefShazzy]

I am thankful tonight because, upon opening the washing machine to change my load of chef whites... I discovered a red permanent marker that I must have left in my sleeve.

The cap stayed on and it did not leak. It did not ruin all 5 of my aprons and 4 coats.

For this, I am truly thankful.

Thank you, Sharpie company, for making a cap strong enough to withstand the spin cycle this one time. *phew!!!* Close call!

 

[jazmac]

I love the red pen story.
I am grateful for my 2 beautiful dogs who give me great joy and a reason to smile everyday.

 

[Jer's Girl]

Cat- I have been having a hard time being thankful lately because of the hard year I have had, the fact that I have been pretty sick lately, and the fear of what might happen in the future, but really, like Domsmom said, there is so much more to be thankful for!

I am thankful for my wonderful husband who is always there for me and loves me through everything unconditionally.

I am thankful for how much I love him as well, and what a gift every moment we have together is.

I am thankful for my wonderful family and friends, and very very thankful that they are all healthy. I don't know what I would do if I had to watch any of them suffer the way they have had to watch me.

I am thankful for my dogs, who make my life better every day.

I am thankful to still be employed, and have such a flexible work environment. Who knows how long they will be able to put up with me and my absences, but that worry is for another time.

I am thankful that I have insurance and that I am able to get treatment when I need it.

I am thankful that I had my ostomy which saved my life, and also so thankful that it was able to be reversed after only six months.

I am thankful that I am getting to a better place with my health, slowly but (hopefully) surely.

I am thankful for all of you and I hope that this will be a better year for everyone!

Thanks Cat for starting this thread. It is really important to remember to be thankful and not always dwell on the "what ifs" that keep us from enjoying the hear and now.

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

Jer's Girl, I also hope this will be a better year for everyone! And thank you for reminding me of this thread, I had forgotten I started it and I've been having a little pity-party for myself lately, as I've been flaring since I tried tapering from 9 mg to 6 mg of Entocort. This has reminded me that, even when I'm in a flare, I have a lot to be thankful for.

Today I'm thankful that I have a good GI, who said I can go back up to 9 mg of Entocort! Hopefully this means my flare will go away. And I'm thankful that he said I can be on 9 mg for a full 6 weeks - that means I'll likely be feeling relatively well through the holidays.

I'm also thankful for my heating pad, moist wipes, calmoseptine, Ensure, bad daytime TV, and ginger tea. I couldn't get through a flare without that stuff!

 

[bushydougie]

I am thankful that I stuck with Entocort for 4 weeks even though it didn't seem to be working because now I have had a whole week feeling almost normal. Hurrah!

 

[kslade]

Firstly, I'm thankful for Cat creating this thread.

I am thankful for my GI not ignoring my symptoms when the year previously several doctors did.

I am thankful for having co-workers/bosses who understand my illness and allow myself time alone if needed, or time off work.

I am thankful for my boyfriend who has stuck around through the good and the bad times dealing with Crohns. Pre-Diagnosed and Post-Diagnosed.

I am thankful for my kitty, she makes me smile when I'm down.

 

[Mountaingem]

I'm thankful that my scary pred dreams have stopped-it's been a week since I've had a good night's sleep! Made the mistake of watching The Edge, had scary grizzly bear dreams for a week.

 

[roundtuit]

Today I am thankful I did not fart in Yoga class.

 

[Rebecca85]

I'm thankful I found a cheap cream for my bottom! (I have another fissure at the top) Sudocrem and other nappy rash or antiseptic creams often give me a burny feeling, but I used Asda Little Angels stuff today and it's lovely! And only £1.50!

Lol @ roundtuit, maybe you should've farted, could have got one to one tuition as the rest of the class fled!

 

[fateful_one]

hillarious!

Today I am thankful I did not fart in Yoga class.

I am thankful for jokes like these. It is good to make fun of ourselves sometimes

 

[fateful_one]

I am a "glass half full" kinda girl. Depression has been a big problem for me since my Crohn's kicked in five years ago and it is defineatly not easy living with this BS. While it is hard for me to do, I force myself to think (even daydream) about something really great lying ahead in my future. That one day I will make some friends, be able to drink a cocktail, start dancing again, move out of my parents house, get married, get a good job, buy a farm, write a book, visit Tahiti, etc.

 

[roundtuit]

My ass is half empty...maybe that is my problem.

 

[Kathryn]

Today I am grateful for my partner. Truthfully, I'm always grateful for him. But as I'm one of those lucky sorts who gets set off my stress very, very, very quickly and my parents are descending upon us, I'm grateful for his hugs, and love and support and wise words.

And that he made sure I had a full bottle of xanax. Heh.

-Kathryn

 

[Jessica]

I am thankful this morning that my naseau is not as bad as yesterday. Oh, and that tomorrow is my "Friday" for this work-week. Definitely thankful!

<3

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

Yeah, tomorrow's my Friday too! 4 day weekend! I'm definitely happy about that.

Today I am thankful that I have some really great friends. I helped my friends out of a jam last weekend and I know they'd do the same for me in a heartbeat. I don't have many friends, but the ones I do have are true, great friends.