Getting Better all the Time

I was asked to be a Beta reader for a man who is writing a self-help book. I feared it would be boring and amateurish, but he sent me the first two chapters and I was delighted to read an interesting and very informative book. 

His theme is Changing Your Mindset.

That is what I am working on for myself. I am seeing a holistic Physical Therapist and she has helped me more than all the specialists, heart, lung and ENT. The specialists give me many tests. Then I am given pills for what they think is needed. Or they find nothing wrong with me. 

Shortness of Breath is my main complaint and excess fatigue. Even a slight exertion period and my battery has expired. It all began when I had my first COVID-19 attack. Now, after four rounds of COVID, no doctor has an explanation as to why this is happening. 

But my holistic PT has given me the tools to overcome the SOB. First I learned to concentrate on breathing through my nose and not with my mouth. I practice deep breathing exercising all day. It makes a big difference.

Some of her treatments are painful at first, but they help me. 

Her videos are on YouTube and I go there to repeat them over and over. Each treatment is at least one hour long. Between her and my functional chiropractor I feel an improvement in my whole body and my mind.

I don't like taking prescription medicine. Each one has side-effects and usually they are harmful to me. Many older people are taking tons of pills and most are to treat the side-effects of others. 

I hope to get off the "Medical Merry-go - round" and rely on my own knowledge of what I need and what I want. At this stage of life, I am shooting for a good quality of life. I just want to awake with no pain and have energy to write, to work in my deck garden and enjoy my little Lexie. She makes me laugh every day. I want to be able to drive my car up to the mountains, alone, if necessary. 

Drawing by Gabe Council  

As we age, we must accept that some things are more than enough and we might never be able to hike a difficult trail, to stand for long periods, to sit in a crowded room with strangers. As a hyper-sensitive person, loud noises are too much for me. Crowded spaces make me uncomfortable, and I need more sleep now.

However, life is good and I am enjoying the small things, the conversations with health workers, laughter with my sister, watching the hummers at my feeder, and the Cardinals that visit often to eat at the other bird feeder. 

I picked two small tomatoes off my vine on the deck and a green one is slowly blushing. I am very grateful for the cooler weather we have had this week, but not so happy with the mosquitoes that leave me itching if I am outside for long. 

 The lake will be busy and noisy with all the vacationers this weekend. I liked to sit and enjoy the quiet times and write poems. 

I hope my readers and friends enjoy this long weekend here in the USA. Take a break from the political news and only watch good movies that are uplifting and make you smile. Enjoy your family if you have them close and if not, call them. Many of our Solo Seniors wait for the calls, but we need to initiate them. 

Above all, be kind and caring, love they neighbor even if they are not on your political spectrum. One of the things I miss are the friendships lost because of ideological differences. I think I will send a note to one of them now.

Thanks for reading. Come back soon.