July 5 2014

July 5 2014 Greetings My Friend, Junior is working on the electrical box which is near me. He is quietly pushing and shoving the electrical wires about. Bella and Mindy are romping around playing and Daisy is asleep at my feet in the recliner. The phone rings I have a quick conversation and hang up. Junior mentions he is up for a walk. For him it is a chance to pull away from his work to focus on other things in the hopes that when he comes back the wiring situation will fall into place. Our walk today crested the killer hill and we came back and down the road in the other direction since it is fairly much straight and all along our road is shade trees to help us continue further down the road. I get 20/25 minutes in and am pleased. My posture is straightening up. My shoulders aren’t staying close to my ears anymore and frankly that helps with the neck tension I get. For some reason I find myself walking straighter using the walker and I like the feeling. I strive to work out as I walk. The hills help build thigh muscles, builds endurance and I begin to feel stronger. The hand brakes on the walker are in use as I come down the hill and I believe I am working my wrists and hands out. At home I use resistance bands a few times during the day for my shoulders which also helps with neck tension. My neck pain is minimal today. I rarely need to take medication for the discomfort. I did last night. I went through the exercise routines and it would not go away. Finally I took medication, the first time in a few weeks. I work out to honor God. I also work out so that I can stay as active and healthy for as long as I can. Taking some of the excess weight off helps me as well. My joints get a break, I have more energy and I maintain a good weight for my size and age. When Mom had emphysema she was told she may be a candidate for lung reduction surgery. To be considered for surgery she had to be able to stand and walk the length of a room for a period of time. Mom could not make herself do this. It puzzled me to no end. As I talked to health care professionals I learned that when lung function diminishes the ability to push move out more is very hard. As I learn that I have COPD at times I can see that it is a struggle to push myself. My COPD is on the mild side and I am able to keep moving. As I keep moving I see that my stamina and energy level continue to rise. I know that I can’t hold down a part time job, volunteer position but I am able to keep house, cook, write and exercise. Some days I even work on crafts. At home I can work when I can and sit when I can’t. At the end of the day I have that sense of accomplishment that motivates me to get up and try again the next day. I will continue to push myself. At the same time I am good with I may be at the top of my game at this point. I won’t know though unless I keep trying so that is what I do. As I accept these limitations I also sense God directing me as well. The work God is giving me to do is work I can manage….writing, crafting and house work all fit in to my level of energy. Being busy and about work gives my day defination and I enjoy it. I believe God is continuing to give me gifts. My gift is the ability to work with a body that can’t do what it once did. The gift I have is an ability to create. I love creating our look with in our home. I love thinking up different meals for summer and winter. I am enjoying a creativeness as well. I am once more working on my quilt, on refinishing old furniture. I love writing and my writing projects continue to expand. Are you using all of your abilities? May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet