Medical Monday: being a patient

Yes folks that's my arm. There's nothing better for a doctor than to be a patient sometimes. Your regularly scheduled blog post is thus interrupted with this post about my small experience of being a little too sick. 

You may wonder how I came to be such a health nut. Well it's because I have lupus. I have to be extra careful and on top of things to stay healthy. The majority of the time I do very well, but once in a while a simple upper respiratory infection gets the better of me. I had to come in briefly for some extra medication and  I am feeling much better. I will probably not be in clinic for the next couple days. 

I was reminded of how vulnerable and wretched you feel when you are truly sick. I was reminded how much it means when people help you out. I had a good friend or two cover for me on labor and delivery, my husband who brought me in, and all the hot shots in the emergency room to tune me up. 

There are two messages as far as I can see. Number one, if you are not doing well reach out and get some help. Number two, if you see someone else not doing well check in with them. It means so much.

Food Friday: Two weeks until Thanksgiving

I hope everyone is looking forward to the upcoming holiday. If you are not, you have two weeks to see what you can do to change that. Maybe some of your family are overseas; perhaps they have passed on. Maybe you dread the relatives or just all the work involved. 

The remedies are not always easy, but they are simple. First and foremost, reach out. Make a new friend or find a old one. Make amends well in advance. Practice gratefulness. If you can't, find someone less well off than you and brighten their day. 

Then plan. 

Plan a great day. Plan the meal and a beautiful table setting, even if it is for just two people. Include time honored favorite dishes. Then take a walk on the culinary wild side. I suggest Pinterest.com for ideas. And by all means make the feast at least partially pot luck. 

Thanksgiving is a celebration of gratitude. Gratitude is turning out to be a key aspect of mental health. It should be practiced everyday like an exercise, especially if it doesn't come naturally. A few of us in my family write down three things every day for which we are grateful. It's easy, quick and effective. 

When you get your Thanksgiving meal made and laid out beautifully, look, really look at it. Then consider all for which you can be grateful.