Pat's Place: New Year's Resolution Suggestions For Multiple Myeloma Survivors
It’s the second week in January. How many of you have already broken your New Year's resolutions?
That's the problem with resolutions. Losing weight and exercising more. Eating better. Trying not to smoke. These are all noble goals that are almost impossible to keep—to keep perfectly, that is.
Slip and fall off the wagon, and most of us get discouraged and give up.
But I look at goals and resolutions differently. I don't try to be perfect. Instead, I expect to take two steps forward and one step back. It’s a cumulative thing. I am trying to improve, not be perfect.
Keeping this in mind, here is a list of New Year's resolutions or goals all of us multiple myeloma survivors may want to make:
- Get more sleep. This is a tough one for me. So much to do and so little time!
- Avoid stress. Ditto above.
- Exercise each and every day—even if only for 15 minutes or so.
- Eat more vegetables.
- Eat more raw vegetables—lots more. Peppers, carrots, celery, radishes, cucumbers, spinach, kale, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, cauliflower, and broccoli. Did I forget any?
- Eat more fruit.
- Use spices like oregano, turmeric, garlic, and dried pepper.
- Meditate.
- Vow to live in the here and now and not worry about what comes next.
- Learn more about myeloma therapy so you are prepared if you need it someday.
- Spend more quality time with your family.
- If you don't have family nearby, spend more time with your new family and visit a fellow multiple myeloma patient.
- Thank your caregiver. Then thank them again!
I could go on—but you get the idea! Pick one or more of these and incorporate them into your life.
I'm not sure if you noticed, but I try to keep my resolutions positive and skip the “don't do that as much” type of things. Instead, I try and add positive habits to my life and then cut-back on the negatives over time.
And if you forget to follow-through or slip for a day or two—no worries! Just try again tomorrow.
So, time to get the beer chilled and brats ready to go for Saturday's Green Bay Packers National Football League playoff game! Don’t worry. I will eat lots of extra raw veggies too!
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat
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Fantastic list, Pat! I will (crunch) make a copy (crunch) and put it on my mirror (crunch, crunch) so that I am reminded every (crunch) day, that, even with MM, we have much more control in our lives (crunch) than we sometimes realize. Just going to finish my breakfast apple (crunch) and then tackle a new day with some of your wise suggestions - including a more liberal dose of raw fruits and veggies! Thanks!
Terrific list. And don't forget your "daily affirmations" of the feel good stuff you want to postulate today and into the future!
Its also fun to see who you all root for in the NFL and college ball! I'm a football agnostic, except perhaps when the 49ers, SeaHawks or Ravens play.
Sean-
I thought your "crunching" was potato chips at lunch! Glad it was an apple! I eat lots of raw nuts. An acquired taste, but I enjoy them a lot. My downfall is my sweet tooth... Pat
Lori-
How could I forget daily affirmations? Great suggestion! Go Badgers! Go Packers! Pat
Pat-
Not only an excellent list of resolutions for the mmer but the best philosophy to accomplish the list- start slowly and work your way up. If you slip one day don't get discouraged. MM survival is a marathon not a sprint.
thanks
David Emerson
I like your "marathon, not a sprint" analogy, David! Thanks- Pat
I was just diagnosed with MM , Sept. 14. Im still trying to get used to the news....reading your comments really help me. Thanks....
I'm sorry for your dx Connie. Reach out to the many bloggers and writers who have gone before you for information and support. They are a warm, approachable bunch. Good luck with your research, your health, your treatment. Stay strong, have courage and don't worry too much. You will get treated. There is hope!
Best to you and your family at this difficult time.
Lori
It is absolutely a marathon David, although I was known to sprint across the finish line of each treatment round, dragging poor Dave by the shirt collar!
Pat, I am 81 and have smoldering MM for a year. What is MM therapy?
I love your articles. Thank you!
Hi Gloria-
If you go to our Beacon Forum, you will see a section devoted to different myeloma therapies, which for someone your age would most likely be Thalomid or Revlimid with dexamethasone, and/or Velcade.
Thalomid, Revlimid and dex are oral medications. Velcade is given through an IV.
Glad you are still smoldering... You could continue on for many years and not need treatment. Good luck! Pat
Thanks for reading, Connie! Good luck- Pat
Hi Gloria, check out Margaret's blog (listed in Myeloma Beacon's list of blogs) for Smoldering MM advice. She is probably considered one of the most inspirational smoldering MM patients on the planet who blogs and has been successful in keeping her MM smoldering.
Pat,
120 days post stem cell transplant and feeling great.
Great reminder to always acknowledge the work and talents of our health-care providers. Make sure to tell them how much you appreciate their help.
Now I have a small problem...I did my graduate work at UW-Madison and got accustomed to rooting for the Packers (and of course the Badgers!), but my heart belongs to my hometown Steelers.
Paul-
Glad you are doing well! Look at the bright side... Between the two teams there are nine Super Bowls! And part that annoys me the most... Packers have most overall championships (or might be tied with the Bears) if you count years before Super Bowl. But Steeler fans rub those six wins in everybody's face! Wouldn't mind them if it wasn't for that. Root for the "Pac"... This would give us four... Steeler fans will be insufferable if they win another one! Pat