Paula Poundstone
Holidays! Oh good lord. I'm not a huge holiday person in normal circumstances. So, I'm thinking this month, I will write about what the holidays are like post mastectomy. This is a blog about fighting breast cancer after all. I'll add some tips to make the holidays easier, because I'm all about making things easier and simplifying at this point in my life.
But first, an update on my breast cancer journey. Saw my doc today. Trying to figure out why it feels like tiny invisible demons are stabbing me repeatedly in the chest. Happens most days. Sometimes, it only lasts for 15 minutes. Sometimes, it last for 3 hours. Sometimes, it wakes me up from a dead sleep. There doesn't seem to be a pattern. I have an excruciating headache and am exhausted when the episodes finally end.
So, Dr. Gaddam, says that it's the Lymphedema in full throttle. Next week, I'll be fitted for compression garments. On new meds. They make me shaky as all get out, but at the moment, I feel pretty amazing. So much for fewer doctor visitis. Meeting with the orthopedist next week. Then, back to Dr. Gaddam the following week. Dr. Tang in January. Can someone pay me to go to doctors' offices. I'm pretty stinkin' good at it.
With all these appointments, it stands to reason that I like my life as simple as possible. So without further ado, let's get this show on the road.
Simplifying the Holidays Tip #1:
Give the gift of time.
For the past couple of years, I have given my parents gift certificates. They don't need more stuff. Two years ago, I gave them gift certificates for things like 1 day worth of yard work, a drive to the mountains with the grandkids, coffee and a chick flick with the girls. Last year, I gave them a dinner with our little family once a month. So, really, they got 12 gifts, and all I had to do was make a gift certificate and put aside some time for my wonderful mom and dad. I got as much out of that gift as they did.
You can give gift certificates for babysitting, carwashing, petsetting, doing chores, making dinner, organizing an outing . . . use your imagination. All you need is Microsoft Publisher and a printer. Easy peasy!