Stem Cell Transplant ( Sct )

[Britt.f7]

Are you or have you been listening to music? I was just reading about natural remedies that show music helps a person heal better/quicker: [DLMURL]http://health.yahoo.net/experts/allinyourmind/5-natural-remedies-anxiety[/DLMURL]

There are other ideas for anxiety that most of us know. What I like about the music part is that it talks about women undergoing cancer treatments. Their subject for the testing wasn't too large though. Kind of small. I do remember, when I had a lung biopsy from a cardiothoracic surgeon, he had me bring along some music to listen to when I was put under. He said studies had shown that people who listen to music during the procedures tended to heal quicker and be in less pain.

I'm not sure if this will help you now, or if it would have helped at all, but I thought I'd throw it out there.

I hope today was a little easier on the mind and body.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Thinking of you and hoping all is going well and smoothly. Hugs and prayers. Hang in there, you are doing great.

 

[intothelight]

I am on day two, post transplant and things are better today. Had a really rough night on Wednesday and early Thursday morning. My blood pressure kept bottoming out and ended up with the rapid response team twice. I hate scaring people and the look on everyone's face bothers me and I feel bad that I gave them such a start. Of course I know it wasn't anything deliberate, I just feel bad for scaring people.

The good news is, other than the blood pressure issue, everything is going great. Today I feel pretty decent and of course my infectious disease specialist burst that bubble. :( Tomorrow my numbers should drop and guess what, bottom out by Christmas. Same thing happened on Thanksgiving. Maybe there is a message here??? Don't take anything for granted, which is something I was SO GUILTY of.

So here is a message for all that are reading this. PTSD sucks, but what sucks even more is when your past is robbing you of your present. A lot of people have a hard time with the Holidays, but don't let that past hold so tightly to the present. Toss the old out the window and keep what was important to you or gave you some pleasure. Find something little and create new traditions, or go and spend the day making someone else's life brighter.

So this year is the year of the cancer battle for me, but next year will be the year of the cancer victory. My Holiday's will never look the same as I don't plan to waste a minute on anything that is unimportant. It will be all about family, and especially the one's I do not see often enough. I hope my family doesn't get sick of me as I pop up around the country. Oh, and my friends need to be warned to, because who knows where I will show up. :D

A little disappointed because I am the only patient on this ward. I am glad that no one else has to spend the Holiday's in the transplant unit, but I was hoping that I could do something for someone else. So I will just be the best patient the medical staff has ever had. These doctors and nurses are giving up their Holiday's and taking such good care of me. Ummm.....ideas anyone?

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Hi, my husband always got boxes of Sees candies for the staff whenever I was in the hospital. I suppose you could write letters of praise for the staff and send it to management. I cannot think of anything else. Being the best patient is a good idea. I bet they all just love you. Hugs and prayers.

 

[JustBe]

next year will be the year of the cancer victory

:tup: A positive attitude is so good for your recovery! You Go Girl!

 

[The Albatross]

Hmmm... suggestions. That's a toughie. A lot of times, post treatment or during treatment, I either do flowers for the unit (not sure though that they'd be allowed on your unit) along with a thank you for your care type card. Other times I have a platter or two of goodies delivered as a thank you. And another thing I did was take down the staff names and ask for a comment sheet. I would favorably comment each staff member to the admin with a direct compliment using as many forms as I needed.

Thank you's go such a long long way though... so often, staff don't really hear it from the the patient or their families. It would always make me tear up with gratitude when someone I was taking care of smiled his or her best smile and gave me a sincere "thank you" in spite of their circumstances or illness.

Not going to quote you... but think that "out with the old (thoughts, feelings, attitudes, habits and behaviors) and in with the new" sounds like a pretty upbeat motto for 2013 for me. Count me in. When do you and Karen want me to have your beach towels and sunscreen ready? (Presumptious of me I know... but hey, it could happen) ;)

 

[Britt.f7]

but I was hoping that I could do something for someone else.

Being the best patient you can be is definitely something the medical staff appreciates. They see people at their worse and most fragile, so they tend to get the brunt of it. I remember when I was on the heart floor, a nurse actually complimented me on being understanding and nice. She said it really made a difference as the majority of patients on the floor weren't like that.

When my mom died, I purchased a bunch of candy, including sugar free, and put them in decorative boxes. I attached a card thanking them for their treatment of my mother and family. My sister and I went around delivering these boxes of various candies. I know the staff appreciated it(at least I thought they did). I got the idea from the receptionist in the ICU waiting area who always had a box of candy on her desk for anyone to take. I saw many of the staff stop there to get a treat.

So here is a message for all that are reading this. PTSD sucks, but what sucks even more is when your past is robbing you of your present. A lot of people have a hard time with the Holidays, but don't let that past hold so tightly to the present. Toss the old out the window and keep what was important to you or gave you some pleasure. Find something little and create new traditions, or go and spend the day making someone else's life brighter.

When I was diagnosed(not with ptsd), and still working, my whole attitude changed towards work. It didn't bode me well for this change as far as some other people considered. But it did well for me. I was more like your quote above. Suddenly office politics seemed ridiculous to me. The games people played I had no time for. The people who hated their jobs but did nothing to improve it, really bothered me. Of course my illness took it's toll and I was crying more often then not there, but I left to take care of myself. My family came first, and, with my illness, I couldn't both work and be there for my family. I went to being a workaholic, to being a full time mommy(illness permitting). Quite a change for me but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Your words are quite poignant and true! Thank you for them.

 

[Nighthawk]

(((((Deb))))

I am always in awe of your amazingly positive attitude. You give me something to think about everyday. You are an amazingly strong person. In other words you do something for others everyday.

Wishing you ease through treatment.

 

[Whitneys story]

ITL, Smile for now, that alone rewards them. I am so happy you have a great team!

 

[Froggie]

Staying positive for yourself will give them (the staff) the courage and a life lesson to be there during the Christmas season. Being positive is a very strong energy, and you have such an impressive energy. My very best for this Christmas season, you know it's for a good cause ... Your LIFE ! :inlove::tup::hug:

 

[Deleted member 6617]

Okay all....Deb might seek revenge on me for sharing this, but I won't let that stop me :sneaky:

All who pray, send positive thoughts, light candles, or whatever you do.....Deb needs to....well...there is no nice way to put it....:poop:! Been too many days and she is really uncomfortable, I might go so far as to say she is miserable.

 

[The Albatross]

Prayers on the way and I'll light a candle for her today. She had been hard on my mind since yesterday evening. I was looking to see if she'd check in. Thanks PH for the update and give her my encouragement and well wishes.