365+#147: Letting Go of Health

June 1, 2017 Susan Vogt 8 comments

It was a normal morning and I was about to walk inside after checking the garden. Then it happened. I slipped on our rain soaked deck. Result: great pain, ER, x-rays, broken arm at elbow, surgery, hospitalization, continued pain. 12 days later; I’m now recovering. I’ve had plenty of down time to ponder what I’ve been learning about taking my health for granted and letting go of good health – at least for a time. This will be short because I can only type with my non-dominant left hand.

9 INSIGHTS & TIPS ABOUT LETTING GO OF HEALTH:

1. Physical (also emotional, mental, or spiritual) health trumps all other tasks I have to do.
2. Be grateful. This may sound like a contradiction, but after I let go of my pity party, it helped to put my accident into perspective.

Yes, this is painful and inconvenient; but not life threatening – others have terminal cancer, permanent disabilities, etc.
I live in a 1^st world country – where there are ER’s, competent medical staff nearby, etc.
I have health insurance.
I have a support system (family, friends, community)

3. Depend on others. This can feel weak and embarrassing, but perhaps that’s a virtue I’m being called to at this moment.
4. What is really essential? Sometimes I (and perhaps other type A personalities) think we are indispensable. This has forced me to reevaluate what’s really important.
5. Learn some new things. For example, my husband, kids, and body have forced me to learn

“Sticky keys” – for making capital letters in emails
Media that I haven’t taken time for (movies, TV programs, pod casts, YouTube videos). I’m becoming more tuned in to pop culture thanks to our kids’ media recommendations.
Importance of bowel movements.

6. Be an advocate. I always thought I was a compassionate person, but now I identify more deeply with other’s pain, limitations, etc. Compassion is good, but ideally it moves us beyond identifying with another’s pain to helping to decrease or prevent it.
7. Learn to accept uncertainty in life. It beats trying to control the uncontrollable.
8. A window into the future; I am living through this; but I won’t live forever. Will I be able to face death gracefully whenever it comes?
9. Let it be. It’s not all about me. I don’t have to save the world. I just have to be a decent me and love others. Whatever happens; it’ll be OK.

I don’t wish bad health or an accident on anyone – But wait! Maybe I do. Some lessons can only be learned the hard way. This has slowed me down, but it has taught me a lot.

I’m sure many readers have dealt with health challenges. Please share what you have learned.

Beyond Stuff, Paper-Less-Lent Health

#1 | Written by Susan Vogt about 6 years ago.

Here’s some more wisdom from cancer survivor, Linda Zappacosta:
Lessons Learned Through the Healing Journey
1.Listen to your body. I have found that when I do, I help myself heal.
2.Eat healthy foods. Why put unhealthy foods into your body? I am what I eat.
3.Focus on the present. That’s where the grace is.
4.Breathe. Taking deep breaths helps calm my fears and relax me.
5.Reach out for help as needed which arrests isolation and builds community. It takes a village, indeed.
6.Eat slowly, chew your food, drink lots of fluids—especially water.
7.Reduce stress. Add laughter. Lots of laughter.
8.Pay attention to how God is spoiling you with love. Yes, I do feel that way.
9.Absorb the life all around you.
10.Rest and exercise. Balance each according to what your body is telling you.
11.Let tears flow as needed. Very cleansing.
12.Plant your feet firmly on the ground. One firm, stable step at a time.
13.Pray and/or meditate.
14.Learn from others’ wisdom who have walked the journey. Invaluable.
15.Relish nature and soak in the love of your pets. My cat, Sweetie Pie, is true to her name and gives me not only companionship but also great comfort.
16.Embrace the love of friends. They are embracing me.
17.Take it, “Easy, easy”, as my wise Italian grandmother would say.
18.Respect the battle. Cancer, left to its devices, would take my life. God wants life for me and so do I. Life will have the final word. God’s got this.
19.Beyond the physical, healing happens on many levels.
20.Listen to your doctors and health care team. Pick the best and trust their experience.
21.Let go of fears, know you are safe.
22.Be attentive to how you might be of service to others in need.
23.Expanding one’s heart and loving others more deeply is one of life’s greatest gifts.
24.Take it one day at a time. Each day is gift for all of us.
#2 | Written by Susan Vogt about 7 years ago.

Linda Zappacosta, a good friend who has been fighting (and winning) her battle with cancer for over a year sent me the following input by email:
“The hospital has a peer counseling program called “Chemo Companions”. Basically, it is a volunteer program for folks going through chemo to have someone, like myself, be “present” to them in a listening, attentive way that, hopefully, will bring comfort and support. As most of you know, I am a retired Palliative Care Social Worker with years of experience as a Hospice Social Worker, as well. So, I’ve been on both-sides-of-the-bed, so to speak, and understand what people go through to battle cancer. I will begin the process of becoming a Penn Volunteer over the next few weeks. Your prayerful support in this important service is much appreciated.

The holidays were a great source of appreciation, comfort, and joy shared with family and friends. I have about 90% of my energy back and I was able to enjoy various gatherings in celebration of the precious gift of one another. When you face cancer and possible death, you come to realize that love and loving relationships are the heart of what life is all about. And through God’s grace, I see this more clearly than ever. I treasure each moment and the gift of now because that’s what we got. And that’s where you find God whether alone or with others—including our four-legged friends.”
#3 | Written by Susan Vogt about 7 years ago.

Ted Gorczyca suggests the following article “Why I Hope to Die at 75” https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/10/why-i-hope-to-die-at-75/379329/ I’m neither endorsing nor criticizing the article, but I did find it thought provoking.
#4 | Written by Vickie about 7 years ago.

One just keeps on keeping on but not always as one planned to do. I’m reading Heidegger and a Hippo Walk Through Those Pearly Gates: Using Philosophy (and Jokes!) to Explore Life, Death, The Afterlife and Everything in Between. It’s not as funny as its Cathcart/Klein predecessor Plato and a Platypus Walked Into a Bar but good enough considering.
#5 | Written by Susan Vogt about 7 years ago.

Kathy Beirne of Maine emailed me the following:
It was a mixed day for me – I was diagnosed with shingles a week ago, and it is constantly reminding me of my body – BUT, also gratitude for all the parts of my life when I have not needed to give my body a second thought. Then also gratitude for the kids, in-laws and grandkids. My husband, Steve, plays the lottery and I remind him (probably too frequently) that we have already won, a life of love and fun and purpose. And so, on balance, despite the pain and tiredness of the shingles, a good day and more importantly a good life.
#6 | Written by Susan Vogt about 8 years ago.

My friend, Tom Dorsel, sent me the following email after reading this blog post, and gave me permission to share it here.

“Susan:
I just read your piece on your broken arm. Sounds terrifying to me. I don’t like anything broken. I fix things right away. It’s tough when you have to give up control of that power of initiative. Facing my own recent health issues, I was sitting quietly in my prayer chair…and my thoughts led to my writing ‘Learning From Adversity.’ (Click https://tinyurl.com/y8x6qjem to read.) It reminds me of your thinking. I think we are on the same channel, not surprisingly.
Sorry about your accident and hope the arm heals quickly. But, then, as you and I both alluded to, maybe not too quickly.”
#7 | Written by Jack & Jane Katenkamp about 8 years ago.

Dear Susan,
We’re so sorry to hear that you fell. It can happen so easily. You have made good points to keep a positive attitude. For you, too, we can say, “God isn’t finished with us yet.”
You’ll be in our prayers,
Love, Jane & Jack
#8 | Written by Patricia Rooney about 8 years ago.

Do we truly let go of health? As you write, letting go can leave room for other life. I’m living in a retirement community in Centerville, Ohio. The lessons never cease and I’m not always a docile student, but at least I’m engaged. Or at least I think I am.

#1 | Pinged by 365+#160: 2017 Top Tips in a Nutshell – Living Lightly about 7 years ago.

[…] 6. Letting go of health: I don’t wish bad health or an accident on anyone – But wait! Maybe I do. Some lessons can only be learned the hard way. My broken arm has slowed me down, but has taught me a lot […]

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