Christopher Dior Simon's Blog, page 11

This is still good

Several months ago, I stated that I would give an update on the Duke University treatment center for people with ALS. I have the unfortunate knowledge of yet another person whose life was assaulted by this nightmarish disease. I have some good news and some news.

The most effective and evident, to me tools when fighting the malicious malady caused by ALS are the person’s mindset, attitude, beliefs, and behavior. Closely followed by a barrage of healthy diet habits, exercise, injections, etc. The great news is that my well-informed subject has generally improved on many fronts. Not cured at this point, but ever hopeful.

When you are told to keep doing whatever you are doing, it suggests to me that doctors don’t always know what triggered one person’s improvement while another may remain materially unchanged. So, I am left with the sense that what Herbalists advocate to battle ALS is valuable, as is Duke University and others. Yes, even my pizza, ice cream, and sex with my wife can not be discounted when paired with my attitude, beliefs, diet, exercise, etc.

If you have additional first-hand input, please share. I’m thankful for all of the research and efforts made to assist us to fight on. I don’t get upset over things I can control, because if I can control them there’s no sense in getting upset. And I don’t get upset over things I can’t control, because if I can’t control them there’s no sense in getting upset. Mickey Rivers. Simplysaidbysimon change what you can always change – your attitude. ALS – Awesome Amazing Soldier. Thanks, Jilliane.

Life is good – believe it and make it so

This morning, I had five grapes and five yogurt-covered raisins in maple oatmeal. It was very enjoyable. For my next meal, I will have potatoes and leeks soup. Maybe I will add a few Ritz Crackers.

I’m stepping things up. I still have an air fryer and popcorn machine that I haven’t used. Life is good. I’m thinking about bringing my bread machine from home. But, each time I have improved my living situation, some staff member, motivated by something other than caring, so it would appear, tries to prevent or obstruct my living enjoyment in my room.

Sometimes, it is veiled in incredibly nonsensical verbiage, but when possible, I have worked around it. I’m now calling on my higher-ups to do what is necessary to make my life and the other residents as enjoyable as is practical for this facility. Of course, with the well-being of everyone involved in mind, excluding jealousy. It is pretty nice in my room.

If you do not think about your future, you cannot have one. John Galsworthy. Simplysaidbysimon, life is what you make it. Choose to be ebullient – someone described as appealingly lively and enthusiastic. ALS- Atrocious Life Shards.

How are you doing?

I’m doing extraordinarily excellent. I’m almost embarrassed about my doing so well. I have a loving family, an exceptional wife, a darling daughter, fantastic friends, and a faithful higher power with whom I am personal.

A new friend asked me about my happiness. So? Are you for real, Simon? Decades ago, before ALS, a friend stated, “Can’t nobody be that happy all the time.” Baby, I’m for real. And I think I would be even happier if that were possible. I have had the privilege of helping save lives as a volunteer in the Crisis Text Line Counselor position. I have continued my journey of helping people who lost hope with my posts and blogging. On top of this, I am now a neophyte author since January, when I published four of my works. I have two more in the pipeline, plus William and I are producing the audio version of ten books by next January.

Happy? Check. Full of joy and meaningful purpose? Check, check. Phenomenally blessed and thankful with a great appreciation and hunger for life? Check, check, check, and mega checks. I’m just about out of my mind with gratitude, peace, and excitement for whatever is coming next. Maybe the movie I will begin writing the script for next year if I stay on course. Did you read this, Oprah W? I’m about ready for your Master Class of hurdling life’s catastrophic events with class and at the head of the class. Just my imagination running away with me, Temptations. Simplysaidbysimon and his friend with the Hispanic name, love… ALS – Always Learning Something. Thanks, Belinda, Jilliane, Arlene, Vee, George, and everyone else who said it.

Pay It Forward

The nurse who bought three books earlier this week also gifted one in a pay-it-forward act of kindness. I ended up giving the book to my day nurse and I paid it forward to a CNA tonight.

I like what I read. Don’t let your budget determine your vision. Win the Day: 7 Daily Habits… by Mark Batterson. I sometimes express my goals, but this quote suggests that I must enlarge my vision. It’s exciting to watch how things are working out when I don’t allow my disease to stifle what I will attempt. Don’t you love it and are sometimes surprised by how much you accomplish?

Back to the nurse who paid it forward. I gave her gift to another nurse and then a book, Flowers of the Heart, to a CNA. It is funny how people want to know who gave it to them. I think I will do as I did while in college and turn the donations people gave me into books given away.

Part of my ability to thrive with ALS is my focus on others and other things. I’m enjoying my life and wake up each day with the thrill of anticipating what I will read, write, or explore from my room. I’m guessing it’s 20′ x 25′ and full of my creativity.

What adventure is on your list of things to explore and experience? Let’s call it our bucking list rather than a bucket list. We will buck all of the negative stereotypes and labels and choose to live a satisfying life of service and enjoyment, Simplysaidbysimon. ALS—A Little Selfish. Thanks, Arlene.

Savory Dishes of Life

I had a good time with a nice bed bath. It was a very good day yesterday. My two most skilfully and thoughtfully present ACNs were working together. Woo-hoo, for great service.

Also, I had one bottle of carrot juice and one of berry juice. I’ll save my last two pieces of banana nut bread until later today and Thursday. I do have Ritz Crackers and dip to stretch me until Sunday.

My two tomato plants are taking off. They are growing nicely inside my room. I can see a few cherry tomatoes beginning. The plants are two feet tall now. I will enjoy the Ritz Crackers with dip and some honey-roasted almonds. It’s all in a day of finding the little enjoyable things in life while fighting ALS.

I never would have thought that I would be so grateful for the little things of life—how quickly they can become the big things. Like being able to roll over in bed. Now, I can just roll my eyes. I still have the gift. Smile. Situations can change in a moment—treasure each one, Simplysaidbysimon. ALS—A Life Savored.

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Tuesday. No, I’m not going through a checklist to reveal a problem. I have enough firsthand experience to know what the problem is. I’m literally killing my trouble before it’s strengthened and grown to maturity.

I’m being cared for by a registry. It’s apparent that the DON has moved on. She is a dedicated, caring, and compassionate person. She is missed already.
I’ll try to remember that it was once pretty bad and got better. The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not be in want.

It may be that those employees who can move on have begun their exodus. I’m laughing because I have been there and done that. Maybe I will even get an email that works for the acting DON. I get to exercise a positive attitude and pray without ceasing. It’s all a part of Healthcare.

It was a good night and my registry nurse did great without receiving any orientation with me before she was left to figure it out as a neophyte in my unique care. Do or don’t do; there is no try. Yoda. As I stated, it was a good night. I’ll make up my own orientation checklist for anyone caring for me for the first time.

Remember upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all. Alexander the Great. Simplysaidbysimon, help for the best, but be prepared for the worst. People have their own issues and you may not be very high on their list for excellence in care. ALS – Attractively Lighthearted Survivor.

Good night, my love

I’m blessed to have a love of my life to share those words with. We have experienced almost 34 years of marriage, and 14 years of ALS. We are together until death do we part. And, if I am telling the story, I joke about her dying first. No time soon, of course. We’ve got a lot of living and loving to go.

I was also blessed today with making a new friend. It was my first time meeting her as my registry nurse. I’m drawn to people who know and do their job well with mindful, thoughtful, and caring service. Anyway, she spotted my books on display in my room on the bulletin board and purchased one. Later, she bought two more books. I asked that she be blessed by the thoughts.

I’m here in my command post, with no ability to talk unassisted, and yet I am reaching out and communicating with far-reaching contacts around the world. Who would have ever thunk’ it? ALS – Always Living Successfully. Not so much by income, but by my outgoing love, concern, and prayers. Sometimes, I even have the pleasure of contributing to the lives of others monetarily. Woo-hoo.

Yeah, being disabled is sometimes difficult. Nope, we didn’t sign up for this, but it is what it is. We’re going to rock even with our condition. What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything? Vincent Van Gogh. Simplysaidbysimon, let’s fly with ALS – Aviation Limitless Soaring.

Strikingly Successful Sunday

Today I will finish listening to The Lord is My Shepherd by Robert J. Morgan. Afterwards, I will work on my own book writing and publishing all day while listening to my playlist and probably napping. I’m working on my goals for the year. I’m doing pretty good. How are you doing with your resolutions for the year?

I have a lot of bottles for my various drinks like carrot, berry, Olive oil, walnut, sea salt, Garlique powder, onion powder, and bottled water for my water dispenser refrigerator. I’m happy with my room even though I have an unnecessary door closer setback. I’m grateful for what I do have.

My two tomato plants are growing. I see flowering for more tomatoes to grow. Everything else died. Oh well, like publishing, I am learning. I love watching the progress and hearts and homes impacted. Nothing can be done except little by little. Charles Baudelaire. Inch by inch, it’s all a cinch. Getting it done, Simplysaidbysimon. ALS- Acquisitions Look Spectacular.

I have decided

I’m finishing up a good book, Think Ahead: 7 Decisions You Can Make Today for that God-Honoring Life You Want Tomorrow by Craig Groeschel. It is an incredibly simple yet profound way to live, and I immensely enjoyed it.

More often than deserved or desired, I am confronted with the triplets—mindless, thoughtless, and clueless—just an accurate description of behavior. I am not able to change others even with multiple variations of methods. Between their limitations and mine, sometimes, it is what it is. When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. Viktor Frankl.

An easy way for me to handle my difficulties is to pre-program my response. Pre-deciding that I will be ready, devoted, faithful, an influencer, generous, consistent, and a finisher is tremendous in my being the person I am determined to be. This monster of a disease is more manageable when I have a made-up mind.

I will quickly agree that it’s no picnic. I’m a witness that it’s an unending battle—just as it is in dealing with healthcare professionals problems. I’m also a realist who is alive mostly because of grace and my undaunted love for living this life with gusto. Simplysaidbysimon, be the change you want to see in others with ALS – Attitudes Loving Survival.

I’m out of money, but I’m not broke

I’m out of money. I’ll pay for publishing expenses and make more donations. I don’t need anything. We organized for the different animals to have their bedspread, pillowcases, and curtains put into color-coded pillowcases.
Black – elephant
White – white tiger
Light blue – wolf
Peach – tiger
Brown – bear
Tan – lion

Fulfilling Friday. I’m just finishing arranging my different animals into different pillowcases color-coded. I’ll have them stored above my head on a shelf. I’m doing well with my reading and proofing what is ready for me to go over. I think I have bought my last items for a while. What is happening with you? I have read or listened to 202 books so far this year. I’ll surpass my goal of 412 books for the year if I keep up with my bookwriting. I’m enjoying my time being busy.

My life is going well and I am thankful. I’m blessed, even with this disease and disability, my mind is soaring. I’m on a mission of accomplishments. We must not allow other people’s limited perception to define us. Virginia Satir. The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Eleanor Roosevelt.

Simplysaidbysimon, it is a good life when we make it good. Remember, changing the way we think changes everything with ALS – Amazing Living Strength.