Totally OT - empowerment?

poet_kelly
on 12/6/13 8:52 pm - OH

This question has nothing to do with WLS, but I don't know where else to ask it, and I always get such good feedback here.

Recently I was talking to a friend about how I've had a lot more back pain and other issues lately, and how I think a lot of the physical issues I'm having are at least partly psychological in origin.  I mean, I do have degenerative disk disease and a couple herniated disks in my back, you can see it on my MRI, but I've been told by two doctors that the amount of pain I have seems greater than it should be based on the MRI, and I do think our emotional/mental state affects us physically. 

Anyway.  My friend said he thought I was feeling powerless a lot and that I needed to be empowered.  I think he's right.  He suggested I take a martial arts class, and I understand why he suggested that, but I'm not sure I can do that with my back problems.  I also can't afford it right now, though maybe in a couple months I could.

So I was thinking about what else might be empowering.  And I'd like to hear what other people think.  What makes you feel empowered?

View more of my photos at ObesityHelp.com          Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR.  If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor.  Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me.  If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her.    Check out my blog.

 

mynderella
on 12/6/13 9:24 pm - Ottawa, Canada

Kelly,

I, too, have chronic and at times debilitating pain and have not worked for a number of years because of it.

I think I feel most empowered when I do something that makes me uncomfortable.  Like the very first time I went to a movie theatre alone or going for an extra long walk with the puppies when I'm in the middle of an episode of pain (it comes and goes). 

My thought is to find something to conquer and do it. 

Myndy

 

        
cajungirl
on 12/6/13 9:27 pm
On December 7, 2013 at 4:52 AM Pacific Time, poet_kelly wrote:

This question has nothing to do with WLS, but I don't know where else to ask it, and I always get such good feedback here.

Recently I was talking to a friend about how I've had a lot more back pain and other issues lately, and how I think a lot of the physical issues I'm having are at least partly psychological in origin.  I mean, I do have degenerative disk disease and a couple herniated disks in my back, you can see it on my MRI, but I've been told by two doctors that the amount of pain I have seems greater than it should be based on the MRI, and I do think our emotional/mental state affects us physically. 

Anyway.  My friend said he thought I was feeling powerless a lot and that I needed to be empowered.  I think he's right.  He suggested I take a martial arts class, and I understand why he suggested that, but I'm not sure I can do that with my back problems.  I also can't afford it right now, though maybe in a couple months I could.

So I was thinking about what else might be empowering.  And I'd like to hear what other people think.  What makes you feel empowered?

I can't say if karate would be something good for you. Contact a sensei and discuss this with him/her. My son is in karate and it has done wonders for him emotionally and his self-confidence is getting better and better. 

Empowerment could come in different packages. I view my career choice as an empowering tool for me. The oil and gas industry is more male gender and getting into this choice takes persistence and the desire to grow and learn. It's also very much salary based on gender....I've had to really fight for what I feel I deserve, it's happened but not nearly as fast as we see for males. 

Just doing a quick Google of empowering tools for women, social media and blogs came up a lot as tools that have empowered women especially. You are already there can you work toward focusing more on a cause possibly?

Have you tried an exercise ball that may help strengthen your core that may also help with the pain?  It may be worth a shot, the balls aren't too expensive. 

Proximal RNY Lap - 02/21/05

 9 years committed ~  100% EWL and Maintaining

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Amy, Daredevil
Extraordinaire

on 12/6/13 10:06 pm - Los Angeles, CA
DS on 08/06/13

Have you heard of Dr. Sarno and his book, Healing Back Pain? It's about the mind-body connection and some people swear by it. (I can't recommend it personally, but have heard that it has helped some people tremendously with their pain.)

http://www.healingbackpain.com/books.html

*DS with Dr. Ara Keshishian on 08/06/13* SW: 231 CW: 131 GW: 119 * Check out My YouTube Channel: AmysDSJourney *

   

PetHairMagnet
on 12/8/13 11:55 am
RNY on 05/13/13
On December 7, 2013 at 6:06 AM Pacific Time, 1Amy Lucha1 wrote:

Have you heard of Dr. Sarno and his book, Healing Back Pain? It's about the mind-body connection and some people swear by it. (I can't recommend it personally, but have heard that it has helped some people tremendously with their pain.)

http://www.healingbackpain.com/books.html

I am going to get this for my husband!!

    

HW333--SW 289--GW of 160 5' 11" woman.  I only know the way I know & when you ask for input/advice, you'll get the way I've been successful through my surgeon & nutritionist. Please consult your surgeon & nutritionist for how to do it their way.  Biggest regret? Not doing this 10 years ago! Every day is better than the day before...and it was a pretty great day!

        

    

    

molly3613
on 12/6/13 10:10 pm - TX
RNY on 01/24/13

Well this might sound strange and I don't know why but it worked and felt good for me.  Volunteer and help and guide others.  It gives one such a sense of satisfaction at least it did me.  I have never worked really outside the home but when my son was younger I worked for his schools organizing fund raisers, volunteered for the scouts and served on the little league board for years and served 2 years as president.  It really took me out of myself and into others.  Very satisfying.  I read your blog on Thanksgiving volunteering and you seemed so happy and self fulfilled to be out there helping others.  I am sure there are lots of opportunities for a person with your gifts and knowledge.  So many people you can touch and get to know and help.  Not every day but maybe once a week or so. As you feel like it.  You forget all about yourself and really get into the project you are working on.  It really took me out of myself and into,the world. They needed me and it felt good.

 

    

poet_kelly
on 12/6/13 11:28 pm - OH

I'm thinking I will sign up to work at the soup kitchen once a month.  I really did enjoy it and I hadn't really thought about it being empowering, but I think in a way it was.  And it was a deeply meaningful experience for me.

View more of my photos at ObesityHelp.com          Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR.  If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor.  Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me.  If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her.    Check out my blog.

 

molly3613
on 12/7/13 12:00 am - TX
RNY on 01/24/13

I think you can be empowered on many different levels. It makes me feel so good to be needed.  I think that is important for human beings.  Being accepted and needed.  Not taken advantage of but giving of yourself as you can and being appreciated.  The Thanksgiving experience you had seemed to be so meaningful.  I think you will enjoy volunteering on many levels.  You might forget the back pain for a  while as you will be so into your new duties.  Just don't overdo It.  Take care of yourself.  Isaac will enjoy it too and be such an asset.  He might like visiting a nursing home and cheering up the elderly.  My friends mother is in assisted living and those people live for a visit and a doggie visit is the best.  Christmas is coming too.  There you could just sit and visit.  Listening is what oldsters needed.  Nothing physical more than checkers or dominos.  Best wishes.  Keep us posted.

 

    

poet_kelly
on 12/7/13 12:51 am - OH

Isaac would absolutely love to visit people in a nursing home.  That  would be heaven for him, a bunch of people to pet him and tell him what a pretty boy his is and feed him treats.  He likes old people a lot.  Well, he likes everyone a lot.  He is great with kids, too.  But there are some elderly people in my apartment building that Isaac just adores.

I have thought of having him certified as a therapy dog.  Some nursing homes may allow us to visit even if he's not certified, but many would require a certified therapy dog.  I haven't gotten him certified yet for a couple reasons.  First, I was advised by some experienced service dog handlers that you should work with your service dog for at least a year before doing that because you need that time to bond with your service dog and for him to learn what it means to be working for you.  Being a therapy dog is a very different role from being a service dog and you don't want the dog to get confused between his roles.  Second, while Isaac works very well when he's in "service dog" mode, when he's not in service dog mode, he's still pretty puppy-ish and hyper.  I don't want him to jump on some old person and knock them down and break their hip.  He wouldn't do that if he had on his service dog vest, which is how he knows he is working.  But he's not supposed to socialize with people when he's working.  If he was visiting people in a nursing home, socializing with them would be the point.  But he needs to not knock them down in his enthusiasm.  Finally, the most popular organization that certifies therapy dogs is Therapy Dogs International, and they discriminate against people with service dogs.  They refuse to certify service dogs as therapy dogs.  A complaint has been filed with the Department of Justice, but as of yet, nothing has been done about it.

Anyway, I've had Isaac for a year now and he is calmer than he was, but still a bit hyper sometimes.  I may talk to someone at the nursing home down the street from me and see about volunteering with him even though he's not certified as a therapy dog.  He can't volunteer at the soup kitchen with me because he isn't allowed in the kitchen.  Even though service dogs are allowed most places, there are some places they can't go.  He could go in the dining room with me to eat at a soup kitchen, but not in the actual kitchen where food is prepared.

View more of my photos at ObesityHelp.com          Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR.  If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor.  Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me.  If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her.    Check out my blog.

 

molly3613
on 12/7/13 3:05 am - TX
RNY on 01/24/13

Where my friends mother lives, Belmont Village in Houston, they allow residents to have cats and small dogs live with them in their rooms.  They also allow people to visit and bring a pet to visit.  The old residents love puppy kisses.  However you can knock them around.  A tail is a weapon to a weak person.  My son has a large enthusiastic dog he found when she was a puppy.  Now they have a 9 month old toddler and he said Molly, the dog, "tail whipped" Stella the baby.  Sounds funny but don't let Isaac tail whip anyone.  Stella just popped back up but an older person might not.  Let us know what your new adventures are.

 

    

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