One of the self-care areas that I have neglected is having a good sleeping regimen. All the time that I was visiting my dad while he was in the intensive care unit during the most critical times I would only take short naps in the car or in the hospital’s waiting area. Although this was not the optimal sleeping regimen it was the only way my body could keep me going. However, now that my dad is being cared for at the clinic, I am having trouble refocusing myself to a better sleeping regimen. After doing some extensive research on how to have a proper sleeping regimen, I decided to purchase a new pillow that is suppose to help alleviate neck and shoulder pain. This is very important because I am a combination sleeper (side and back) and without the proper pillow my pain intensifies on a daily basis. The first week of using the new pillow was somewhat difficult for my body to adjust to the new pillow design, but once I got accustomed to the new pillow, it has been extremely helpful in alleviating some of my pain and allowed me to achieve a better night sleep.
Now, I am trying to focus on the other areas of creating an optimal sleeping environment such as not looking at my mobile devices at least 2 hours before bed-time, having a cooler bedroom temperature, no TV, use of black out curtains and cooler fabric bed sheets. Also, I need to work on shutting down my brain because at times, my thoughts turn into dreams which prevent me from getting a restful night of sleep.
Thinking back to my cancer journey, the chemo gave me brain fog, which means, that it was difficult for me to stay focused on any one thought at a time. Therefore, it was easy for me to fall asleep and actually rest both my mind and body. Nowadays, I am taking it one step at a time to reach optimal sleeping conditions which will be beneficial for my overall health. Thanks to God and everyone’s prayers my dad is being cared for and I feel blessed to be able to continue focusing on my 2023 goal of self-care. Remember, in order to be able to take care of everyone else we must first take care of ourselves.
#Rest&Recharge
Cancer: The Upside 
Still praying, Kelly! Sounds like you are doing a great job of taking care of your father and you. May God cradle you both in His arms. ❣️❣️❤️🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽Ellen
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Hi Ellen thanks so much truly appreciate it. How are you and your husband doing? How did his hernia surgery turn out? How are you feeling?
I continue to pray for you both daily. Many blessings for you both always 🙏🙏🙏❤❤🤗🤗
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It hasn’t happened yet. It’s Monday hopefully at 6 AM. I am so overwhelmed that I am feeling ill. It’s been alot since we found out. Please keep praying. I pray for you, Kelly, and your father every day. Much love, ❤️❤️🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽Ellen
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Awwww Ellen I know all too well just how you are feeling right now. I’m sending you a big virtual hug and lots of positive thoughts. Please remember that you don’t have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders by yourself. There is a lot of people that care about you and your husband’s well being. God is holding both of you in his arms right now. I will continue to pray for you to have peace of mind, calmness in your heart and for your husband’s positive outcome in his upcoming surgery. Please remember to take care of yourself so that you can take care of him. I’m always here for you.
Lots of love blessings positive thoughts and prayers.
🙏🙏🙏❤❤🤗🤗🤗❤❤❤
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Ohh! Thank you for your sweet comment AND especially for the prayers. I have been where you are😔, although with help and you have been where I am I know you understand. And I thank you a million times for your prayers❣️❣️❣️❤️❤️❤️🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🦜🥰🥰🥰🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
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Hi Kelly, operation canceled for medical reasons. Don’t know what is next. Another EKG likely. Quiet panic!!!
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Hi Ellen I’m so sorry to hear that. Just try to breathe and be calm. I know it’s easier said than done. Remember the old cliche “everything happens for a reason “. Very often in our lives things happen that seem to be the absolute worst at that moment but then something good comes out of it. This has happened to me more times than I can remember both before my cancer battle and after. It also brings to mind another timeless saying ” it’s always darkest before dawn”. I know things might seem to be going from bad to worse right but please remember that God is always with you. You are not alone. I’m sending you lots of love, a big virtual hug, positive thoughts blessings and prayers.❤❤❤🙏🙏🤗🤗
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Hi Kelly, Thinking of you and your father and praying for you both❣️❣️I printed out your last comment and read it to my husband who thought it beautiful, too. Thank you.
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Hi Ellen thank you so much for your prayers for my dad and I. We truly appreciate it. I am so happy and humbled by your beautiful words regarding my last comment. They are truly heartfelt words for your husband’s well being as well as yourself. May God bless you both always. ❤🙏❤🙏🤗🤗
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Such good advice about sleep. I will share this. Thank you Kelly.🤗
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Thank you so much Sandy ❤🤗🙏🤗
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Awwww, Kelly, that is one of the most beautiful letters I have ever gotten. I am going to star it so I can print it out. You are a truly beautiful person, Kelly, and the things you said mean so much to me at this time when you have so many troubles of your own besides!!! Many, many thanks!!!🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽❤️❤️❤️🥰🥰🥰🦜🦜🦜❣️❣️❣️❣️🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
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Thank you, Kelly, and may God always bless you and your Dad. 🙏🏽❤️❣️🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
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❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏😔🤗🤗🤗🌹🌹🌹🌷🌷🌷
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🙏🙏🙏🤗🤗❤❤❤🌹🌹🌷🌷
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