Today I'm going to tell you a short story about two different patients. They both suffer from severe joint pain/osteoarthritis of the knees. They are both around the same age. But that is where the similarities end---
Maria is in her mid 60s and has had arthritis in her knees for several years. When she was first diagnosed, she was overweight and worked at a desk job five days a week. She did not get much exercise because she was tired and achy when she came home from work. She retired in the last few years and now has more free time. That being the case, she decided to join a weight loss program and has lost 25 pounds in the last year. She has also taken up exercise, which for her means a daily walk around the neighborhood or a nearby public park. She was able to take a class in meditation and has used the skills she learned when she experiences increased pain levels. Maria also a volunteers at the local library weekly. She enjoys spending time with her young grandchildren and sometimes babysits for her daughter and son in law so they can have some quality time now and again.
RaeAnne is also in her mid 60s, and like Maria, was diagnosed with arthritis several years ago. She has become fearful of physical activity because it hurts too much and causes shortness of breath. As a result, she is sedentary and has gained a lot of weight since the time of diagnosis. It is very difficult for RaeAnne to sleep because she is so uncomfortable. Due to increased pain levels and lack of sleep, RaeAnne feels cranky and irritable much of the time. RaeAnne's family members are uncomfortable around her because they never how she's feeling or if she's going to go off on them. Due to weight gain and the pain of activity, RaeAnne is having difficulty getting around and performing activities of daily living such as shopping, laundry, and even personal care.
Why is it that these two individuals--who have basically the same health issue--have such drastic differences in functionality?
The answer is simple if you think about it. Maria has a very positive outlook on life. She is doing everything she can to be an active partner in managing her condition, while RaeAnne has allowed her condition to take ownership of her life. The difference in attitude is what makes all the difference!
Which person would you rather be like?
Source: Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions 4th edition; Pixabay
Maria is in her mid 60s and has had arthritis in her knees for several years. When she was first diagnosed, she was overweight and worked at a desk job five days a week. She did not get much exercise because she was tired and achy when she came home from work. She retired in the last few years and now has more free time. That being the case, she decided to join a weight loss program and has lost 25 pounds in the last year. She has also taken up exercise, which for her means a daily walk around the neighborhood or a nearby public park. She was able to take a class in meditation and has used the skills she learned when she experiences increased pain levels. Maria also a volunteers at the local library weekly. She enjoys spending time with her young grandchildren and sometimes babysits for her daughter and son in law so they can have some quality time now and again.
RaeAnne is also in her mid 60s, and like Maria, was diagnosed with arthritis several years ago. She has become fearful of physical activity because it hurts too much and causes shortness of breath. As a result, she is sedentary and has gained a lot of weight since the time of diagnosis. It is very difficult for RaeAnne to sleep because she is so uncomfortable. Due to increased pain levels and lack of sleep, RaeAnne feels cranky and irritable much of the time. RaeAnne's family members are uncomfortable around her because they never how she's feeling or if she's going to go off on them. Due to weight gain and the pain of activity, RaeAnne is having difficulty getting around and performing activities of daily living such as shopping, laundry, and even personal care.
Why is it that these two individuals--who have basically the same health issue--have such drastic differences in functionality?
The answer is simple if you think about it. Maria has a very positive outlook on life. She is doing everything she can to be an active partner in managing her condition, while RaeAnne has allowed her condition to take ownership of her life. The difference in attitude is what makes all the difference!
Which person would you rather be like?
Source: Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions 4th edition; Pixabay
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