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Use worry time to address concerns, make caregiving easier May 1st 2012, 05:00 Alzheimer's blog May 1, 2012 By Angela Lunde "As soon as I wrote down the words, 'I wish you well' (as a way to remind myself to think it toward those I meet) the words spoke to me personally saying, 'I wish YOU well.' It was lovely." Those were Donna's words reflecting on the last blog posting on the topic of retooling our thoughts. Through a simple practice called Kind Attention, Donna experienced a softening in her mood and a sense of loving kindness toward herself. Yet I know from what you share, many of you struggle to find that tiny piece of relief and joy as Donna did. Instead the frustration, grief, resentment and worry create a heavy burden that can seem almost impossible to escape. Marcia, a remarkable woman and caregiver I know, shared a story last week that she received from a friend. I think it offers a healthy and perhaps helpful message, on stress and worry. A young lady confidently walked around the room while explaining stress to an audience; with a raised glass of water, everyone in the room anticipated she would ask the question, "Half empty or half full?" Fooling the group, she asked instead, "How heavy is the glass of water?" Answers ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz. She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, my arm will ache. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case it is the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." She continued, "And that's the way it is with stress, if we carry our burdens (or resentment, or anger, or guilt) all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on." "So, as is with the glass of water, you have to put down the burden (the negative ruminations of the mind) for a while and rest before holding it again. Every day, make time to put aside all the burdens. Pick them back up again (if you need to) after a time of rest. When we're refreshed we can carry on with the burden." I have to believe the story Marcia shared resonates with many of you. It's not about getting rid of the burden; it's about finding a way to lessen its weight on you and your life. Let me offer another similar strategy.  Some of my colleagues recommend a daily practice of "worry time". Most of us would agree that when we're engaged in worry (or other negative emotion) it doesn't really help when someone suggests we stop worrying. On the other hand, if I were to simply suggest that you postpone worry, perhaps you might be willing and able to do that. Here's what I mean. When worry or other draining emotion begins to consume your thoughts, acknowledge it and then commit that you will give it your full attention during "worry time". Until then, give yourself permission to put it out of your mind. Worry time then, is a set time of 30 minutes every day.  During this time, you ... well, worry. I also suggest you write down what you're feeling and what's bothering you. It's quite possible that by writing down your concerns you may realize some issues are rather minor. Next, take the most bothersome issues and begin to think about active, small steps, to address them. Sometimes part of the answer may not be in fixing the issue directly but with finding contentment in "good-enough-for-now" solutions. Or, you may come to the conclusion that there are some things you can't change or control but you can still pay reverence to how they impact you. Once your scheduled worry time is over, stop — you'll return again tomorrow. There is a resource called the Duke Family Support Program's Tool Kit for Alzheimer's & Dementia Caregivers. The web address is listed below. It includes a list of Caregiver Affirmations. You might decide to look at these during "worry time". Here are a few: I did what seemed best at the time. My choices may be limited and beyond my control. There are no perfect solutions and no perfect families. If I had selected another course of action, I might now be having doubts about that as well. New problems are not necessarily related to what I did or didn't do. I can only do my best and be dependable. I can't do it all. Duke Family Support Program's Tool Kit for Alzheimer's & Dementia Caregivers: ftp://ftp.tjcog.org/pub/aging/tjaaa/fcoc/caregvr.pdf blog index Type 2 diabetes medications May 1st 2012, 05:00 With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N. read biography Latest entries Type 2 diabetes medications: How to choose May 1, 2012 Insulin and needle length April 5, 2012 Diabetes awareness March 27, 2012 Diabetes and hearing loss March 8, 2012 Preventing diabetic retinopathy Feb. 4, 2012 Connect with others who've been there. Share stories. Learn. Join Mayo Clinic's online community. Free E-Newsletters Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters Living with diabetes blog May 1, 2012 By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N. New pharmaceutical company research is leading to an influx of new drug classifications for type 2 diabetes in the United States. The diabetes education department at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., is having difficulty keeping the patient education brochure for oral/injectable diabetes medications current. As of right now, 10 classifications of diabetes drugs (not including insulin) exist. In addition, there are diabetes combination medications available, as well as one drug that combines cholesterol medication with diabetes medication in one pill. What's interesting is that these new classifications target specific body systems that can affect type 2 diabetes control. Some of these medications target the brain, pancreas, liver, stomach, intestines and muscles. The number of systems these medications target illustrates the complexity of the disease. One important consideration if you're deciding on a medication is the cost. When a drug company develops a new drug, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grants them a patent to market the drug for a set amount of time. When the drug patent expires, it becomes a generic drug, and other companies are able to manufacture it, which typically reduces the price. With the current increase in new drug competition, the generics are even cheaper. FDA regulations are designed to promote a balance between new drug innovation and the generic drug competition. When your doctor prescribes a new diabetes medication for you, ask him or her how it works and how effective it is at controlling your diabetes. Of course, you still need to do your part of the diabetes management (diet, exercise, and properly taking medication), too. Also, ask the provider the estimated cost of the medication and if there is a comparative generic drug that would work for you. Generic drugs can save you money. Have a good week. Regards, Nancy blog index Creative process helps cancer survivors with overall well-being May 1st 2012, 05:00 Living with cancer blog May 1, 2012 By Sheryl M. Ness, R.N. Mandala is an ancient Sanskrit word meaning circle. It has a long history as a sacred art form and is recognized for its deep spiritual meaning and representation of wholeness. It's been used across several faith traditions and is often reflected in the entrance to sacred spiritual places and in spiritual imagery (above the entrance to churches, within the dome of the church, Celtic crosses and other symbols). The circle with a central pattern is the basic structure of creation and can be represented in a mandala. The idea is that we're made up of tiny cells which form our body, which exist within the world and also within the larger universe. It also represents life and our connection to others around us such as our circle of family, friends and community. The concept of a mandala helps us to see that we can look outward and inward for a connection to the whole. Today, the mandala continues to be embraced as a tool for well-being. The creation of the mandala, this sacred circle, offers many benefits to the healing of body, mind and spirit. It's a mindful, creative and reflective process that can increase self-awareness and self-understanding. The process of creating a mandala helps to release tension, anxiety, and fears, and can have a very calming and peaceful effect. To help you visualize a mandala, close your eyes and picture this idea ... a work of art that starts with a dot or circle in the middle with the design flowing out from the center. The design can be free flowing or geometric. The concept of a mandala reflects what is in the world around us — our cell structure, the solar system, and nature (think of a sunflower, snowflake or seashell). As you work with a mandala, you can meditate on the beauty of the details while setting your intention for what you need from the creative process, such as healing, strength, gratitude and peace. If you would like to experience the making of a mandala, visit the Mayo Clinic Cancer Education Center in Rochester, Minn. We have a mandala creation in process. You can participate individually or collectively in this creative and spiritual process. Visit the Cancer Education Program — Mayo Clinic Facebook page to see images of past mandalas that have been created together by patients, family members and health care professionals. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Share your experiences with mandalas with each other. Follow me on Twitter at @SherylNess1. Join the discussion at #livingwithcancer. blog index

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