Positivity

Feel good vibes to keep the sun shining

The above print is available from Old English Prints and applies to my pan-proctocolectomy surgery. I spoke to someone via Facebook in the run up to my surgery who had experienced the same symptoms and use of biological drugs and had gone on to have the surgery I was going to have. He said he had the surgery on a Monday and was home by Friday…I then had that as a target that I wanted to aim for. I understood that every surgery is different and complications can arise that are no fault of the individual but I was determined to keep a positive mindset and do all I could to make the transition from hospital to home as soon as was safely possible. I did everything I needed to for the different specialists to ‘sign me off’ ready for discharge whether this was the stoma nurse being happy with me managing my new stoma or the physiotherapists and occupational health workers being confident I was mobile and strong enough. I was lucky that surgery went ahead as planned on a Monday and with no complications arising I came home on Friday ready for a much looked forward to tea with my family. If I hadn’t of had that conversation with a man of a similar age to myself who had been through a similar experience, I maybe wouldn’t have had the drive and determination to think it possible to be home in a short amount of time. Having a positive mental attitude really helped me transition from hospital to home safely. 


"Happiness is a choice. You have to want to turn on the light in the first instance. Be happy!" I found this on Twitter from @jasonrawles (speaker, author, adventurer and business leader)


The above quote definitely applies to how I view exercise and what I am doing to stay healthy and active. Whether I am in a circuits group doing burpees or jogging on a parkrun I always remember to tell myself I am only competing with myself. I don't do any competitive sports and there are people that are doing more reps than me or running at a faster pace than me but I concentrate on giving it my all in the moment and using my best technique for that exercise. 

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