Inspiring To Aspire

THE FOLLOWING TIPS ARE SUGGESTIONS – Do whats safe and right for you!

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19. Traveling on a Plane? If experiencing any anxiety about crowds/confinement you can always board last – less time on the plane. (Melissa ITA)

18. Meditation/ Yoga combined with physical therapy has worked immensely well for me – there are lots of resources on youtube (Yoga classes, including chair yoga, and yoga for TBI, as well as guided meditations). (Ursula, Florida, USA)

17. Write out a list of some things that make you the incredible YOU- whatever it is, dedicate time to it of these things all about you. It’s a gentle reminder you are awesomely you.  (Saira)

16 Don’t try to read your own MRI! We are not the trained professionals like our neurosurgeons do there job. We wouldn’t ask them to do our job and understand it (Juliann G, Ontario) 

15. Ask all the questions you want. Regardless if you think they are dumb…my biggest concern when I met with my neurosurgeon was if I had to take my nail polish off! (Juliann G, Ontario) 

14. Social Cleansing. Is your mood affected by what you hear and see? Mute or rid yourself of toxic people. You can ‘unfollow’/’snooze’ people on your socials. (Melissa ITA)

13. New Hobbies: Start a new hobby based on your interests- something you CAN still do and brings you joy. Surely can find something if not locally than something online. (Andy)

12. Jot your stories/feelings down all in 1 place. Sometimes writing things out can help digest. Ex “Notes” section in your phone, daily agenda or separate blank booklet (dollar store, babe!). (Melissa of ITA)

11. Make S.M.A.R.T. goals for yourself daily, weekly or monthly (S.M.A.R.T.= (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic & Timely). Check off when you accomplish them (Karen Vancouver Can)

10. Celebrate every success: Whatever it is- be proud with every step you take that is an improvement/ milestone. Baby steps. (Melissa of ITA)

9. Help Others: Does helping others who are also struggling make you feel good? From holding a door open for someone, to a buying a stranger their $2 beverage for the person behind you at a coffee shop. 

8. Volunteer at a committee/event . *Feeling wanted and having purpose could help -do what you love to do. 

7. Humour. *Joking about personal adversity isn’t for everyone, but works for me* So much loss. I did stand up making fun of myself,  “I’ll laugh at the same joke you tell me every day, because I’ve heard it for the first time” (memory loss). (Melissa of ITA)

6. Brighten someone else’s day by doing a nice thing for an unsuspecting stranger. Good deeds echo, AND you will release some ‘good feels’ hormones (Melissa of ITA)

5. Gratitude List or Journal: what are you grateful for in your life? Write it down daily/weekly or monthly. Note the WHY’s for that particular person? place or thing that hit you in the feels that moment. 🙂 write it down, and feel your mood lighten, even a bit.

4. Caffeine can give your body the illusion/trigger anxiety. Eeek! I love my coffee, but have to switch to decaf once and a while if feeling anxiety.

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PASS THE TIME (MIND DISTRACTION/ ENTERTAINMENT)

4. Apparently some hospitals offer music to listen to while you’re getting your scan done? Awesome! (None in Toronto I’m familiar with) (Melissa ITA)

3. ABC game: While in the MRI machine, pass the time by: Using the alphabet, pick a theme and correspond each letter to that theme. Ex: things I love, Aunt, Beer, Candles, you get it…. (insults I find the most fun… what’s E?). Include a loved one that can pick a theme before you go in. (Melissa ITA) 

2. Concentrate While in the MRI machine, pass the time by: going through one of your favourite movies or songs from start to finish picturing details/words/ fabrics, colours/sounds etc. Me? When Harry Met Sally (Melissa ITA) 

1 It’s quite LOUD while in an MRI machine. Sometimes I picture being in a club that’s playing techno- lol not my taste in music but helps (Melissa ITA) 

HELP OTHERS:

4. Compliment/Thank staff: When some people are stressed they get grouchy, so its nice to show them (and others) gratefulness (Melissa ITA) 

3. Feedback: give the technician a little feedback (good or constructive)… newbies are still learning or some seasoned staff have worked in the same job since wall paper was 1st popular- perhaps a polite reminder is needed? (Melissa ITA) 

2. Going to be late? Call: Manners people! There’s a busy schedule to follow, so if you’re going to be late, they will slot you in on the next one if the person to go after you is early (Melissa ITA) 

1. Stranger camaraderie: Does the person beside you in the waiting room look to be more nervous than you? Sometimes a simple smile or brief comment can make a big difference. We’re in this together, what ever ‘this’ is. (Melissa ITA) 

CONVENIENT COMFORTS:

5. Claustrophobic? Theres a ‘hockey-mask-like’ thing that goes over your face to keep you still. I close eyes the entire time. I haven’t opened my eyes once in 10 years of MRIs. Works for me. (Melissa ITA) 

4. Contrast injections: if you’ve been told in the past you have small veins, TELL THEM that! They may use a baby needle aka ‘butterfly’ needle. (Melissa ITA) 

3. Will you get a contrast dye injection? If you see 2 types of tape: the paper kind is SO much kinder to your arm hair! (Melissa ITA) 

2. Keep hydrated! You may want to have a bevy (or 4) the night before your MRI to diffuse some stress, so KEEP HYDRATED to keep your veins plump and juicy for the vampires! I mean, nurses/assistants (hehe) (Melissa ITA) 

1. ‘Dress for success’: Leave your jewelry and strappy/buttony/tight clothes at home. You’re going to change into a gown wearing just your undies, there’s no sense in wearing more than you need to! (Melissa ITA) 

6. About 8 months post-op, slowly walking again, Mom and I go out shopping. I bought a handy bowl/milk storage container for when I returned to my work- without the faintest idea I’d never be fit to work again. Sincere thanks to Mom for not saying anything when I bought it xox (Melissa ITA)

5. After “the” surgery, I had to move back to Moms while getting back up walking again. I used to sleep on top of the covers with a spare blanket over me. It occured to me later I subconsciously did that with the mindset I’d be up and independent in no time- wasn’t stating long. (was there for 1 year!) (Melissa)

4. When started public speaking, I tricked my brain by repeating over and over in my head I wasn’t feeling nervous, I was feeling excited. THIS changed my perspective: from feeling fear of failure to feeling free from judgement. (and seriously, what kind of monster would judge you for trying something, RIGHT?! (Melissa ITA)

3. Perspective: Years ago, my friend Val said to me, “Mel, you’re NOT your brain tumour; a brain tumour happened to you” – This was a lovely reminder I was more than my diagnosis. 10+ years later, and I still remind myself. (Melissa ITA)

2. Mindset: I used to call my doctor appointments as ‘meetings’. It sounds silly, but subconsciously it gave me some control back- a reminder I’m an active member of my care team. (Melissa ITA)

1. Creating good out of the bad: Easier said than done, I know! I couldn’t play my guitar anymore, so instead of just getting rid of it, I raffled it off and donated the money to the BTFC. Knowing someone else is out there enjoying it gives me peace. (Melissa of ITA)

13. ‘Why do we fall?…. So we can learn to pick ourselves up‘ – Movie quote from Batman Begins <2005> (shared by Sarah M)

12. It’s OK not to be ok. Just don’t sit in it for too long- life is short. (Melissa of ITA)

11. Get to know your Doctor’s assistants name so you can be more personable: they are the gatekeeper to access your care. Be nice- don’t “bite the hand that feeds you” if feeling unwell/frustrated. (Melissa of ITA)

10. Stop…Focus and LISTEN. This is about my lack of focusing on one thing and also listening to my gut” (Juliann G, Ontario)

9. You HAVE to advocate for yourself. Push hard for the tests, answers, etc. the squeaky wheel gets the grease. (Gio DeRos, Osoyoos BC Canada)

8. Have grace with yourself.  (Sandy Stare, Appleton WI)

7. You HAVE to advocate for yourself. Push hard for the tests, answers, etc. the squeaky wheel gets the grease. (Gio DeRoss, Osoyoos BC Canada)

6. If you need help don’t be afraid to ask for it. Most of your family and friends would love to help but they don’t know how…so tell them. (Linda Rickford Surrey BC)

5.  Allow yourself to visit the dark place on your down days, just don’t unpack your bags and live there. (Linda Rickford Surrey BC)

4. Stop putting yourself down.. eventually your soul will believe it! (Melissa of ITA)

3. Embrace the good and cruse through the bad day by day. Easier said than done, I know- but life is short. I know I know. (Melissa ITA)

2. You are your BEST advocate and WORST enemy. Speak up, or settle down: it’s your call. If your soul is too tired, reach out to your best support so they can advocate for you. (Melissa ITA)

1. Manage Expectations of yourself, other people and things. Despite how you want something or someone to be, facts are facts. (Melissa ITA)