General
What keeps you going and brings you joy?
Living with a chronic condition or navigating life before or after an organ transplant comes with its share of ups and downs. From the anxiety of waiting for lab results and the stress of medical appointments to unexpected setbacks and everyday health challenges, having something that brings us joy, gives us purpose, or simply helps us mentally reset can make all the difference.
For some, it's a favorite hobby or sport. For others, it's spending time with loved ones, traveling, enjoying nature, or looking forward to special moments and experiences. These are the things that remind us there's so much to enjoy and look forward to, even when our health presents challenges.
For me, it's live music! Even during the darkest days of COVID, when concerts weren't happening and the future felt so uncertain, I found myself looking forward to the day I could experience live music again. And right now, as I'm battling influenza A, one of the things keeping my spirits up is knowing that once I'm feeling better, I'll be back enjoying live music again soon. Having those experiences to look forward to has always helped me get through the tougher moments.
I'd love to hear from YOU! What keeps you going when life gets challenging? What hobbies, passions, people, or experiences bring you the most joy, help you recharge, and give you something to look forward to, even on the toughest days?
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Huh. Curious question.
Music is big for me too, but it is playing, not watching. These days, jamming on a ukulele rocks my boat. Other times, guitars, basses, piano, electronic keyboard/synthesizer gizmos. And, I can't help but to sing. But, when I sing, birds drop out of the sky, babies cry, wars are started, and ebola flares up.
Liver transplant here. Sometimes, I have mixed feelings about it. Retired, crazy happily married, father of 4, grandfather of 2. Had a rich life. My recovery was horrible, and I am still sorting out nasty issues. But, I am told that will pass. I am also told that liver recipients live a better quality of life than other transplant recipients.
Not sure if it was worth it, somebody else more deserving could have had my organ. But what is done is done. And, the scar is pretty cool.
Eat, poop, sleep, play music, stare out the window, go to a volunteer job at a hospital (which is really important to me). Somehow, the experience has sucked something out of me. Feel hollowed out. I am not the person I was before. Soldier on, I do, for some reason. Nothing else to do.
WOW! For some reason, the moment I read the preview in my email, I was excited to answer the question. :) I logged on as soon as I could.
HOPE! I guess I was influenced by Princess Leia. :) Seriously, yes. I find joy in so many things. Live music, I have 3 concerts and a play planned this month!, the thrill of surviving, helping others, staying active, planning trips, experiencing giggles and bubbles with the grandkids (and husband) watching my sons grow into mature awesome adults, but it comes back to HOPE. Even if I had a sucky day, or an unplanned trip to emergency, or a bad hair day, or nausea etc. I always look forward to hope, that the next moment or hour brings me something to smile about, "oooh!, did you hear that bird?," I am not attracted by the shiny, flashy things, for me, it's the normal, ordinary wonder of life that brings me joy on the daily, and that joy has a buddy - hope.
Hiya Toughguy,
How long ago was your transplant? Mine was 3 years ago, and I am still adjusting. The emotional toil is wild! I'm working on it through journaling, therapy, support groups, and listening to other recipients. I have and still do have that "void/hollow" kinda feeling too. For now, I sit with it and try to evaluate, what my body is trying to tell me. Maybe, it's my donor organ grieving? Never thought about that before until now. Hmmm... we could be on to something! Hang in there! PS. I'd love to learn ukulele - Maybe we start a Transplantlyfe jam session.
What brings me joy is this fall weather, and the smell of the wood burning stoves, and the sweater weather. I enjoy the changing colors of the leaves. I too love music, listening and going to live shows a like. I do also enjoy going to plays and musicals.
Transplant was 2/3/26. Two weeks on the waiting list. Seems like yesterday, or maybe 10 years ago.
Ukulele is easy if you can play another instrument. Just need to get your big fat fingers squeezed onto the tiny fretboard. TransplantLyfe band would be freaking awesome. Good clean living. Without music, life is, well, just another day post transplant... Music makes picking up screaming hot babes cakewalk too.
Love reading these responses!! For me it is my family, friends and my very needy dogs!! They are so attached to me but bring me so much laughter and happiness when they play together. We've been trying to soak up every bit of sun and nice weather by playing fetch in the yard and going on walks :)
Love reading these responses!! For me it is my family, friends and my very needy dogs!! They are so attached to me but bring me so much laughter and happiness when they play together. We've been trying to soak up every bit of sun and nice weather by playing fetch in the yard and going on walks :)
Oh, stop it Dom!
Your youth, beauty, and wonderfully positive attitude will get you nowhere.
Or, maybe it will. I just don’t know anymore. My experience bonked me hard in the head. ToughGuy 1.0 is gone. I live in the body of ToughGuy 2.0, and we are still getting acquainted.
And, so I play the ukulele, and sing softly to myself. It gives me peace.