Thursday's Thought

[DonnaBoll]

What just makes you smile?

[DebatDG9]

Smelling 1st open flower of Rhododendron fragrantissimum and feeling SO grateful it has survived another winter💕

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to DebatDG9]

I can relate to this! I wait all year for that day when I can smell my lilacs and now my peonies. There is nothing like it! There is a genuine feeling of gratefulness - you're right. Grateful that every year they appear just so we can see and smell them. I would love to see your flowers. I'll have to figure out how to post pictures here. In my other support group I always used the phrase "see the beauty". I always encouraged members to share some beauty they saw or experienced. If you know how, please post a picture here.

[Ancolie]

The beauty of nature, animals, a bumble bee full of pollen ❤

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to Ancolie]

I love every word! If we just take the time to slow down and see what is right in front of us. I have some purple and white iris in my yard. The smell is intoxicating but I took the time to look inside... such precise symmetry. Truly a miracle - Someone else mentioned how excited they were to see their first hummingbird... they are truly amazing. Nature is just breathtaking! So glad you take the time to just look... like I told someone else, if you can figure out how to share a picture, please do.

[Gaspereaux]

Seeing my first hummingbird come to my window….and, after being away for an extended period, waking up in my own bed!

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to Gaspereaux]

Someone else who loves their birds! We sit at our kitchen table literally every morning and watch the birds too. We have a hummingbird feeder and several others there. When we saw the first one this Spring, we were excited too! They are purely amazing creatures. I really believe having a chronic illness makes us aware of all that is right in front of us.

Nothing like your own bed for sure. Hope you were away for pleasure....

[Gaspereaux in reply to DonnaBoll]

Yes, we had already booked for Florida long before my diagnosis. It was a wonderful spot to just relax, enjoy the warm and sunshine, and just “live”. I was so fortunate to bet able to attend the PBC day in Miami in April. And am attending a dinner meeting/speaker in Moncton NB next week! I am excited to meet others, and do what I can to help raise awareness in this remote area. Have a great day!

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to Gaspereaux]

That's right! you went to Miami conference... anything you can share with us from it?

[Gaspereaux]

Sure! Firstly, the focus was on physical, dietary and emotional well-being. All good! Secondly, after having read Dr. David Jones’s book (twice!), everything that was said reiterated what was in his book. And, i would have to say, the most exciting part was learning about the new medications that are being made available to those of us who may need a triple therapy approach. There is much going on with PBC right now! All good!

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to Gaspereaux]

absolutely so many new things happening! So many companies who were in Edinburgh with me that are working tirelessly to develop drugs for us. I wish everyone had Dr Jones' book. It is nothing short of amazing. He writes so that we can all understand as well.

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to Gaspereaux]

were there any specific information about dietary suggestions? This is always a subject of interest to so many.

[Gaspereaux]

i think the easiest way to put it would be….get yourself a magazine or cookbook or even go online and read about the benefits of a MEDITARRANEAN DIET. Really not that difficult, and very anti-inflammatory! I started and i really think i feel a difference in my joint pain!

Magazine from local grocery store

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to Gaspereaux]

Thanks for sharing this. I have read from many members that the Mediterranean Diet has been helpful with this joint inflammation as well. I hope some of the group find this helpful as well.