If you had to describe.....

[Kitty Cat]

2011 in one word, what would it be?

I read about somebody this morning who describes her year in 1 word. I sat and wondered what I would call mine, outside of the obvious few words that I've probably used a kazillion times?

I came up with "grace". The reason being, I've had to learn how to accept things that I certainly didn't want to with as much dignity as I possibly could while trying to accept everything that has happened.

So now I'm curious as to how you would describe your year?

[kristina]

I could not describe 2011 in one word, because for me the year 2011 was a turning point in my life.

In 2011 I finally came out of the trauma which the diagnosis of ESRF in August 2006 put me in.
(I was told in 2006 I only had 6 month until “D” and I just could not believe it. Luckily am still “pre-D”)...

Coming out of my trauma was very important and it gave me a chance to become more relaxed.
This had a very good effect on my general health and I was able to do more exercises and go for more little walks.

Being relaxed and feeling better also allowed me to play and learn more on my Fortepiano,
reading more, and I was also lucky to focus even more on my “pre-D” diet.

I was also lucky to be well enough and attend Master Classes with great Masters like Tamás Vásáry,
Leslie Howard and Alfred Brendel, and I feel very lucky that I was able to listen to their Master Classes
and they inspired me very much.

All these experiences gave me a new positive outlook and I am very grateful for 2011.

[Rerun]

Uneventful = no surgeries     

[Riki]

Uneventful = no surgeries     

Sounds perfect

I haven't een able to think of anything.  It's been a bit of a roller coaster, but that's 2 words. *L*

[lmunchkin]

"Glad its over and got through it!!!"   

lmunch
 

[Joe]

Enlightening. I went from not knowing how serious ESRD was to dialysis in 2 weeks. So glad I found this site with all of the real-life information and experiences that are shared here, I'm learning every day.

[jbeany]

Busy!

[billybags]

Stressful !

[Poppylicious]

Painful!

 

[Gerald Lively]

Chaos!

More than a few times I have pondered the question of a Doctor’s competency.  It is my opinion that I had Renal Failure due to the “misdiagnosis” of Lymphoma back in January 2011.  It was allowed to grow and spread, and it wasn’t until they carted me into the hospital in July did they find the kidney failure.  Since then it has been a series of misadventures.

Here it is December and I am having trouble adjusting to this huge change in lifestyle.  The Harley is up for sale, no more heavy weight training, sick most days and a persistent schedule of appointments with Doctors and dialysis.

However, I should expect something to go wrong – it is my 73 third year of survival on this planet.  Perhaps that is my way of coping with the unsolvable problem of kidney failure.  Yep, I cannot have a transplant due to the cancer I also have.

I do complain a lot.  More often than not I believe I am looking for sympathy.  Gotta get control of that.

Back in my working days, I had to be keen on the politics of the day.  I still concern myself with the trends and comments of the day by those who pretend to have the answers.  The “pretend” aspect worries me.  The trend of 2011 has been away from those who “need” government help, those who are destitute and need to eat and live as Americans ought to live.  Congress plays games while people are tossed from their homes.  Where are the jobs?  What happened to compassion?  Alas, ‘tis all in chaos!

gl

[willowtreewren]

This is a wonderful exercise, Kitty Cat. No matter what the year has brought, it is good to reflect. I truly think that even if the year has NOT been good, it is important to look for those things within it that have been positive. I live with an incorrigible optimist and that has changed me considerably over the years, and much for the better.

But to distill a year that has been fraught with change into one word is a daunting task. On January 1, 2011, we were still doing our NxStage dialysis. I will always be grateful to have been able to do that, but I would be lying to say it was a breeze. We had literally no free time. We worked a grueling job, came home, dialyzed, slept and started over again, day after day. Fortunately, it kept Carl healthy. But it was definitely stressful. And in some ways lonely, since we did not have as much opportunity to socialize. Nor did we have much time on weekends besides trying to get everything done that we were unable to do during the work week.

But that all changed when Carl got his kidney on February 3. That first month was pretty stressful, but since then, life has changed significantly. We have had time for camping, being with friends and family and just simply enjoying ordinary pleasures.

All this came about through a loss that affected another family in a negative way. I feel so sad for the two young boys who lost their father and the grieving parents who lost a son in the prime of his life.

So I think that the the word that comes to mind for 2011 is "humbling."

Aleta

[cariad]

Well, I would have said 'chaotic' but that one has been taken.

So I will say typical which is a synonym for chaos around here. You do all know what the letters SNAFU stand for, right? That is Gwyn and I summed up in one tidy acronym. Drama loves to follow us around, like an annoying party-crasher who drinks your best liquor then throws up on the new carpet.

[glitter]

Sad.

[iketchum]

I think surreal would be the word. I live day to day, loosing track of time, finding I am driving to or from dialysis not really paying attention to where I am. I forget what day it is all the time and sleep the day away every other day. I had a couple of bright spots, like when a dear friend and her husband came to visit after he had gotten a kidney.

[willowtreewren]

like when a dear friend and her husband came to visit after he had gotten a kidney.

 

Awwww. And that was a bright spot for us, too. 

[CebuShan]

Amazing! After several really crappy years (ESRD diagnosis, my husband and I separated briefly, etc.) This year started off getting our "rescue dog". I think he rescued us as well. We have laughed more since we got him than we have in a long time! Than problems with our old place caused us to decide to move after 19 years. I HATE moving but this new place is great. I really like it. Then I've been on a "winning" streak the last 4 months. It seems that almost every contest that I have entered, I have won! Starting with winning 4 tickets to see "Sweeney Todd" and the latest was a trivia question where I won some coupons for coffee at McDonald's (It was a Coffee Break Quiz). I guess I could also describe it as hopeful.   I am looking forward to the new year for the first time in a while.

[boswife]

a learning experience ...... but oh how i wish for "grace".  I must learn better to accept things.... 

[ToddB0130]

A rollercoaster ride that most times I've just wanted to get off of !  For the most part, I've learned I'm stronger and more resilient than I knew,  but there have been some really low times too.  I've learned a lot about myself and about opening up and trusting the people closest to me to provide support.

[Cordelia]

Stressful!

[hubbyhatesdialysis]

The one word that keeps coming to mind to describe 2011 for me would be: HARD. It was a super hard year for us but also a blessed one because our healthy son was born Feb. 21 2011.