Articles - Read Archives - Rest Ministries - Chronic Illness and Pain Support

Chronic Illness and Marriage: Thoughts From an Ill Husband

February 13, 2013 By admin 5 Comments

AN ILL HUSBAND SHARES HIS THOUGHTS ON MARRIAGE and what has gotten him and his wife through those tough times. Nice to see the perspective from a man who lives with illness. #chronic #illness #marriage

Most of the articles you see online show what marriage is like from the perspective of an ill wife. Karlton Douglas, our devotional writer, would like to share with you what he believes has helped his marriage survive. I thought it was a nice change to have the perspective of an ill husband too. May it bless you, Lisa "The man said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called "woman," for she was taken out of man.' That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh." (Genesis 1:23-24) Marriage takes a lot of work. It requires compromise, not always getting your way, sacrifice, and putting the needs of others before yourself. A successful marriage is one … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Marriage, Person w/ Illness, Person w/ lll Spouse, What's New?

Small Groups Provide Support Through Illness Journey

February 12, 2013 By admin 2 Comments

HAVE YOU STARTED A CHRONIC ILLNESS SUPPORT GROUP? One woman shares how it has blessed to her have taken this plunge and how she loves seeing how God provides for the members of her group, sometimes just through the friendships of one another. #supportgroup #illness

Leading a support group for the chronically ill may be the last thing you have considered taking on. But if you feel the nudge from God, don't ignore it. Laura explains. “Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.” (Job 8:7) It’s the group no one wants to join but we are all happy to have met. It is comprised of 11 women and two men, ranging in age from mid-30’s to 60’s. We talk, share, nod, listen, pray, eat, and cry. We have one main thing in common--chronic illness. We are a HopeKeepers group which I began recently with a friend at church. I would never have dreamt of started such a small group, but my path has taken this turn and I am excited. I had worked nearly half my life as an elementary … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Church Leader, Devotionals, HopeKeepers Resources, Support Group Leader, What's New?

Romantic Ideas for A Chronically Ill Woman to Romance Her Husband

February 11, 2013 By admin 3 Comments

ROMANTIC IDEAS FOR A CHRONICALLY ILL WOMEN TO ROMANCE HER HUSBAND - when "hot and bothered" has a whole new meaning of hot flashes and annoyance you know it's time to start adding a bit of romance into your life--even if you DON'T feel like it -- you will be glad you did. #chronic illness #romance

This article is for the ladies and here is one for the men if you have an ill wife "Hot and bothered!" For most people these words create images of being twisted up in sheets, breathlessly reaching out to the one you love. For those with chronic illness, however, "hot" is more likely to refer to one's thyroid condition, night sweats, or a heating pad on high. "Bothered. . ." Well, let's just say when your body aches, everything makes you feel bothered: a cat that won't move off your leg, a joint that continues to throb, and a husband that is able to snore through minor earthquakes. It can be hard to be romantic! You may be surprised to know that nearly 1 in 2 people live with a chronic illness in the U.S.A. That means a whole lot of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Love, Marriage, Person w/ Illness, Person w/ lll Spouse, What's New?

How to Bring a Meal to A Friend Who is Chronically Ill

November 26, 2012 By admin 9 Comments

When was the last time you decided to bring a meal to a friend who is hurting? By Lisa Copen Every person and family is unique, so there is not a perfect list of what everyone should or should not do when delivering a meal. The tips below however, are things to consider when you are giving the gift of food. I know someone who is chronically ill and I'd like to volunteer to bring a meal for her family. Where do I start? While some people will be glad if you bring a meal, others may be embarrassed to accept it. I remember as a newly married woman, I was struggling a great deal with my rheumatoid arthritis. A woman from my Bible study brought me a big container of chili and said, "I made this for my family today and ended up with way too … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Caregiving, Cooking, What's New? Tagged With: bring a meal, Jodi Picoult

Why Evernote Is My Favorite App To Keep My Health Organized

November 12, 2012 By admin 4 Comments

WEGO Health asks us to share a favorite health app today. Lisa Copen Evernote, found at Evernote.com is my favorite app for everyday use. It is an app you can download to your desktop computer, your mobile device, whatever and it all syncs in the cloud immediately. This means that I am able to access everything via my ipad that I have ever written. Or I can start working on paperwork for my doctor via my computer and then finish up in the waiting room at his office and email it to the receptionist to print out for him. It is a free app to download at Evernote.com or $5 per month if you need a lot more space. It has the ability to "read" (search and find) any word in a .jpg (photo) or pdf as well, but this requires the $5 fee. And … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Founder's Blog, What's New?

Get Creative with Some Craft Therapy!

November 11, 2012 By admin 9 Comments

Do you like to get creative? Despite our pain and illness, if you have a creative streak, find someway to feed it. WEGO Health asks what is your favorite thing to do that is not health-related but likely improves your life?" Day #11. I chose to talk about doing some crafts or simple decor. Craft therapy. This is what crafting is to me--a form of therapy. As a child my bedroom door was decorated every month (and yes, my parents would try to hide the scotch tape because I went through it too fast!) In college, I made ornaments, dried flower arrangements and other crafts to sell to make money for Christmas gifts. I cross-stitched my way through the summer I was a nanny in Scarsdale. How weird to go to New York and find "the thing" everyone … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Founder's Blog, Hobbies-Crafts, What's New?

How To Be Funny When You Would Rather Cry

November 10, 2012 By admin 6 Comments

HOW TO BE FUNNY (when you don't feel like it): This is an article by @Lisa Copen, founder of Rest Ministries, and she has rheumatoid arthritis. She shares about a day when she was feeling a bit down but was expected to write an article (for a writing challenge she was doing) about "being funny" when she really DID NOT feel funny! It is sort of like reading her journal as she writes about not being able to be funny--but she actually is funny in her explanation of it. #invisible illness

Have you ever felt moody like you just wanted to cry, but instead wondered how to be funny so you wouldn't depress those around you? Lisa Copen WEGO Health's writing prompt is to write about something funny. Hmmmm. . . Honestly? I am just dried up as far as humor for the moment, and I don't know how to be funny for today's post. In fact, the little bit of humor I had in the last few days I used up on my "descriptive story" post yesterday about how I ended up staying the night at the Bigfoot motel. But we're supposed to be choosing joy, right? (Didn't someone just write about choosing joy only a few days ago? Yes, I know. I hate when I can't tell an author how she hasn't walked in my shoes--because the author is me.) However, I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Depression, Founder's Blog, This is Me, What's New?

Why I Stayed The Night At The Bigfoot Motel

November 9, 2012 By admin 5 Comments

I had planned a fun family weekend on the way to my parents-- just us. But we didn't plan on staying at the Bigfoot Motel. WEGO Health asks for their daily writing challenge “share a descriptive story" Day #9. I hope this makes you smile. Lisa Copen We are driving over the mountains toward the Redlands. "We are going to see trees bigger than 2 cars, as old as since Jesus lived on earth," I tell my son with enthusiasm. His head watches a screen in the backseat. I want him to see something God made--not man. He is bored. So I look up the area on my ipad and find something to get his attention. "There are more big foot sightings here than anywhere in the world," I say. "Really?" he perks up. "Do you think Bigfoot really … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Fear, Founder's Blog, This is Me, What's New?

How Much Should You Reveal About Your Loved Ones When You Write?

November 8, 2012 By admin 3 Comments

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU REVEAL ABOUT FRIENDS OR FAMILY WHEN YOU BLOG? @Lisa Copen shares some of the things she tries to remember when telling a story online or in public that involves someone else. Can you be honest without hurting one's feelings? This article also has scriptures that back up her viewpoints and help explain what we are accountable. Great article for #writers. #NHBPM @wego health

How do you decide exactly what to reveal about your loved ones, friends or family, when you write about your own experiences online? WEGO Health asks for their daily writing challenge “How do you choose to write about others in your blog?" Day #8. Lisa Copen I have asked this question, "How much should you reveal?" in past years to my writers groups. I have wondered, "How did you decide what to reveal, when, and why?" I read books of my writers friends where they share horror stories about a parent, a sibling, motherhood, and I think, "What did your mom think when she read that??" When we write, we often cling to our own experiences. And as writers, we do not just live--we are aware of the little slivers of life. We may think … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Founder's Blog, Friendships, Hurt Feelings, This is Me, What's New?

What Does A Patient’s Dream Medical Office Look Like?

November 7, 2012 By admin 9 Comments

Have you ever walked into a medical office and thought, if I see one more waterfall or People magazine I am going to scream? WEGO Health asks for their daily writing challenge “if you could, how would you redesign a medical office?" Day #7. Lisa Copen The medical office. The exam room. The hospital. Oh, how we would like to get our decorator's ideas out at some of those places where we spend so much time. I asked some of you what your dream medical office would look like and some of your answers were the exact opposite of one another. For example, some of you liked the water fountains found in many offices, others of you said you hated those. Maybe you have heard too much water trickling right before painful procedures and its … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Doctor, Founder's Blog, Medical Professional, Organizing, This is Me, What's New?

How to Take the High Road (When Your Doctor Is Mean)

November 6, 2012 By admin 12 Comments

It can be hard to take the high road when it comes to physicians who feel they are in control of your treatment and what you are allowed (or not allowed) to do. WEGO Health asks for their daily writing challenge “write about a time you had to take the high road." Day #6. I was young, 27, and had only had rheumatoid arthritis for a few years. I was learning to navigate the world of medical care, insurance premiums, nursing politics, and doctors who (felt they) had power. According to the Urban Dictionary, to "take the high road" expression refers to "one being a 'class act' during a very difficult time. Those who take the high road, are demonstrating being honest, fair, and selfless while not being completely defenseless." I had … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Anger, Articles, Articles - Read, Founder's Blog, This is Me, What's New?

Have You Ever Asked, “What MOVES Me?” I Did!

November 5, 2012 By admin 2 Comments

WHAT MOVES ME? Have you ever stopped to ask yourself what really moves you? What do you value? What inspires you? I took a moment to make a list and the randomness of it helped me to see what is really important to me. How about you? @WEGO Health #NHBPM

WEGO Health asks for their daily writing challenge “What moves you?" Day #5. Lisa Copen What moves me? What inspires me? When I am fighting the pain, sitting up at 3 AM while the house snores, when I am at the doctor's office waiting for him to return with the shot, what would feel like a splurge to me? Here are a few things that move me. If you were to ask, "What moves me?" what would your response be? Share some of them below in the comments. (And yes, you will notice festive decor and my son on my list--which is in the photo above.) What moves me? A fresh piece of paper and a new pen Catching a glimpse of my son asleep with his mouth open My mason jars filled with baking ingredients to buttons Watching people come … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Finding Purpose, Founder's Blog, This is Me, What's New?