The Chart

Kevin came up with a good idea. He suggested I keep a record of how I feel on a scale of 1 to 10 every day and combine the accumulated data to make a chart. The chart could help note and keep track of any particular patterns with the physical symptoms I experience over time due to my kidney disease.

Kevin's suggestion conjured up memories and visions of charts of gold stars and smiley faces I'd made for my daughter years ago to help her stay on task with various chores...pages stuck up on the refrigerator door at her eye level looking back at her so she could see all the stars accumulating and feel good about setting goals and keeping them.

For my daily record keeping I've decided, in addition to the number value, to code each day with a G for Good, M for Moderate, or B for Bad. I started off with the week with a B on Monday and Tuesday, but went up to a G yesterday and maintained a G today.

This may all sound a bit smiley face juvenile, but I've already discovered it serves a greater purpose. Keeping records of this sort not only helps to cue in and identify how I feel. By staying keenly aware and thinking things through, and not just feeling them, it also helps me make a stronger effort each day to overcome and minimize the lesser aches, pains, and discomforts brought on by my condition.

I know there will be days during the wait for a transplant when I simply feel lousy...but a positive attitude and outlook can go a long way and play a valuable role in making the most of each day. Sometimes, just making a concerted effort not to feel so bad really can and does help one feel better.

Perhaps, I should even add some gold stars and smiley faces to my chart :)

P.S. : The photograph above is a favorite Native American piece of pottery art from my collection. The delicate, earth-tone colors of the piece and its textured surface are simply beautiful.