In March of last year I mentioned how one can change or “bend” through a pandemic by finding new ways to connect in our present space. I said that while this pandemic may separate us physically, we are still connected. We still have our memories. Photographs. Literature. Art and music. We have snail mail and technology in which to communicate. We have our imaginations, creativity and intelligence.
Fear and Misinformation
Today, I’d like to talk about misinformation and the innocent or deliberate forwarding of it. Sending misinformation may be innocently sent. And just like how we have become our own health care advocates, by making our own informed decisions for better health and wellness, we can also become advocates of factual information.
This takes asking mostly critical thinking on your own questioning resources. What is the source? What do you think the information is sent to achieve? Is it a “study” backed up by no references, or is it just an opinion given by a newscaster? Looking ahead, when contemplating on passing it on, ask yourself, “What do I wish to achieve?”
Unfortunately, misinformation these days contains more opinions than facts. Propaganda is deliberate whether it comes over FaceBook, Twitter, email, instant messages or the news. It is generally spun when the sender knows they are providing a biased interpretation of an event, organization, or person. This sending of deliberate misinformation is to influence our opinion, which may not be beneficial to our health and wellness. It is up to you as to what you do with it. Some misinformation can also create unnecessary fear or disgust in our life that may not be the best information for our health and well-being.
Information is up to you to determine whether to share it with others or not. Just one false instant message, news commentary, email, Facebook or Twitter posting can cause recipients to share it. Others may take offense to it especially if you state your opinions and belief without facts to back it up.
When I’m in receipt of information, I check for references. If it is false or includes opinions with just partial facts, it is up to me to decide what to do with it. This can be similar to the game “telephone”, but the outcomes may not be as funny. Lately, I disengage from the danger of misinformation when I find myself getting upset even when it is from someone I may know and love.
Life’s Complications
To complicate things, in addition to caring for ourselves and families, we are in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest during a pandemic, and an election year during a pandemic. Even without a pandemic during an election year, we are barraged by political propaganda and more misinformation. Remember, we are considered “high risk” individuals. It’s up to you to be cautious if you do not wear a mask, choose to walk in crowds or engage yourself in the news of the day wherever it may come from.
Question
With all this in mind you may be wondering. “How can I better manage the inundation of all the information coming my way?”
Just like the new skills we learn when we are newly diagnosed with breast cancer or anything life threatening, we know that we can’t read and comprehend all the information that is coming our way. So we weed out the information that applies to us. We think about taking care of what is immediately in front of us rather than going down that road of “what ifs”. With breast cancer we make a list of specific questions to render answers that will help us make better decisions. We collect scientific facts about our particular breast cancer care by asking to read our own medical reports. We collect written reports of our medical tests, biopsies, x-rays, mammograms, MRIs, genetic tests, operative and post-operative reports. We ask whether certain procedures are necessary, whether our insurance will cover a certain test or procedure, and what the costs will be coming in the future. Also, we research or ask about the possible side effects we may experience from a particular medication or supplement. And we educate ourselves and others to the breast cancer myths that exist to eliminate false hope that someone may be selling to us in the form of a magic pill or supplement. If we find another lump, we ask for an immediate biopsy rather than waiting for 6 months to monitor it–even if a doctor suggests waiting. And we learn to let go of those people who bring us unnecessary stress through the comments they make. Phew! That’s a lot, isn’t it?
It is a lot of work to help make informed decisions about own quality of life. So too with our inundation of information. We are the ones who choose or determine what is factual information. Most of you already know how to do this because you’ve done it before with your breast cancer ventures. So, just like being our own health and wellness advocates, we can become successful information advocates as we continue to focus on our quality of life. We decide what information we accept to take in. We decide whether to act upon it or not. Stay away from it or not. Or stay away from it for a little while. We decide. Each of us holds that power.
Stir Crazy?
Sifting through what is factual can cause one to become stir crazy. And if you find yourself there stressing about it, you can choose to do one thing. STOP. It reminds me of those red STOP signs at the Collections Shopping Center in Oxnard that say, “STOP and smell the beach”. You can stop and think. And, most importantly, as Karen Brown constantly reminds us, you can BREATHE. You can also inform someone that now may not be a good time to take anything in. When I catch myself contributing to my own stress, I know it’s time to turn off all the noise, or delete that message or Facebook posting, that I find offensive or that I find would be offensive to others. I log off, turn off and take it easy. I listen to my body. I rest or take a nap. The question I ask myself, “What is it that I need right now?” And it amazes me that the answer comes to me.
By focusing on better ways to use my very precious time here on this earth, I keep a list of actions I can take to make myself feel better. Write. Do my art. Read. Watercolor. Listen to music. Watch a movie. Go to YouTube University to learn something that interests me (which is a lot). Exercise. Meditate. Take pictures. Research. Make or send a card. Organize family photos and writings. Work on my family’s ancestry trees. Call and/or text a friend to check in on them.
Because I value my life and what it is that I can still do, I know you understand that my list is quite long. I intentionally live the best life despite my adversities. I know that I hold the power to differentiate what is good for me and what is worth my time. I can identify what is temporary and what is permanent–especially in attending to my permanent disabilities to eliminate pain or not have it be as painful. I can also break free from what I view as unworthy drama. It is with lifelong learning that we can proceed onward.
My Present Saga – Don’t Laugh!
The only fun action I’ve had to give up for a while is walking. That’s because on May 18th I took a tumble into a pot hole. Yes–a pot hole! Do you believe it?! No. This IS a fact! 🙂
While I was enjoying a beautiful walk with Bob and Rocky while looking up at the beautiful bright green trees searching for the red cardinals that were singing. It happened so suddenly. Boom! With one step, I rolled my left ankle, skinned my right knew and tried to avoid my face having a serious meeting with the asphalt. It was quite a scene. There was Bob turning around to see what had happened. Then he tried picking me up. He picked me up a long time ago, but this is a different kind of pick up. 🙂
There we were. Bob trying to pick me up off the ground with me in pain while he was also holding the leash attached to our sweet Rocky dog. Bob still has his muscle power. He remains my Superman! And he is now calling me “Tumble-ina”. Whah! Whah!
X-rays revealed that I have a chip fracture of my left ankle. So I must temporarily wear my Herman Munster boot for four weeks so my ankle will heal. Whah! Whah again!
So now welcome to my beautiful world in New Hampshire. Gazing out our sliding glass door to the green woods and listening to the songbirds, my right arm still needs to be elevated on a wedge, and I have a Herman Munster-like boot on my left foot–also elevated above my heart. And my visiting nurse (lymphedema specialist) has directed me to do my 1 lb. weight exercises daily. But the morning and nights are when you would laugh really laugh with me. I was ordered to use my lymphatic pump twice each day for one hour each time. Once I attach the four tube and turn the pump on, I look like half an astronaut! Are you laughing yet?
Yes. Once again, “I’m such a fine sight to see!” Oh no, now the song “Take It Easy” sung by the Eagles is ringing through my head! Won’t you sing with me?
Please share your individual stories with me. The ones especially that will make me laugh. Bob and I remain connected to our RoL Family even though we’re living in New Hampshire. Feel free to email us at: venturalisa@sbcglobal.net or add a message to this blog.
XO,
Lisa Barreto (Bob, too!)