fbpx
Previous Article Next Article

With the holiday season fast approaching, Lupus Warriors will be adjusting to new and different circumstances. This might mean less travel to visit family, zoom calls with relatives, or just staying home! We wanted to hear how you are preparing to spend the holidays, what adjustments you have made, and what your outlook is heading into the New Year!

Check out this month’s Q&A Forum!

Lupus Warriors may be restricted in their holiday plans this year due to current circumstances, which can mean less traveling and family gatherings. Prioritizing health and safety is extremely important, especially for people with lupus.

In this month’s LupusCorner Q&A Forum, Lupus Warriors share what adjustments they are making this year and how they are spending their holidays.

qa-forum-logo
lupus tips-person-24

Anonymous

I am taking a new approach to the holidays given the current circumstances.

5/5 (strongly agree)

How are you mentally preparing for this different, unique holiday season?

Positive thinking and affirmations
Talking with friends and family
Exercise, walks, outdoor activities

How are you planning on spending the holidays this year?

Dinner with my two sons.

How did your lupus management change in 2020?

Pushing myself to take time off from work and be mindful of healthy eating

How is your outlook heading into the new year?

4/5 (positive)

lupus tip-person-12

Teresa A.

How are you mentally preparing for this different, unique holiday season?

Positive thinking and affirmations
Talking with friends and family
Stress management

How are you planning on spending the holidays this year?

Quietly. I would like to go and just spend it with my husband, son, and daughter not sure yet if I will be able to do that or not I live in an assisted living facility and we just got our 1st case of COVID a week ago, but now we have over 90% of the caregivers out with it. Along with a few residents and they are keeping it hush hush as to who or how many have it. But since only a couple caregiver have come to work in the past week it’s not hard to figure out, but yes I am very scared and pray I don’t get it.
So as for this year, it looks like I’ll be by myself in my room here at the assisted living facility, I spent last Christmas in the hospital and was looking forward to being able to spend it with my entire family this year. That will not be happening this year it looks like I’ll be by my self, so I look forward to a better year next year. I know this is only temporary and it will get better. I have the faith. Family and friends have not been allowed in for the last 9 months. I look forward to a better 2021 with hopefully visitors again. Although I don’t see them allowing visitors in any time soon.

How did your lupus management change in 2020?

I’m more cautious and very careful so I do not get sick. I don’t take chances like I did before.

How is your outlook heading into the new year?

2/5 (negative)

Flo

I am taking a new approach to the holidays given the current circumstances.

5/5 (strongly agree)

How are you mentally preparing for this different, unique holiday season?

Talking with friends and family

How are you planning on spending the holidays this year?

Home.

How did your lupus management change in 2020?

Working from home.

How is your outlook heading into the new year?

5/5 (very positive)

lupus tip-person-13

PS

I am taking a new approach to the holidays given the current circumstances.

5/5 (strongly agree)

How are you mentally preparing for this different, unique holiday season?

Talking with friends and family
Exercise, walks, outdoor activities
Stress management

How are you planning on spending the holidays this year?

Just staying at home.

How did your lupus management change in 2020?

I retired to decrease stress.

How is your outlook heading into the new year?

5/5 (very positive)

lupuscorner-person23

Linda R.

I am taking a new approach to the holidays given the current circumstances.

5/5 (strongly agree)

How are you mentally preparing for this different, unique holiday season?

Positive thinking and affirmations
Talking with friends and family
Stress management

How are you planning on spending the holidays this year?

Home with my husband and pets. Reaching out to family and friends via Zoom and FaceTime.

How did your lupus management change in 2020?

Most doctors appointments are via telehealth but my docs are doing a great job of staying in touch and being encouraging.

How is your outlook heading into the new year?

4/5 (positive)

lupuscorner-person23

Janell

I am taking a new approach to the holidays given the current circumstances.

3/5 (neutral)

How are you mentally preparing for this different, unique holiday season?

Nothing new, I am treating it as I always do

How are you planning on spending the holidays this year?

With the 2 kids and husband.

How did your lupus management change in 2020?

Had to watch the stress,(didn’t help) was sick part of the year, changed medicine twice, more sunshine, walks, quiet time.

How is your outlook heading into the new year?

5/5 (very positive)

Lisa H.

I am taking a new approach to the holidays given the current circumstances.

5/5 (strongly agree)

How are you mentally preparing for this different, unique holiday season?

Talking with friends and family

How are you planning on spending the holidays this year?

We will be spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at home just my husband and I. My daughter and her family moved 3 hours away. My son lives 4 hours away. My husband and son are in the fire service and they both are working my daughter is a RN and is working. My son-in-law is a sheriff and is working. I am very sad 😢.

How did your lupus management change in 2020?

I have had a few flare ups this year. They started me on Methotrexate and I was doing well but my liver enzymes are up so they cut it down and boy can I feel it. They are waiting for insurance approval to try Rituximab to see if this will help. I have done great for so many years I guess it is catching up on me.

How is your outlook heading into the new year?

3/5 (neutral)

person 5

Lacey

I am taking a new approach to the holidays given the current circumstances.

5/5 (strongly agree)

How are you mentally preparing for this different, unique holiday season?

Using teletherapy, speaking with a therapist
Stress management

How are you planning on spending the holidays this year?

Alone at home with my cat, might call friends or family.

How did your lupus management change in 2020?

I switched to Benlysta self injection at home to minimize risk of getting COVID.

How is your outlook heading into the new year?

4/5 (positive)

person-4

Lisa B.

I am taking a new approach to the holidays given the current circumstances.

5/5 (strongly agree)

How are you mentally preparing for this different, unique holiday season?

Positive thinking and affirmations
Talking with friends and family
Stress management

How are you planning on spending the holidays this year?

Not gathering with full family.

How did your lupus management change in 2020?

Reduced my interaction with so many people because of my compromised immunity in the time of COVID-19.

How is your outlook heading into the new year?

3/5 (neutral)

lupuscorner-person-26

Shan T.

I am taking a new approach to the holidays given the current circumstances.

3/5 (neutral)

How are you mentally preparing for this different, unique holiday season?

Positive thinking and affirmations
Talking with friends and family

How are you planning on spending the holidays this year?

I will be celebrating, along with my immediate family, within the household. My adult son, who has been living with us this past year, caught COVID-19 at work; testing positive in early December. So, we’ve all been quarantining and trying to stay safe from the rest of us catching it, too. All the cleaning and disinfecting is so tiring, that I think we’ll be doing very basic celebrations this year. Which is fine; as the reason for the season is really what matters most anyway!

How did your lupus management change in 2020?

I have not physically seen my doctors since March. My monthly appointments have all been conducted by phone, and I also have not had my regular lab work done. So, while it’s been very different, I’m just grateful for the access to the contactless alternatives.

How is your outlook heading into the new year?

3/5 (neutral)

lupuscorner-person11

Patricia B.

I am taking a new approach to the holidays given the current circumstances.

4/5 (agree)

How are you mentally preparing for this different, unique holiday season?

Exercise, walks, outdoor activities

How are you planning on spending the holidays this year?

Home with my husband making a healthy and fun meal.

How did your lupus management change in 2020?

I had to change my form of exercise and change my diet.

How is your outlook heading into the new year?

5/5 (very positive)

Looking for previous Q&A Forums?

Check out all the posts here

Comments (1)

One thought on “Q&A Forum: The Holidays

  1. I’m in assisted living, in lockdown most of the year. Boy, am I tired of walking the same circle around the courtyard, eating the same food out of styrofoam containers brought to our rooms to keep us separated, no visitors, no activities, no outings! I’ve spoken to my doctor on the phone…or was it via Zoom? Who knows? Who cares? My family is putting off thanksgiving and Christmas and all other celebrations until…what? August? Whenever we can all get vaccinated and leave this endless purgatory!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Day-to-Day Living

Cold Weather, Symptom Flares, and Lupus

Cold weather can bring lupus flares with it, but the reasons behind these flares...

Day-to-Day Living

Skin Bacteria, Infections, and Lupus Flares

Skin Bacteria, Infections, and Lupus Flares: What’s the Relationship? Lupus disrupts the microbes on the...

Day-to-Day Living

The Science of Boredom and Lupus

Chronic boredom is...