Need Something to Keep Me Busy.

Have you considered starting a blog to talk about life in general, but focusing on what it's like to be going through Dialysis with a young family?

After my bout with cancer, I've found my impact has been greatest by reaching out via Social Media platforms to really try to support people in the diagnosis process, treatment or struggling with life afterwards (like I did).

Starting a blog is easy (Blogger, WordPress, etc). Here's a link that can get you started: http://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Blog

You never know if it may really take off and generate some revenue (example: Dooce.com)

Best wishes with your treatment and search for a new kidney to end all your woes!

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The Sookie Stackhouse Novels!!! ~ By Charlaine Harris

They are short little books (300 pgs) and so very good. Have you seen the HBO series, True Blood? I know, Vampires? I was hesitant as well, but man are they good!

There are almost a dozen books in the series and the latest one comes out in early summer...you'd be right up to speed.

I love to read. HTH

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Maybe you can get involved at your son's daycare? You should give them a call and see if they could use your help with anything. Or, if you guys attend church, they may be able to use your help as well. Lots of places would love to have your time and help! Community organizations and charities.......they can always use volunteers. =0)

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I have friends that love to knit or crochet. You could also try needlepoint or cross-stitch. Learning a new skill is good for your brain!

Volunteering is a great idea, too. Obviously, you know your limits, so have fun and don't strain yourself.

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Usually our troubles become the "cause" God has allowed us to suffer so that we'll turn it into work for Him. That means you are intended to take up the support group, activism, writing the purer kidney's cook book, or whatever it is for kidney transfer patients. If that doesn't jive with you then try to imagine enjoying life for yourself. As a child you had a fantasy of growing up so you could . . . and that dream still needs fulfillment in order to have lived a fullfilled life. If that doesn't jive with you, how can you invest in your son's life now so that he has a secure future such as get to work on his college fund by selling used household items on ebay or adding some extra homeschool curriculum to his time at home, teach him a career now he can use later or fall back on, musical instrument, sport. If that doesn't jive with you then go for more college. But don't you need to figure out disability income for people who can no longer work, scedule appointments with social security benefits office, find out what sort of forms and doctors notes they require to start you on government checks? I'll check back to see what you come up with.

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Perhaps your local library could use your computer skills?

My first thought was you could help the elderly, since they're at home too, probably bored too, perhaps wanting help on their computer? Perhaps just wanting someone to talk to? Maybe you could contact your local church to find an elderly woman to talk to weekly and have lunch with? Maybe there's a senior center or old-folks home that might need your youthfulness?

Maybe you could volunteer a few hours a week at your son's daycare?

Good luck. Sorry I don't have specific ideas that I know will work.

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Start by making a list of types of charities you'd like to get involved with. Is there anything kidney related? I'm sure you have met lots of others in your situation. Could you offer a service to others on dyalysis?

Call the charities you would like to be involved with and tell them that you would like to volunteer and the skills and limitations you have. Let them know you're happy if they think about and get back with you. Sometimes, it just takes a person to think about all of the tedious stuff they do that they could have someone else do for them and then the light bulb goes off.

I'm sure you could put together mailing lists, print labels, mark postage, and do mailings. That is a huge job that takes SO MUCH TIME.

A lot of places now have monthly newsletters via email. Is that something that interests you? Do you want to get involved with a school or church? I know lots of teachers could give you lots to do at home! Maybe you talk to the administrator and ask if you could offer your services to a block of teachers?

You mention you talk to no one during the day. Would you like to make calls for donations or supplies? Maybe talk to a nursing home and ask if you could volunteer by calling certain residents that are also homebound and lonely?

Make a list of your skills and get on the horn! What a great way to use your time.

As for a hobby, I was going to suggest scrapbooking. You have a son that I'm sure would love to have his mom put together something nice for him. :)

Good luck! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your health!

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This is election time, you could volunteer to help with a campaign you feel strongly about..

Even if your son is not in elementary school you could call your neighborhood school and see how you can volunteer from home, maybe for a new teacher on projects.. You could do this at home..

Do you sew? Making a quilt could be fun or call a local quilting group that donates quilts, see if you can help with a project..

Teaching or tutoring people on how to use a computer is also great.. See if any of the libraries in your area offer computer assistance to people..

In our local newspaper they have a charity and volunteer page. It includes groups asking for assistance.

How about a hobby? My daughter taught me how to cross stitch and I love doing "saucy" cross stitch for my crazy friends..

First, remember to temper any activities by thinking of your health (I know you're probably totally sick of doing this, but otherwise what good is staying home?)... but if you think it's ok to be out in public, consider joining some groups on Meetup.com. When I first moved back to OK and was new to the stay at home mom gig, I went a little stir crazy as well... some of the meetup groups I found were awesome, and I've also made some great friendships for both myself and for my son. You can find groups that meet in the evening and groups that meet in the daytime (mom's groups mostly)... you can also try to take your son to story time at the public library, we have a great time doing that... Good luck to you!

Wow, J.. I commend you for wanting to reach out to others. I have some experience (family member) with dialysis, so I know the "yadi ya" and all the rest is NOT a walk in the park. Have you ever thought about starting a home-based business? There are probably a number of things you could do with your great computer skills that would be flexible and work around your schedule. I work with a team of work at home moms in my own mom-owned business where computer skills are a great plus, and you're welcome to send me a private message if you'd like to check it out. While it's not charity, our goal is definitely to help others :).
Blessings,
A.

I like to make jewelry in my spare time. It's not expensive, easy to do and when you get good at it, you can sell it. Good luck, best of health to you

J.,
Just wondering since you have a son if you wouldn't be interested in putting stuff on ebay or craig's list so you can make some extra cash? It's the kind of thing you could do as much or as little as you wish or have time for. I sell lots of my son's outgrown stuff on ebay and am surprised at how easy it is and I use the cash for stuff we need. I work PT now and I'm STILL bored so I know how you feel! Good luck and best wishes!

J.,

I spend hours at a time with my daughter at rodeos and Barrel Racings. Yes, I do ride some, and help tacking and all that, but there are still hours to fill between runs. I take my crochet bag and crochet. I love to sew too, but find that the crochet is more portable. You might think "I can't Crochet... it's hard to learn..."... but its NOT. I am a teacher, and have offered an afterschool class to elementary school children for the past 4-5 years. If my 8year-12year olds can learn, you can too. You can use it during my grandmother had dialysis, and she crochet and embroidered during her treatments as well as at home. :-)

T.

Have you though of trying to find some work from home? It will help relieve some of the boredom and bring in extra money. I haven't gone through what you have, but I know the worthless feeling. I started up a blog listing ways to make money online at http://makemoneyonline.tonoftips.net . I just started it so there are only a few posts, but there will be more up later.

I started Niche Blogging, and love it. I feel like I am bringing productive with my time and am learning a lot about building websites. The program that I signed up with is great for beginning bloggers. If you want to check it out the link is http://www.thenicheblogger.com/amember/go.php?r=3549&...

You could always take up a hobby like sewing or knitting.
Maybe call your church or a local church and see if they need any help with anything.

You could always do things to improve yourself, such as learning a new skill or learning a new language.

What good suggestions...I have never thought of some of those. My idea was to call up Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, your local Literacy class, the Hospital Womens commitee, an animal shelter, other things that would allow you to be around people and help them to better themsleves.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters is always looking for ways to raise money to do things for the littles, the bigs can only afford to do so much.. While at OSU I was on the Board as a student representative and I did much calling to local stores, radio stations, businesses, etc...soliciting donations for a variety of fund raisers and parties. I could get a dozen pizzas and 10 gallons of ice cream on any given day and the volunteers and kids could have a party or something.

habitat fo Humanity is not a handout. The people work hundreds of hours as the down payment on their homes. The volunteers and future homeowners work endless hours and need every dime of funds that can be raised. I wrote several plea letters while I was President of the Board and the people who spent endless hours addressing envelopes and putting stamps on the mail cound never be repaid for their generosity. The funds that the plea letters generated funded so many projects such as washers and dryers, fences, things we take for granted, and allowed the home owners total cost to be lower.

I can't imagine the satisfaction one must get from helping another person's "light bulb" to go off and them finally understand the letters and words that they couldn't comprehend before. How rewarding that must be.

The Womens Auxillary at my local hospital has many purposes but I think the most important one is the support and love they give families where an infant dies. They also make clothing for the little ones, they make bonnets, small blankets, and lacey little items for premies, so many loving kind gestures. Whenever my Mother-in-Law moved to a new town that was always the first place she stopped and volunteered.

Giving an animal a bath, playing with the animals, maybe keeping some records in order, I am not sure what all you can do health wise but my MIL volunteered and did something at the local Humane Society and she was in her 70's. She was always making dog beds but serging a couple of large pieces of fabric around old used up pillows.

I hope something I have said will spark your creativity and you can find something to occupy your mind, sending lots of positive thoughts and prayers your way.

Have you thought of writing letters to those serving in Iraq? Even if you don't know anyone, I'm sure there are many soldiers out there who would really appreciate a letter saying that they are doing a good job, or that you're thankful they are fighting for our rights and freedoms and serving our country.
You could invite some of your lady friends over during the day and have tea and just chit-chat for a bit. Maybe even start a book club type thing. Where you read a book each week and then discuss it.
I hope these ideas helped you some. Sorry you're so bored. Hope you find something you like doing.