Life is full of changes. It seems life has offered us many changes/challenges . . . both for the good and probably not so good; however, I am sure the end result will all be worth it.
I’ve been having health issues for several years now. After my husband went to see someone that is ‘out of the norm,’ and seeing some positive results, I went.
In one ‘office’ visit, the following was ‘diagnosed.’ Not sure if that is the correct word, but my brain is tired and I can’t think too long on it or I’ll get side tracked, so if that is not the correct word, my apologies.
I have an underactive thyroid. I have been on medication for approximately ten years. Every few years the dosage is increased, but has only been “balanced” once or twice in those ten years. I found out that medication for thyroid actually destroys the thyroid gland. I didn’t know that.
Several years ago I was diagnosed with depression. I have fought that ‘diagnosis’ tooth and nail. I have never been able to understand how I could have this miraculous faith, this HOPE in Christ and the EXPERIENCE of where He has brought me and be depressed. While I DO know depression is a real disease, I don’t know if the diagnosis I was given, was given with complete insight into my life. I’m not here to argue the diagnosis, but the facts I do know are mind boggling. I have been taking a high dosage (60mg of Prozac) daily for approximately two or three years. The purpose of taking an antidepressant is to increase the serotonin levels in ones brain. My levels were basically non-existent, even with the high dosages I was taking of Prozac. That means the medication I have been taking was not doing me any good.
My testing showed exhaustion (FINALLY SOMEONE BELIEVED ME!). I can sleep for twelve hours and still be tired, never feeling rested.
During this appointment, it was discussed that the MANY synthetic drugs I take are causing physical stressors on my body.
I was told I have kidney stones AND was told that even though I have no gall bladder, I have gall stones that have collected in my liver causing my liver to be slow functioning. I had my gall bladder removed approximately four years ago. The months following the surgery were absolutely horrible. The pain I experienced was worse than the NATURAL childbirth I went through with my youngest two children, yet I was told there was nothing there. Based on the information given regarding the stones, I am convinced the pain I was experiencing is from the gall stones and kidney stones. These last two weeks I have passed NUMEROUS, NUMEROUS gall stones . . . . but we won’t go any further than that!
It is confirmed I do have Attention Deficit Disorder. It was explained to me that this “disorder” is a gift. People with ADD are usually great multi-taskers. I had never thought of it that way before. Hopefully once I get through this exhaustion phase, I will be able to use my ADD to once again multi-task and do all that is required of me ? . . . I can hope at least.
A few years ago I broke my foot, yes, delivering AVON. Since then I have continued to experience pain from my ankle to the back tendon. During my appointment, I found out the break never healed correctly, hence the reason I am still in pain.
I also found out I have a Vitamin K deficiency and a potassium deficiency (which eating bananas as an adult does NOT give us the daily amounts our body needs . . . I didn’t know that either).
I have an infection in my teeth from a head injury where I cracked/broke teeth. Two of those teeth have been removed; however, the other ones are being more stubborn to locate! We are working on getting the infection cleared up so I won’t have to lose any more teeth any time soon.
I am allergic to VINEGAR (yes, and I wash my clothes with vinegar in my Tide with Bleach . . . . but not anymore)!. Do you know that almost everything has vinegar in it?! AND, here is the kicker, I have food poisoning. Apparently the magnesium aspartame (??I think that’s right??) that is in just about EVERY shelf stable item has this in it. I can’t have it.
So… what does that mean? I have to completely change my way of cooking, thinking, eating. With lack of income, and having the above mentioned information, Chris and I talked (because he saw this lady also), we decided to make some changes. Fresh produce is very experience, as is frozen. I’ve not cooked with fresh herbs before and can’t say I really know what I’m doing, but I’m trying.
I bought fresh herbs, winter vegetable plants, fruit bushes/trees and strawberry plants. Chris has been working and helping me; but is paying the price with each new “project.”
I was and still am overwhelmed with all this; and in fact, I go back next month to discuss other ‘issues.’ I was hoping to have a weight loss by then, but in the last two weeks, even after adjusting what is going in, I am GAINING weight! It’s crazy. I don’t know if it is my body in complete rebellion, or what is going on, but what I do know, is even with the crazy weight, I actually feel better physically than I have in years!
I’ve weaned myself off all the medications I was on, even the medication for Fibromyalgia. With not having insurance, we can’t afford all those medications anyway, so I am taking supplements purchased from
Everman's and learning.
I prepared my first dinner with herbs from the garden last night and it was really good! I am researching a lo, asking a lot of questions, and trying new 'things,' but I will get there.
The following are a few pictures of our winter garden. I have seeds started of mustard, turnips, radishes, onions, spinach. Planted in the ground already are purple and green cabbage, broccoli, and two types lettuces.
Chris has already lost a LOT of weight. I am thrilled for him, but for me, the last three days I have eaten and craved food like crazy. I am continuing to gain weight, but hopeful to become healthy through all this. . . . and MAYBE the cravings for DQ’s Peanut Buster Parfait will be of the past sooner, verses later!
