It has been 21 years since I had a spinal tap. At the time, I went along with whatever the doctor suggested because we were not able to figure out what I had definitively. If I knew then what I know now I would have chosen NOT to participate. I am not saying this is the choice for everyone, but again, if I knew then what I know now there wouldn't have been any place for it because it turned out negative. The test was extremely painful because during the actual needle being inserted and pulled out a bit to relocate it struck a nerve and caused major pain. I am not upset with the doctor because I know that accidents happen. I was laying on my stomach and was looking at a screen that showed the doctor where the needle was inside my body and could see it actually happen. For months up to a year after this procedure I would experience lower back pain daily exactly where the procedure was done. When the weather would change it would be even worse. Even still to this day when the weather changes it still acts up. Over the years it seems to have lessened some but today, wow, it hurts almost as bad as the day it occurred. I woke up and when I started walking I almost hit the floor. The weather outside is very cloudy so the house inside was fairly dark. I was trying to figure out why my back hurt so badly then it struck me where the pain was coming from and the fact the house was dark the weather must be changing, so it made sense. Even though my back is really hurting I am very thankful and prayerful that the weather will stay changed and the skies will open up and God will let the rain pour down Lots of it! I can take medicine and use ice and heat to ease the pain but I can't make it rain. Should it rain, which we have a great possibility, will make it all worth while. I do not like being in pain but it does help remind me of what I need to do to be as healthy as I can be, but more than anything to be grateful for everything no matter how it comes.
Having a spinal tap should be based solely on the individual. Do your research! You need to do what is right for you and your family. My test did not come back showing that I had MS at that time. I believe that the many tests that I took early on were all negative because I was in the early stages and it isn't always detected. I have no doubt that if I were to do the usual tests of spinal tap and MRI's that they would show it and all its glory. But for me, I choose to not continue to have MRI's yearly or how ever often b/c I would change nothing in the way that I treat my MS currently. For me, all it would do is make me stress even more from knowing I have more lesions or what not. Again, this is my decision that I have made with the help of my family. What I am doing is working for me. Everyone is different and everyone needs to make decision for themselves on tests to do or medicines to take, etc. I try to keep an open mind and pray I will continue to. I hope to be able to support others in their decisions and hope you will share what you are doing on here as well. Things that work for you and things that haven't worked. We all learn from trial and error and if we can share our experiences with each other then we are better off I believe.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Living Life
I have been very busy over the past few months living life and living it to the fullest. I have been more conscientious of what I am eating and how much I am exercising. I have taken it extremely slow and been very cautious not to over do things this time which has always ended me back in a heap of unhealthiness and unhappiness. The unhappiness is due to the situation that I get myself back into by over doing it. That is why I took things extremely slow this time and it paid off in big ways.
My blogs at the end of January were about the juicing that we, as a family, decided to do in order to "cleanse" our bodies. The juicing did amazing things for me personally. It definitely got me on the right track that I had been hoping to be on, health wise. At the end of February, I joined Weight Watchers b/c I had a little success on this through their online program for a very short time about a year ago. This time I signed up and went to meetings. I know that for me personally, it helps to keep me accountable. I was doing it for myself this time. I felt in the past, I was continually letting everyone else down too when I failed...which I would ultimately do. This time my approach was different. I told both my husband and daughter how much I truly weighed. This was a huge step for me b/c I was so embarrassed and ashamed of myself. Little did I know that by doing this what a blessing it would be for me. It took away the pressure I had been putting on myself. My family was encouraging and non judgmental. I know they always had been but the added burden of shame kept me from seeing this. I lived one day at a time. I would tell myself that if I faltered, there would always be a fresh new start the next day. By telling myself this, it again took the pressure of failing off of me which in turn caused me to not faltered. I did enjoy eating and would indulge at times. If I wanted to eat something, I would. I would usually just take a bite and I was good.
I have lost about 35 pounds to date. I almost weekly attend a spinning class on Monday's only. One 45 minute class a week is more than enough for ME. I handle that class WAY better than I thought that I would and really enjoy it. I am not always doing what the instructor is doing, but that is ok with not only me but the instructor. I made sure I talked with her about my health and asked if she had a problem with me keeping a slower pace. So, I make my own pace. Stand when I can and for how long I can. I don't feel guilty when I have to sit or slow down. I listen to my body and act accordingly. If nothing else, I at least stay on the bike and spin slowly for the entire 45 minutes. I position myself under one of the many ceiling fans and have one huge wall fan blowing directly on me from the time I start the class til the time I leave AND make sure to drink water as I am riding. This has assured me of being able to stay the course. I did push too hard this past week and got too hot. It was a great reminder to me to keep MY pace. It wiped me out for the remainder of the day which really bothered me. I don't like that feeling and I don't want to put myself in that position. In addition to spinning class I will choose to walk to my husbands office then drive when I can. We live where we work, on a 13 acre area. Our house is not too far from the office but a good enough distance to get some extra exercise in. I go the gym that is on our campus as well, with my daughter, and help her by throwing volleyballs for her to hit.
I have so much more energy and feel so much better about myself. My health is improving daily for the most part. Yes, I do still have some days I don't feel great and just try to rest accordingly when I can, or as soon as I can. I still go to the pro-adjuster chiropractor at least once a month, unless I have a need to go more frequently. I am really feeling so much better b/c of what I am doing for myself. Some times we just have to be a little selfish. Just enough to not put yourself last always. My husband has always told me that if I don't take care of myself than I can't be good for anyone, including myself. It is easy to get lost in the day to day living that we neglect our health. When we do that, it is only a matter of time when we will be hit and we never know how hard that may be.
When I was still in my first few months of WW. I would check my weight frequently in anticipation of weigh in day. I would check in my little book that had my weekly weight written in it. On the top of the page that I would constantly refer to, was a note from my daughter that read, "Good job, mom, keep it up you're doing great! : ) <3 Lex" I cannot tell you enough just how special that note was to me and still is. I did cry upon reading it b/c this was not typical of her to leave me notes. She probably has no clue how much her words helped to keep me on track. In the beginning, I was doing it for myself, but it was now showing how much it meant to my family that I was doing it & being successful, b/c I was a much happier person. It showed outwardly and they too got the benefits of the happier, healthier me which caused her to want to encourage me with her kind & loving words. As Gabby Douglas, the USA Olympiad, said so eloquently recently, "I give all the glory to God. It's kind of a win-win situation. The glory goes up to Him, and all the blessings fall down on me." God truly blessed me with a loving husband and daughter.
My blogs at the end of January were about the juicing that we, as a family, decided to do in order to "cleanse" our bodies. The juicing did amazing things for me personally. It definitely got me on the right track that I had been hoping to be on, health wise. At the end of February, I joined Weight Watchers b/c I had a little success on this through their online program for a very short time about a year ago. This time I signed up and went to meetings. I know that for me personally, it helps to keep me accountable. I was doing it for myself this time. I felt in the past, I was continually letting everyone else down too when I failed...which I would ultimately do. This time my approach was different. I told both my husband and daughter how much I truly weighed. This was a huge step for me b/c I was so embarrassed and ashamed of myself. Little did I know that by doing this what a blessing it would be for me. It took away the pressure I had been putting on myself. My family was encouraging and non judgmental. I know they always had been but the added burden of shame kept me from seeing this. I lived one day at a time. I would tell myself that if I faltered, there would always be a fresh new start the next day. By telling myself this, it again took the pressure of failing off of me which in turn caused me to not faltered. I did enjoy eating and would indulge at times. If I wanted to eat something, I would. I would usually just take a bite and I was good.
I have lost about 35 pounds to date. I almost weekly attend a spinning class on Monday's only. One 45 minute class a week is more than enough for ME. I handle that class WAY better than I thought that I would and really enjoy it. I am not always doing what the instructor is doing, but that is ok with not only me but the instructor. I made sure I talked with her about my health and asked if she had a problem with me keeping a slower pace. So, I make my own pace. Stand when I can and for how long I can. I don't feel guilty when I have to sit or slow down. I listen to my body and act accordingly. If nothing else, I at least stay on the bike and spin slowly for the entire 45 minutes. I position myself under one of the many ceiling fans and have one huge wall fan blowing directly on me from the time I start the class til the time I leave AND make sure to drink water as I am riding. This has assured me of being able to stay the course. I did push too hard this past week and got too hot. It was a great reminder to me to keep MY pace. It wiped me out for the remainder of the day which really bothered me. I don't like that feeling and I don't want to put myself in that position. In addition to spinning class I will choose to walk to my husbands office then drive when I can. We live where we work, on a 13 acre area. Our house is not too far from the office but a good enough distance to get some extra exercise in. I go the gym that is on our campus as well, with my daughter, and help her by throwing volleyballs for her to hit.
I have so much more energy and feel so much better about myself. My health is improving daily for the most part. Yes, I do still have some days I don't feel great and just try to rest accordingly when I can, or as soon as I can. I still go to the pro-adjuster chiropractor at least once a month, unless I have a need to go more frequently. I am really feeling so much better b/c of what I am doing for myself. Some times we just have to be a little selfish. Just enough to not put yourself last always. My husband has always told me that if I don't take care of myself than I can't be good for anyone, including myself. It is easy to get lost in the day to day living that we neglect our health. When we do that, it is only a matter of time when we will be hit and we never know how hard that may be.
When I was still in my first few months of WW. I would check my weight frequently in anticipation of weigh in day. I would check in my little book that had my weekly weight written in it. On the top of the page that I would constantly refer to, was a note from my daughter that read, "Good job, mom, keep it up you're doing great! : ) <3 Lex" I cannot tell you enough just how special that note was to me and still is. I did cry upon reading it b/c this was not typical of her to leave me notes. She probably has no clue how much her words helped to keep me on track. In the beginning, I was doing it for myself, but it was now showing how much it meant to my family that I was doing it & being successful, b/c I was a much happier person. It showed outwardly and they too got the benefits of the happier, healthier me which caused her to want to encourage me with her kind & loving words. As Gabby Douglas, the USA Olympiad, said so eloquently recently, "I give all the glory to God. It's kind of a win-win situation. The glory goes up to Him, and all the blessings fall down on me." God truly blessed me with a loving husband and daughter.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Technologically Challenged
I wanted to apologize that I have not blogged in a while. My settings have not been correct and have not received any notices for messages of folks commenting. I deeply apologize and hope to have this remedied quickly. I have not fallen off the face of the earth... yet, I have just not been able to spend the time needed to try to figure out my "issues" on here or to even realize all of my "issues" until now. I have spent all morning making sure to write back to everyone who has written me but I do not see them on the blog. I am unsure as to where they have been sent at this time. I believe that I just answered them in email form and not as a comment back on the blog. : / My husband is the blog king and I have not wanted to bother him as of yet but he can know that as of now, I will be hitting him up soon. : ) I do plan to update my blog in the next day or two. God bless!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Sad truth, MS does affect my kid but...
Ten years ago, we were living in Texas and had moved into a great neighborhood. Cory, my husband, was doing youth ministry at a local church, a job he really loved. Every morning I would work out at a nearby gym, trying to reach my life dream of running in a 5K race. Life was moving at a face pace which was normal for us, until one day I hit a wall, so to speak. My legs began to grow heavy and tingly and turn numb, so I stopped and rested as I do when "MS" sneaks up on me. My husband was always great at insisting I rest when I needed too. But this time it didn't get better with rest. It quickly crawled up to my chest, many call it the "MS Hug" and left me unable to walk for over one month. I was pretty much helpless and laid in bed and slept most of the time.
Our daughter, Lexa. was only 5 at the time and had never really experienced my not being involved daily in her life, especially for such a long period of time. One of the blessings that directly affected Lexa was her kindergarten school teacher, Mrs. Anders. She was helping raise her grandson while taking care of her daughter due to the daughter being very ill with MS. Mrs. Anders completely understood our situation and was very willing to give Lexa that extra time and attention that she needed. God definitely placed her in our life at that particular time for a very specific reason, I fully believe this.
Lexa was very loving and understandable with me in the beginning, but after a few weeks she was ready for it to be over and for life to be "back to normal". We would play games on my bed, or read books or do homework whenever I felt up to it. She just wasn't able to understand nor was she able to express what she was feeling and it would often come across as lashing out at me. Although I understood, it was still difficult for me to not be able to help her during this time. Fortunately, Cory had a job that he was able to come and pick Lexa up most days after school and she would go and hang out with him at the church building, her second home. She really enjoyed that. We also had a great friend who had twins around her age that lived around the corner. She was gracious enough to pick Lexa up several times a week and take her to her house until Cory could pick her up. This too helped to keep Lexa busy until I was well enough to get back to my usual routine.
I just have to say that this was a very difficult time in my life as a mom. It really stinks to have such issues with my MS when it directly affects my child so much, much less my husband's life. I have had other times of being down and out but never for such a long period of time. Even today, if I have to miss out on going somewhere or doing something with my family due to my MS, it just really eats me alive. I don't want my daughter's memories to be of me being sick and missing out on doing something, or heaven forbid, it preventing her from doing something. It truly makes me cringe when that happens. I can't stand the words, "we can't because your mother / or my mother is sick". I know it is a part of life but it hurts living with that fact. Because it is part of our lives, I do my best to make sure that when I do feel good, I make the most of it. I have to admit, that I have bought my daughter more things and have done more things for her because of my guilt. This is something that I have struggled with and have even discussed this with my daughter. It is always a work in progress.
I share this because I know that other people feel the same way that I do. I want you to know that you are not alone and I feel your pain. Please don't give up because you have so much to offer your children whether you realize it or not. I know that Lexa appreciates the time I do get to spend with her and we do have many good memories.
Our daughter, Lexa. was only 5 at the time and had never really experienced my not being involved daily in her life, especially for such a long period of time. One of the blessings that directly affected Lexa was her kindergarten school teacher, Mrs. Anders. She was helping raise her grandson while taking care of her daughter due to the daughter being very ill with MS. Mrs. Anders completely understood our situation and was very willing to give Lexa that extra time and attention that she needed. God definitely placed her in our life at that particular time for a very specific reason, I fully believe this.
Lexa was very loving and understandable with me in the beginning, but after a few weeks she was ready for it to be over and for life to be "back to normal". We would play games on my bed, or read books or do homework whenever I felt up to it. She just wasn't able to understand nor was she able to express what she was feeling and it would often come across as lashing out at me. Although I understood, it was still difficult for me to not be able to help her during this time. Fortunately, Cory had a job that he was able to come and pick Lexa up most days after school and she would go and hang out with him at the church building, her second home. She really enjoyed that. We also had a great friend who had twins around her age that lived around the corner. She was gracious enough to pick Lexa up several times a week and take her to her house until Cory could pick her up. This too helped to keep Lexa busy until I was well enough to get back to my usual routine.
I just have to say that this was a very difficult time in my life as a mom. It really stinks to have such issues with my MS when it directly affects my child so much, much less my husband's life. I have had other times of being down and out but never for such a long period of time. Even today, if I have to miss out on going somewhere or doing something with my family due to my MS, it just really eats me alive. I don't want my daughter's memories to be of me being sick and missing out on doing something, or heaven forbid, it preventing her from doing something. It truly makes me cringe when that happens. I can't stand the words, "we can't because your mother / or my mother is sick". I know it is a part of life but it hurts living with that fact. Because it is part of our lives, I do my best to make sure that when I do feel good, I make the most of it. I have to admit, that I have bought my daughter more things and have done more things for her because of my guilt. This is something that I have struggled with and have even discussed this with my daughter. It is always a work in progress.
I share this because I know that other people feel the same way that I do. I want you to know that you are not alone and I feel your pain. Please don't give up because you have so much to offer your children whether you realize it or not. I know that Lexa appreciates the time I do get to spend with her and we do have many good memories.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Weeks after juicing
Other than just getting over bronchitis, I feel so much better after our juicing experience. I TRY to juice at least once if not twice daily. I am not always great at getting that done but I will continue to try. I am, however, choosing to eat better over all. The times we have gone out to eat, I have chosen a salad or even a small sandwich and no fries or chips mainly because I am just not as hungry any more. I eat wheat bread when I do eat bread. At this time I am not strictly on Dr Swanks MS diet but I am well on my way to eating right. I drank a small Dr. Pepper one day which has always been my down fall, but after I drank it, I was up until 3 in the morning. It was so not worth that and I finally realized it. I have taken another sip, ok, I am hard headed, since then, but I put it down immediately. It wasn't that same great taste I remembered. If you knew me, you would know that this was and still is somewhat a big shock for me. I don't know if my tastes have changed due to the juicing or my just really wanting to stay focused on eating/drinking better, or possibly the combination of both. I guess it doesn't really matter but it is nice to know it doesn't control me any more. My husband and I have cooked more together, which I really enjoy, and cooked healthier meals with fresh ingredients. I have used the juicer for many of our recipes now. It is not always feasible for us every day, but again, we will do our best. When I make mistakes, I will no longer just stop doing what needs to be done and give up on myself. I am learning to just try again. I am an all or nothing kind of person and when I am in, I want to do it right. Not always necessarily a good thing because things aren't always going to turn out perfect.
Friday, February 3, 2012
MS Diagnosis
I was 20 years old when I had my first "symptom" in my life that made me have to stop and take notice. I was living in Dallas, TX, and was going to school to become a paralegal and I was having to learn shorthand and typing skills to help aid in this. I woke up one Sunday morning and my fingertips on my right hand were all tingling like they were asleep. I didn't think anything about this at first because I have had different parts of my body "go to sleep" from time to time. But, it didn't go away like the times before. By the time I got to church it had crawled down my fingers and then by the time church was over, my entire hand was "asleep", or so I called it at that time. I was sitting and visiting with my friend who was going to school to become a nurse. She just happened to be studying about multiple sclerosis and just mentioned right before church something about, "that's can happen to people have MS". Who'd a thunk that almost a year later that friend would be correct with her innocent comment????
The sleeping or tingling feeling eventually crawled all the way to my shoulder and in a matter of a day, turned numb and I had no control of my arm at that point. With my being right handed, I was no longer able to write or type. I went to a doctor in the Dallas area, by myself, five hours away from any family. By the end of the visit, he was describing in detail to an intern who was observing our appointment, that many times people who do drugs pass out on their arm and it could cause this. As naive as I was at that time, I didn't catch until later that day that he was basically calling me a drugee. I was crushed! What also never dawned on me was that where I was going to college a year before, I would go and donate plasma for money, sometimes as often as twice a week. Parents weren't too excited about that one. Anyway, I had one little scar on the inside of each of my arms where they would draw the blood from each time. I even had a donor card with me. He never asked me about it, just assumed, and I never thought to say anything either. Needless to say, I didn't go back to him. My parents made an appointment for me back home, so off I went to San Angelo where the doctors were unable to figure out what was the cause. I had MRI's and other tests but eventually they just labeled it carpel tunnel because they didn't know what to call it. I went back to school and after about a month my arm was back to normal.
The day after Thanksgiving, six months later, I woke up with "fuzzy" vision in my left eye. I was driving from Austin back to San Angelo on a two lane highway and my oldest brother was jokingly razzing me about not passing the slow pokes in front of me. Although I had mentioned my vision when I first woke up, I hadn't said anything again until this point. I told him that I couldn't really see well enough to feel comfortable about passing someone. He said, "Well, goofball, pull over and let me drive". By the time we got home my eye seemed to worsen a little and I told my folks. I went to bed and woke up the next morning and that one eye was completely blind. My parents called my eye doctor and he met us up at his office even though it was Thanksgiving weekend. My dad went with me and in the conversation with the doctor he mentioned something about MS. The doctor said he was thinking that but didn't want to say anything because he was just not sure. The fact that my dad brought it up, it was then talked about more.
My dad filled the doctor in on the fact that over the past few months, my biological mother had contacted me to let me know why she put me up for adoption, right after I was born, was due to the fact that she has MS. I really didn't know much about MS so it never crossed my mind that my vision could have had anything to do with it. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to me, my parents were beginning to put pieces of the puzzle together.
My left eye was solid blackness for a week but VERY slowly the vision began to come back from the outside first, then to the middle. Almost exactly one month later, a few days after Christmas, I woke up and I was blind in my right eye this time and with no warning. It lasted about as long as the left eye. I wasn't seeing well at all at this point because my vision was still not completely back in my left eye when this occurred in my right eye.
I flew back to Dallas where friends picked me up and a few days later I went to another doctor who then put me in the hospital for further testing for a week, over New Year's. My parents came and took turns staying with me during my stay. Long story short, absolutely NO test results confirmed my having MS. I did more MRI's (no lesions), bone-scan, blood work galore and even a spinal tap which I would NEVER do again. I still have lower back issues 20 years later due to them dragging the needle and striking a nerve. Just not a good experience for me.
Over the next few months, from my waste down went all tingly and caused me to slow down but never went completely numb at this time. Then some time later I went blind, yet again, after what we guessed was due to the strenuous work out I got after rock climbing with my oldest brother and his wife. This time my vision was damaged somewhat. In my right eye, it is as though the lights are always dim. I can see though and in color, even though it is skewed a tad. Just very blessed to still have vision. I missed a lot of work yet my boss never fired me. I think it was because his daughter had just gone off to college and he had a soft spot for me because of her. BUT, he did call my dad and told him what was going on and my parents decided to move me back to San Angelo with them.
Right before I moved back home, my mom went to a concert to hear a pianist, Yanni, who shared with everyone the news that his daughter, who has MS, had just had a baby. After the concert, my mom went to ask him about his daughter and he pulled her aside and told her about Dr. Swank in Portland, OR. My parents immediately started researching about Dr. Swank and called to make an appointment. The waiting list took months usually, but fortunately for me, someone had just cancelled and he gave me their slot. The appointment was just weeks after my moving home. My mothers co-workers were gracious and loving enough to come up with airfare for both my dad and I. I still tear up thinking about how unselfish they were to have done this for us.
We spent the entire day with Dr Swank and his nurse, Barbara Dugan. After we had given him ALL the my medical history from the past year, he did his own testing and I as diagnosed with MS. I started his protocol of vitamins & most importantly the MS Diet he and Barbara came up with. Barbara was also a nutritionist. This was when my MS story began.
The sleeping or tingling feeling eventually crawled all the way to my shoulder and in a matter of a day, turned numb and I had no control of my arm at that point. With my being right handed, I was no longer able to write or type. I went to a doctor in the Dallas area, by myself, five hours away from any family. By the end of the visit, he was describing in detail to an intern who was observing our appointment, that many times people who do drugs pass out on their arm and it could cause this. As naive as I was at that time, I didn't catch until later that day that he was basically calling me a drugee. I was crushed! What also never dawned on me was that where I was going to college a year before, I would go and donate plasma for money, sometimes as often as twice a week. Parents weren't too excited about that one. Anyway, I had one little scar on the inside of each of my arms where they would draw the blood from each time. I even had a donor card with me. He never asked me about it, just assumed, and I never thought to say anything either. Needless to say, I didn't go back to him. My parents made an appointment for me back home, so off I went to San Angelo where the doctors were unable to figure out what was the cause. I had MRI's and other tests but eventually they just labeled it carpel tunnel because they didn't know what to call it. I went back to school and after about a month my arm was back to normal.
The day after Thanksgiving, six months later, I woke up with "fuzzy" vision in my left eye. I was driving from Austin back to San Angelo on a two lane highway and my oldest brother was jokingly razzing me about not passing the slow pokes in front of me. Although I had mentioned my vision when I first woke up, I hadn't said anything again until this point. I told him that I couldn't really see well enough to feel comfortable about passing someone. He said, "Well, goofball, pull over and let me drive". By the time we got home my eye seemed to worsen a little and I told my folks. I went to bed and woke up the next morning and that one eye was completely blind. My parents called my eye doctor and he met us up at his office even though it was Thanksgiving weekend. My dad went with me and in the conversation with the doctor he mentioned something about MS. The doctor said he was thinking that but didn't want to say anything because he was just not sure. The fact that my dad brought it up, it was then talked about more.
My dad filled the doctor in on the fact that over the past few months, my biological mother had contacted me to let me know why she put me up for adoption, right after I was born, was due to the fact that she has MS. I really didn't know much about MS so it never crossed my mind that my vision could have had anything to do with it. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to me, my parents were beginning to put pieces of the puzzle together.
My left eye was solid blackness for a week but VERY slowly the vision began to come back from the outside first, then to the middle. Almost exactly one month later, a few days after Christmas, I woke up and I was blind in my right eye this time and with no warning. It lasted about as long as the left eye. I wasn't seeing well at all at this point because my vision was still not completely back in my left eye when this occurred in my right eye.
I flew back to Dallas where friends picked me up and a few days later I went to another doctor who then put me in the hospital for further testing for a week, over New Year's. My parents came and took turns staying with me during my stay. Long story short, absolutely NO test results confirmed my having MS. I did more MRI's (no lesions), bone-scan, blood work galore and even a spinal tap which I would NEVER do again. I still have lower back issues 20 years later due to them dragging the needle and striking a nerve. Just not a good experience for me.
Over the next few months, from my waste down went all tingly and caused me to slow down but never went completely numb at this time. Then some time later I went blind, yet again, after what we guessed was due to the strenuous work out I got after rock climbing with my oldest brother and his wife. This time my vision was damaged somewhat. In my right eye, it is as though the lights are always dim. I can see though and in color, even though it is skewed a tad. Just very blessed to still have vision. I missed a lot of work yet my boss never fired me. I think it was because his daughter had just gone off to college and he had a soft spot for me because of her. BUT, he did call my dad and told him what was going on and my parents decided to move me back to San Angelo with them.
Right before I moved back home, my mom went to a concert to hear a pianist, Yanni, who shared with everyone the news that his daughter, who has MS, had just had a baby. After the concert, my mom went to ask him about his daughter and he pulled her aside and told her about Dr. Swank in Portland, OR. My parents immediately started researching about Dr. Swank and called to make an appointment. The waiting list took months usually, but fortunately for me, someone had just cancelled and he gave me their slot. The appointment was just weeks after my moving home. My mothers co-workers were gracious and loving enough to come up with airfare for both my dad and I. I still tear up thinking about how unselfish they were to have done this for us.
We spent the entire day with Dr Swank and his nurse, Barbara Dugan. After we had given him ALL the my medical history from the past year, he did his own testing and I as diagnosed with MS. I started his protocol of vitamins & most importantly the MS Diet he and Barbara came up with. Barbara was also a nutritionist. This was when my MS story began.
Friday, January 27, 2012
The Cleanse - Day 6
I had an incredible nights sleep after such a yucky Day 5. I woke up feeling good and started on my blogging first thing because I had to catch up. My nose ran and ran and ran. I could hardly catch it that morning. No sneezing just running.
Wasn't sure if I was going to only drink juice or not today. But I knew I was going to continue to drink juice each day for breakfast through at least lunch each day for a while still. I was planning on listening to what my body is telling me. I drank juice most of the day but I added in a snack of celery sticks & peanut butter. I went out on a limb and had three celery sticks instead of two like yesterday :) I juiced some more and then for supper I ate a small bowl of mixed spring lettuce, a few craisons, few pieces of grilled chicken with a very light drizzle of Fat-Free Raspberry Vinaigrette. Oh, my goodness, heaven in my mouth. The only side effect to this was I couldn't go to sleep that night til 3 in the morning. Loooong night yet I was thankful I was up due to the fact that a young man from a previous children's home was texting me then called. That was a very good surprise and I was so glad I was available to talk to him. I might really pay for it on Day 7 so we will see.
Recap of Day 6: Lost .4 lb again. I had fairly good energy all through the day. Nothing terribly exciting today. I am wanting to start incorporating exercise this next week. I didn't do it this week mainly because I wasn't sure how my body would do with juicing and I didn't need the added stress of throwing that on top of it all. I didn't want to set myself up to fail. Little by little, day by day. Made up my own juices today. Added sweet potato & pineapple. Left me feeling hungry quickly. Probably was due to the pineapple helping aid in digestion and felt hungry quickly. I will be sure to make a more hearty juice that will stick with us longer. That is important.
I won't being making daily blogs because really the "cleansing" part is over. I will, however, continue for at least another week of mainly juicing and eating of mainly fruits and vegetables with a little kick added at times. I want to slowly get my body back into eating more foods that are healthier in choice. I will write an update later in the week I suppose. I would call this cleansing a success. I didn't cheat and I didn't die from it :) My body is feeling SO much better. I want to continue and just add to the great feelings that I am having.
Wasn't sure if I was going to only drink juice or not today. But I knew I was going to continue to drink juice each day for breakfast through at least lunch each day for a while still. I was planning on listening to what my body is telling me. I drank juice most of the day but I added in a snack of celery sticks & peanut butter. I went out on a limb and had three celery sticks instead of two like yesterday :) I juiced some more and then for supper I ate a small bowl of mixed spring lettuce, a few craisons, few pieces of grilled chicken with a very light drizzle of Fat-Free Raspberry Vinaigrette. Oh, my goodness, heaven in my mouth. The only side effect to this was I couldn't go to sleep that night til 3 in the morning. Loooong night yet I was thankful I was up due to the fact that a young man from a previous children's home was texting me then called. That was a very good surprise and I was so glad I was available to talk to him. I might really pay for it on Day 7 so we will see.
Recap of Day 6: Lost .4 lb again. I had fairly good energy all through the day. Nothing terribly exciting today. I am wanting to start incorporating exercise this next week. I didn't do it this week mainly because I wasn't sure how my body would do with juicing and I didn't need the added stress of throwing that on top of it all. I didn't want to set myself up to fail. Little by little, day by day. Made up my own juices today. Added sweet potato & pineapple. Left me feeling hungry quickly. Probably was due to the pineapple helping aid in digestion and felt hungry quickly. I will be sure to make a more hearty juice that will stick with us longer. That is important.
I won't being making daily blogs because really the "cleansing" part is over. I will, however, continue for at least another week of mainly juicing and eating of mainly fruits and vegetables with a little kick added at times. I want to slowly get my body back into eating more foods that are healthier in choice. I will write an update later in the week I suppose. I would call this cleansing a success. I didn't cheat and I didn't die from it :) My body is feeling SO much better. I want to continue and just add to the great feelings that I am having.
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