Whacked by a Canoe Paddle

It seems as though the increasing lack of sun, this time of year, has a huge effect on me.  Now, I know my family members who are reading this are saying, "ya think?!".  Maybe I see it more clearly because I'm more mature and last year, I was able to recognize the peeps who truly support me.  Having that support has made a world of difference because I can trust that when I'm having a tough day, they'll be honest with me and they know who I really am.  They know that my struggle is not who I am and that I need a bit more of their support through the bumps in the road.

I've experienced some wonderful progress with my health and I'm incredibly grateful that I never gave up hope.  I had a choice.  I could have continued to be put down, no believed, and be taking prescription drugs with all the side effects.  With that choice I'd probably be laying in bed 6-7 days a week needing my family to make me meals, manage my pills and lose all my independence.  Come to think of it, if I had continued with the recommendations of mainstream medicine, I'd have a nifty colostomy bag to be changed on a regular basis too.

My other choice could have been to stop seeing any doctor and stop my search for a healthy life.  If I had gone down that road, there's a chance I'd be in a padded room with locked doors and a purse for my colostomy bag called fido.  I'd also have severe pain all over my body and a wheelchair.

I chose to hold onto hope, searching for someone or a group to guide me toward a healthy life.  I'm now fibro-flare free, my trigger points have calmed down, my digestion is improving and I recently had enough stamina to have four 'normal' days in a row.  Each day, I was able to get up, make breakfasts, lunches, drive the kids to school, housework, paperwork, cook lunch, cook dinner, enjoy my family and not once did my body need to lay down.   This is a huge change from my body screaming at me every couple of hours to go lay down.  The fatigue and pain were so great it brought tears to my eyes.  The excitement bubbles up in me when I think about how I've found the road that leads me to a sustainable healthy life.

One area that needs some attention is how my body reacts to diminishing sunlight.  It's a good thing I don't live in those areas of the world that are dark for months.  I'd go bat bleep crazy! I've been feeling tugs of sadness here and there.  I notice and take note, but today, the waterworks began.  I know what this means because it's a pattern that accompanies the winter months.  Hand-in-hand like best friends frolicking through the fields…of cold and snow.  They seem to be very happy together but I feel
terrible.  My emotions go from upset to concerned to angry to sad to embarrassed to full-out ugly blubbering.  Sometimes all within an hour.  It's quite exhausting ta' boot!  Today has felt as though I got whacked by a canoe paddle, on an emotional level.

Have I mentioned my doctor?  The great Naturopathic doctor…Dr. Bier.  If I haven't said it in the bunch of posts prior, I have the best doctor.  He hears me, he listens, we're partners on my healing journey.  I saw him today and we are taking action with the winter blues pattern.  I am confident that this challenge will also be one that I can look back on and smile because of how much I grew and learned from it.

It's sometimes difficult to share the truth about chronic illness, but I think it is much more important to share the not-so-pretty parts to help people understand the hidden struggles we go through.  I also share to remind others with chronic illness that they are not alone and to remind myself and others to keep an eye out for the gifts.

Thanks for reading, forwarding and following!!!
Terri

I've Been Raving About This Doctor! Listen and Find Out Why.

Living&Thriving:Guest Dr Bier,Naturopathic & Acupuncturist 05/23 by Rustie | Lifestyle Podcasts

Dr. Bier's Website

Layover on My Trip to Shambhala

Earlier in my blog I wrote a post about vacationing in Shambhala.  Today, I got confirmation that I'm on my way to my favorite vacation spot (although I've never been there, I know it'll be my favorite).  One day, I'll be relaxing in this land of peace, tranquility and happiness.

As with any of my travels, I spend time planning for it and learning some of the customs of the area.  I've also noticed the universe sending me signs that I'm getting closer to my destination.  For example, when I began to be pulled toward the energy vortexes in Arizona, I had no idea how, when or why I'd be going.  I just new that it was a place I needed to see and experience.  My first step in the planning process was to push away any doubt in my mind, that I'd be able to go and stay there for any length of time.  I began affirming that I'd be visiting the red rocks and mountains of the area.  I spent part of my meditation time imagining that I was there.  I imagined how I felt sitting in the sun, surrounded by the clean air and healing energy.  I felt relaxed and happy.  I visioned the flight, the place I'd stay in and the people around me.  It was important for me to bring the entire experience into my body and mind as if it were already happening and this meant including as many of the senses and the details of the trip, as I could.  I began noticing AZ license plates.  I'd hear new stories about friends going or living there, that I'd never heard before.  My senses were in tune to the vibration of Arizona and picked up on even the littlest sign along the way.  These were, for me, reminders and acknowledgements that, yes, I would find my way there.

 About six months later, as I sat in service at my spiritual center, there was an announcement about a retreat that was open to all the congregants.  I thought, "Well, there it is!  That's when I'm going." At the time, I didn't know how I'd get there but those were just little pieces that would fall into place as I kept taking the steps in the right direction.  Everything came together beautifully and I spent a week in Sedona and a couple of days in Phoenix.  It was everything I had anticipated, and more.

The sign I got today, confirming my journey to Shabhala was my visit to a very calm, uplifting and healing place.  I went to my Naturopathic doctor to receive two treatments.  I have never had medical treatment like this before and as wonderful as it is, it takes a bit to get use to.  My past experiences have been all about putting out the next 'medical fire'.  These fires were symptoms that I was unable to cope with any longer.  I had no medical support to teach me how to cope prior to them becoming full blown bon fires.  Some of this is because there was no proof in blood tests, x-rays, MRI's, etc.  Without concrete Western proof, there was no treatment given.

Don't get me wrong, the two treatments I had, at the naturopathic center, were uncomfortable and had the potential to be painful but this office ensures a comfortable healing experience.  "How do they do this?", you say.  Well...for one, I'm tuned into businesses, the heartbeat of the business and the organism (organization) as a whole.  Kind of the way they treat their patients.  As I tuned in, I heard and saw a pleasant and soothing environment.  I heard and saw a pleasant staff and they were all smiling :) I heard conversation between staff and I was amazed by the supportive, uplifting and positive tone in each interaction.  Really! It felt as if their needs were being met as individuals and in turn, the needs of the medical center were being met with focus, joy, commitment and a deep desire to assist their patients on the path to healing.  And there was even a treatment that needed my full involvement.  I couldn't just passively, sit back and let someone treat me.  From beginning to end, this center teaches people how to take full responsibility of their own health. When I left, my body was tired and sore and had some unfamiliar sensations that I was told to expect.  My soul was nourished, my heart was full and I felt peace and tranquility.  This center treats the root of the problems while trying to sooth the symptoms and nurture the individual while they're at it.  I also feel as though they are looking and seeing me as a whole and health-ful person, which encourages me to do the work to heal and allow the true me to flourish again.  There's empathy, not pity.  There's encouragement, not pressure.  There's communication, not dictating.

I am hopeful for so much, after my experience today.  With knowledge, intuition and support, we can successfully take responsibility for our health and wellbeing.  I also have hope for the organisms (organizations) that are in the health care field.  Doesn't it make sense that a healthy body does better creating an environment for other healthy bodies?  In turn, an unhealthy body will struggle to create an environment to support health.

The blessings that have come from this new doctor's office are many.  I'm incredibly grateful that I have hope again, to find a sustainable level of health and be able to expand and share my gifts with others.

Thanks for reading, following and forwarding my posts!!!