Healing, a New and Personal Adventure: WEEK TWO

WEEK TWO

DAY 1 - January 13, 2013

Today we went to the Farmer's Markets in Long Beach with Karen and my mom. It got a bit of walking in, lots of fresh air, snacked on some goodies, ate a piece of grilled chicken, had a wheatgrass shot and a large carrot/apple juice with oatmeal.  I also killed an entire head of celery...it was SO good!

• Current stats: 262 lbs
• Goals: Walking and getting fresh air, more sleep
• Activities:Walking, shopping
• Eating habits:Pretty good.
• Feelings at the end of the day: I felt great.  I didn't worry about the lack of weight loss.  I just wanted to enjoy the day and enjoy the food purchased =)

DAY 2 - January 14, 2013

 So far the day is shaping up nicely.  I slept well and got about 12 hours of sleep.  I feel pretty good.  I plan to get out to go buy some apples, as I ran out yesterday morning and didn't buy any at the FM.  It's okay for today though, as we have plenty of other great things to eat around here =)  I did throw a few items away yesterday morning (some old, hidden junk food that I doubt I will be eating again).

Also, I finished and submitted my application for the Herbalife Remote Weight Loss Challenge.  I'm excited because I will feel more accountable.  I know that my ultimate goals are not to lose weight but to feel better and heal so I don't have to have surgery and I can return to work.  However, I think if I lose weight that 's an added natural bonus and the accountability in general will be nice and help me to stay focused.

Before I forget, I have decided that I need to hire someone to help me.  Someone to juice, prepare meals, clean, drive me around and help me with some projects I have been wanting to do.  I'm hoping it will help me really do this Gerson Therapy right.  I am waiting for the package to arrive, btu I'm excited and just thinking about the possibilities and preparations has been somewhat of a hobby lately.

• Current stats: 260.5 lbs
• Goals: Walk the dog, shop for the fruit and veggies I need for a couple days, put away laundry
• Activities:Shopped at Sprouts and Mother's Market for apples and carrots, got a juice at Mother's along with a delicious lunch.  Yum!  I also walked the dog, finished up a friend's computer and made dinner...salmon and baked yam.
• Eating habits:I ate well today.  Nothing processed except for the fig balsamic glaze on the fish
• Feelings at the end of the day: I did well and felt pretty good.  No migraine and I only took two advil at the beginning of the day because of a headache.  I accomplished the necessary and ate well.  A day for me!

DAY 3 - January 15, 2013

I slept horribly last night.  I wasn't tired until about midnight, and after that I kept getting woken up either by my mom, the dog or my bladder.  It was a nightmare.  By the time I actually woke up for the day, I felt okay.  I made myself a large cup of carrot and apple juice and a bowl of oatmeal with blackberries and sunflower seeds.  I had a very good BM and them weighed myself.  I'm totally confused about what is going on with the scale because I ate well yesterday, got some exercise in.  It must be the sleeping issue that is keeping me heavy.  I actually gained weight!

The day went very well.  I didn't really do much today.  I managed to work that juice in way more by not actually cleaning the juicer every time I used it.  I also ate oatmeal with blackberries and sunflower seeds and a small piece of salmon cooked in coconut oil and sprinkled with a dash of sea salt and a splash of pear balsamic.

My package from Gerson came today.  It is so exciting!  I began reading my browsing the books and handbook.  Apparently, one big thing I have been doing wrong is using baking soda for the deodorant and toothpaste.  Tomorrow when I go to Spouts, I will buy some Tom's of Maine toothpaste that does not contain baking soda.  As for the deodorant, they suggest not using it at all.  Hopefully it goes okay.  Also, I need to remove all nail polish.  I will happily and easily remove the nail polish from my fingers but I paid good money for my toes...so I will leave that on another week or so as I'm not really beginning right away anyhow.

Before I forget, I got several responses to my ad on Craigslist for a paid Personal Assistant/ Caregiver.  It was very exciting and it beginning to look a lot like I will be holding interviews shortly.  Also, I was thinking that I will likely have to hire two assistants, especially the more I looked over the Gerson Therapy plan...it's pretty intense and I need the help.  I will need to have a training and review, almost like a team meeting before beginning the therapy.  This way we are all on the same page and can really have a good head start when we begin.

• Current stats: 264
• Goals: Make deodorant, shower and eat well.
• Activities: I really only made a lot of juice, cooked two small meals and walked Bailey twice.
• Eating habits:I ate super well.  Fresh, organic produce of carrots, apples, strawberries, blackberries, oats, lots of water and a small piece of salmon (maybe 2" x 3")
• Feelings at the end of the day: I felt good today.  I did have a migraine twice today but I didn't let them get too bad.  I didn't really feel like doing much else today.  I was going to go out with mom to her dentist appt but ultimately opted to stay home and rest.

DAY 4 - January 16, 2013

Man, this is going to be expensive!  I already paid $140 at Sprouts for some of the supplements I need for the Gerson Therapy.  Doesn't seem like I got much at all.  Although, I did buy another 3 bags of apples and another bag of carrots.  The carrots are on sale this week, so I will return for a few more bags this week and then next Wednesday before the sale ends I will buy 4 or 5 bags since it's only $3 per 5lb bag.

I began filling out the order form for the rest of the supplements for ISHI and Time Honored and they really don't have everything.  I wish I could just say, "give me the Gerson Therapy stuff" and then pay for it instead of hunting it all down.  It's kind of irritating.  On the upside, I think I will have it all ready by the beginning of February and ready to begin.

Also, I got more persons interested in applying for the job to help me.  I'm hoping they will take $10 per hour because even that will be a huge stretch for me.  I'm going to try to hire 2-3 so that I can spread out the hours and days...I don't want anyone getting burt out.  I may need to get a loan from the credit union in order to just pay for all of the assistance I need.  I am concerned that I may need more than 3 weeks.  If that happens I may have to just have someone part time if I can't do it myself by then.

Reading the material last night, I realized that I will be doing minimal exercise and need to cancel my membership to Planet Fitness as I likely won't be returning for at least another year.  As long as I feel better, then that is fine.  I need to get a ride over there so I can cancel it though.  I don't want them charging me anymore...this has been crazy thinking I would return and I kept paying the $10 per month.  I will take care of it.

• Current stats: 261.5
• Goals:Begin gathering the items I need to complete the therapy, clean out the fridge and cupboards of items I will no longer be eating.  Last night reminded me that I won't be eating like that ever again unless I want to feel awful.
• Activities: Shopping, walking the dog, sitting instead of laying more, juicing for myself
• Eating habits: I ate very well.  I did have two small bites of the honeycomb, but it's not too shabby and I don't see much side effects.
• Feelings at the end of the day:  I actually felt good earlier but crummy as the day went on.  I'm tired and worn out.  I don't think I'm eating enough.  I feel more organized regarding the therapy but it seems easy, but if I keep feeling like today I won't really be able to get anything done.  I will particularly need help with making my meals and helping around the house with chores and occasional errands.

DAY 5 - January 17, 2013

The day went pretty well so far.  Last night I found that I was hungry.  I almost made some eggs, but at the last minute made oatmeal instead.  I was proud of myself.  I cant see its not going to be an easy road...I kind of want a burger, some fries and maybe a piece of yummy chocolate cake.

Anyway, I woke up early (unfortunately with only 5 hrs of sleep) and got ready for the day.  Mom drove me to go have tea with Cruz in Brea.  It was so nice.  I accidentally picked the Starbucks that is inside of a Target...but that turned out well because we got to sit and chat, then go for a light walk around the store.  After that I was wiped out.

• Current stats: I forgot to weigh myself.  But that's ok, there's always tomorrow.
• Goals: Order products needed for Gerson Therapy
• Activities:Walked around Target, walk the dog and make a salad
• Eating habits: Oatmeal w/ raisins and a little honey and sunflower seeds, juice, hibuscus iced tea with one organic brown sugar
• Feelings at the end of the day:  

DAY 6 - January 18, 2013

• Current stats:
• Goals: 
• Activities:
• Eating habits:
• Feelings at the end of the day:  

DAY 7 - January 19, 2013

• Current stats:
• Goals: 
• Activities:
• Eating habits:
• Feelings at the end of the day: 

Healing, a New and Personal Adventure: WEEK ONE

WEEK ONE

DAY 1 - January 6, 2013

I didn't get to my blog last night as I would have wanted to.  I hadn't been sleeping well for a couple of nights before (actually, one night I slept maybe an hour and the next night I slept 4 or 5 hours) and my eye hurt so bad I didn't think I should stare at the computer monitor.

I really did think about the blog and what I would include:

• Starting stats
• Goals
• Activities
• Eating habits
• Feelings at the end of the day

Starting stats:

• 262 lbs
• Size 3xl, 22-24w
• Bloated stomach with swollen face and fingers
• Rash that keeps appearing and disappearing on my face near my lip/chin area
• Headaches, migraines, vertigo, lightheaded and dizzy, brain fog, memory issues, exhaustion
• Sleeping problems (too much...14 hrs or too little...1 hr), schedule is off
• Lots of medication: 150mg Tramadol, Sumatripton, Advil, Cortizone
• No work, hard time accomplishing simple activities and hobbies

Goals:

• Under 260 lbs (short term goal)
• 200 lbs (long term goal) or less without a yoyo
• Size 18w or less but no bones showing
• Flat stomach, neck and chin different and not swollen together, thinner fingers and face
• Rash gone
• Headaches, migraines gone, think clearly without fog, lots of energy
• Sleep 7-8 hrs a night from 10-6, normal!
• No medication
• Working full time, back in school, finishing all activities and hobbies

Activities:

• Usually just getting out of the bed, but would like to get up and out like I used to
• Preparing food ahead of time

Eating habits:

• Eating out up to several times a day, but I should be eating out maybe once per week and still eating well while I'm out and making better choices
• Eating unprocessed foods, organic and pesticide free foods, alkaline diet and distilled water free of fluoride and chlorine

Feelings of the day:

• I hate feeling crummy and unproductive
• I don't want headaches anymore 

I ordered the Gerson Therapy package of books, dvds and enema bucket 1/5/13 before I went to bed.  I checked online to get a better idea of what I would be doing so I could begin moving in the right direction.

 _______________________________________________________________________________

 Reflecting on the day-

• Current stats: 262 lbs
• Goals: Go to the farmer's market, start juicing and eating more produce
• Activities: Went to two Farmer's Markets in Long Beach, one at the Marina and one near the airport
• Eating habits: Oatmeal with raisins and sunflower seeds for breakfast; snacked on a few bits of fruit and veggies at the FM; carrot juice and fuji apples twice; large salad; tap water; one piece of baklava; one piece of homemade pumpernickel bread; 1/2 piece of salmon; 1/4 cup of mint chocolate chip Herbalife protein frozen yogurt with honey and a few semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Feelings at the end of the day: I had a few issues but it wasn't too bad.  I was getting really hungry when we left the FM and headed home.  We came the long way, but then I started to really need something to eat...the carrot apple juice really helped calm that down right away.  I had a migraine at the end of the day and ended up taking one sumatriptan and one tramadol.  Overall, it was already improved over the previous days due to fewer headaches and better sleep.  I did get sick last night, but two Tums took care of that.  I also found that I was up urinating a lot throughout the evening and night.  I would say it's already a big improvement.

Healing, a new and personal adventure

January 5, 2013

As many of you know, I have been very ill for quite some time now.  I'm not talking about the PCOS that was diagnosed in early 1998.  I'm talking about whatever weirdness that has intruded my body in recent years.

Between 2009 and 2011, I increasingly became more and more ill until I was unable to continue working.  Oddly enough, I was okay the summer between those two school years and was immediately struck down with illness upon return for the second school year.  It is currently under some type of debate and has not yet been finalized in whatever and however many doctor reports that will soon be prepared and distributed.  All I know is that my doctor who so gracious took my case has been supporting me and providing me Western type medical care for almost two years now (since about May 2011 until present).  He also believes in some Eastern type healing and allows acupuncture, which is nice because it helps ease a lot of the suffering from major headaches and migraines, which usually means fewer pain medicines taken.

Anyhow, it has recently come to my attention that the case is coming to a close.  I would normally be happy, but I thought I was waiting to see an ENT who would refer me to a surgeon who would remove the cysts in my sinuses.  It's not a proven theory, but I feel as if the cysts are removed (which may contain whatever is continuing this illness, possibly even mold in there) that the rest can heal itself and I can continue my life without all of this.  You can imagine it was quite a blow to find out that I will not be seeing an ENT...unless the judge orders the workers' comp insurance company to allow it.  I am really praying that they do, but am also praying that God will continue to take care of me and guide me in a direction leading me towards health.

I often can't sleep.  Last night I felt sick from my meds that were supposed to calm the headache, which it didn't.  These things, they happen and I really have learned to be more accepting of my position.  It is what it is takes a new meaning when life "sucks" and all you can do is learn to be okay with it as best you can.  Many of my sleepless nights I watch documentaries on Netflix.  Last night, I found something very interesting...it was called The Beautiful Truth.  It's amazing.  I had heard and agreed with almost everything I saw in this documentary but somehow had never put it altogether for a combined effort.

I'm very excited to tell you that I will be working on the following short term:
-Continue taking my Herbalife supplements
-Juicing organic produce frequently throughout the day
-Cutting out all processed foods and nearly all animal products (I just don't think I can do 100%)
-Get bottles of distilled water

I just finished ordering the starter package of reading materials, enema bucket and DVDs to begin the Gerson Therapy:
-Upon arrival I will continue with the juicing and consumption of organic produce
-Adjust my diet to suit my current ailments (migraines, cancer and diabetes...no, I have PCOS, but it's very similar)
-Hopefully cut the rest of the animal products (I think I get to keep yogurt, but we will see)
-Begin coffee enemas

In the long run, I would like to:
-Obtain alkaline water, or even a machine that makes alkaline water and removes the fluoride and chlorine from the tap water I regularly drink
-Remove my amalgam fillings for porcelain(my dad warned me a long time ago, but I assumed the dentist knew what he was doing...I should have asked him what he puts in his mouth)

I may need to review the supplements that I am taking to confirm I am including enough of the required amounts according to the Gerson Therapy.  I did get the thumbs up from my mom's best friend, Susan, who is also an RN and nutrition expert.

I am actually looking forward to this.  I must do something.  I really don't know what will happen.  But I know that if I consume food as God intended, then my body has a better chance of healing itself.  My body was made to fix itself and I need to help it instead of hinder it.  Also, the meds don't always work and I often feel crummy from them, so I am not really losing anything by trying.

Plus, this is a goal.  Personally, I always like to have a goal to work towards.  I'll keep you posted.  The assistance with the PCOS is not very likely, but I am somewhat hopeful that it can at least help.  Who knows, maybe my body will heal enough to have a family one day!

BTW, this fits in perfectly with my New Year's resolution.  Eph 5:4...clean it up.  Also, garbage in, garbage out...so get the garbage out!