Sunday, January 30, 2011

Living With Lyme- Alternative Treatments

I decided I would continue on this subject to help other's who have Lyme and can not use the conventional medical treatments.  I don't know how many people with Lyme are like myself and can not take anti-biotic's that are usually given to kill the bacteria.  The reason I can not take them is because I was put through a battery of tests with MRI's and Stress Test using nuclear medicine without taking my current health conditions into consideration first by the hospital doctor's.

I had three test two days in a row. That was too much for my poor liver and organs.  One month later, I awoke to terrible pain in my right side, burning in my stomach and an overall feeling of burning up on fire from head to toe.  I was rushed to the emergency room only for the er doctor to diagnose allergic reaction to something!

My organs started shutting down one by one until all I could eat was apple sauce for one week.  I was so weak I had to be helped to and from the bathroom and back into bed for six months.  One of my friends knew a naturopath and took me to him.  After doing reflexology on my feet, they determined my liver and gallbladder were inflamed and damaged.  They had me do a liver cleans to flush out any gallstones and chemicals.

After completing that procedure I could start eating eggs, rice, pumpkin and vegetables.  That was my diet for those six months.  I was back and forth to my gastrointerologist and the ER doctors. They finally said we don't know what's wrong with you and scheduled me for Shand's in Gainesville, FL.

But, my gut feeling was if I go there and they start doing more tests and wanting to fill me with more chemicals I'll die for sure.  I had friends taking care of me while my husband was at work.  I could feel the life going out of me.  I had gone from 139 pounds to 98 pounds in those six months.  I had to be in a wheelchair to go out of the house to doctor appointments.

I finally called my sister-in-law and told her I didn't know how much I could take and would she take care of my daughter who was 13 at the time.  She immediately told me not to think like that and to hang on for her sake.  She then said her Mother-in-law recommended a homeopathic doctor that I should go see. But, it wasn't cheap and we didn't have insurance.

I told her well maybe she'll take payments and I said a prayer.  We called the doctor and low and behold she answered the phone instead of her receptionist who was out at the time.  I told her who referred me and that we didn't know what was wrong but I was going down hill fast and would she take payments.

She said I'll see you this Friday and I'll work with you, no problem.  Well, Friday came and I was to go in a 1 p.m. I was so weak I couldn't get dressed, so I called the office and asked for a later appointment, they gave me 5 p.m.  Well, I made it to that appointment and two hours later after all her testing she said, you have Lyme disease.

I would have cried but I was too weak for even tears.  She gave me what she called a high dose for my genetics and within 10 minutes I had color back in my ashen cheeks.  My friend who had brought me exclaimed: "My goodness, you have color back in your face" and started to cry.  For the first time in six months I had a glimmer of hope that I might get through this nightmare after all.

The next day I pulled myself out of bed at 8:30 a.m. and eat breakfast that my husband made me faithfully every morning and got dressed with his help and went to our local Kingdom Hall and was greeted by over 100 of my friends, one of which was our traveling overseer who had been to my house the day before the doctor appointment to encourage me with Bible texts.

He stopped and waved to me from the platform and continued with the program.  I went in the car to join in our door to door ministry for 30 minutes and then was taken to a friends house to sleep until my family finished for the morning and brought me home.

That was the beginning of getting my life back.  Jehovah helped me find the right doctor and medicine and with his holy spirit and organization gave me the strength to endure this trial.  I thank him daily for all that he has given me and how he did not leave me in my time of need.  For the next two years I was in excruciating pain from my waist down.  I could not take anything over the counter anymore so I endured with lots of prayers and Bible study daily.

My doctor would tell me: " I know that it is your faith that keeps you alive and from killing yourself".  She was so right!  Then, after enduring this for two years it was like someone turned off a switch the pain went away.  I've done two more liver flushes since then and continue to be pain free.  I'll tell you the rest of my story tomorrow.

Blessings to you all!

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Living With Lyme Disease- A New Approach

I've been living with Lyme Disease now since December 2004.  My family and friends went on a little trip to the Georgia's mountains and water falls.  I loved to hike to a water fall and just take in the nature and beauty of the outdoors.  We'd been going to our favorite town in Georgia for 19 years and come back home safe and sound every time. 

There should be a sign posted in every park across the country that says: Warning: Lyme disease prevention-with a list of what to do and look for before and after your outing with grass and woods.  It is no joking matter.  I tell my family to spray their clothing each time I know they are headed to an area that could lead to encounter with the deadly little ticks.

When our backyard gets over run with ticks, out comes the natural pesticides to kill them and keep our little Yorkie and cat from bringing one into the house.  Lots of people who get Lyme get reinfected from their pets. 

If you go to the link below and listen to the interview with a medical doctor who has Lyme, you'll know I'm very serious about educating others so they don't have their life turned upside down and changed forever.

Many labs are developing blood test that can detect the bacteria in hopes of giving a positive result instead of the 100's of false negatives that the current tests give.  I'm a candidate for one of these new tests and will be getting the blood test very soon.  They will compare it against the more common test called: Western blot.  Which, I had in 2005 and came back with a false negative.

If the CDC approves this new test it may help thousands of people get proper medical treatments for Lyme.  One of the important treatments for people with Lyme is to repair the damaged tissues of the cells and restore energy to the brain and circulation to the constricted blood vessels damaged by the Lyme bacteria. 

I hope the information in the link below will help as many as possible in living a so called normal life again.  A company that makes products to balance the brain and body (Neuro Science) puts Rhodiola rosea in some of their products.  I take two of them and have seen vast improvements in my ability to carry on a conversation, remember how to spell, add and subtract and not be as forgetful with my short term memory as I had been.



http://www.haveahealthymind.com/radio_interviews.html#lyme

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Altered Book "Rainbows"

I love working with my hands and creating a work of art out of something old.  They call it upcycled or re-purposed when you take something old that has lost it's usefulness that has now been transformed into a work of art.  Ready for someone to love it and take it home and use it or just display it.

I love to alter books into works of art.  My latest craft passion.  You can take a plain old ordinary journal and turn it into something extraordinary with just some paper and fabric scraps.  I recently went on an interview to a local art museum for the purpose of selling my work in their gift shop.  The one item I had told the appointment setter about was my altered books.  And, wouldn't you know it that was the one thing I didn't bring with me because it is still a work in progress that they were anxious to see.

They liked all my work but said they already had enough artist's work in those areas but didn't have anyone doing altered books.  So you guessed it, that is what I'm working on to take back next month for them to review and if they approve them, I'll be on display for the whole of Central Florida to behold and hopefully buy.

You have to have old books in good condition before you can alter them. So off to the local resale shop I went and what did I find but the most amazing book with a beautiful cover called, "Rainbows" the eighth edition of the 1946 printing.  It is large and has a blue leather feeling cover.  I'm turning the pages into works of art.  Adding a splash of color and texture and bits of this and that until it is transformed in front of my very eyes into a new work of art. 

The book is full of poems from different writers obviously from the early 1900's.  Here is one of those that I tore out of the book. 
"Your Garden- Kind hearts are the gardens, Kind words are the roots, Kind thoughts are the flowers, Kind deeds are the fruits.  Take care of your garden and keep out the weeds; Fill it with sunshine, Kind words, and good deeds." Unknown

The book was written because of the world conditions at that time.  WWI had ended, but now WWII was haunting the world.  It is a book I'd say bears reading in view of the current world conditions.  It is up building and gives one reason to pause and reflect on your own life and future!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

End of the World Prediction

A friend brought this to my attention.  I don't know if you have seen this or heard others talking about this end of the world prediction. It is said to be May 2011 and October 2011.
 As far back as I can remember there have always been people trying to predict the end of the world.  And, all of those dates and people have come and gone and yet we are still here. 

The reason is very simple, the Bible says very clearly that God's day is coming as a thief in the night and that no one knows the day or the hour except God, not even the Son, Jesus.  So, no matter how many try to say they know it will come at a certain day or year, they are only speculating. 

The sad thing is going to be that when that day does arrive, it will be a shock to the world because the majority are not keeping on the watch as Jesus told his followers to do.  He stated that people would be going about there daily routine when that day is instantly upon them as a a snare.  1 Thessalonians 5:3

When that day does arrive just hope you are on the side of God and not caught off guard.

Now for a little more Bubbly in your life!

She is sitting on top of my flower box.  No, intruders here!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Love Your Pet

I grew up on a little 3 acre farm in rural Central Florida in the 60's and 70's.  On the first acre was our house with fruit trees and flowering trees and shrubs of all kinds.  Next, on the second acre, which was fenced off to corral our horses, barn and my Dad's hunting dogs, grew two large pecan trees and my Mother's garden. Finally, on the third acre a sea of ferns on the ground and pine and oak trees that reached to the sky  shading over the entire acre. 

When I was 10 years old our horse Jodi had her first colt.  As I looked out that morning before heading off to the bus stop I saw not four legs through the wood fence but 8.  I shrieked with delight and bounded out the back door.  My Aunt and cousins were visiting so they wanted to know what was all the excitement about.  Thus, my love for all creatures great and small began to grow in my heart.

His little body was so soft and he was not afraid of us at all.  But, Jodi tried her best to keep him away from us.  When she finally gave up and relaxed eating her oats and hay while we reached our arms and hands through the fence to touch this newborn colt.  I could hardly keep my mind on my schoolwork that day thinking of my little bundle of sweetness waiting for me at home.

We promptly began to spoil him with hugs and kisses and love, my three siblings and I.  We named him Ben after the father's owner.  Ben had a red body and a white blaze perfectly down the front of his face. No pink, just all white.  His mane was flowing strawberry blond as was his tail.  He became our pet dog in a horse's body!  He did not take well to the saddle and bit at all.  Thus, his usefulness in my Dad's eyes became smaller and smaller until one day while we were on vacation he sold Ben to a girl in the neighborhood who loved him and would ride him and take good care of him.  That's what I told myself anyway to ease the pain of loosing our dear Ben.

Now, I live on 1/4 acre in a suburb where you can only own a horse if you have acreage.  So, my farm consists now of one dog, one cat and two fish.  Today, I'll share with you the life of our cat "Bubbles".  Be on the lookout for more Bubbly antics throughout the year!  Our back yard is her little corner of the world.  It is fenced in and she feels safe and secure as she investigates each corner everyday for intruders.  She is sleeping on top of the shed that is covered with trees.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Love for God, Love for Truth, Love for People

Yesterday, I left you with the question to think about.  When will God bring about his ruler- ship to the world and how can you be a here to benefit as one of the subjects?  Well, let's start with the question Jesus followers asked him right before his death.  Matthew 24: 3- "Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?"
   Notice they asked for "the sign of your presence," so Jesus goes on to tell them in the rest of the chapter.  But, let's look at the verses that have meaning for our day.  Starting in verse 7 it talks of wars, earthquakes, food shortages all being the beginning of stress.  But, all is not lost in verse 13 he gives us hope, "But he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved."
  Then he goes on to say in verse 14: "This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." So, we have a composite sign of Christ's presence as ruling in Kingdom power when you see these things start to occur.  There are people living today that can tell you that at the beginning of WWI is when Jesus started his ruler-ship. 
  What was the first thing he did as King?  Read Revelation chapter 12:7-12 It talks about a war that was in heaven with Jesus and Satan the Devil and his demons.  Jesus won hurling Satan and his demons down to the earth.  Was Satan happy about this, if you read the account it says "the heavens rejoice, but Woe! for the earth because the devil has come down with great anger knowing he has a short period of time left. 
  So, now you have the evidence that proves why the world is in the condition it is in, but we have the hope that soon Jesus will destroy all of the wickedness.  Why is this necessary?  Read verse 21 and 22: There is going to be a great tribulation that the world has never seen before, no nor will see again, those days will be cut short on account of the chosen ones or no flesh would be saved.
  Now, is the time to put love of God , his word of truth and love of people first in your life. 

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Are You Conscious of Your Spiritual Need?

Are you conscious of your spiritual need?- Matthew 5:3  If you are then you'll be happy!  It's those that don't fill that spiritual need in the right way that go through life thinking;  "What am I doing here and now with my life"! 
 If you're asking yourself questions like, What is the purpose of life?  Is the world coming to an end?  How can I make my family life happy?  You're not alone.  Millions of people are lost in the world's philosophy of live and let live mentality.  You don't exist to eat, sleep and work.  You exist to serve God, serve others and be happy.
  How do you serve God?  It's really simple.  Do you read your Bible daily?  Do you have an accurate understanding of the theme of the Bible?  There is one, did you know that?  It's not just a book to help guide our life.  It has a purpose in our life, one thing.  God's kingdom with Christ Jesus as King.  When will he rule and how can you be a subject of that kingdom?  Check in tomorrow for the answer.  Knowing the answer to these questions will make your life have purpose and you'll be eternally happy!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

A New Year, A New Opportunity in Life

A New Year, a New Opportunity in Life- This year I'm setting out on a new journey in my life.  Keeping focused on God, Family and Friends is how my family and I lives our life.  So this year I'm going to focus my blog posts around those three topics.

  First, let me talk about how I keep God first in my life.  I start off my day by saying a prayer of thanks just for being alive and knowing him and his purpose.  Then, I read a bible based scripture book called "Examining the Scriptures Daily" that is taken from a Bible based journal published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. 

  This is today's text: Revelation 6:2- "He went forth conquering and to complete his conquest."  Article-Like David, Jesus is a conquering king.  Shortly after he was installed as King of God's Kingdom, he conquered Satan in battle and hurled him and his demons down to the earth.  (Revelation 12: 7-9) His victorious ride will continue until he will "complete his conquest" completely destroying Satan's wicked system. (Rev. 19:11, 19-21)
   Like David, though, Jesus is a compassionate king, and he will protect the "great crowd" through Armageddon. (Rev. 7: 9, 14)
  That is just a sample of the kind of spiritual food I receive through my religion. I love it!

Next, I said I talk about family and friends.  My family consists of my husband, daughter and now my niece.  The four of us live in a city known by the police as little Miami.  What fun!  Mainly due to the large population of Hispanic in the community.  Thankfully, we live a life that keeps us free from the criminal element in the community, that of course all places on earth can not avoid.  We've learned where the gangs meet late at night and do not go to those areas.  The area we live in is quiet and our neighbors are friendly and we help each other in times of emergency. 

   In the department of friends I have a blessing that has been measured out and overflows its borders.  I have friends all over the world.  Some I've never even met in person, but we are friends non-the-less.  My dearest and closet friendships have been long lasting now for over 30 years and more.  My closest friend my own age I met in 7th grade and we became the best of friends til this day!  I love her dearly.

   Another long time friend is old enough to be my Mother, so she is a Mother figure for me.  I can talk to her about anything going on in my life and she listens and gives me good advise when I need it.  She lost her husband last year and we all miss him terribly.  I long to see him again when life is much different than today's world.

  So, check in daily to see what spiritual and family treasures I'll be sharing with you.  It will help you grow closer to God and to your family and friends.  Many blessings to you.

Hugs,
Me