Weekend Dress Rehearsal

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– When all else fails, buy a lotto ticket and go home –

I had a plan.

I am not sure why, but for the past month or so I have had a lot more energy and a lot less brain fog.  I have been gradually increasing activity to try to avoid any sort of crash.  Last weekend, the box with the crossbars for my car was finally opened and they were installed.  Last night, the SUP carrier was attached.  I decided to wait until the morning to inflate the board.  The board was purchased last year because it was lighter than my previous board and because it was bigger and so easier to balance on – allowing for a less strenuous ride.  Before the end of the night, I had found my waterproof camera and started charging the battery. All systems go for morning launch.

This morning I woke feeling a little off but still good. I got a cup of coffee and started to inflate the board.  The point of inflating it at home instead of at the lake was because the loud motor seems so disruptive when the water is still glass and the boats are still on shore.  Apparently, it also seems disruptive at 8am in my neighborhood.  I brought the board into the garage and closed the door, hoping to muffle the sound at least a little.  Eventually, I caught on that I had hooked the air compressor up wrong and was not getting any air into the board.  That fixed, the hose then popped loose halfway through and the board lost a good bit of the air.  So, started again but this time holding it on to make sure it stayed attached.  

The board was loaded but I was dripping with sweat (it gets hot/humid early) and my legs felt shot.  The last few SUP outings I tried prior to being diagnosed with Lyme, taught me that  pushing through the feeling I was having would pretty much lead to a short and disappointing outing.  

Trying to roll with it, I decided that if my legs were going to be wobbly today, I would try out the kayak seat attachment.  I took it out of the bag to make sure I knew how to use it and made adjustments to my paddle.  I also decided to pick a closer lake and then went inside for some cold water and a rest break.

Time to roll out.  I headed down the road and was a good bit away from the house when I realized that I forgot my fanny pack life vest (picture with link).  No problem I thought, I have my leash and a regular vest in the car so I will be legal.  I started planning out how to adjust the leash from the regular attachment to a kayak conversion position.  My brain then fired off a Red Alert.  I forgot the center fin.  The detachable fin was still sitting on top of the garbage can.  I hit the next turn lane and headed back to the house.  I pulled into a gas station to take a minute to plan and, well, to get gas.  

I swiped my card.  It did not work.  Tried again, nope.  “Go see cashier.” So I did.  I gave him an amount and the card worked.  Back at the pump, something went sideways because, “See cashier.”  He reset it and I was finally able to pump the gas.  As I was standing there, I could feel my legs were done with this adventure.

I went back in to ‘see cashier’ one more time and bought a lottery ticket from the nice man.

Sitting here post shower and typing away.  I am thinking a nap first, then maybe a a new painting for a new shirt to celebrate the World Cup. Here is the SUP shirt:

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Vacation Slide show! With a side of Bug Bite Prevention.

Spent some time at a cabin surrounded by the Ocala National Forest. Ahhhhh.

Bug bite prevention ideas below.

Click a photo to start a show.

dirt road

 

I spent a lot of time outside during the day and at night.  I have 3 mosquito bites and no found ticks.  The bites may have come from the first day I was there when the car was stuck in a mud hole and I was caught out without any protection.  That’s a story for the next post.

First, spray shirts, shorts, hats, socks, and shoes, to be worn in the woods with Permethrin. Take clothes outside and spray.  Let dry prior to packing.

Second, ideas for while you are out:

If you get bit:

Ticks

Mosquitos

 

 

Rose Theory of a Health Journey

I have had a hard time finding a way to explain why I am even on a search for better health.  I needed to be able to explain it to myself.  I was not as concerned about what others thought.  It never really occurred to me to try to explain it outside my own ego.

When fighting Lyme and company, there has always seemed to be something just not right.  We are missing a puzzle piece somewhere.  Various infections, hormones, nutrition….it always seems much more difficult and complicated than it should be.

I believe that I have found a way to explain it to myself.  The theory will not fix anything but thought I should share it in case anyone else could use it.

The Rose Theory

I first moved into my house over 10 years ago.  As a new home owner I was excited to fix up things and put to use all of those hours spent watching home improvement shows.  One thing that I really wanted was a beautiful rose bush.  It was a peace rose.  I tended to it as Google said I should.  I watered it often but careful not to over water it.  I sought advice on what fertilizer to use and when to apply it.  I made sure it received all the nutrients it needed.  I trimmed it as directed.  I was very attentive to its every need.  If I was doing everything just right, there were a few beautiful blooms as a reward.

Spread Positive Jam On Toast

A friend gave a gift from a company that has a mission to share meaning and positive energy.  It is a pretty cool idea.  You think of one or two words that are meaningful to you.  The word can be a goal or an intention, or just something meaningful.  They press the word into a metal circle and you choose if it is on a bracelet or necklace.  Example words are love, grateful, compassion, purpose, and surrender.  The company is running behind due to a record number of orders and sent an email apologizing. The email included a link to free music.

What is your word?

In the spirit of sharing positive energy, here are some YouTube versions of songs on the album. 

SUP Saturday Rebellion

Patience, recovery, and rehab…

I teach it. I preach it. I skipped it.

Lil’ Red’s whispers grew in my ear.  

Echoing, bellowing, 

“Let’s go to the river,” He shouted.

I ventured out for a short stand up paddle boarding session today.  Tie down straps did not work, the launch fees increased from 3 to 10 dollars.  The crowd started by 9AM when the grounds used to be ghostly until closer to 10:30.

My legs were shaky and my balance faulty.  There were no falls or splashes.  It was clear that I had skimped on my preparation.  My flexibility was surprisingly constrained when transitioning from kneeling to standing.  The muscles in both feet have been spoiled.  A few minutes later, I was back on shore.

It was nice to be back out on the water!

With new exercises in mind, I put Lil’ Red away for another day.

 

The 10 Stages of Lyme

Instead of going through the stages of grief I read about in school, it seems many diagnosed with Lyme disease traverse a different path.

Each path is unique but may look a little like:

1. I know something is wrong, why haven’t the 5-30 doctors I have seen been able to find something.
2. I might have what? Never heard much about that.
3. Research: Cure Unknown, Under Our Skin, Dr. Google, Facebook, Beginner’s Guide to Lyme Disease, Why Can’t I Get Better?
4. Antibiotics, maybe IVs
5. 20 different supplements
6. Diet-no sugar, no gluten, no dairy, non-GMO, organic, unless I cheat.
7. Outrage, petitions, t-shirts, protests
8. Homeopathic, ayurvedic, herbs, oils
9. Biomat, sauna, Epsom baths, EMF tents, coffee????
10. Sigh, maybe no more Dr. Google

What would you add?

Open the Curtains and Look at the Fog

Time for some Lyme updating….

After sticking my head in the sand, I had to make my way back to reality.

December brought with it TMJ pain.  I will get into to TMD issues and treatment after I try out a new mouth splint that I am getting this week.  The reason I mention it now, is that I needed to go on a soft food diet for a few weeks.  It is REALLY hard to not eat any sugar and carbs when on a soft food diet.  Then came the holidays.

http://10wallpaper.com/view/Monsters_University_2013_Movie_HD_Wallpaper_07.html

The sugar fest led to a Candida party in my brain.

Clearly the Diflucan and the months of trying to behave after the antibiotics did NOT clear the issue.  I picked up a couple of boxes of CandiGone.

I followed the directions on the box with one extra day at the half dose.  On day 2 my cervical lymph nodes were a little more swollen than usual.  On day 3, cervical and axillary lymph nodes were swollen and holy night sweat!!!

I never experienced such a distinct and clear die off from any of my Lyme/Bartonella treatments.

I woke almost giddy in the knowledge that it was working….then I washed my pillow. 

Over the next couple of weeks, I felt as if a curtain had been lifted but there was still a fog.

Back to the LLMD with new blood work.  He started me on the Byron White formula for Lyme disease.  I started at a low level and am working up to the desired dose.  I may need another round of CandiGone (or something), but, for now, Lyme will be the focus.

He approved a supplement that I had just started on my own (that we had discussed but not added previously).  Ashwaghanda has been amazing for my energy!!

Ashwaghanda is an adaptogen for adrenal support.  It is supposed to give you energy in the morning and calm you at night.  I have to take it first thing in the morning, or I will have severe issues sleeping.  Apparently, I am not adaptogenic.

Blood test FYI/TMI

CD57:  27 (was 22 in 2013)

D3:  22  (I had been stuck at 37 so I changed to another brand….wrong move)

Western Blot: only + was IgG 41 through Quest (2013: tested all negative Labcorp, positive for 31, 34, 41 through IGenex)

Cholesterol 144

A1C: 5.3%

Coming Attractions: Sleep studies and TMD