Health update

 

I am sorry that it has been so long since I have updated regarding my health. Things have actually been improving now that I have worked closer with my homeopath. I will try to explain it the best I can however it does require a basic knowledge of homeopathy as a whole.

 

Homeopathy works on the premise of like cures like. For example someone with a bee sting or allergy may use honey to calm the reaction since they come from the same source. Someone who has seasonal flower allergies may use lavender oil to help soothe their itchy eyes and someone with food poisoning may take Arsenicum Album as if you ingested straight arsenic you would get the same gastro intestinal results.

 

For years I have taken tarantula for my PPD and mood swings however I had never tried the LM dosages and the max dose taken was a 1M (highest form that is readily available without contacting a pharmacy in pill form). We started on the 1 LM and have now progressed to LM2. As more discussions have gone on between us it has always caused confusion that I am not a true “spider” remedy. Spiders are known for being cold and emotionless and if you know anything about me I am quite opposite; with the exception being my PPD worst 4 years ago. I am bubbly and through these remedies have cried at things for the first time in 10+ years.

 

We kept circling and one day while I was going through my symptoms yet again my homeopath chimed in that she has another patient that has been treated for Lyme and my case sounds identical; flu symptoms, weakness etc. A tick is an arachnid just like a spider! Eight legs and all!

Anyone else seeing the connection?

I have gone and have been tested by my doctor with the very basic CDC test and it has popped negative. Our next steps are to try the Lyme nosode ( basically try to “give” me Lyme) to see if we can kick it. If it is not the right remedy nothing will happen but I am very hopeful. There is also a huge detox program involved with Lyme and I have begun that process already. Between the detox and being on level 2 of tarantula I could not have been feeling better. I am still having slight flares however it is nothing to what it was before. I have moved furniture all day and still been able to hike the following day. I have been able to walk the zoo without being in a wheelchair. I can come home from work and still do a lesson or 2 with the kids without collapsing. I can be intimate with my husband and not feel eeky and in pain.

I know I will never be 100% healed and will never be rid of this illness however my quality of life has improved greatly. My husband has his wife back and my kids have a mother that can actually do things. I have read books (finally finishing the Fellowship of the Ring which has been on my list for 13 years!), participated in 2 craft swaps, and worked overtime at work.

 

God is amazing in the things he has accomplished and the knowledge and wisdoms he has given Rebecca. I am so grateful for both and knowing I have my life back.

 

 

Thanksgiving thanks

Some time to reflect on the last week and share some things that have made me grateful.

 No time to be depressed when you are happy for what you have.

**********************

 

 

...a certain Giddy boy falling asleep on his own with no rocking, nursing or nonstop singing... bittersweet.

...a best friend coming to visit and spending most of the time entertaining my littles so I could make a necessary phone call for a new doctor.  No hesitation for doing Nanners hair or making Christmas Crack with them.

...the old lady still being with us for another holiday. She experienced another stroke recently so we are blessed she is still alive

...a successful discharge from my IOP program.

...beginning work again although I'm still not asleep as of yet, and should be, I am super excited. 

.....I am very happy I work for such an understanding company regarding my leave and people were squealing to see me back in the office. 

 

 

... finding a brand new homeopath and getting off the mood stabilizers with no bad effects. The RXs gave me nothing but issues but I feel this new homeopath might have some great insight to help me. 

... for a devoted husband. I know I often don't say it enough but he has stood by my side through everything.  He has put up with borderline verbal abuse and mood swings from hell. I know I have not been the easiest to deal with and I am grateful that he has put up with  my crap and doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.

 

 

back to our regular scheduled programming

Some time to reflect on the last week and share some things that have made me grateful.

 No time to be depressed when you are happy for what you have.

**********************

having more time to art journal and learn more scripture to aid in my mental health mess. God loves taking a mess and making it into something beautiful.

flowers I bought myself. Self care is important you know right?

  

a trip to Cantigny for the last time until next year. This is one of our favorite places to go due to the location and price however they are doing renovations and the tanks and museum will be down until next summer.

 

doggies all dressed up nice for Halloween...

 

 

not more damage to my oven or myself when I had burst a pan in the oven. I had not put enough water and it made the glass get hot enough to shatter.  This experience was  good bonding time with Koda as she helped me clean before it all glued and baked to the bottom of the oven. 

hearing Nanners read...

 

cuddles with Magnar as the other dog watches on....

 

one of the running jokes in our house was you weren't truly crazy until you were seeing pink elephants in the room. One weekend I took a trip to Springfield to see a crunchy friend from a Facebook group and sure enough I past Pinkie. I had to do a double take of course as it is bad enough to see a pink elephant but one that drinks martinis and wears glasses...

mental health update...

After a visit to my primary care it was decided I should start a new antidepressant. Since I have a bad reaction to most we chose to check in weekly until I could see a psych. Another crash soon followed and Randy and I decided to pay a visit to the emergency mental health facility. After a detailed review we were stuck between going inpatient for immediate assistance or starting the partial hospitalization program. We decided to do the PHP as the boys birthday was this weekend, I am still nursing and I was not an immediate risk.

I began the program Friday and am unsure if it will be the best choice. I will be discussing my concerns with my case manager on Monday to see if this or another program may be in my best interest.


I have also been taken off the antidepressant as it can make my thoughts worse and swapped to a mood stabilizer. We are attempting to see if this will be the better choice as no antidepressant has worked in the past. Unfortunately this has forced us into weaning Giddy this weekend. There are no mood stabilizers that are currently approved to breastfeed with safely, even after reviewing with Infant Risk, that will work with the speed and intensity needed.

our last nursing session

We were close to weaning as is as he only nursed at night for sleep and in the middle of the night.  It is more painful for me than anything as I hate hearing him cry and knowing I can not comfort him in the way he is looking for. He will sleep with the girls until fully weaned to avoid any temptation for myself or him. I was not anticipating this so it struck me out of left field and overwhelmed me.

Today was the boys birthday party and I decided with all of these new changes that I would follow it up with a new hair do. I have wanted short hair for over a year and no stylist would help as I can't commit to upkeep. A newer stylist friend decided to do it for me while the kids played and chopped most of it off. Nothing permanent as hair grows back but enough of a change to feel like a "new me".

Please continue praying for my family and I as these are big changes for us and overwhelming.