Nopalea, Detox Diet, Medical Testing, and Cabbage - Oh My!

    Hello everyone! My oh my, do I have a lot to catch you up on! I have had many medical tests done, tried some new therapies, and of course have my opinions of them all! :)

    First off, I am officially off of the Nopalea challenge. I didn't feel a significant benefit from the juice drink. Physically, I felt about the same. Actually, about a week after I started the regimen I became severely nauseated. It was to the point where I almost couldn't stomach to eat dinner each night. I kept telling myself that it was probably just from my pain, but after I had taken the Nopalea for a month, I realized that I shouldn't be having pain. I went off of the Nopalea, and my nausea magically disappeared. I believe that I was sick from the Splenda sweetener used by the manufacturer. Evidently many people cannot handle artificial sweeteners other than sugar, especially if you have an Eastern European background. My father and I cannot eat it, so I guess it's all in the genetics for us.     Nopalea was quite a money strain, so it is kind of nice to be off of it. Four bottles were $140, and that lasted about a month, so it really broke the bank. My suggestion to anyone out there who wants to give it a try is to do it if you wish, but start with just one month. It might work for you, but it surely didn't work for me, and even added extra burden to me physically.

    I was on my detox diet for about three months. I was very run down from it. My body had no energy without having the carbs I was used to having. I had to eat a lot of rice, such as rice flour and rice milk, to substitute for the items taken out of my diet. Part of the detox diet was gluten free, but majority of the gluten free options could not work for me because I still couldn't have sugar, dairy, or soy products. Most of the gluten free products out there are made with potato starch and soy, and since I couldn't have either of those in my diet my gluten free foods variety was extremely limited. I like to call the detox diet a Paleolithic-like diet. Paleolithic diets are all about eating things as close to the earth as possible, so nothing processed. It is supposed to mimic the diet that those of our fore- fathers in the Paleo era would eat - so veggies, meat, and roots.

    Though the detox diet was extremely difficult with all of the limitations I had, it was also a very positive experience for me. The diet really helped me to start over and add foods back to see what made me sick. I found that spicy foods, peppers, and caffeine were all negative foods for me. They each triggered me to feel sick. With my nerve problem, it is very good not to drink caffeine because it can cause painful and abnormal nerve firing. I am proud to say, since I first started the detox diet, I have had no caffeine to drink. I was addicted to Coke while in nursing school, so this is a MAJOR deal for me. I actually feel better by making healthy drink choices. The diet also helped me to make healthier food choices too. Really thinking about what you put in your body as fuel is important, and this diet helped me to evaluate and change all that I was doing wrong.

 

    I also had a ton of medical testing done on me. My tests showed that my immune system is very low and I am more susceptible to illness at the time. In fact, one of my tests showed that I have an extreme amount of Candida (yeast) in my body. I also have Streptococcus in my system as well - yes, the same stuff as strep throat! It is really scary to think about how sick I have been, but it's scarier to know that the reason I have been is because my body is not performing the way it should. Right now I am really trying to fix my body's deficiencies and boost my immune system.
    I went to the dentist and my doctor was completely alarmed by my x-rays. My always perfect teeth had about 10 washed away spots where the enamel has been impaired. I was beyond distressed. My dentist told me that when you go on as many medications as I have and have such a drastic change in health as I have encountered that all of the chemicals in the body change, even down to the saliva in your mouth, and that’s what caused this. I have some of the best oral hygiene habits out of everyone that I know, but not even flossing every night made a difference, and that just scares me. I am now on prescription toothpaste and have even more intense oral hygiene routines. I literally take 20 minutes to clean my teeth every night. It just really drives home the point we always learn in nursing school: oral hygiene in our patients is super important. Now I really see just how severely illness can affect overall oral health, even in those who have good habits.
    It is an eye opener for me to see so many physical aspects of my life change since my illness, but I am glad that they can be addressed and rectified, and they were found before they had gotten any worse.

   So there is the 411 on my life up until this point. You might be interested to know about the cabbage therapy I had mentioned at the end of my last post, and I am so excited to tell you all about it! I have yet to try it myself, but I hope I will be able to do it soon and share it my next upcoming entry!
    I had first heard about cabbage therapy from the custodians at my father’s work. What you are supposed to do is find the really dark green leaves of the cabbage, use a rolling pin to roll over the leaves until a sort of liquid seems to release from the veins, and then apply the leaves to the pained and swollen body part. You leave it on for a few hours or overnight and then you should feel the relief! It sounds silly, doesn’t it? Well, believe it or not, I have actually done some research on it and it might be more helpful than one might first assume. It not only helps with aching muscles and pains, but lactating mothers with tender, swollen breasts have been known to use the therapy as well. The benefits of cabbage can even be traced back to the Egyptians! The reason it has been so difficult for me to complete this therapy is because I am having an extremely hard time finding the really dark green leaves of the cabbage. By the time the cabbages get to the stores here, they are delivered with the outer green leaves trimmed away. So at the moment I’m on the hunt for a produce store that might be able to help me!
    Thank you for those that read this extremely long entry. I’m sorry it has been so long since I have posted anything, but now we are all caught up and we can continue on this health-filled journey ahead of us! J And as always, I would love to hear from you! If you have anything to add or have any questions for me, or even have a therapy you would like to talk about, comment away!
Until Next Time,

                  Chelsea <3

*Today's Happy Thought: LOCKS OF LOVE (I just recently donated 18" of my hair to this organization. This was my third time donating and I am sure it will not be my last! I'm just so excited to help a child in need.) <3


BEFORE

 

AFTER

The Detox Diet... [Dun, Dun, Dun!]

    So, my mother has taken me to a homeopathic doctor. I'm kind of skeptical of the homeopathic route, since I have background and training in traditional medicine, but the doctor has placed me on a detox diet, and I'm trying it. What's a detox diet? Well, it is a food plan that gets rid of the foods that cause the most inflammatory responses in the body, for most people. By clearing foods away from your daily diet and drinking plenty of water, it helps to clear the body of unnecessary chemicals and toxins and regain a normal, natural balance. The doctor is going to evaluate how I respond to taking these certain foods out of my diet and also how I do when I gradually bring them back into my diet. Incorporating the foods back into daily meals is the true test as to what foods might be affecting my health, i.e. I get sick when I eat something I haven't had in a while. I am going to list the foods that are taken out of my diet and explain the doctor's reasoning behind each.

    Forbidden foods:

• White potatoes/white rice/pasta... These are not as healthy as sweet potato and brown rice alternatives.
• Any wheat, oat, or grain product - so gluten-free, which means no bread or cereal... Even if you don't have Celiac Disease (have a gluten antigen/intolerance) you can have an intolerance.
• Pork... Because no matter how much you cook it, you can never get rid of all the "parasites and bacteria" from it.
• Anything not organic... Because we want things to be as natural as possible, without chemicals.
• Peanuts... these can cause much inflammation in the body.
• Dairy (except for goat or sheep products)... Dairy from cow's milk is full of antibiotics, which can be harmful to the body.
• Sugar... By substituting for agave or Stevia, you will have a lower glycemic index sweetener with less chemical processing from the original, organic product.
• Soy... This is supposed to cause a higher amount of estrogen levels in women, which can have harmful effects.
• Caffeine... It's a chemical, so it's a no-no.

    I know, that's pretty much everything in the American food pyramid, right? I cannot even begin to tell you how hard it is to shop... or how expensive it is. Did you know that even the dairy-free and gluten-free options have sugar in them? That's probably the hardest thing of all, the no sugar rule. Sour cream, even chicken broth, have sugar in them! I can't believe even regular, gluten-free Chex cereal has sugar! Sugar is in everything!!! No wonder Diabetes is becoming more rampant than ever.. It's amazing to really take a look at the food labels of the products you have always eaten. You should try taking a look, it just might surprise you.
    So I have been eating a lot of corn, veggies, fruit, and meat. Oh, and WATER! Drinking lots of water each day is very important to this detox diet because it helps to cleanse the body. It is just important not to over drink. If you drink too much water, cells can abnormally swell and you can get very sick. It is also not good to overload your heart with too much fluid, which can cause blood pressure to rise.
    I have been on the detox diet for a week now. I have a few simple tests to run before I go back and see the doctor, so I will be on this diet until that next visit. So far, I have felt extremely run-down and tired on this diet. I have even been feeling a little sick. I have actually been in bed all weekend and have been feeling too exhausted to really accomplish any of my chores. Not sure if this is a common side effect of this diet or not, but it has definitely not been the most pleasant. I hope it is just my body adjusting to the change.
    In the meantime, I will keep you updated on what's happening with the diet and any new discoveries I may come across. I actually just heard an NPR radio newscast about how, over time, gluten-free diets can be hazardous to your health if you do not have Celiac Disease (gluten intolerance). This is because grains are an essential part of a healthy diet, and if you can eat it, you should! People have been getting ill because they have been depriving themselves of grains. All I have to say is, they don't call bread "the staff of life" for nothing!
    This being said, never start a diet, like this detox diet, without a doctor's consent first. Diets like these can be very problematic if the proper care is not taken to fit each individual's needs. Close supervision may be required.
    Have you started a detox diet? Have anything to say about my past entries? Have anything to say about yourself? If so, I would love to hear from you! :)

Until next time, grab some really green cabbage and look for my next post, because we are going to try Cabbage Therapy! And nope, that is not made up!

                                             Chelsea <3

*Today's Happy Thought: DISNEY'S ROBIN HOOD
(It's probably one of the most forgotten animated films Disney has, but I love it! And I think the song "Love" is one of the greatest love songs ever written. <3)

"Love" written by Floyd Huddleston and George Bruns, and sung by Nancy Adams

Love
It seems like only yesterday
You were just a child at play
Now you're all grown up inside of me
Oh, how fast those moments flee

Once we watched a lazy world go by
Now the days seem to fly
Life is brief, but when it's gone
Love goes on and on

Love will live
Love will last
Love goes on
And on and on

Once we watched a lazy world go by
Now the days seem to fly
Life is brief, but when it's gone
Love goes on and on

For My Little Lady

    It is overdue that I write to you this entry. The good thing is I have been feeling pretty well and have been doing a little bit more than usual. The bad thing is that my being occupied keeps me averted from blogging. But never fear, because I am now back! :)
    I want to tell you about my Valentine's Day. Yes, Valentine's. You might be one of those people who thinks Valentine's is all about boyfriends and girlfriends and pretty jewelry, or that it is about Hallmark and all other major gift companies and their ways of earning money. You may be indifferent, but I have to tell you, Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays.
    No, I do not have a boyfriend, and I don't believe this holiday is reserved for only significant others. No, I don't believe it is all about companies making big bucks, well, probably no more than any typical day. To me, Valentine's is a day to show who we love and care about why we love and care about them. Sure, you might love them every day, but everyone needs a special moment to feel appreciated and know that they are important in someone's life.

    I am dedicating this post to my beloved baby girl, my Lady Kensington. Kensea, for short, was my sweet and adorable Samoyed. The Samoyed, also known as Sammy, is a breed of dog that is known for living in cold environments and is highly used for snow sledding. They have white, fluffy fur and are considered a medium-sized dog.
    I had wanted a dog for such a long time, and finally, the summer of my fifth grade year, I had saved up enough money to get the dog of my dreams, a Sammy. I had researched dogs for months, even visited different breeds of dogs to get to know their personalities, but when I came across the Samoyed in my research, I knew that very moment that no dog would be more perfect for me. I didn't even have to meet a real one first. So we went to a reputable pet store and they helped us find a certified Samoyed breeding agency. After a few clicks on his computer a discovery was made. A litter of Samaoyed puppies was just born May 7th, 2001, and that was the one we went for. After a phone call it was all set; we were getting the runt of the litter, a little girl puppy with, as the breeder put it, "the liveliest and cutest personality of the litter."
    At that time we had a cat named Purrsea. We had loved the fact that my name was ChelSEA and our cat's name was PurrrSEA, so we thought that the dog's name should have a -SEA in there too. Chelsea is actually a place in London. We have some friends from London and they helped us name the dog, and they suggested Kensington, based off of Kensington Palace in London. It was the perfect fit. And best of all, we could call her KenSEA for short.
    That momentous summer day I could barely stand it as I ran into the pet store, because my precious puppy had arrived, on an air conditioned truck all the way from Nebraska. And she had a spotted belly and little pink bows in her hair. She had the most gorgeous eyes you have ever seen, the softest fur you had ever felt, and the sweetest smile that could make a million hearts melt. And she was mine.
    For my 11th birthday I had a puppy shower instead of a birthday party. We had everyone bring us puppy items we would need instead of birthday presents and our cake had me and Kensea on it. We went to the pool and had doggie paddle races and everyone got a doggie bag full of fun treats to go home with. It was precious! We even ate out of dog bowls! Everyone loved Kensea, and Kensea loved everyone. She was always such a sweet and caring little pup.
    Kensington was always so regal and classy. She looked like a little lady, a Lady Kensington. Her named fit her as perfectly as she looked; she exuded royalty. And even bigger than her adorable little face was her amazing personality. Samoyeds are the only dogs known to leave their pack for a human, and this definitely showed when it came to Kensea. She was loyal, loving, and ever affectionate. She loved and accepted everybody for who they were. Kensea has never had a bite or growl in her.
    And one thing she loved more than anything in this world was our cat Purrsea. That cat was almost like her mama. She grew up with him. Purrsea ended up getting very sick. He was an orange tabby, and they are very prone to getting vaccination cancer, and unfortunately he developed it. After therapy he got very sick and ended up developing fatty liver disease, which essentially replaces liver cells with fat cells. He was not able to survive, so we had to put him down. One of the saddest days of my life, it was devastating. After much thought, we decided not to let Kensea see the burial of our cat. Every day after Purrsea's death, Kensea would go outside, stand at the top of the yard, and stare in either direction, as if she was looking for something. I have always believed she was looking for Purrsea.
    Kensea was my baby girl. I loved her more than air. We would go everywhere together, and the days we went nowhere, we stayed inside and cuddled together. She was my best friend. She brightened my day whenever I saw her. One of the hardest things I had to do was leave her for college, but you better believe that sweet little girl would run up to the car whenever I would get home! She was always so happy and full of life.
    Kensea started getting really sick, and she was diagnosed soon after with liver cancer. Devastated, we decided to take no action. The mass was the size of a tennis ball by the time we got to it. It was a ferocious, fast-growing cancer, and after what we went through with Purrsea, we didn't want our Kensea to go through that too. Sometimes living your life the way you want to is better than therapy that can kill you.
    Soon Kensea was throwing up everything that she ate and we just knew; today was the day. It just happened to be Valentine's Day. We had someone from the vet come out and put her down. It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. I lost my life that day. Though it was devastating, it was also quite appropriate that she passed on Valentine's Day. It was the humane thing to do and showed her our love for her; to be free of pain and suffering that was never going to end. More importantly, the meaning of Valentine's Day is who Kensea was. Her whole personality was sweet, caring, loving, and she strived to show the ones she loved her unfailing love. I wish to live a life like she lived hers, with such a big, open heart full of so much compassion.
    Even now, a year from her passing, I miss her so badly. I still think of her multiple times a day, but I know that she is in a better place now, and she has finally made it home to her Purrsea. Kensea will always be my little Lady, forever my Valentine.

  
    In honor of Kensea's life, my family and I have decided that we are now going to have an annual Kensea Valentine's dinner. We wanted it to be special and personal, and I think we customized it to her personality perfectly! The following pictures are what we had for our menu, and plan to have every Valentine's holiday:

Since I would call Kensea my pumpKENS,
we had homemade pumpkin soup for our appetizer.

Kensea just adored chicken! And she loved things that were crunchy,
so our entre was crunchy corn flake chicken. She would have loved this! :)

When Kensea was just a small puppy and teething, we gave her frozen carrots to
chew on to ease the pain. We thought that carrots would make the perfect side.

Kensea had such a sweet tooth! She loved her Frosty Paws dog ice cream and
little bites of banana, so our dessert was vanilla ice cream with banana slices.

    It was perfectly delicious! :) The only thing that was missing was her.
Until next time, may we remember the ones that leave footprints, and pawprints, on our hearts, for they are the ones that make life worth living.

                                Chelsea <3

*Today's Happy Thought: SPECIAL MEMORIES
(The joyful ones that make your heart all warm and fuzzy.)

The Power of Friendship

    Hello lovelies! :) I hope all is well and that life is fabulous!! Life is better when you live it the happy, positive way!!!
    Well, I had a wonderful outing with my friends from back at college this past Saturday! I have missed them so much! I had not seen them in three months!
    You know how I can tell a friendship is really grand? When you feel so good being around the ones that you are with, and when you can tell you are cared for as much as you care for them. It was so nice to get such a big roar of excitement the moment I walked in and saw everybody! And everyone wanted to tell me things about their life and hear about mine. We couldn't get enough hugs all night! It is such a marvelous feeling to be loved as much as you love others, and if that is not the way it is, you need to reevaluate your friendships. Even after months of not seeing all of them, our conversations came as naturally as if we had just seen each other yesterday; we were just as engaged and comfortable with each other as ever before. In fact, I have a quote that sums up what I am trying to say perfectly:

    I couldn't ask for better friends! I love them so much! They are the family I chose for myself. Even though we don't get to see each other as often as we would like, they are always calling or texting me to see how I am doing. Even if they need to just talk to someone to vent about something on their mind they give me a call just like they would when I was on campus. It is so nice to not only be remembered, but to also be included, as if I have never left their side. I guess you can move from different locations, but true friendship can never truly leave your heart. I am so blessed to have such wonderful unbiological sisters that I am lucky enough to call my best friends.
    Ever since I have seen my girls this weekend I have felt better than ever! You know, when you are stuck inside the house all of the time you get really depressed and anxious. In fact, you feel worse. You don't even want to go outside and face the world at all, but I went to see the girls; it was a great way to force me to leave the comforts of home. I missed them so much! I haven't been driving, but you know what, I drove over an hour just one way to meet them, and I did great! I feel like I have regained a missing piece of myself now. It has given me the confidence to drive again, just to know that I could drive downtown, in the evening, on a busy weekend and still be alright. It is so nice to regain some of my independence again!
    All of my friends are so supportive of my decision to medically withdraw from school until I can physically handle the workload. And I am so thankful for that! They sre already making plans for me to come stay a week with them at school and go with them on a beach trip for spring break. It's nice to be thought of and included, especially during a most traumatic, struggle-filled time in your life.

    Well, today I went to the doctor, and I drove! :) I went to a neurologist appointment about my weird vision changes I had told you all about previously. It seems, according to my doctor, who was very thourough and detailed, that I am experiencing pre-syncope situations. Syncope is the technical term for "passing out." So I am experiencing these episodes of almost passing out and then don't because he says that my adrenaline is very good at kicking in to keep me from fainting. The good thing is I don't need any medicine for this and it is not related to my current health condition. The bad news is that there is not much that you can do except drink plenty of water and make sure that you deep breathe during times that your blood pressure might drop lower than normal, like when bending over. I also need to turn the hot water down when showering and move more slowly. At least I finally know what is going on and I can put my worries to rest!
    I could not be as strong without the love and support from all of my friends and family! I guess it took this weekend's event to see that I really do need these amazing people in my life because without them I would not be the strong, loving, independent young adult that I am today. None of us are perfect, but with each other we can handle anything life throws at us and stand by each other's side. It really is amazing how powerful friendship can be to heal the heart and strengthen the soul. Friends are such a special blessing! Hold on to them tightly!

Until next time, go hug a friend! Xoxo,
                                             Chelsea <3

*Today's Happy Thought: FUZZY PILLOWS AND BLANKETS

The Strength of Believing

I believe in happiness.
I believe in love.
I believe in being excited about everything in life.
I believe in looking forward to the future.
I believe in friendship.
I believe in having deep conversations with people.
I believe in hugs.
I believe in writing your feelings out on paper.
I believe in smiling, smiling a lot.
I believe that every girl can be a princess.
I believe in rainbows.
I believe in sweets.
I believe in positivity.
I believe in confidence.
I believe in immersing yourself with nature.
I believe in singing.
I believe in surrounding yourself with joy, like a fuzzy pet or those you love.
I believe in celebrating the little things.
I believe in embracing your inner child, no matter your age.
I believe in laughing, so hard until you cry.
I believe in miracles.
I believe in the greater good of people.
I believe that personality is the key to true beauty.
I believe in snuggling.
I believe in taking chances.
I believe in following your dreams.
I believe that everyone has the drive to do what they want to do.
I believe in being yourself.
I believe in sparkles and glitter.
I believe in caring for others.
I believe in the power of helping everyone see they are special and loved.
I believe in having fun.
I believe in faith.
I believe in the magic of believing. <3

What do you believe in? Whatever it may be, stand beside it and live by it every day! Being true to yourself and what your beliefs are is one of the most important things you can do for a happy, fulfilling life!

Until next time, God bless!!

               Chelsea <3

*Today's Happy Thought: SEEING GEESE FLYING IN MIGRATORY FORMATION
(Makes my heart smile!)

The Challenge Begins!

    Hello again dears! I hope everyone is well and happy! :) I am doing pretty well right now, even though my fogginess hasn't gone away yet. It might even be a little bit worse, but eventually you have to accept it for a while and go on with your life.
    So, it has happened. Yesterday I just started the Nopalea Wellness Challenge! Let the journey begin!

    Since the challenge is to take 3-6 ounces of Nopalea each day for 60 days, I decided to take 3 ounces in the morning and 3 ounces in the evening. The juice is fuchsia pink and slightly thick, like the thickness of orange juice with some pulp. It is also very sweet, since it is sweetened with stevia sugar and fruit powders. It has a strange, indescribable aftertaste, but it is probably one of the best tasting supplements out there. It definitely tastes better than what I was preparing myself for! Even if you don't like drinking Nopalea straight, you can mix it in with a smoothie or other drink of your choice. The company does not recommend that you cook with it because the properties of the juice under high temperatures have not been studied. It is best to drink Nopalea chilled. That is what I do; it stays in my refrigerator.
    Are you currently taking the Nopalea Wellness Challenge? Have you tried anything recently that has helped you? Let me know! I would love to hear from you! Any questions for me, or just want to talk? Write me!

Until next time, keep smiling!

                     Chelsea <3

*Today's Happy Thought: COTTON CANDY AND DR. PEPPER LIP SMACKERS CHAP STICK
(My two favorite flavors!)

 

 

Bring On The Challenge!

    Good evening friends! How has your day been today? I hope your day has gone well and has not been too eventful. Even if it hasn't been too hectic, it is now the time to sit down, grab a delicious drink, change into pajamas, and give yourself some "me" time. You deserve it!

    Status update on myself: I have been extremely weary and woozy. Almost like reality and dreams are clashing against each other. I feel so dazed. Definitely not alert and oriented. It's kinda freaky, and it bothers me a little bit. I have even been seeing auras at random times of the day and brightness and certain sounds aggravate me. And on top of all this my legs are still aching from just above the knee down. Migraines? Sinus? Meds? Who knows the culprit.
    I just tried one of the few medicines that are approved for my condition, and it has made me very sick. I have already tried the other ones, to no avail, so I decided to give this last one a try, and it was another dead end. When the side effects are just as bad as the condition itself, or in my case even worse, it is too much to handle to continue on the drug. So now I must battle my illness without the aid of prescription medication, a future that is kind of terrifying.
    There is that really nasty flu bug going around. Many people have even died from it. You know, you hear the news say, "If you are elderly, young, or prone to illness you should be very cautious while out so you do not catch this sickness." Well, now I'm one of the ones at risk! When you realize that you are ill and are more susceptible to foreign invasions of the body because your body is already fighting a battle every day, something inside you snaps. A light bulb goes off that says, "Oh my word, I am one of those invalid, susceptible people." It is a harsh reality.

 

    One of the most amazing experiences I ever had was just in November of last year. I went to Barnes and Noble after a whole day of feeling bad. I finally got to the bookstore around 9pm, still under the weather. I said to myself that I must get out and do something today and not just sulk around inside, I just prayed that there would be a close parking spot so I wouldn't have to walk such a crazy, long distance. Low and behold, as I pulled in a spot appeared right beside the store! And then I walked into the building to get a book on my conditions. The big shocker then happened: my books were in the DISEASE section! Can you believe that?! Oh, the horror. That's a big, harsh reality. "I really wish I could talk to somebody about my feelings who could understand," I thought to myself... And then, suddenly, as I reached for my targeted book, I saw another hand reach for the same book. We both froze and stared at each other for a brief moment and then smiled. We talked a good while. She even said that she had been in bed all day and pushed to go to the bookstore herself! Because of her I am now invited to a support group at a nearby church to discuss coping with our condition. I just have to smile because God is SO good. Even when you don't think he's listening, he's there. It's the tiny miracles that keep my faith alive and my hopes up.
    Faith has been a struggle for me through this whole process, but it has brought me closer to Him then I could ever imagine. I have been scared, angry, and devastated, but I know He is there holding my hand every step of the way. There is this quote I love that helps me get through every day:

 

    So, have any of you heard about Nopalea? If not, let me give you the low down. It is a cactus juice manufactured by Trivita Company. It comes from the Nopal cactus and this juice contains super concentrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory betalins. Betalin is the main ingredient in this drink, but it can also be found in foods such as beets. So why not just eat beets? Because beets do not have as much concentration of the nutrient to be as potent as the cactus juice. The cactus produces purple flowers in the winter and is pollinated by hummingbirds. The plant thrives in subtropical and tropical regions and can be found in the south-western desert regions of the United States and Mexico.

Nopalea bottle.

Nopalea Information and Ingredients.

How Nopalea works in the body.

The Nopal Cactus.

    I have to be honest, have been very skeptical about this, but I have decided to take on the challenge! It is VERY pricey. It costs over $100 for me to get four bottles, but when you are as desperate as me, and it has the potential to even change your life, sometimes it is worth the price. And if it works it is really worth it! My family knows quite a few people who have tried it themselves, and they say it is amazing and that they feel so much better.
    The challenge is to take 3 to 6 ounces of Nopalea per day for at least one month. That is when you will see the results. You will then take maintenance doses for the rest of the time. It is an investment, but I am ready! I am waiting to start the challenge for a few days because I want all of my recent medication to leave my system, but I will let you know about day one of Nopalea! :)

Bring on the challenge!

Until Next Time, Stay Strong!
                 Chelsea <3

*Today's Happy Thought: LISA FRANK
(A childhood favorite and still my inspiration today! If only we could live in one of her dream worlds...)



Chiropractor

    Hello there friends! :] How are you all doing today? I hope well. Too bad it is still raining here, and I mean constantly raining! So you know I have just been feeling great! (Oh, that's sarcasm, by the way. I tend to type like I speak, and sarcasm consists of about 50% of my speech. It just does not tend to transition well into writing.)
    So, I have been going to this chiropractor for about a month and a half now. The one bad thing about my area and these doctor's appointments is that the doctor's offices are all at least 30 minutes away from me. You would think in my highly populated area that we would actually have more specialists and services, but ends up that we only have doc-in-the-box medical care facilities, hospitals, and 24-hour eyeglass services. So, you have to make the trek to Timbuktu.
    You know, driving has been so hard for me. For the one year I had this mystery undiagnosed illness, driving was absolutely terrifying. I was already the unusual preteen/teenager back in the day because I was scared to drive from the start, but when I got sick it was really bad.
    When you don't know if you are dying or not and then you get super bad chest pain, what's the one thing you think of?... Yes, heart attack. And my biggest fear was driving because, "What if I have a heart attack and die? And then I run off the road and hit a tree? Or I hit a person? Or I hit a person with a child who runs into a tree?" Well, you get the irrational ranting, but at the time, it could have been completely rational. When you don't know what's wrong you prepare for anything and everything.
    Thankfully, I can drive. No problem. If I keep my arms up on the wheel for too long it can really start to hurt my arms though, so now I have to drive with my arms down in my lap. I also drive with one arm at a time, so if one gets tired I have the other one to use next. And it's not just with driving. Everything has been altered to accommodate my new restrictions. Basically, it stinks! I say all the time, "I'm too young to feel this old!" And honey, it is so true!

    I really hope these doctor's appointments are worth it though. I have such a hard condition to heal. As my chiropractor says, "It has taken you quite some time to get into the shape you are in, so it's going to take you a while to get yourself out of it." Depressingly so. Bummer. And if you only know the money we have spent on medical care… ugh!
    My chiropractor is so sweet and amazing! I was really nervous about going, and I was sore the first few visits, but I think I am slowly but surely getting better. You can usually tell when you have more good days than bad ones. So for a little over a month I was going three times per week, but just last week he said I didn't have to come in but for only twice a week. Sounds hopeful!

    I was really amazed at how much my condition can be related to the spine. In fact, the only x-rays they took were that of my cervical spine, nothing else besides the upper neck! Evidently that is where the main problems forms, and when you fix it there the rest of the spine falls into alignment.



The Hydra Bed

    So, I get this therapy called hydo bed therapy. It is a warm water massage for your back. It is crazy how much your back itches on that thing! Itching is good though, because that means that your muscles are getting the circulation stimulated better in them, which is done by relaxing the muscle. Then they do the adjustments. They look at the whole spine and use a syringe-like device to "pop" the places on your spine that need to be better stimulated because they are too tense. The device is called an activator, and it actually delivers less intense stimulation than those who do not use it, since the sensations are quickly delivered. Honestly, the sound of the "pop" is more intimidating that the actual feel of it. There is a rubber stopper on the end that makes the impact gentler, and it never impales the skin. It would be just like clicking a pen or a mechanical pencil, just on a larger scale. You can use it everywhere. I have had it used on my jaw, chest, back, shoulders, and knee.

The Activator

Activator treatment.

    So far from my chiropractic therapy, here is what I can tell you. You will be sore and itchy after the first day. It shouldn't be debilitating, but since I have never had any treatment to my back before and I am super tender with my condition, I feel it a little more. You might not be able to see results right away, and results may not be seen every day for you, but in time you will probably see a difference. You might be the one to feel a difference right after the first visit, you just won’t know until you give it a try! I know I have seen a difference in me. It has taken me a little while to tell, but I can feel the results now. If I can get my rest from having to run around to all of these appointments I am fine, otherwise I am just worn out and hurting.
    Have you tried going to a chiropractor? How did it go, or how is it going? Give all of us your feedback! Have any other doctors have you tried and recommend? I want to hear from you!

Until next time, stay strong, drive safe, and be merry! XOXO,

Chelsea <3 (I need to have a personalized signature for my blog, don't you think?)

*Today's Happy Thought: MOOSE!
I love them. :) They look like they smile! I even have the moose Pillow Pets. Obsession? Neh. ;)



Precious! <3

2013 Resolutions

    Today is not the best of days. I am in a lot of pain and have been since yesterday afternoon. The weather is cold and rainy, which is always pretty much a sure sign that I will be down in the dumps physically. If the barometric pressure is high one day it will cause me to be in pain too.
    You know, it is always valuable to have a friend to talk to about how you are feeling and what you are going through. I don't know what I would do without one of my best friends, Lauren. She has sickle call anemia and we seem to have pain during the same times, which I find interesting. She always understands what, "I have had better days," means or, "I'm feeling good for the moment." I'm blessed to not only have such an amazing, loyal friend in my life, but also to have someone that you can closely connect with on a completely different level. Lord knows I have had my fair share of crazy, to say the least, friendships. Sometimes it takes a few tough years to figure out who is worthy of your heart.
    I have made a new year's resolutions list, and one of them is to cut the stress out of my life. If you are in a troubling relationship, it is time to evaluate where you are standing. It is never right for one person to always be suffering for the sake of another. Any relationship should be of equal value, no one should ever be treated superior to another. This has been a hard lesson for me to learn, but with the illness I have been diagnosed with, I have realized that life is too short and precious not to live it happy and amongst those who bring you joy. If they can't lift your spirits up and you are miserable just thinking about them, it's time to let them go. At some point in your life you have to realize that some people are meant to be kept in your heart, but not in your life. Hard lesson.

    My new year's resolutions:
1) Floss everyday, no exceptions.
2) Think about what you are putting in your mouth. Eat healthier!
3) Make health a priority. (It's very difficult to put your health before others, especially for a nurse!)
4) Keep memories, not junk. Throw stuff away and live simply.
5) Start a blog and continue to journal regularly. (CHECK!)
6) Stay organized.
7) Care about your appearance. Dress nice, even on the days you just roll out of bed.
8) De-stress your life. Do what makes you feel free from the stresses of life.
9) Make efforts to do things outside of your comfort zone. You may be pleasantly surprised!
10) Stay happy and positive!
    What are your resolutions?

Arnica Montana

    So, have you heard of Arnica? If not, let me tell you about it. You can buy it at your local GNC nutrition store. It comes in topical cream and gel forms and only costs about $10. It is a natural homeopathic medicine that is good for anything inflammatory, such as: muscle aches, injuries, bruises, pain, stiffness, and sprains. It's also paraben free, for those of you like me with super sensitive skin. The main ingredient that works all the magic is Arnica Montana. This is a plant found in Europe and has been believed to have potent anti-inflammatory properties.
    Personally, I have had varying levels of success with this cream. The reason I went with the cream is because there was a higher concentration of the plant in the cream compared to the gel. I apply it as needed for pain, and have been using it for about a month. I put it over my left shoulder and on my chest for pain. I have noticed that sometimes it works and the pain is gone, and other times it barely does a thing. My feeling on the matter is that it is only working on my inflammation and not on my nerve pain. It is very difficult for me to differentiate between the two most of the time, but it does work on my inflammation-type pain.
    Have you tried Arnica? How did you do with it? Tell me your thoughts about it and how it worked for you! Have questions? I'll try to help you out!

Hugs until next time,

             Chelsea <3

*Today's Happy Thought: STAYING SNUG AND WARM UNDER THE COVERS ON A RAINY DAY :)