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...)