Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to every one of you!

Let's all remember the reason for the season, which is getting our loved ones together and spending time with the ones we don't often get to see.

Just think, some people may be alone today, or may not have any family members living. So if you are lucky enough to be with your friends and family, you have a lot to be thankful for.

I wanted to share this picture that I made. I was on my college campus and saw this gorgeous butterfly this fall. I then put one of my favorite hymns of all time on it called Sanctuary, which I thought was very appropriate for this holiday. This photo brings me happiness and peace, and I hope that it spreads a feeling of joy to every one of you.

May love follow you this holiday season,

*Today's Happy Thought: HOMEADE FOOD! (How lucky we are to have enough food to fill our bellies today, and then have leftovers for a few days after!)

Update : My Life Has Started!

I know I have not written in FOREVER, so this post is long overdue! I have to tell you all about my exciting adventures, and by exciting adventures I mean sitting at home and studying. ;)

I got accepted to college! And as many of you know, this is a major step after my illness! I feel like my life is finally starting again!

I ended up getting a small apartment near my school. They call it a "studio apartment" because it sounds so elite, but really it is just a small room. I literally have a room with my kitchen, bed, and desk in it; and then I have a closet and bathroom. That's it! And you know what, that's all I need. My life is officially simplified from my pack-rat ways, and I LOVE it! It's a really cozy little place right in the center of my town, so I have cute shops all around me. My building actually used to be an old workshop, so my floors are really old wooden floors, which gives a nice vibe. I wouldn't trade my apartment for the world!

While moving into my apartment before school started, I got hit in the head with a huge shelf I was transporting. I was driving my SUV with my wooden shelf in the back trunk and when I made a right turn it smacked me on the right side of my head. Of course it was the corner that got me, so blood was everywhere! It was a nightmare. I ended up getting a staple on the site of the cut, thankfully without having to shave off any of my hair. I ended up having to go back to the ER though because a few days later I ended up developing a 103 degree fever. No fun! So I was on "supportive care" and bed rest before school started, and it was torture! Receiving a concussion was not how I planned to spend the last bit of my summer and it was definitely not how I pictured beginning school this semester. But everything turned out well. :)

The more I live and learn, the more I am starting to realize that life sometimes just does not go our way and life can be unfair. In a world like ours we need to learn to be flexible and go with the flow. So, here I am just trying to manage... which is difficult for a perfectionist like me! Remember, health ALWAYS comes first! Even if we don't have room to pencil in "bed rest from concussion" into our agendas, you need to listen to your body and your doctors. In the end, it could even save your life.

As for school, it is going amazingly well! I literally have less than a month left of school, and right now I have all A's. I had no idea I had this kind of work ethic in me anymore. I was worried I wouldn't be able to handle all the school stress again, but I am stronger than I give myself credit for. I just needed school to see my capabilities again. I'm even carrying my textbooks with no problem! What a major feat to accomplish!

I applied for the nursing program at my school this semester and I take the pre-nursing test, TEAS test, in January. Fingers crossed! If I get in, I will begin the program next summer. It's so close! I feel like I am fighting for my life here, because nursing isn't just my career, it's my passion! I just keep telling myself that God will open the right doors for me for whatever path He decides is best for me.

I have met the most amazing people at my school, and I am so thankful that I have found such admirable, caring friends. It's truly a blessing. We have been each other's rock, and I love my new little family.

As far as Weight Watchers goes, I have been so busy with school it has been nearly impossible to make it to the weekly meetings, and I also have been slacking on my points counting. After about 2 months, I finally went to a meeting and weighed in this past week. Believe it or not, I have maintained! Though I haven't lost weight, I am proud to say that even though I have been struggling with school demands, I have incorporated healthy habits that cause me not to weight gain! But I am officially back to serious counting now. I think I can handle both points counting and school stress now that I am becoming more comfortable with my schedule.

I have missed writing to you so much! Let's talk again soon. I promise I'll be better about it now that I am acclimated to my new demands from school life. I really feel like my life is starting again and it's a wonderful feeling! I am so happy for you to join me on this journey.

Take care,

          
(New beginnings deserve new signatures, right?!) <3

*Today's Happy Thought: YOUR BED (There is just nothing better than sleeping in your own bed with fresh, clean sheets.) :)

It's Happening... Weight Watchers

It's not a diet - it's an eating plan!

Why it works: you eat everyday food! It's not like NutriSystem where you can only eat their supplied food. It is just you, going to the grocery store, going out to eat with friends, and eating a piece of birthday cake at a party. Because, let's get real, no one wants to show up to a family BBQ with a frozen entrée dinner you have to eat from your diet company. This is for real people with real lives and I love it!!

Looking back on my 2013 new year's resolutions list, I talked about how I wanted to think about my appearance more, and I have definitely done that. I get up and get dressed in cute clothes and actually think about what I am going to wear in the morning. But now it's time to think about a different type of appearance - my body.

Though most people cannot believe it when I say it, I need to lose 100 pounds. I am way over my BMI (body mass index), which means I am too heavy for my height. When you tell most people that you are changing your eating habits and need to lose weight, they say, "Oh no! You are beautiful! You look great! You don't need to lose anything!" (At least that's what I hear.) Well, truth is, I DO need to lose weight. It's not a matter of beauty or how you look, it's about your health!

Losing weight can help you feel better and battle illness, which sounds like pretty good perks to me! Over time, excess weight can cause joint damage, because your body has to carry around the extra weight all of the time, and it can cause heart/lung problems, because your heart and lungs are trying to keep up with having to carry the extra body weight. Plus there are many more issues that can occur. (Just turn on TLC and watch one episode of My 600-Pound Life. You will see the impact your weight can have on your health and quality of life.)

I have to literally lose almost half of myself. It isn't a vanity thing (though I will definitely look way better at a healthier weight!), but it is a health thing. By eating right, and knowing how to splurge on bad-for-you foods like cookies and ice cream, I know I can give my body the proper nutrition and still enjoy the things I love. Since I have been sick with my illnesses, it's time that I start taking better care of myself and be more conscientious about what I put in my mouth! Who knows, this diet change might not only better my nutrition, it may even help me to lessen the affects of my illness! :)

I started Weight Watchers on January 2, 2014. I lost 5 pounds in the first week! And now in the beginning of July, I am proud to announce that I have officially lost -31.6 pounds total so far! That's a lot considering I have only been on the program for 6 months!! I cannot wait to see what happens within this year!

So, -31.6 lbs. down, 68.4 lbs. to go! (That number sounds way better than 100!) I am so excited to be sharing my weight loss journey with you! Thank you for all of your support every step of the way! It means so much to me!

Until next time, go enjoy a yummy, well-balanced meal! (Grilled fish with zucchini and rice anyone? I'm obsessed with that right now!)

Chelsea <3

*Today's Happy Thought: SNACKEEZ! (It's such a simple idea, a cup and a bowl in one, but it is pure genius! Why didn't I ever think of it?!)

 

My Story... And It's Only the Beginning

Maybe some of you have forgotten what is wrong with me, or maybe you never knew, but I feel like I should tell you, because that is the whole reason why I have started this blog.

The reason why I am going through all of these therapies and trying new ways to reduce discomfort is because I have been diagnosed with two severe illnesses. They are not life threatening, but they are a threat to my quality of life, which is threatening to my life and how I live it.

I was diagnosed with an inflammatory condition that spans throughout my entire chest and upper torso. It affects my muscles, cartilage, and all tissues in my upper body. Doctors did not believe that I was physically sick; they thought I was mentally unstable because none of the tests they ran showed signs of illness. They referred me to psychiatrists and diagnosed me with Anxiety and Depression. Since it took the doctors over a year to diagnose my inflammatory diagnosis, the condition caused further damage to my body. The inflammation caused the nerves in my body to become agitated and damaged. (Nerve pain is the worst!) And since nerves are all over the body, the damage spans throughout my entire body too, causing me yet another painful diagnosis. One condition caused by the other. If it was not for my rheumatologist I would have never gotten the help I need. I thank him from the bottom of my heart.

This journey I am on is more than just a road to figuring out how to deal with my aches and pains every day. It is more than diets and therapies and medications - it is deeper than that. I am also having to psychologically move past the fears and resistances in my head towards a new life with my conditions. My whole life has been turned up side down and I've been questioning the direction my life is headed and if I am pursuing the right career for me. And more importantly, this has been a spiritual journey, one with dark and depressing times, where I did not feel God was there and that I was just sitting in the dark all alone. This illness has dared me to question who I am, what I stand for, what I want out of life, and if I am ready to stand up and fight for it. And until recently, I didn't have the strength, the faith, or the passion to care about moving on with my life and fighting to survive. But after some major soul searching and creating my own philosophies on life, I have become anew. I have had some major epiphanies. I know that I will have to live my life with these pains, and every day I feel something horrible and new, and it's scary, but I am accepting that and moving on. I deserve to live my life with happiness and joy, and no stupid illness is going to hold me back from my dreams!

I have definitely learned that I want to be the kind of nurse that believes in my patients. In nursing school they taught us that you should always believe that if your patient says that they're sick in pain, you should believe them. It's appalling to know that so many healthcare professionals don't concur with this training. And because of their apathy and business card handouts to psychiatrists, I now have TWO conditions that affect my entire body. Though it has caused me to be too sick to complete my senior year of nursing school, I know nursing is the career for me and I am going back to get my BSN degree! God has helped me through this illness, he makes sure I wake up every morning, and I believe he will help me use my experiences to advocate for and better understand my patients. I am using my illness as a tool to help others, not treating it as the end-all diagnosis.

I will be triumphant. I already am. Every step I take in the grocery store is even an achievement. (In the beginning of my illness's diagnosis I couldn't even go to the grocery store!) As I embrace my new body I embrace a new way of life, and I have a new positive attitude and some spunk that goes with it! Confidence is key, and I have full faith that my journey will take me to right where I need to be.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey. Through the good times and the bad times you have stood by my side and I appreciate it more than words can say. You are all amazing and I cherish your love.

Now go out there and inspire the world!

Chelsea <3

*Today's Happy Thought: OPTIMISM!

Cabbage Therapy Review

Hello fellow Cabbage Patch Kids! I am here to give you my honest opinion and the result of the cabbage therapy I have recently been trying. Have any of you tried it yet? I would love to see what you think of it!

I tried this therapy quite a few times, actually. I think it is best to test a product out multiple times so you can get a more true-to-life answer on how it works. I ended up using cabbage therapy in the evenings for 2-4 hours at a time. I hurt worse at night when it is the end of my day, so that is when I chose to implement the use of cabbage therapy. The length of time the therapy was applied for was basically determined on how bad my pain was at the end of the day - the more intense pain needed the longer amount of time.

I followed the same instructions for the therapy that I gave you all in my previous post. I would apply the cabbage leaves to the desired area and then hold them in place with plastic wrap. I applied my therapy to my upper arms and shoulders, which is where I have been hurting the most lately. Since that is the case, I would sit down and work on paper and computer work because I didn't want to do too much moving and cause the leaves to slide off of my arm. I would then remove the cabbage whenever I felt my pain had subsided.

After multiple tries, I have decided that this is a therapy I would definitely recommend and will continue to use. At first I was very skeptical, as most probably are, but now I am a believer in cabbage! I am going to relate this to Arnica, a lotion I have posted a review on before, because, like Arnica, cabbage therapy works best on muscle pain, not as much on nerve pain. Nerve pain is a special, different kind of discomfort, but when it comes to painful, inflamed muscles the cabbage can really do the trick. This is definitely a cheap therapy that has helped me to sleep through the night on even some of the worst nights. Though this might not be able to cure your sharpest, worst pain, it can dull it down to a manageable level, which is pretty awesome considering it's a vegetable!

The only negative comment I can say about cabbage therapy is that you might smell like cabbage during use. Since your body is about 98.5 degrees, placing cabbage on your body can warm up the veggie and "cook" it slightly to the point where you can smell it, but once the leaves are removed the smell is gone.

I am pleasantly surprised it worked so well; it is a home-remedy that I will be sure to continue. Keeping cabbage around will definitely help me to eat this food more regularly, which is a plus because it is very healthy for you!

Have you tried cabbage therapy yet? If so, I would love to hear how it works for you! If not, go ahead and give it a try! What have you got to lose?!

Thank you guys so much for reading and I will talk with ya soon!

Chelsea <3

*Today's Happy Thought: SPRINGTIME (The trees are green, the flowers are blooming, and the critters are out and singing all day. Pure bliss.)

This is what I love to do on the weekends! I prop up my feet
and enjoy my beautiful backyard! I love this time of year!
[Photo By: Chelsea <3]

Cabbage Therapy

The time has come! Cabbage therapy is finally happening! I found the green cabbage leaves needed to test this therapy out and I am so excited to share my experience with you all! I hope you guys are as excited about it as I am, because I am super stoked!

Cabbage has been used topically and internally throughout hundreds of years in history because of its anti-inflammatory effects. It is supposed to help heal the body and lessen pain. Cabbage therapy has become quite popular recently and has even been mentioned on the television show The Doctors. As a greater number of people are searching for homeopathic-type routes to medicine, these more at-home treatments will easily become popular home remedies for many families. What I am trying to do is experiment with the idea that cabbage fights pain and see if it works as well for me as it does for others.

The cabbage therapy I am planning to test out is the topical therapy, which is when you place the outer green leaves of the cabbage on a painful area of the body to reduce pain. Below are the step by step directions you can follow to try the topical cabbage therapy out for yourself. (All of the photos listed are of me going through the steps too!)

So, here goes nothin'. :) Let's put this cabbage to the pain-killing test!

STEPS TO TOPICAL CABBAGE THERAPY

Step 1: Find a green head of cabbage. The greener the better! (The greener the leaves, the more nutrients and anti-inflammatory factors it contains.)

Step 2: Remove the outer green leaves from the cabbage. Only use the outside leaves because they are the greenest!

Step 3: Pull out a sheet of plastic wrap and place it on a hard, flat surface.

Step 4: Place the cabbage on the plastic wrap.

Step 5: Take a rolling pin, or a similar type object, and roll over the cabbage leaves with firm yet gentle pressure. (I ended up using a can of pineapple juice!) The point to this step is to roll over the leaves just enough until the "juice" is released.
Take note: once you see liquid you must stop rolling, otherwise you will lose too much of the juice and the therapy will be unsuccessful.

Rolling on top of the cabbage leaves.

What the cabbage leaf should look
like once the juice is released.
(It may be hard to see the liquid via photograph.)

Step 6: Place the rolled out cabbage leaves on desired area of the body. Hold the leaves in place for as long as it takes to feel relief. (I am placing the cabbage on my arm and using plastic wrap to keep my leaves from moving.)

Step 7: When the pain has subsided, remove the leaves from the area.

FIN!!

I will give you an update on how well I felt cabbage therapy worked for me after a few trail runs! I am keeping my fingers crossed that this is successful! If cabbage can help relieve my aches and pains, this will be fabulously cheap medicine! ;)

Until next time, go buy some cabbages!!

                                                       Chelsea <3

*TODAY'S HAPPY THOUGHT: Organization
(Nothing feels better than knowing that everything is put away in its rightful place and your world is tidy and neat.)

I Am Titanium!

My my my. It has been a while since we have last spoken! Happy, late, 2014! I hope you are all doing well and are enjoying the new year!

Cabbage Update: I am still on the hunt for green cabbage. I hope to make a farmer's market trip in the near future. it's about 45 minutes away from where I live, but I am determined to see how cabbage therapy works and to give you guys my honest opinion! So hold tight, I haven't forgotten!

Today I really want to talk about anger. I know for most of you anger is a natural thing. Something happens that makes you frustrated and then you feel anger. Well, I have to admit, anger is one of the most foreign feelings I've ever had in my life! Never do I feel angry! I have always been the type of person who is more sensitive than that, so instead of anger I felt: foolish, embarrassed, frustrated, sad, disappointed, wounded... but angry?! NEVER! Except since this past year when I discovered my illness.

I guess it all comes from the stages of grief. An illness, whether chronic or terminal or short-term, can cause major grief. You have lost the life of good health, sometimes forever, and you then spiral into the stages of grief, which are 1) Denial and Isolation 2) Anger 3) Bargaining 4) Depression 5)Acceptance.

You would think that after over a year of knowing and understanding my illness that I would be at the acceptance stage by now, and I have to say I am, but for some reason I keep regressing back to stage 2, anger. It's as if all of the anger I should have felt throughout my 24 years of life has all been compacted into one big burst of energy and it just decided to come out now.

I feel like I have the right to be angry!! I had a beautiful life with an amazing future. I was in college, I was in my senior year of nursing school, I had a great potential job at the hospital I completed my externship, and then.. BOOM! It all came crashing down. I suddenly was so sick I couldn't complete school. I had to leave nursing school right before the end of my first semester of senior year, and who knows what the hospital floor I worked on will think about me now. And worst of all, I have to completely START OVER NURSING SCHOOL! And as far as transferring to another college, most likely I will have to RETAKE classes that don't transfer over. Reason for some extreme anger? YES. Undoubtedly.

But in my heart I know that a nursing life is the path God has chosen for me. I want to help others. I want to be someone that can help comfort the sick. I want this profession where you can learn something new every day and touch the hearts of your patients. It is my passion and I'm not going to let anyone, or some illness, stand in my way! Even my doctor believes that I can become a nurse and have a nursing career. I will be triumphant. They always say that the best things in life are those worth waiting for, and no matter how long it takes me, I know nursing will be worth waiting for.

Sometimes you must take your anger and expend its energy upon something entirely different than yelling and throwing fits, like I have used mine to empower myself and guide me towards my destiny - nursing.

I have just applied to a college near my house and, I am happy to announce, I have just received my acceptance phone call from the office of admissions! Whoo-hoo! I will have to take a few pre-nursing courses and core classes, but I am already on my way. I am not accepted into the nursing program yet, but all I can do is push forward and tackle school one class at a time. It's not time to get apply for the program yet, so I'm just staying focused on the present. I am tired of watching life move on with me in a rut at home. I'm ready to get going and make things happen! I plan on working harder than I have ever worked before because this is my life, and I want it back!

Never lose hope. And never let an emotion take over your life. Use your emotions as fuel for the better side of you to shine. If you do that, you will succeed, one little challenge at a time.

Until next time, STAY STRONG! Xoxo,

                                    Chelsea <3

Today's Happy Thought: SNOW DAYS (We just had ours in Georgia. Snow makes everything more magical!)

I took this photo in our front yard. Thought it was beautiful!
(Photo used from my Instagram.)