My Health Journey

A Trip to Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic. I could write a novel about this place.  The emotions, the medical care, the effect on my family, and the weather.  As you can see below, we went during a crazy time of snow storms and winter weather! Although, I have been managing my pain with essential oils, we were still seeing symptoms and wanted to make sure that the local doctors were not missing a "zebra disease" (a rare, unusual disease that a local doc might not be familiar with or have seen any cases of yet).  So, we packed up our family (2 under 2.5) and headed to the opposite end of the country.  The boys went on a road trip, to drive up the many things it takes to travel with babies, while the girls flew (see picture below).  As I started to write, I wanted…

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Deep Relief {Post # 5 – Using Essential Oils}

It's been a while since I posted, and much has been going on - including a trip to the Mayo Clinic (that will be another post for a different day). But, I have to tell you that this Deep Relief Roll-On has been saving my life.  Literally.About a year ago, I was in crazy, debilitating pain.  I was weeks away from birthing my second baby, and was on self-imposed bed rest.  Walking was essentially an impossibility.  Fast forward post-birth, and my body continued to deteriorate all summer.  The pain was intense, unforgiving and required dramatic changes in my quality of life.  De-stressing and more sleep have been critical to having more success with my body. Then, this past fall I discovered Deep Relief.   Here's all the good stuff in it:   It is so easy to use.  Locate an area,…

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Read more about the article Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

Thursday was Thanksgiving here in America, and there is much for which I am thankful. Many of my friends participate in the 30 days of thanksgiving posts via Facebook or Twitter. I thought I would just summarize my top few.   I am first, and foremost, grateful for my salvation and my Jesus who has paid the penalty for my sin. Second, I am so thankful for my family. For my ever sacrificing, hard-working, Jesus-loving hubby who is always working on ways to love Jesus and his family better. For my two precious kiddos who help me understand God's love for me in new and radical ways, who are such a source of joy and blessing for me, and who have helped me become even more tender and servant-hearted.   Third, I am so thankful for my Dallas friends and family…

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Read more about the article Chasing the Sun

Chasing the Sun

I love sunsets and chasing the sun. As a youth on hot, summer nights in August I remember trying to get those last few minutes out of the daylight as the sun was setting. I was desperately trying to cling to my last few moments of summer while chasing the sun. Watching the colors mix in the sky and seeing the ball of light seemingly fall down over the horizon. To me, this is a picture of the journey with my health. As far as we know, I am not dying. I remain grateful for that. And since I have no formal diagnosis, I know that people are suffering from real debilitating diseases. Yet, the correlation remains. My body is deteriorating. (Actually, everyone is deteriorating. I have yet to meet the person who lives forever!) And my symptoms are real and…

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Read more about the article Confronting my Chronic Pain

Confronting my Chronic Pain

The very first symptom I had on this crazy journey was chronic pain.  Many of my friends have struggled with chronic pain for years, and I have a new appreciation not just for the physical complications that accompany a life of pain, but the toll it can take on you spiritually and emotionally, as well.     For me, the emotional aspect has been a game changer. While it is hard for people you love to watch you in pain; it is just as humbling to have to ask for help. It changes who you are to know you just physically cannot do things you are used to do (managing your household, keeping up with kids, working your job), but it is also very discouraging to have to put your passions and hobbies on the back burner because your body just…

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