Mottos, Books, and Prayer

So last week I said I had to think about my motto for 2014. I've been thinking about it and it wasn't as easy to come up with exactly the right words. Something to encompass where I've been, how far I've come in the last year and where I want to go this year, takes some thought so here it is, my motto for 2014...

"I will strive to grow mind, body, and soul by doing my best with study, practice, and meditation. I will use my God given talents to e the healthiest and happiest as possible , and I will remember to thank God everyday for the blessings I receive and all that I have."

That is the longest motto that I've ever written, but I am full of many emotions and thoughts. My life has changed dramatically since September. I am so thankful for my family and friends and words cannot express how much love I have for them all. Without their support, love and prayers I don't know how I would be able to handle this. I've been angry, happy, anxious, scared, crushed, and lifted up. I literally live day to day without knowing what my day will bring. Since my immune system is so hyped up right now I am constantly changing my routine. My system rules over all. I'm about to start a new treatment plan with the doctors. It's a risky plan from what I'm told, and I've not taken my options lightly. I'm starting methotrexate  in a couple of weeks. That means lots of blood tests to monitor my system and make sure my body is handling the drug okay. Needless to say I'm worried, but if there is any chance that it will help control my system and make life better then I'm willing to try.

I am also reading a book, "The Autoimmune Epidemic" by Donna Jackson Nakazawa. It's a very interesting read and I'm learning a ton. It's a scary, but informative read and I highly recommend it to everyone. My mom told me that she thinks I'm just the tip of the ice berg when it comes to my illness and she thinks with the way this environment is going there will be a lot more people like me in the future. After reading this book, I completely agree with her. Our environment is going to hell in a hand basket an the fallout is hitting the human race hard. Diseases are on the rise like never before and it's all tied to the food we eat, the pollution levels and toxins in the environment. Nakazawa's book fully supports my thoughts on why people are getting sick with crazy diseases and it's down right scary.

Something I'm going to be asking my doctor to do is to check my blood for mercury levels, heavy metals, and toxins. People who have high levels of these have a greater risk of getting an immune disease or it aggravates those who are already sick. Also according to research numbers int eh book, 1 in 12 people in the US has an auto immune disease, and 1 in 9 women specifically have an auto immune disease. The numbers are staggering. She also goes on to say that based on her research, statistically you have more of a chance to get an auto immune disease that cancer or heart disease.

This totally kills me! The information in this book is so mind blowing to me. I completely support tree-huggers now! LOL..but seriously, read this book. It's helping me understand my disease and hopefully I will be more prepared when I get knocked down. To my local peeps, the Mishawaka Bittersweet Library has the book, but I've got it until December 27th.

Another source of good information on immune diseases is Dr. Mark Hyman's website. He is a doctor who specializes in immune diseases and research.

So what's working ans not working for me? It varies day to day, depending on my system. This is my day in a nutshell...
*Get up at 8:45 am, take meds and use sunscreen.
*Go back to bed and let the meds work; I often either sleep or read for awhile.
*Up and moving by 11 am, but I remain in my bedroom as it's the most controlled area for lighting.
*Depending on weather, I start opening the curtains about 6 inches to 12 inches to let the light in around Noon or 1 pm.
* Cook lunch and take the afternoon meds and more sunscreen by 1 pm.
*Usually from 1:30 to 5:30 pm read or craft or do household chores like clean or bills.
*6:30 pm cook dinner and take evening meds but all depends on my system.
*Then in the evening listen to radio shows and play cards by candle light.
*11:30 pm bedtime meds and sleep.

Needless to say I don't get much done and I'm limited by the light levels. Some days I'm in the dark all day long and others I can handle more light.

For now I will close, but I plan to talk more about diets to help auto immune and positive things that are helping me right now.

Prayer for Healing Your Immune System (taken from "God's Creative Power for Healing" by Charles Capps
"My immune system grows stronger day by day. I speak life to my immune system. I forbid confusion in my immune system. The same Spirit that raised Christ form the dead dwells in me and quickens my immune system with the life and wisdom of God, which guards the life and health of my body."