The Mom Song. The Politics of Mothering.

Lyme email to Dr. Oz.

I received this email from a friend who knew I had been cured of Lyme disease.

"Dear members of Lyme Disease Awareness,

This past month, Dr. Mehmet Oz (from Oprah and Friends) interviewed Andy A.
Wilson, the director of the Lyme disease documentary, "Under Our Skin" (www.underourskin.com). Dr. Oz is just beginning to learn about Lyme and he is asking for our help.

During this interview Dr. Oz issued the Lyme community a challenge to prove
we have a voice. He made a point of mentioning that he is interested in the
number of responses he receives...Lets make it a number he cannot ignore!

There are more than 3,800 members in this group alone - imagine if we ALL
took the time to send just one email?!

To listen to the full interview:
http://www.zshare.net/audio/51988431783ad036/

To email Dr. Oz:
link here

Please take 5 minutes to write Dr. Oz and tell him your story, or your loved
one/friends story! Dr. Oz is especially interested in those who have been
cured, however, he's still learning and we need to educate him that even
those of us who have not been cured are helped by long term antibiotics and
that more research is needed so that we can find a lasting cure.

The chance of having our story, told on The Oprah Show is monumental and
this is a challenge we can't afford to ignore!

Thank you!

-The Lyme Disease Awareness Administrators"

Here is what I wrote:

"I understand you are interested in stories from the Lyme community. I can understand your emphasis on those cured. Most who suffer with Lyme are so severely sick that to relate to someone in the midst of the illness only gives them more validity to staying ill. I, myself, have been cured. Prior to the diagnoses, I had been diagnosed with early Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Plausible MS, etc. My family and I were on a wild rollercoaster ride. However, even during the deepest possible downward swings, I would take pride in accomplishment...I felt grateful for the little things, such as, being able to make my kid's lunches, and being able to walk to the bathroom on my own. The diagnoses was inspired through the prayer of my church and my family. Once diagnosed and confirmed, I was put on an intense regimen of Doxycycline 2 x daily for 5 months. It's amazing to me what I can accomplish! I was diagnosed last October (2007) after being in a wheel chair during our family trip to Disneyland. Today, I am getting a campaign together to run for Mayor of Saratoga Springs, have graduated in our city's CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), the Legislative V.P. in the PTA at the elementary school, in charge of the school Knowledge Bowl program (http://harvestknowledge09.blogspot.com), have been blogging since my diagnoses (http://issuesoncall.blogspot.com), and etc. Paramount to wellness success is getting outside of yourself and back into the functioning's of the world around you. By doing this, I have had mile markers to reach. By reaching those mile markers I have learned that I can reach further. From each mile marker I reach I receive a more positive sense of self and learn more about my talents and abilities. Most important is having a great support system. My husband is the best on the planet! My children are gold! The people in Saratoga Springs, Utah are the best! Without the support system I have, I would not be the person I am today!"

If you have Lyme or have been cured of Lyme, please share your story too!

The Truth About Mental Health Disorders and Nutrition.

There is a lot of "doctor language", but also some very interesting information as well.

The Relaxation Response. Mind Tools.

Here is a portion of a great article by Kellie Fowler at MindTools.com

“The Relaxation Response,” by Dr. Herbert Benson, ...teaches the importance of relaxing each day, and even how to do it.

Based on studies at Boston’s Beth Israel Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Dr. Benson’s quick and easy relaxation techniques have immense physical benefits, from lowering blood pressure to a reduction in heart disease. The book explains how anyone can benefit from learning and perfecting relaxation techniques. In doing so, Dr. Benson created a book that is relied on by healthcare professionals and authorities to treat the negative effects of stress.

By learning to invoke the relaxation response once or twice a day for just ten minutes at a sitting, one can effectively lower blood pressure and gain tranquility in their emotional life, making them more successful both in the workplace and at home.

Try the following 6-step relaxation response the next time you feel anxiety or stress:

Sit quietly in a comfortable position.

Close your eyes.

Deeply relax all of your muscles, beginning at your feet and progressing up to your face. Keep your muscles relaxed.

Breathe through your nose. Become aware of your breathing. As you breathe out (exhale), say the word, “ONE”, silently to yourself. For example: breathe IN…OUT, “ONE”, -IN…OUT, “ONE”, etc. Breathe easily and naturally.

Continue for 10 to 20 minutes (depending on your schedule). You may open your eyes to check the time, but do not use an alarm. When you finish, sit quietly for several minutes, at first with your eyes closed, then with your eyes opened. Do not stand up for a few minutes.

Do not worry about if you are successful in achieving a deep state of relaxation. When distracted, simply return to repeating “ONE.”

Besides relying on this technique a few times each day, I regularly use it to get to sleep at night, especially after a long, hard day or before a tough next day. It’s simple, fast, reliable and most importantly, it works!

Proper Sleep Cycle

A Bitter Pill...

"DHEA. Some sellers promote it as an "antiaging" supplement, but there isn't enough evidence to support that claim. And studies suggest that it can raise estrogen or testosterone levels, which may increase cancer risk." -- Shop Smart Magazine

Smile-A-Day

Have you smiled today?

Try it! You will be surprised how it will make you feel. You'll feel uplifted, refreshed, full of positive energy, and a bit more light hearted.

Introduction to Meditation

"The introduction to meditation provides an excellent and practical foundation for further meditation study; you will begin to learn how to accept and guide your mind toward quiet contemplation.

Contraindications: If you are being treated for any form of depression or mental illness consult your healthcare practitioner before beginning any form of meditation.

Teacher: Kavita Maharaj"

Hado. A Book In Review.

I've read a wonderful book recently called

"The Healing Power of Hado", by Toyoko Matsuzaki

I really love books like this one that discuss the universal energy that flows around and between all living things.

Toyoko Matsuzaki helps her readers understand "hado" by asking simple questions...

..."Have you ever entered a room full of people and sensed the mood, without anyone saying a word?"

..."Or felt calm and lighter after receiving a warm hug from a friend when your spirits were down?"

Definition:
"Hado is the life force found in everything."

Many people may not understand this energy or find that the topic seems contrary to their religious beliefs. However, if you ponder this topic and talk with your religious clergy, you may be surprised to find how closely this bonds to your beliefs.

Particularly in this book, Toyoko Matsuzaki relates many of her own beliefs to those basics many religions.

...her belief that there is a thin veil between this life and the next...that life does not end after this life...
"Further, the line between this world and the other is very thin...They (departed loved ones) are happy when we are happy and they share the sadness we feel and help us from the other world..."

...that there could be no such thing as reincarnation...that one life on this earth is enough for each of us to endure...
"I am often asked about reincarnation. I think it is too painful for each spirit to repeat the fate and sorrow of this world. Previous lives are our ancestors, and future lives are our offspring."

...that we each have a purpose in this life...each of us is important...
"If you are fully aware of the consequences of your conduct and behavior, you will realize how important it is to live your life to the fullest, regardless of success or failure, with a good heart and good intentions.

..."If a thousand people pray for the same thing with good will, the power of the prayer is magnified."

..."Nothing is stronger than love"

...She essentially believes in the idea of karma and the "Golden Rule", i.e., doing to others or for others as you would like them to do to or for you.
"I firmly believe that what we call "karma" exists. Whatever you have done to others will return to you somehow, good or bad."

...that babies are unconditionally innocent...
"...I believe that babies, especially those who leave this world before starting to talk, go directly to God."

This author goes into great detail relating to the "hado" energy that different items release and how it affects the environment around you and I, along with stories for the readers to understand the energy better.

This "Hado Master" hones her powers of positive energy for healing and helping others. Throughout this book, she empowers her readers to discover the benefits of the positive energy they possess.

An uplifting book. I give this book a very high rating for bringing another positive aspect to connect people throughout the world with the knowledge of the energy that we all share...that it can be positive energy if we choose.

Unlimited Potential Is Not Limited To Everyone But You!

What are your hopes? What are your dreams? Do you feel like you are accomplishing your potential? Or do you feel like you want so much more from your life than you are currently experiencing but cannot find the passion and cannot find success?

What is the wall you are hitting? Do you hear an inner voice telling you that success, or unlimited potential, can only happen to other people, that it is limited to everyone else (except for you)? Why aren't you aware of your personal passion? What insurance do you have that your new hobby will become a successful passion? How can you cash in to your passion?

In this life, there are many different roads to take. There is the road that is uphill, that uses a ton of fuel and it takes a lifetime to reach the peak. There is the road that is straight, without risk, without diversion from the "norm". There is another road. One that is on flat ground, with a few hills. One that has various culdesacs that you can turn into to try your hand at various things. One that has multiple fuel stations along its route. One that includes various vehicles traveling at various distances, at various speeds, and circling various culdesacs. At the end of that road, there is a great deal of reward and satisfaction. At the end of that journey there is a great straightening of the road behind you, creating an easier journey for those who come after (a legacy).

Which road do you want to follow? Which end do you want to travel to? What kind of road do you want to leave for those who come after you?

What do you think first, when you wake up in the morning? Do you dread your day? Or do you look forward to it? Did you know that you can make up your mind to be happy, even when your surroundings are negative? Did you know that you can make your environment negative with your negative attitude? It becomes an aura all around you. It affects other people and their attitude toward you.

Practice positive thinking from the time you wake up in the morning. First, don't waste your day in bed. Select a time to wake up each day and stick to it. It is easier to do this when you select a bedtime as well. Therefore your internal clock will be "set" and it is easier to get up at the time you select.

When you awake, smile. Stretch in bed, just like a child does as they wake up. Take deep breaths as you stretch, and feel free to yawn. Practice gratitude as you awaken by saying "thank you" for a bed to sleep in. Next, rotate so that your feet are on the floor. Wiggle your toes. Say "thank you" for a covered floor to place your feet on. As you stand up, say "thank you" that you are able to stand. Next, as you are walking, inevitably to the bathroom, say "thank you" that you can walk, that you have a covered floor to walk on and the sanitary facilities to go to the bathroom in. Continue this practice as you get ready for the day, all the while smiling. If you can, meditate and/or practice yoga prior to the start of your working day.

"Research has shown health benefits of laughter ranging from strengthening the immune system to reducing food cravings to increasing one's threshold for pain. There's even an emerging therapeutic field known as humor therapy to help people heal more quickly, among other things. Humor also has several important stress relieving benefits."-- stress.about.com

When you go to bed, run through your day in your mind. If there are any events that feel negative, change them to a different outcome in your mind. Picture them as positive and with a positive outcome. This will program your mind. Much of the energy we send out to the world that affects our daily view on life is based on our internal thoughts. You must train those thoughts to be positive. You must get yourself in the right though process so that your world becomes positive. I know that sounds crazy, but the world is made up of each person's (pets and things as well) energies. What we think projects outward and eventually comes back to us.

In my next post on this subject, I will further investigate other opportunities to make your life a positive one, with success and with your desired outcome.

M.S., Parkinson's, or Simply, Lyme Disease?

Have you been experiencing symptoms of illness, knowing that something is wrong but the doctors cannot seem to find the answer and have begun looking at you as a psycho case?

The symptoms constantly change and migrate. They may begin as nagging nausea or swollen lymph nodes for long periods of time, but then you find that you're used to the doctors saying they can't find anything wrong and you get settled into your life again.

Of course, once your able to get along with the nausea and swollen lymph nodes (or whatever symptoms you begin with), along come migraines, unbelievable fatigue, stiff joints, loss of memory, speech impairment, tremor, and seizures. This becomes the process of your life...if you can call it living.

This is exactly what I've experienced over the past (at least) 8 years, although they say I most likely have had Lyme for up to 20 years. During my series of ill years I experienced five bouts of mono, was misdiagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, told I had Lymphoma, misdiagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, experienced depression, anxiety, misdiagnosed with plausible Multiple Sclerosis, and more.

I wouldn't take PLAUSIBLE as the diagnosis.

What was the final diagnosis?

Through a string of events, including physical, mental and spiritual, I was able to visit a doctor who ran some tests (ELISA and the Western Blot) that showed positive for Lyme Disease.

Why didn't I get tested for Lyme Disease earlier in this series of illnesses? Well, on a follow-up with one of my other physicians, I found that he actually tested me with the ELISA test and it came back negative, which is very common as testing for Lyme is not completely accurate.

Click Here For Statistics By The CDC

Based on where I live, the doctors were not likely to test me. However, when I look at those statistics and look at my resulting diagnosis, I take other statistics into perspective, which make me exclaim about why there is not an alert for doctors to perform the simple blood test for Lyme Disease.



Take, for example, the fact that Lyme Disease mimics symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis.

MS World Map Link

"Multiple sclerosis (ms) is the most common, disabling, neurological condition, to affect young adults in the world today."

If you have a patient who you suspect has MS and have prescribed a lumbar puncture that does not come back as positive for anything abnormal, even with brain lesions (which can occur with Lyme Disease), wouldn't you test the patient for Lyme Disease before stating that they must have PLAUSIBLE MS and prescribing injections that may cost them thousands of dollars per month (not to mention lasting side-effects)?

What about Alzheimer's? Tremor and memory problems along with similar symptoms that may cause a doctor to diagnose someone with Alzheimer's can occur with Chronic Lyme Disease (being infected with Lyme Disease for a length of time).

Alzheimer's Site Link

"Every 72 seconds someone in America develops Alzheimer’s"

Parkinson's Disease is the same as the above diseases. This is a disease that is very hard to diagnose and there is actually not a very firm procedure of diagnoses. Wouldn't doctors be wise to perform a simple blood test to verify that the symptoms are not Lyme Disease?

Parkinson's Disease Link

"How is Parkinson disease diagnosed?
The process of making a Parkinson disease diagnosis can be difficult. There is no X-ray or blood test that can confirm Parkinson disease. A physician arrives at the diagnosis only after a thorough examination. Blood tests and brain scans known as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be performed to rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms. People suspected of having Parkinson disease should consider seeking the care of a neurologist who specializes in Parkinson disease."

Fibromyalgia is another mysterious diagnosis, and a growing number of people are being diagnosed and treated with medication on a daily basis.

Fibromylagia Statistics Link

"Prevalence Rate (Fibromyalgia): approx 1 in 73 or 1.36% or 3.7 million people in USA"

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is another mysterious illness, yet I found a quote regarding Lyme Disease under "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" on the following link.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Link

"Lyme disease and related tick-borne infections. Lyme disease does not always present acutely with a rash, and less than half of sufferers recall a tick bite (the nymphal deer tick is the size of a poppy seed, and secretes an anesthetic to prevent the host from feeling its bite). Furthermore, the characteristic joint pain is not always present. For these reasons Lyme can be difficult to diagnose, particularly in its later stages, at which point symptoms are virtually identical to those of CFS.[118] The accuracy of blood tests for Lyme remains highly controversial, especially since they depend on an effective immune system response, which many researchers believe is compromised by the disease. As a result, some clinicians believe Lyme is under-diagnosed."

If you know anyone with symptoms as I have listed above, please have them tested for Lyme Disease. Finding you have Lyme disease can relieve a lot of stress from yourself (a loved one) and your family. The treatments may take time to work, however, just think of the consequences of continuing down the road of a diagnoses of Parkinson's or Alzheimer's instead of a simple diagnoses with an actual treatment and hope for the future.

Sources:
www.cdc.gov
www.themcfox.com
www.alz.org
www.parkinson.org
www.wrongdiagnosis.com
en.wikipedia.org
www.hopkins-arthritis.org

A Gift, Defined.

What is the true definition of a gift? A source I love to quote from, and encourage people to donate to is Wikipedia. Here is a portion of their definition of the word "gift", along with the link so that you can read more on the topic.

"A gift or present is the transfer of something, without the need for compensation that is involved in trade. A gift is a voluntary act which does not require anything in return. Even though it involves possibly a social expectation of reciprocity, or a return in the form of prestige or power, a gift is meant to be free....

By extension the term gift can refer to anything that makes the other more happy or less sad, especially as a favour, including forgiveness and kindness (even when the other is not kind)."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gift

Great gift ideas:

The Gift Of Safety...
Safety Basket Gift Idea
http://www.cpsc.gov/pr/saftybas.html
"The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) suggests giving the gift of safety for a loved one this year for a birthday or any special occasion. If you know a child or an adult that rides a bike, scooter, skate board or uses in-line skates, give them something they really need. Instead of using a basket to hold gifts and goodies, make a basket out of a bike helmet. To be sure your bike helmet meets CPSC’s standard, look for the CPSC sticker inside the helmet."

A Gift Of Groceries...
Commissary Gift Certificates
http://www.commissaries.com/certificheck/index.cfm
"Commissary Gift Certificates are a fast, easy and convenient way for anyone, service member and civilian alike, to support our troops by “Giving the Gift of Groceries”, which can be redeemed at any commissary.

Commissary Gift Certificates can be purchased by either:
Ordering for A Special Patron
Ordering is a considerate way to personally give an authorized patron a commissary gift certificate.
Donating to Support Our Troops
If you don't know a specific service member, donating to your choice of one of five non-profit organizations is an ideal way to support our troops."

Give A Gift In Honor Of Someone...
Gifts of peace and justice -food, shelter, trees, water, medicines- around the world since 1986.
https://www.alternativegifts.org/
Alternative Gifts International
"The global mission of AGI is to send authentic, life-giving gifts to a needy world--gifts that build a partnership with people in crisis and that protect and preserve the earth's endangered environment--to nourish and sustain a more equitable and peaceful global community.AGI is a nonprofit, interfaith agency. AGI provides education for people of all ages about global needs and raises funds each year in its Alternative Gift Markets and from individual donors to respond to those needs. Designated grants then are sent to the established international projects of several reputable nonprofit agencies for relief and development."


I am truly enjoying the research for this gift-giving season. There are so many thoughtful options and opportunities.

Have a wonderful evening!