Lack of Discipline!

Okay.. it is now quite apparent that I have not followed through on the new posts. I did try some new stuff and did take pics with the intention of posting here. Well we all know where good intentions lead! ;-) However, I am not going to give up. Maybe it was lack of material? Maybe it was difficulty in getting started? It could have been that my health issues were taking priority.

As most of my firends and family know, I have put in rather a hellish fall and winter beginning September 2009. It began with tingling and numbness in my right hand which became so bothersome that it drove me to the walk-in clinic. The doctor determined it was not cardiac related, gave me the name of a doctor who does female physicals and orders screening tests for women without a doctor and sent me to physio. By going to physio I was able to get my own family doctor as there was a new doc in the building taking new patients. The physiotherapist diagnosed Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (http://www.medicinenet.com/thoracic_outlet_syndrome/article.htm) and began some myofascial releases http://www.myofascialrelease.com/fascia_massage/public/default.asp, ultrasound and current to the area. When things were worsening instead of improving, she added in a chiropractor who agreed with the diagnosis and began treatment doing the same type of releases and using a thumper machine on my back.

With things worsening and me taking 2-3 robaxicet tabs ever 2 hours, I was able to get an appointment with the doctor prior to the scheduled physical. Eventually, I ended up on a 24 hour pain medication and a nerve pain medication at bedtime that at least relieved the pain. For the first time in months I was pain free. Then the tests began... bloodwork, routine screening tests such as bone density, mammogram, colonoscopy and EKG, echocardiogram and xrays and MRI of my cervical spine. Everything seemed to be messed up. The long and short of it being, that I am on blood pressure medication, a couple of polyps and most of an adenoma was removed during the colonoscopy meaning that I get to have a repeat in a year, and that medication is likely in the future for cholesterol and diabetes. A neurological consult revealed nerve damage in my right arm. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome turned into 2 herniated discs which are still protruding slightly. I can't bungee jump anymore!

Now that I am feeling better, I am determined to improve what I can to reduce the amount of medication or delay the onset of taking new medication as long as possible. To this end, I am now the proud owner of a glucometer and I am studying how various foods affect my blood glucose level. Perhaps my favourite problematic foods can be eaten at different times or with different sides to minimize the effect. I began an elimination/hypoallergenic diet today. It is to last for 3 weeks in which my body can cleanse itself and be ready to try foods gradually and test the effect on my overall health. I have also headed out to the gym to strengthen whatever I can before I have the promised relapse my neurologist told me about.

So if you want to follow me on this journey, then hop aboard. I will share my frustrations of the don'ts of my diet and hopefully have some interesting ideas to make my meals palatable.. indeed, even enjoyable! I will also let you know how I am feeding my soul as I proceed with this journey. Mind, body and soul have to be looked at together. Just strengthening one and ignoring the others will cause an imbalance and produce more difficulties. So come along and offer your suggestions as i try to regain balance in my life through opportunitues that are presenting themselves to me.