On this page, I keep a diary of my mental health as well as some suggestions of things I do that might help you to keep afloat on the really tough days and to sail on days that give you opportunity. A positive environment and mental outlook are crucial to healing and even survival, for me. Mental and emotional stress can be harder on us than physical strain. DO WHATEVER YOU CAN TO CHANGE AND MANAGE YOUR SURROUNDINGS to make your “world” a kinder place to live in.
A FEW THINGS TO DO:
- If remodeling is in order, put in laminate flooring (Just dampen a paper towel, wipe up the spill and YOU'RE DONE! Mopping is very easy, too, even when done while sitting in a chair!) Removing carpet whenever possible is a “top shelf” proactive step toward wellness according to my doctor and many allergy experts. Add a deep bathtub (soak in HOT water) or massage shower head to ease the pain. OF COURSE you already have a TOP QUALITY dishwasher, right? Paint your walls (or have someone do it for you in exchange for something you might be able to do for him/her). Have many cozy “throws” handy to cuddle up with on the couch, soft chair or bed.
- Pet therapy has long been known to be a very effective form of healing treatment. Get a prescription from your doctor if your landlord has a “no pets” policy. A Therapy Animal or comfort animal is NOT a Service Dog.
- Medical Alert bracelet/pendant= call your local ambulance service for information on how you can be connected to an Immediate Response team in case you can't get to the phone. [Side Note: you should be thinking about whether or not you want full resuscitation, including intubation and respirator, should you be found unconscious. If you choose limited intervention vs full intervention, you need to have an ID bracelet and /or card in your wallet/on your person at all times stating this. Otherwise, the emergency teams, including ambulance/rescue crew, will use all interventions within their power to keep you alive.]
- Transit system= if your community has one, use it. You don't even have to be going anywhere... just getting up, getting yourself ready for your day and out of the house is GOOD MEDICINE. Ride around. Visit with people. Stop at the mall for coffee. Go to the library. SMILE. It's contagious! * Hint: a Service Animal makes going places a whole lot more fun!
Work hard at getting good sleep: Get all electromagnetic equipment out of your bedroom (stereo, tv, phone, ipod, computer, etc.) Sleep on an all-natural mattress and linens if possible with a window cracked for fresh air and the temp on the cool side. Have your bedroom in a very quiet, unstimulated part of the house if possible. Prepare hours in advance for bedtime (no stimulus or stimulants, no arguments or intense conversations, no late-night work or workouts, no bright lights or loud noises.) Try not to nap during the day (if exhausted, PLEASE DO!) and to get to bed at a reasonable hour (10 p.m. or thereabouts if your life is a “daytime” regime.) Try to get 7-9 hours of sleep (sometimes, I have to force myself to lie back down and go back to sleep.)
Detox (see treatment pages,) eat organic (see diet pages) and drink about 1 gallon of pure water daily. I know of one woman who actually experienced psychotic episodes requiring hospitalization whenever she ate sugar so stay away from it!
Keep a Sense of Humor: "Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritations and resentments slip away, and a sunny spirit takes their place." — Mark Twain
Housekeeping: get rid of the clutter. (Hint: anything you don’t use on a REGULAR basis might be considered clutter!)
Music/Movies: play uplifting tunes, especially worship music. Watch your favorite movies... the ones that make you laugh are the best. (Try not to use “blue light” [t.v. screens, computer/phone/ipod screens, etc] in late evening, especially not right before bedtime.)
Interpersonal Relationships: evaluate those relationships that are “toxic” and do what you can to minimize the stress they cause. Cherish and nurture the loving relationships. Let those wonderful people in your life know how much you care and how much they mean to you. Remember, never sweat the petty stuff and never pet the sweaty stuff! The trick is to know the difference!
Independence: Whether it be special knobs on doors and cupboards, getting rid of throw rugs and things that trip you up, using a cane, a motorized scooter, a trained Service Dog, city transit or what-have-you, do what it takes to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible!
Service Dog= comparable to a wheelchair from a legal standpoint. TRAINED WORKING Service Dogs are protected under multiple laws including Federal regulations that usurp any city, county or state laws including those of all county health departments. (See pages on this website specifically relating to this.) Retired Service Dogs or Service Dogs in training might not be recognized by law. Check your state for its regulations.
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DIARY (see “treatment/progress notes page)
1/6/2018 Back and forth; back and forth
In general, I have made positive inroads; today, however, is rough as many of my days still are. I will fill in the gaps from the last diary entry when I have the brainpower, eyesight and strength to do so. For now, just know that www.lymestop.com and Dr. Tony have worked hard to help get me better. I think the 3 most significant HEALTHFUL CHANGES I’m about to make are these:
>moving to the ocean full time
>moving closer to family who love us
>moving to a small, friendly, vibrant community where I am surrounded by people whenever I want to be (the isolation of remote, country living is soon to be a closed chapter in our lives.)
8/5/16 Depression Trying to take over~
This has been a roller coaster of a year, but the hardest part has been going backwards continually in my health since the “overdose” of a really potent bio-targetted herbal therapy and cyclone storms on the beach last winter. I'm in between doctors, have lost the stamina it takes to keep up on a strict (over 30 treatments and medicines/natural remedies) daily regime and am caving in on myself living this remote. I rarely go anywhere but outside to our farm animals these days. WE HAVE GOT TO MOVE CLOSER TO AN ACTIVE COMMUNITY. We'll never be able to “city folk” again and that’s all good but I NEED PEOPLE. Goats aren’t doing it for me any more! Yes, I’ll face more loss in saying “good-bye” to the farm... so it’s super important that we pick the RIGHT community to move to. Tough to start over at our ages.
5/26/2016 I miss me.
I’ve been in serious battle against this dragon for 15 years, but the past year has been the most demanding. These past few months have been the worst of that as I seem to have lost me. Over the years, I’ve learned to cope thru learning new hobbies and meeting new people, either in person or online. Right now, I have none of that; we’ve been moving me back and forth from the beach where my new doctor is to our farm high in the mountains clear across the state due to multiple disasters, both from Acts of God and treatment mishaps. All of my craft and sewing stuff (I’ve forgotten how to do most of it now) as well as my keyboard (I was teaching myself to play the piano) is still at the beach house clear across the state 10 hrs and a 2-day torturous drive from our home. The new friends I made and the new office/small business I was establishing are also there but no longer mine. There... way down there... at a place where I might very likely not be able to live after all (recent discovery: WIND and DAMPNESS ESCALATE THE SYMPTOMS BIG TIME FOR ME and yes... the beach is usually windy and damp.) I’d say I’m super “bummed” but that doesn’t begin to describe the loss.
LOSS. A 4-letter word that attaches itself to me like super glue.
