Another day, another doctor

This last week has been a busy one, lots of appointments.

I had two acupuncture sessions with Dr Y. Acupuncture hurts! I didn't think it was supposed to, but apparently I'm sensitive to needles (really, who wants to be a pin cushion?). While I was lying on the table I started to wonder if you have to believe in the treatment for it to work. During the second treatment I fell into a deep sleep for about 30 minutes - it felt good! Considering how much better the pain has been since I've started, I think I'm now a believer in acupuncture. I get to be a pin cushion again tomorrow and I'm actually looking forward to it.

My daughter and I went to a nutritionist for food sensitivity testing, which was fascinating! I already knew we had problems with cow's milk and suspected gluten was also an issue, but I had no idea that I was sensitive to: peanuts, strawberries, walnuts, almonds, apples, bananas, chickpeas and eggs. So a peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwich on whole wheat bread with a glass of milk will just about do me in! I've been very stringent with my diet since finding out this info, hoping that it allows my system to heal. We've switched from peanut butter to sunflower seed butter, which isn't bad if it's covered with jam (just not strawberry!)

A visit with my naturopath was next on the agenda. Since I've stopped nursing it opens up a few more options for us to improve my immune system. She wants me to try a gentle cleanse over a 3 week period. I'm up for it, the only problem is that is comes with a specific food plan. Only 20% of your diet from proteins, very limited fruits, lots of veggies, no flours. I'm really struggling with finding time to figure out what I can eat, go buy it and cook it amidst being a mom to 3 kids and 2 dogs. Take out and frozen meals (and anything else that's easy!) are apparently not an option. I need to hire a personal chef...and buy a lottery ticket.

The last appointment was with a rheumatologist. The good news is that I do not have lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. The bad news is that I have fibromyalgia. Crap. The fact that this condition tends to belong to the worriers and perfectionists of the world makes me feel like I brought it on myself. She gave me a good talkin' to about just letting go and enjoying this time of life with my kids. Easier said than done. Someone needs to manage things, and right now that someone is me. It's not like I spend my time dusting the lampshades, I just do the basics of groceries, cooking and tidying up enough so we can find the baby now that he's crawling.

She also asked me to find time to exercise, especially yoga and swimming. Which is kind of funny since those were the two activities I did prior to getting sick. I think I'll start slow by doing some stretching at home and work my way back to Mountain Goat...

So what's wrong with me anyway?

That's a good question. One that many a specialist has not been able to answer over the last year, despite numerous blood tests, scans and a very painful bone marrow biopsy. The logical part of me desperately would like to have an answer to that question, but I keep reminding myself that the most important thing is that I just get better. So, having pretty much exhausted the world of modern medicine I have engaged the help of several alternative health practitioners. Currently the list includes a naturopath, a nutritionist, and a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine. So far my experience with these practitioners has been fascinating...

This week I had my first two sessions with Dr Yuan, a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine. He was recommended to me by a doctor of TCM in Toronto that has helped my mom a lot. Dr Yuan had such a calm and relaxing manner on the phone that I felt I would be in good hands. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I did know that the objective of TCM is to get your body back in balance. So after relating my health issues to Dr Yuan, he took my pulse and looked at my tongue. Then he told me that I was suffering from a lack of Yin (which is different than having too much Yang). So there. I have my answer; I'm a couple quarts low on Yin. Ever the sarcastic wit, I joked with my husband when I got home that I should pick up a case next time I'm at Costco. :)

Welcome to my journey!

My journey to illness has probably taken years, but I'm hopeful my journey to health will be a quick one. I know it will be a journey back to HEALTH because the alternative is NOT acceptable. My kids need a healthy, energetic mom - they deserve to have that, and I am determined to be that for them and for myself.

Why am I making this a public journey? I think it's because of the Weight Watchers factor - if you have to go to a meeting every week and be accountable for yourself in front of other people, you'll think twice about eating that donut. If I discuss my journey publicly, hopefully it will help motivate me to make the right choices for my health.

Thank you to all of you who have joined me on my journey, especially the people who have already supported me and my family by providing baked goods, play dates, gift cards for take-out, shoulders to lean on, and just general good thoughts and prayers. You know who you are and you are very much appreciated!