National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week

Today, I stopped at a grocery store to pick up some vegetables. I was moving slow, since my pain level was high. As I went down one narrow aisle, a lady hurriedly tried to get past me. I did my best to quickly move the cart out of her way, but I wasn't fast enough. The lady let out a string of swear words....then she suddenly stopped. Her face turned red and she quickly started to apologize...she had seen my crutches. Her attitude changed when she realized that I wasn't trying to be in her way.

People can see that I have a disability because I use crutches. Yet, nearly 1 in 2 people live with an "invisible illness" (arthritis, cancer, fibromyalgia, MS, etc.). Many people may "look normal" from the outside. (We do try to look our best when we are out in public... don't you?) However, we suffer from pain, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, etc. And those illnesses effect our everyday activities. Next time you are shopping and someone slows you down, take a moment to think, "that person may be suffering from chronic pain or illness".

Perhaps you are the 1 in 2 people who doesn't suffer from an illness or pain; however, you know someone who does. Oh you might not "know" they have an illness, but there are some signs—if you think about it. They may cancel plans at the last minute. Or they leave the party earlier than most. Or they just move slower than you'd like. The signs are there—if you want to notice.  If you'd like to know more about living with invisible illness or supporting your friends, check out: http://www.invisibleillness.com.

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week September 13-19, 2010 is an annual event sponsored by Rest Ministries, (a Christian organization that specifically serves the chronically ill). The hope of the people involved at National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is to remind people that although they may feel like they are alone in their pain, there are people who do care and understand the unspoken language of invisible illness. 

Today, I could have let my shopping experience ruin my day. But creating a positive day is about looking for the good in each situation. Today I was able to share God's love with a lady. And I was reminded again, that many people are dealing with an illness or pain, and each one deserves some kindness and a positive word.

Sharing some meals!

I'm learning so much about nutrition as I work on my new lifestyle. The food tastes so good and I'm enjoying fixing a variety of dishes. Thought I'd share a few of my latest meals with you... via pictures.

All organic: Mixed greens w/ olive oil/vinegar dressing (homemade); Portabella, melted Rice Cheese & Brown rice bun & salsa. And yes it was YUMMY!

All organic: Summer squash, Grilled red pepper, Mixed greens w/EVO/vinegar dressing; w/ Nicole's Divine Organic Gluten free crackers (Tomato-Tomahto!) and Organic Shelled Hemp Seeds (for Omegas and Protein). And yes it's yummy too.

I'm reading several books to help me learn how to balance foods and get the correct nutrition. One is "Back to Eden", by Jethro Kloss. The other two books are by Christina Pirello of Christina Cooks on PBS.

The pain level is still high, but God is providing distractions just at the right moments.  I'm taking it hour by hour; day by day. As I go through this phase of my journey, creating a positive day is even more vital. Keeping a positive attitude and keeping my focus on the positive will give me the strength to continue on this journey. And God is also sending some wonderful blessings to encourage me.... and His blessings make any day a positive one!

Powerless or Powerful?

On the way home from my chiropractor I saw a bumper sticker... it read: POWERLESS I thought how depressing to be powerless. Am I powerless? Where does power originate?

Am I powerless over my pain? My initial response was "yes". But then I had to change it to "no". I have a lot of power over my pain. I can allow my pain to be in control, or I can take control. Although there are some activities I can't do because of the pain, there are many I can do. I focus on the "cans" rather than the "can nots". 

Powerless. As I continued thinking, I realized that being Powerless can apply to any area of life.

I have a choice if—

I'll be defeated and powerless 

or if I'll be strong and take control. 

Some like to blame their problems on what happened in their childhood. I don't agree. Yes, various situations do shape our lives, but as we grow, we have the power to make new choices and go in new directions. We have the power to change what characteristics and habits we don't like. We are not powerless to make choices. 

There is only ONE thing which I am truly powerless to do on my own. That is save me from my sins. However, thanks to God's gift of Jesus Christ, that is an area I don't have to remain powerless. Jesus Christ died on the cross for all our sins. The only requirement to receive forgiveness is to believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and that He died for each of us and now lives again. It's that simple. 

For God so loved the world

that he gave his one and only Son,

that whoever believes in him

shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

Salvation is found in no one else,

for there is no other name given under heaven

by which we must be saved.

Acts 4:12

Powerless. No, I don't see myself as powerless at all. I think it is a matter of choice. God gives strength to His people. His mercies are new each morning. So, no I'm not powerless. Rather I am very powerful. Mostly, because I have a know-so Hope that God has forgiven me of my sins, and that I'll spend eternity in Heaven praising Him.

God loves me!

And that is a wonderful

and powerful gift. 

Each day, we make choices. And each choice has a consequence. Those consequences can be good or bad. Creating a positive day is about making good choices. And when you make good choices, that makes you POWERFUL!

46 Cents

It's 6:30 am, and I'm doing laundry. It's a great time to do laundry, since most of the people are either going to work, or still sleeping. The loads are in the washers right now. 

After getting the washers going, I usually check the dryers before I head back to the apartment. If the doors are shut, it can cause moisture to build up; therefore, I open the dryers to that they can dry out, before I need them. 

This morning

as I opened one dryer door,

I found a surprise!

There were coins in the dryer...46 cents to be exact. Now, we don't use coins to run our machines anymore, so the coins must have fallen out of someone's laundry. Since it was in plain site, the person who removed the clothes would have seen the money.. but left it anyway. Perhaps to them 46¢ isn't much. 

What is 46¢? It was one quarter, a dime, a nickel and 6 pennies. Perhaps not much. However, this morning it was a GREAT reminder that God can provide in MANY ways! He can take care of bills all at once, or 46¢ at a time!

I think that God had fun "planting" that surprise for me this morning. He knew that I needed a reminder that He knows what is happening and that He is in full control! He hasn't forgotten me. He hasn't been ignoring me. Rather, He's been planning a surprise!

46¢—no, it won't pay a bill, or even pay for a load of laundry. However, it was EXACTLY what God knew would get my attention and was the EXACT amount to show me that God will provide in His way, in His time. 

Creating a positive day isn't about the amount of money you have. Rather it's knowing that God knows exactly what you need, and will supply those needs in His time, in His way. The only thing I have to do is be a good steward of what He gives me and trust Him to take care of the rest.

Relying fully on God

is the most positive experience

I can imagine!

New Direction!

In Oct 2000, I injured my back. Since that day, I've undergone 8 back surgeries, many procedures, and taken more medications than I can count. This year, I felt that my body had reached a toxic level and I wanted to see what I could do to lower my medication dosage. So, in June I started weaning off my morphine and Tylenol 4 so that I could undergo Lidocaine Fusion treatments. On July 20, I had the first of what was to be 5 or 6 treatments.
The weekend following that first treatment, I caught a stomach bug. That caused the next Lidocaine treatment to be canceled.

I have always believed

that NOTHING happens by chance.

God allows each and everything

to happen to accomplish His plan.

As I was trying to recover from the stomach bug.... God directed me to do some research. The more I read and studied, the more I believed that this was the direction I should go.... but what would my doctors think? On Monday, I discussed it with my Chiropractor. He is fully on board and thinks it's a great idea. On Tuesday, I discussed it with my Pain Management Doctor and she is very excited and even recommend a book to help me.

What is this NEW DIRECTION? I'm going to eat only organic and natural foods. No processed,  no chemicals, no dyes, etc. The more I researched the more I learned many of the chemicals found in our processed foods can create pain.
This will take some time, and it may not work. However, it can't hurt me! Yes, my pain level is high. However, the past few weeks as my body has been detoxing, I've noticed some changes.... and VERY good changes. My headache is still there, but less intense. The pain in my side which I've dealt with for over 4 years, has decreased and at times is totally gone. If these changes can happen in just a few days... what COULD happen over weeks, months, years of eating only Organic and Natural foods? I have NO idea. But, after much prayer, and seeking the advice of my doctors, I am going to see what happens when I change my diet. If my pain level becomes unbearable, my chiropractor has an all natural supplement to aid in reducing inflammation.

As I said, I believe everything happens for a reason. And by me getting the stomach bug, it has allowed me to start detoxing. So this is the perfect time to try this new direction and see what happens. If after a while, I find that my pain level is still too high, than I'll reschedule the Lidocaine Fusion treatments and take it from there.

I could have been very frustrated and disappointed with getting sick and having to postpone the treatments.

However, since I was working

on creating a positive attitude, 

instead of being upset,

I decided to see the good in the situation!

And by doing so, I now have a new direction to try. I'm excited to see what God has planned as I move forward! I'll continue to keep you all posted!!

Create a Positive day!!!