I can't believe how much has changed since the beginning - stick with me here on this recap of my journey so far.......

Hello everyone!  I hope this update finds you well!!

So, the summer break is coming to a screeching halt as school in my area starts back up on Monday.  That means I go back to work too.  BOO on that but hey, it's my job to be there for the kids and that's what I'll be doing!  Seems like the summer break just went way too fast this year!  We were busy with my surgery, volleyball, and trips so that's most likely why it seems to have gone so fast - tooo fast!  I guess though when you are living life instead of watching it pass you by it does go quickly!

This update is going to be chalk full of a lot of great things so I hope you will continue to read. For starters, I saw my Endocrinologist last week for blood work - I am axiously awaiting those results.  My thryoid levels, Vitamin D and calcium levels.  I'm expecting that they will be great based on how I'm feeling.

As I sit here today, I realized that about 5 years ago exactly is when I first became the sickest I've ever been.  As you know, I've been pretty sick at times in my life but this time, my life was changed in so many ways.  Initially the changes were not good and the things that were to come over the course of the following year were the worst of the worst for me and my family.  Some of the things that happened, I've never talked about because it was/is too personal and painful.......we were at our worst financially, emotionally, and for me, physically with illness that seemed like it would never get better.  Early on, before being diagnosed with FMS, I honestly in my heart thought I was going to die.  That alone is the scariest feeling to have.  Initially, all I could do was lay in bed, sleep and go to Dr's to try to figure out what in the world was going on.

My first diagnosis was bronchitis, then pnemonia......then everything else started happening....migraines, vertigo, terrible pain in my legs and hips that was 100% unexplainable.  I saw neurologists, had cat scans, MRI, blood draws, chiropractic care - you name it and NOTHING seemed to help and there were no results from the tests.  I began to feel like I was crazy and I think the Dr's thought so too!  None of them could make sense of what I was going through.  I finally recovered from the bronchial issues but had a migraine and vertigo for 3 months straight - the meds the neurologist put me on helped some but the migraine would come back.  The vertigo was just there constantly and the pain in my legs and hips never let up.  I could barely walk by myself let alone get out of bed and function.  It was the literal rock bottom, the worst.  That December of 2010 I finally ended up seeing a Rheumatologist who was the one to diagnose me with FMS.  I was SO relieved to have an answer even though I had no clue what it would mean for me.  Initially he put me on a medication, I can't recall what but it didn't help so I stopped taking it.  We decided at my next visit to just increase the antidepressant that I was on - Effexor - as that was also known to help with FMS pain at higher doses.  So he doubled it and within a day the pain in my legs vanished!!  PROGRESS!  Slowly over the course of another few months I was feeling well enough to be out of bed and sit in "my chair"......that is when I started doing mad research on Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue (which I had been diagnosed with many years prior) Lupus (which I suspected I had due to the tell-tell rash I always got on my face), Lyme disease which was suspect due to all my symptoms and life history of illness........and I started my blog to document all the stuff I was finding.  I began to think that if I could help even just one other person that it would all be worth it because NOBODY deserves to live like I was......and I now know that way too many people do!

So that is, in a nutshell, the beginning of my story and journey.  I started looking for natural ways to heal myself - I knew that I couldn't live like that forever and I had a family to take care of.  I was in search of natural ways to heal myself because I knew I couldn't be on pain killers and medications for the rest of my life.  I started juicing, was contemplating going to the Mayo Clinic for help but ended up finding a Dr about an hour away that dealt primarily in FMS.  I began seeing him 1x a week for a year. My treatment included acupuncture, massage and chiropractic care.  One of the first things he did was a blood panel that looked at all my micronutrients - come to find out I was depleted of all my antioxidants so I immediately started on them all - I must of been taking 10-15 different supplements - it's all in previous blog posts with pictures....seriously crazy stuff.  After going 1x a week for 6 months I started to feel somewhat normal again - seriously relieved that I could drive and function on a somewhat normal level but I still didn't feel "normal" whatever that was.

After a year of driving an hour each way to see this Dr I found a local chiropractor who specialized in chronic illness, specifically FMS so I started to see him.  Now that I was feeling so much better I felt that change could happen.  He did a follow up on the blood work and this time all my levels were good.  So I was able to stop taking the multiple pills and go down to about 5 different vitamins.  I saw him weekly as well to keep my spinal health in good condition and had him do acupuncture on me as needed.

Slowly I was feeling better......my business that I had for 12 years leading up to this was gone...since I couldn't work to save my life......other things we had were gone......but my life was moving on.  Don't get me wrong, I was still having pain, fatigued beyond belief but I was out of bed and functioning to the best of my ability.  The pain wasn't constant but would pop up randomly and was definitely there.

Now let's fast forward a bit.  My thyroid started to become a huge issue - as you know that's dealt with now.  I'm finally feeling like things are looking up all around.  When I exercise I get pain in my hips, my hips are always the problem for me.  But with regular chiropractic care that seems to help a lot.

People who are like me and have multiple issues with health have to deal with things one at a time.....there is so much going on that we just have to pick one thing to handle......it's taken me 5 yrs to get a handle on everything and the last thing to deal with is my weight......since getting sick 5 yrs ago I've gained 65 lbs - SIXTY FIVE POUNDS! That's 13# a year, which doesn't seem like a lot but year after year it added up to where I am now.  I think my thyroid, laying in bed, having no energy, eating on the go and fast food is definitely to blame......my lack of motivation to do anything about it and lack of knowing what to do about it too.  It seemed like such a huge feat to try to lose it all,,,,,,,,and I didn't know where to even begin.  Getting to the gym was not an option because I had no energy....none.  Cooking healthy didn't happen, no energy.  Ordering pizza, getting subway or other fast food was easy, so that's pretty much what we did.

Everything started to change when a friend of mine introduced me to a company that is focused on lifestyle, weight loss and fitness.  I researched this until I was blue in the face as I didn't want another scam or gimmick to deal with.  I didn't want to waste money or time that I didn't have.  I've tried it all, believe me.  There are so many out there, so many that don't work that I wasn't about to take a chance on another failure.  Honestly, it's taken me a couple years to really get on board with this and already in just a couple months I'm down 14 lbs, feeling the best I've felt in as long as I can remember, my skin issues are clearing up and I have energy - yes energy!  I want to scream from the mountain tops.  Here is a little video that tells you about it.

If this video doesn't play you can also view it here - just click on the first video

I'll be 100% honest - I've done the challenge before and lost some weight then as well (2013) but I was still dealing with stress and my illnesses and didn't really give my lifestyle, ways of looking at food and eating the attention I should have.  I wasn't eating right and wasn't sticking to a better eating plan.  Because of that, I gained back what I lost initially.  As would anyone who goes back to eating out, fast food, sugars and all the processed crap that is in our face everyday.  It takes some effort to eat better than that.  It's a lifestyle change and that takes time and energy I just didn't have to give.  Be honest, it's easier to stay the same and not work on betting ourselves UNTIL we hit that point that we know something has to be done.  I'm on TWO medications for the rest of my life - Synthroid for my thryoid and Effexor because #1 the withdrawls to come off it will send me in a downward spiral I'm not willing to endure and #2 it was the only thing that helped my hip pain.  Not bad for someone who has all the chronic illnesses I have.

I've been on this challenge now for 2 months and I'm down 14 lbs and 10 inches overall.  I'm feeling the best I've felt in as long as I can remember.  I have energy to do things with my kids and husband.....I'm starting to work out at the gym - WHAT?  Yes, working out at the gym! This is a new me that I'm loving!  At the rate I'm going, I expect I'll be down to the size I was 5 yrs ago PRE-ILLNESS by mid 2016, maybe even sooner.  And it doesn't end there!  Once I'm down to where I began I plan on maintaining that with my new lifestyle and living the life I only dreamed I could!  Do I avoid going out to eat, NO....Do I get to enjoy treats time to time - absolutely!  Is it hard?  Sometimes but those are the times that I have to be strong and remember WHY I'm doing what I am.

Remember, I have always said that I started this blog and share information in hopes that I can help someone which is ultimately exactly what I want to do.  If I can help someone change their life and circumstances then I have succeeded in my mission.  This is no different.  I know there are people out there who have struggled with weight gain and an inability to lose it for whatever reason.  Just like me, it seems that no matter what you do, aside from starving yourself, you can't lose the weight.  I've always said if I even look at a piece of cake I gain 10lbs - because that is how I really felt. I struggled to control my cravings and didn't even try to have will power when faced with an opportunity to have cookies, cake, ice cream, pizza, burgers - all the good stuff that isn't so good in the long run.  Right now, I can walk away from it all - because I'm seeing how much better I feel without it.  Even without going to the gym I'm losing the weight just from changing the way I'm eating.

If you are reading this now - congratulations for sticking it out!  I know this is long but I have so much to say - I could continue but this is enough for now.  I'm just so excited about where this long journey has taken me and where it will continue to take me.  I'm sure I will have set backs, we all do...I'm not perfect and the healing process is long - we all have to remember how long it took us to get where we are and allow the time to change ourselves inside and out.

I encourage anyone out there to reach out to me to talk if you want some guidance - that's why I'm here - my mission is to help anyone and everyone who is ready for change in their life, suffering from illness and ready to do something and make changes.  I've taken the journey and am still on it....

Until next time - to your health - xoxoxoxo

Spring Break time, family time, VOLLEYBALL and me.......

So here I thought it's been a few weeks since I've posted and when I looked I realize it's been a month already - sheesh.  Things are "Status quo" with nothing really "new" to report.  Well, one thing is new, my sister had her 2nd baby!  So we have a new family member, Ms Audrey Rose Gordon.  She is precious of course!

As most of you know I'm always on the look out for new and great things that will help with CFS/ME, Lupus and FMS symptoms.  Well I have recently found a product and I want to tell you about it because I'm excited about it's potential. It's called "Aloha" - basically it's a dried green juice powder!  SHUT UP!  I literally was just thinking about how I wish there was a product that would give the benefits of juicing in a much easier form such as a powder or pre-made but good drink that was affordable....I know, I know, in my dreams!  Or at least I thought! Then I see an ad on Facebook pop up one day that caught my eye - it was EXACTLY what I had been thinking about - weird I know!

They appear to be a relatively new company and the product is exactly what I've been looking for.  I was able to get a sample of it and so far have found it to be just as good as it seems.  I mix the powder into my daily protein smoothie because on it's own it's quite harsh tasting!  I made the mistake of mixing it with just water when I first got it - ACK - I drank it but man, I won't make that mistake again!  If you have ever had spirulina straight, that is exactly what it reminds me of - but I find mixing it with my smoothie drowns out the strong taste and it's palatable.  I'm always looking for ways to easily incorporate lots of vegetables and goodness into my daily diet and this seems like a great way to do just that without the time/money/mess it takes to juice all the same things (and then some). Don't get me wrong, I love juicing and all the amazing health benefits but it is just too time consuming for me to do it on a regular basis anymore.  For the same cost, if not less, I can get the same benefits out of a package of dried juice - easy, fast and most of all convenient.  Check it out here Aloha - The Daily Good.  As anyone who is dealing with the affliction of a chronic illness knows, the more good stuff we can put into our bodies, the better off we are all around.  I really encourage you to check it out if you are like me and want to put the good things in but just don't have the time and energy to juice 3x or more a day.  With this, you take it once a day and you are good to go. There are 14 organic ingredients that promise to help detoxify, energize, hydrate and best of all BOOST IMMUNE SYSTEM function!  The process they use to dry the ingredients doesn't take away the nutrients or fiber which a lot of the time juicing does - so there is another bonus!  I've been using it just for a few days now so I can't honestly report anything over the top with it but I do plan on continuing to use it for the internal benefits I believe it will deliver.  A strong immune system is a huge plus for me.  I can also say I have noticed a temporary increase in my energy when I take it so that is always of course a huge plus!

In other news, it's spring break for myself and my kids - very much needed I might add!  I was thoroughly exhausted by the time it came along.  Last Friday was the first day and honestly I haven't done a whole lot since.  We did have an all day volleyball tournament on Sunday, but aside from that I've pretty much been a lazy lounger......of course I'm still keeping my normal schedule of going to be around 8 or 9pm but I'm able to sleep in past 5:30 am which has been nice.  I'm finding myself getting up around 8am, still tired but unable to sleep any longer.  I also have been noticing I wake up a lot at night, which isn't uncommon and surely part of why I'm always so tired, I'm not getting restful sleep.

So I wonder how many of you feel like I do - lazy.  I often feel like my illness has made me very "lazy" for lack of a better term - I feel lazy because I just don't want to do ANYTHING most of the time.  It makes me feel bad because I know I "should" be outside enjoying the nice weather, exercising, taking the kids out to do things etc.......so I start to get on myself and negative thinking hits.  I can sit here all day in my PJ's - easy.  So I wonder, is it just me being LAZY or is it truly because it's not often that I get to do it and when the opportunity shows itself I'm all over it?  Am I lazy?  Some would say YES.  I on the other hand am not sure at this point.  While I know I'm chronically sick, it's hard to convince even myself at times.

Volleyball is coming to an end soon - this has kept us very busy and on the go most of the time.  With 3-4 practices a week and an all day "power" each Sunday we find very little time to do much else.  Early mornings and late nights tend to be our M.O. during the club season.  As of May there will be a little break in the action before the summer camps start up with the school.  My daughter loves the sport and we are so blessed to be able to give her the opportunity to play for a club and in school as well as the countless other things she gets invited to do.  My husband and I love watching her too.  Our son on the other hand, not so much.  He isn't a big fan of noises so volleyball is really something that stresses him out.  With his sensory issues it's not the most accommodating sport for him.

Now I have a question for those of you with CFS/ME and/or FMS.  What strategies have you found work for you to keep you in a good place with your illness and struggles that come with it?  I feel like I do all the "right" things most of the time but still find myself very tired - some days more than others.  Some days it's very hard to get myself through and I can't wait to get home and collapse in my rocking chair/recliner.  I'm just curious what methods or things you do that keep you on top of your illness and what things you find make you crash and burn??  Thanks in advance for sharing as I know it can be a very personal thing.

Personally, I find that every day is so different from the last, especially dependent on what I did or didn't do for myself.  Things we put into our bodies will effect how we feel in the near and sometimes not so near future.  I find it hard to stay away from sugary things though, which for me is a downfall as I'm sure that lends to a lot of my symptoms of being extra tired. I also have a very hard time managing my weight NO MATTER WHAT I DO....Since being on the Body By Vi challenge I have found it easier to maintain my weight and I enjoy the fact that I'm getting great nutrients from the protein shakes but I wish I could LOSE weight as effortlessly as it seems others do.

At any rate, I hope this finds you well and enjoying spring!  Please send me comments if you have anything to share or say about anything I've put in my blog.  Let me know you are out there!  I am beginning to feel like I'm writing to a black hole!  I'm off to get some laundry done (the never ending pile seems to get bigger by the day) and then spend the evening in the volleyball gym - it is our life for now!

To your health!

Gerri

I'm still here!! So much going on, so much happening and the best part of it all..........

I'm feeling GREAT!!

I have a new position at the school I work at that has me very busy - I'm in the literacy department and just love it!

Outside of that, I'm still maintaining my weekly chiropractic appointments to maintain myself and to keep my body in optimal health.  I firmly believe that with the weekly adjustments my body has put my FMS down and has helped me stay feeling good.  I still get minor aches and pains in the same areas (hips and shoulders) but nothing even close to what I use to experience.  When I feel overly tired, I go to bed.  I've learned through all of this that listening to my body is the most important thing I can do.  And when I feel tired, I make sure to handle it instead of ignoring it.

Over the past 3 months I did a weight loss challenge with 3 of my friends using a program called Body By Vi (Vi is short for Visalus).  It's a 90 day challenge and it's simply, amazing.  Since getting sick back in 2010 I have gained 55+lbs - I finally got sick of the weight, sick of putting on my clothes that were too tight and finally just had it when I had to purchase a size that I swore I would never be in again (after losing weight in the past)  Depression was setting in again and I knew I had to take a stand before things got worse.

The 90 day challenge consists of replacing 2 meals a day with a healthy protein shake meal replacement.  It's packed with vitamins, has less than a gram sugar and tastes like cake mix - NO JOKE!  A lot of people say "once you start eating again you are going to gain the weight back" to which I have to laugh.  Don't think I'm not eating - in fact, I'm eating quite well.  I have a shake for breakfast, and every two hours another small meal consisting of a protein and vegetable - I eat all day to the point that I'm stuffed when it's time to eat again!  It's not a "fad diet" - it's a way of life - re-training yourself to keep your body fueled so it burns fat while maintaining lean muscle mass.  It takes a little getting use to but now, it's just the way I do things - I eat small meals every 2 hours.  Think portions too - portion control is where it's at.   Once you get use to measuring out your portions you get pretty good at knowing how much you can have at any given time.  I think a huge part of America's problem with Obesity is the fact that our portions are double and triple what they should be all the time - that means we are taking in double and triple the calories we should be on a daily basis - which in turn is going to be weight gain.  It's pretty simple really.

Exercise is suggested but not something you have to do too strenuously or even at all if you don't want to.  As we all know, exercise is another thing that those of us with FMS need to do so it should be incorporated anyway.

So after 3 months I am down 26 lbs and over 27 inches!!  I feel great, am wearing my clothes much better and am actually going to be entering to win the team challenge on a national level!!  Between myself and my team mates we have lost over 200lbs combined!  It's inspiring really.

Currently I'm doing another challenge to drop the rest of the weight I gained.  It's really just a way of life, eating clean and making smart choices.  Through all the struggles over the past few years, my weight shouldn't be a reason I'm feeling sick. I've slowly come around full circle and can honestly say that I'm feeling like myself again - feeling healthy, happy and full of life again!  I never thought I would be able to say that!  I really thought my life would be full of pain and suffering and never again be the same.  It's been 3 yrs and while the road has been a tough one, it's taught me so much about myself and others.

I hope my journey so far has made an impact on others and I hope my continued journey will as well - I am living proof that you can go from literally wanting to die to enjoying life again!  Please, if you have anyone in your life who is like me, share my blog with them, encourage them to follow me,  encourage them to NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER GIVE IN and do what it takes to find the right mixture that will help them get back into the game of life!  Remember back when I first started this journey to find my health?  I was a research freak - researching and researching until I was blue in the face - but it was all worth it - I have found what works for me, what makes me feel good and what keeps me going - you too can find it if you haven't yet - just keep on looking!  I promise it's out there!

To your health and until next time!