This week I found out that after almost 25 years of corticosteroid use due to Lupus, I actually have functioning Adrenal glands, which are responsible for producing around 8 mg of cortisol per day. There are varying beliefs on the correct amount, but I am proud to say mine are fully functioning, which means I can get off steroids. It will take a month to taper off. I will still remain on the CellCept (immunosuppressive-"chemo") daily along with natural, western meds., herbs and supplements. This is great news for my bones, vascular system, heart etc. I was told it is very very rare for adrenals to function after years on steroids. Also my Thyroid is functioning and Kidneys are doing great. I feel like I am moving in a healthier place every day. PT,meditation,light yoga,breath work, awareness, diet, body work, supportive mate and loved ones etc. is all helping so much. Acupuncture is essential. I really have to say: "Positive attitude and support" go a long way. It sometimes takes a team. Thanks team for hanging in there all these years. If we can spread the good news to those who need it most that would be the pay off. I am on a healing path even if the lupus remains I know I have truly healed the inner most me. That is what I carry forward into this journey of life. I am blessed, we are all blessed. The dramas are only temporary and lessen when we shift our awareness and focus on what is good.
That never negates the pain and suffering which exists in the world on so many levels. I have no answer for that except it all points towards growth and experience. Hell is a world we create in our own minds and hearts. I choose to have bliss(heaven) everyday. I chose that for every being.
Good album: Herbie Hancock "Rivers" Joni Mitchell tribute. Heart felt and melodic.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Happy Rebirth
Wow how lovely this amazing creature is and how well it grows in it's cocoon only to emerge from a worm to a beautiful butterfly with iridescent wings no artist could replicate. The mighty power and glory of nature is all about this weekend. The rebirth and growth of spring and the easter-equinox-full moon weekend can speak to us on many levels of "coming out" of our hibernation into the green grass and dandelion fields of yellow. Air fresh and clear. Skies blue and white dappled by clouds with clowns faces. How lucky are we?
Enjoy this moment and this weekend with loved ones and friends. Share your love with someone today. I did so here's to my dear friends Carol,Jessie and Sharon, glad to chat with you so far away and damn !!! Sharon, you look 50 fine sister and happy birthday !!! Miss you both very much.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Autoimmune Epidemic
http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/80129
Read this article about a book written by a strong woman who has done her research on why many Americans still know nothing about autoimmune diseases while they remain the strongest category of disabling disorders. The environment is increasingly more toxic which increase the incidence of autoimmune strains disease. It is a good cautionary story of taking good care of yourself and the planet. Also of how the media gives no attention to it because things like cancer, heart disease and erectile dysfunction. Think about it. Have you ever seen a commercial for a new exciting treatment for lupus? Yet it is said that one in nine people have an autoimmune disorder.
What can we do? Write your letters to senate. Write your local media and start learning. There will be an increase in this area if we do not educate people. Knowledge is power and there is much hope if we all do our best to make aware the public on how our environment and bodies are directly related. We each handle it or our bodies express it differently. Some experience depression, cancer, lupus, anger, anxiety, heart attacks or just plain ambivalence. We each have our bucket to carry up hill and that is life. Perhaps you do not have time to help but you can share this link with your friends, especially female loved ones. It can save a life.
On that note I am down with a cold but feeling better and it is a lovely full moon and equinox is close at hand as is Easter. With the change from winter to spring I feel a need to rest and pull in energy before the springs begins to bloom and days are filled with light and endless possibilities of new growth and new life. I find this a metaphor for my own inner growth and that which our world is going through. I think of Tibetan Monks having to fight for their home and right to practice meditation. (China should be ashamed, but then so should our government for forcing businesses to move to China, for borrowing money from them and for making them the super power they have become. ) But if you pay attention to the world, which is crazier everyday( just turn on TV for five minutes and you can see) we are in a new and strange world, but the good news is that people are waking up and taking a stand. This is growth. We can each do our part to shed light on whatever topic(s) is most important to us. We can help our neighbors and donate some time to a good cause. We can write to our politicians about what is important. This is how we change. By having a voice and using it for a positive change with out anger or violence, but with dialog and understanding. A little compassion goes a long way, but our voices can still be loud and strong. Think of a crocus reaching for the sky. It does not ask how or why it just forces itself up naturally. Then it blooms into a lovely gem only to fade away. Life is like that and now we are able to make it a gem before it fades away to the next generation. My wish for all is that we see this connection to nature and how it affects our bodies, minds and spirits. Happy Spring!!
Read this article about a book written by a strong woman who has done her research on why many Americans still know nothing about autoimmune diseases while they remain the strongest category of disabling disorders. The environment is increasingly more toxic which increase the incidence of autoimmune strains disease. It is a good cautionary story of taking good care of yourself and the planet. Also of how the media gives no attention to it because things like cancer, heart disease and erectile dysfunction. Think about it. Have you ever seen a commercial for a new exciting treatment for lupus? Yet it is said that one in nine people have an autoimmune disorder.
What can we do? Write your letters to senate. Write your local media and start learning. There will be an increase in this area if we do not educate people. Knowledge is power and there is much hope if we all do our best to make aware the public on how our environment and bodies are directly related. We each handle it or our bodies express it differently. Some experience depression, cancer, lupus, anger, anxiety, heart attacks or just plain ambivalence. We each have our bucket to carry up hill and that is life. Perhaps you do not have time to help but you can share this link with your friends, especially female loved ones. It can save a life.
On that note I am down with a cold but feeling better and it is a lovely full moon and equinox is close at hand as is Easter. With the change from winter to spring I feel a need to rest and pull in energy before the springs begins to bloom and days are filled with light and endless possibilities of new growth and new life. I find this a metaphor for my own inner growth and that which our world is going through. I think of Tibetan Monks having to fight for their home and right to practice meditation. (China should be ashamed, but then so should our government for forcing businesses to move to China, for borrowing money from them and for making them the super power they have become. ) But if you pay attention to the world, which is crazier everyday( just turn on TV for five minutes and you can see) we are in a new and strange world, but the good news is that people are waking up and taking a stand. This is growth. We can each do our part to shed light on whatever topic(s) is most important to us. We can help our neighbors and donate some time to a good cause. We can write to our politicians about what is important. This is how we change. By having a voice and using it for a positive change with out anger or violence, but with dialog and understanding. A little compassion goes a long way, but our voices can still be loud and strong. Think of a crocus reaching for the sky. It does not ask how or why it just forces itself up naturally. Then it blooms into a lovely gem only to fade away. Life is like that and now we are able to make it a gem before it fades away to the next generation. My wish for all is that we see this connection to nature and how it affects our bodies, minds and spirits. Happy Spring!!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Good Thought For the Day
Measured objectively, what a man can wrest from Truth by passionate striving is utterly infinitesimal. But the striving frees us from the bonds of the self and makes us comrades of those who are the best and the greatest.
Einstein
Einstein
Sunday, March 16, 2008
A new day
After a ten day alone in Michigan watching the white snow out of our big window, I came to a very important realization I have been carrying almost my entire life. I have identified so much with lupus as a patient, a daughter of a patient, advocate etc...that it is what people knew most about me or how I defined myself. I am now putting that old story or tape behind me. I am so many other things on top of having an illness. I see my potential and the harm in being so identified with one aspect of one's being. I am a survivor and a human with dreams, goals, hobbies and hopes like everyone else. So I ask you dear friends to support this transformation. I will only bring up lupus if it is necessary and I ask you do not ask me about it. Ask me about things which make me feel strong, smart and healthy. "Normal" so to speak. I feel stronger and better every day.
The new shift will also mean a new way of writing here. I am writing this blog as a base for a book. I will be telling a story which is magical, funny and sometimes raw. But most of all it is about what being in the now can be like.
Love,
Angela
The new shift will also mean a new way of writing here. I am writing this blog as a base for a book. I will be telling a story which is magical, funny and sometimes raw. But most of all it is about what being in the now can be like.
Love,
Angela
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