Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- ok
 GI- nauseous, slowed GI
 GU- ok
 Muscular- ok
 Immune- ok
 Cardiac- occasional irregular beat
 Respiratory- ok
 Psychiatric- ok
 Sensory- light sensitivity
 Pain/Comfort- nausea, light-headed
 Sleep/Rest- poor night's sleep, awake 4am on... spent day with family
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
- Lots of organic fruits and vegetables raw and juiced
- Continued intermittent feeling colicky and irritable... restless

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- ok
 GI- nauseous, slowed GI
 GU- ok
 Muscular- weak
 Immune- ok
 Cardiac- occasional irregular beat
 Respiratory- ok
 Psychiatric- easily confused, easily irritated
 Sensory- light sensitivity
 Pain/Comfort- head ache, nausea, abdominal pain
 Sleep/Rest- poor night's sleep, home most of day resting...
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
- Hard to eat with nausea... carb loading
- Family stressors decreased significantly... feel colicky and irritable... restless

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- ok
 GI- nauseous, slowed GI
 GU- dark urine
 Muscular- weak and "heavy"
 Immune- ok
 Cardiac- ok
 Respiratory- slightly shallow/ "weighted"
 Psychiatric- delayed word recall and connection making, easily confused, continued high level of stress at home, irritable
 Sensory- light sensitivity, not hearing right
 Pain/Comfort- lower legs and heels ache, nausea
 Sleep/Rest- fair night's sleep (with Ativan & Naproxen), home again all day... assisted husband in meeting program deadline for his Masters project
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
- Hard to eat with nausea... carb loading
- Family stressors beginning to decrease... tired... irritable

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- Heels and lower legs, hands and fingers
 GI- very nauseous, took Phenergan Suppository... helped some
 GU- dark urine
 Muscular- weak and "heavy"
 Immune- ok
 Cardiac- ok
 Respiratory- slightly shallow/ "weighted"
 Psychiatric- delayed word recall and connection making, continued high level of stress at home, easily irritated
 Sensory- light sensitivity, not hearing right
 Pain/Comfort- lower legs and heels ache, intermittent episodes of back and abdominal pain
 Sleep/Rest- fair night's sleep (with Ativan & Naproxen), home all day... stayed on couch or in bed most of the day, husband home all day...high stress Masters Program Completion
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
- Hard to eat with nausea... fluids with honey, Ezekiel toast with jelly... Gatorade
- Continued high level of family stressors... worn thin... irritable

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- Heels and lower legs, Heart
 GI- slowed GI Motility
 GU- ok
 Muscular- noted slight gait changes...primarily r/t right lower extremity, one episode of L hand "weirdness" this afternoon"
 Immune- ok
 Cardiac- ok
 Respiratory- slightly more shallow
 Psychiatric- delayed word recall and connection making, continued high level of stress at home, easily irritated
 Sensory- light sensitivity, not hearing right
 Pain/Comfort- lower legs and heels ache
 Sleep/Rest- very difficult morning, feel extremely fatigued, fair night's sleep, worked 8- 4:30 at hospital, evening at home with family, rested alone in evening to decrease sensory input and buffer stress
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
- Good carbohydrate management
- Continued high level of family stressors... worn thin... irritable
- Appointment w/ primary doctor & hematologist next week... will explore neuro changes and ways to manage fitness.
- Called APF and requested Physician Education Packets Re: Porphyria to improve disease awareness in my area.

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- Heels and lower legs, Heart
 GI- slowed GI Motility
 GU- ok
 Muscular- weird things... I thought it was a fluke three days ago when my left ring finger went straight and I could not will it to bend... but it happened again last night... then this afternoon my whole left arm went straight and I couldn't bend it???? weird! no pain... it only lasts for 30seconds or so.
 Immune- ok
 Cardiac- occasional spontaneous episodes of racing and palpitations
 Respiratory- ok
 Psychiatric- this afternoon my hand wouldn't write what my thoughts told it to... for example: I would mean to write an E and would instead produce some other letter... weird again... this started about 1:30pm and went on intermittently for several hours...delayed word recall and connection making, continued high level of stress at home
 Sensory- light sensitivity, not hearing right
 Pain/Comfort- lower legs and heels ache
 Sleep/Rest- fair night's sleep, worked 8- 4:30 at hospital, evening at home with family, extremely tired!!!!, became overwhelmingly fatigued about 1pm, after lunch and lasted till about 3:30pm
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
- Good carbohydrate management
- Continued high level of family stressors... tired

Narrative Note

Reactive Attachment Disorder
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Sensory Processing Disorder
Anxiety Disorder
The competitive nature of twin boys...

Things that my family struggles with...
Things that trigger Acute Porphyria

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- Heels and lower legs, Heart
 GI- slowed GI Motility
 GU- ok
 Muscular- ok
 Immune- ok
 Cardiac- occasional spontaneous episodes of racing and palpitations
 Respiratory- ok
 Psychiatric- delayed word recall and connection making, continued high level of stress r/t my children's behaviors and my spouse's anxiety
 Sensory- light sensitivity
 Pain/Comfort- lower legs and heels ache
 Sleep/Rest- fair night's sleep, worked 8- 4:30 at hospital, busy evening with family errands/duties, extremely tired
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
- Good carbohydrate management
- Increased family stressors... trying to cope effectively

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- Heels and lower legs, Heart
 GI- slowed GI Motility
 GU- ok
 Muscular- weak and heavy, recently noted and increasingly painful hardened nodules on both wrists... slight numbness in finger tips
 Immune- ok
 Cardiac- occasional spontaneous episodes of racing and palpitations
 Respiratory- ok
 Psychiatric- slightly "cloudy" feeling, delayed word recall and connection making, stressed and irritable r/t my children's negative behaviors and my spouse's anxiety 2nd to poor time management and a lack of follow-through
 Sensory- light sensitivity, difficulty managing multiple sensory stimuli, great irritation r/t noise and commotion
 Pain/Comfort- lower legs and heels ache, generally irritable feeling, migraine headache afternoon & evening
 Sleep/Rest- fair night's sleep, up late with spouse, tired, family management all day
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
- Good carbohydrate management
- Increased family stressors... trying to cope effectively
- Poor sleep/rest... will take Rx to improve sleep tonight... have to work full day at the hospital tomorrow

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- Heels and lower legs, Heart
 GI- slowed GI Motility
 GU- ok
 Muscular- weak and heavy
 Immune- ok
 Cardiac- occasional spontaneous episodes of racing and palpitations
 Respiratory- ok
 Psychiatric- calm, slightly "cloudy" feeling, delayed word recall and connection making
 Sensory- light sensitivity, difficulty managing multiple sensory stimuli, bilateral inner ear burning/ ringing
 Pain/Comfort- lower legs and heels ache
 Sleep/Rest- poor night's sleep, up late with family, tired, family management all day
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
- Good carbohydrate management
- Increased family stressors... trying to cope effectively
- Poor sleep/rest... hope to sleep well tonight and rest more tomorrow

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- Heels and lower legs
 GI- slowed GI Motility
 GU- ok
 Muscular- weak and heavy
 Immune- ok
 Cardiac- no problems
 Respiratory- ok
 Psychiatric- calm, slightly "cloudy" feeling
 Sensory- light sensitivity, difficulty managing multiple sensory stimuli
 Pain/Comfort- lower legs and heels ache
 Sleep/Rest- poor night's sleep, up 3x in night, tired all day...extremely tired and weak in afternoon, worked at hospital 8a-5p
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
- Good carbohydrate management

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- Heels and lower legs
 GI- slowed GI Motility
 GU- ok
 Muscular- ok
 Immune- Thyroid feels swollen and irritable
 Cardiac- ok
 Respiratory- ok
 Psychiatric- calm, pleasant
 Sensory- ok
 Pain/Comfort- ok
 Sleep/Rest- fair night's sleep...up x3, tired 4pm on...busy day working at hospital
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
- Good carbohydrate management

*Really felt good all day!

Narrative Note

Traveling is an adventure...but it always takes its toll on the body... altered diet...altered GI patterns...staying up late...getting up early...the tendency to fit a lot into a small time...making the most of the time available.

Spending time connecting with family fills my spirit and significantly improves the quality of my life.

On another note...
My father and mother consented to the DNA test for AIP.
I swabbed their cheeks while on vacation.
I am unsure of my AIP genetic origin... but respect the weighted sensitivity of adding a, "label" to some one's life.
As a nurse I feel that knowing you can avoid potential health crises by modifying lifestyle choices means... "knowledge is power"!
Still, I will move forward gently in determining my family's AIP heritage.

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- Heels and lower legs
 GI- slowed GI Motility, increased gas & bloating, recovering from gluten and dairy eaten while traveling
 GU- ok
 Muscular- ok
 Immune- ok
 Cardiac- no problems
 Respiratory- ok
 Psychiatric- calm
 Sensory- light sensitivity, difficulty managing multiple sensory stimuli
 Pain/Comfort- heartburn, lower legs intermittent sharp
 Sleep/Rest- fair night's sleep, tired all day, house quiet...rested, unpacked, cleaned, laundry
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
- Good carbohydrate management
- Drove 8 hours home yesterday from family visit... exhausted today, but in "good spirits"

*Missed post yesterday d/t being on the road traveling.

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- GI
 GI- slowed GI Motility, increased gas & bloating, ate a lot of gluten and some dairy over the last 3 days
 GU- mild fluid retention
 Muscular- ok
 Immune- ok
 Cardiac- no problems
 Respiratory- ok
 Psychiatric- calm
 Sensory- light sensitivity, some difficulty managing multiple sensory stimuli
 Pain/Comfort- no problem
 Sleep/Rest- fair night's sleep, feel tired all day
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
- Good carbohydrate management
- Good day of quality time with family...vacationing in Central NY

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- lower legs/ heels
 GI- no problem
 GU- no problem
 Muscular- mild "heavy" feeling arms and legs
 Immune- ok
 Cardiac- no problems
 Respiratory- ok
 Psychiatric- mild word recall delay
 Sensory- light sensitivity, some difficulty managing multiple sensory stimuli
 Pain/Comfort- headache
 Sleep/Rest- fair night's sleep, very tired this afternoon/evening
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
- Good carbohydrate management
- Good day of quality time with family...vacationing in Central NY

*Traveling 10/15/2010... missed post due to lack of Internet availability.

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- GI
 GI- Slowed GI motility
 GU- no problem
 Muscular- ok
 Immune- ok
 Cardiac- no problems
 Respiratory- ok
 Psychiatric- ok
 Sensory- light sensitivity
 Pain/Comfort- no problems
 Sleep/Rest- poor night's sleep
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
- Good dietary management
- Good day of quality time with my mother Vactioning in Central NY

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- chronic heels, GI
 GI- Slowed GI motility
 GU- no problem
 Muscular- ok
 Immune- ok
 Cardiac- no problems
 Respiratory- ok
 Psychiatric- ok
 Sensory- light sensitivity
 Pain/Comfort- morning headache, afternoon no problems
 Sleep/Rest- good night's sleep (Ativan and Naproxen), asleep at 11pm up at 7:00am, day of errands, evening with family
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
- Good dietary management
- Good sleep
- Good day of quality time with my mother

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- chronic heels, GI
 GI- Slowed GI motility
 GU- no problem
 Muscular- ok
 Immune- ok
 Cardiac- no problems
 Respiratory- ok
 Psychiatric- ok
 Sensory- ok
 Pain/Comfort- afternoon/evening minor right and left lower legs/ heels ache
 Sleep/Rest- good night's sleep (Ativan and Naproxen), asleep at 11pm up at 6:30am, worked at hospital 8am- 4:30pm, super tired in the afternoon, nice evening visiting with my mother
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
- Good dietary management
- Good sleep

Narrative Note

Medications & My Mental "Tug of War"

As I have previously stated I do not like to take medication.
Throughout life there have been numerous times that taking a common medication has made me feel completely miserable... I know now that it has all been related to my in-born metabolism issues.
Today I have become familiar with some medications that do not make me feel badly, in fact they help me feel better... so why do I struggle mentally to take them as prescribed?
I worry that if I take a drug to treat a problem and I need to take it too frequently to manage the problem...my body may become dependent on the drug... instead of trying to self-regulate.
For example:
I am constantly battling insomnia...
I have two types of trouble... falling asleep and staying asleep.
I also have a BIG problem with Non-Restful-Sleep...
I feel unrested and tired upon waking.
Ativan and Naproxen can often calm my
"Haphazard Nervous System Fireworks"
(racing thoughts...sudden muscle jerks...racing heart...stabbing/shooting pains...terrible headaches)
I can often catch a "decent" night's sleep/rest when I take 0.5mg of Ativan, 500mg of Naproxen and 400mg of Magnesium.
When I rest well, I feel SO much better the next day!
Then I will get concerned because perhaps I have used the medication for the past two nights so I refuse to take it on night three, thinking that I don't want my body to loose the ability to self regulate and calm itself down...so I get a poor night's sleep and the dominoes begin to fall, cascading into the next day, creating increased problems.
Perhaps my nervous system does have episodes of time that it looses the ability to self-regulate...to calm itself...I feel it firing out of control and it scares me.
I guess the best plan is one of balancing addictive caution and symptom management.

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- chronic heels
 GI- Nausea
 GU- no problem
 Muscular- ok
 Immune- ok
 Cardiac- no problems
 Respiratory- ok
 Psychiatric- ok
 Sensory- ok
 Pain/Comfort- minor right and left lower legs/ heels ache
 Sleep/Rest- good night's sleep (Ativan and Naproxen), asleep at 10pm up at 5:30am, worked at hospital 8am- 4:30pm, quiet evening (family at the beach...house empty!)
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
- Good dietary management
- Natural Ginger Mints to calm nausea
- Good sleep

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- chronic heels
 GI- Nausea
 GU- no problem
 Muscular- ok
 Immune- ok
 Cardiac- no problems
 Respiratory- ok
 Psychiatric- ok
 Sensory- ok
 Pain/Comfort- right and left lower legs/ heels ache
 Sleep/Rest- good night's sleep (Ativan and Naproxen), asleep at 10pm up at 6:30am, worked at hospital 8am- 6pm (busy day)
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
- Good dietary management today

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- chronic heels
 GI- Nausea, slowed GI motility, bloating
 GU- no problem
 Muscular- "heavy feeling", weak
 Immune- sneezing x24hours
 Cardiac- no problems
 Respiratory- ok
 Psychiatric- ok, tired, frustrated with someone close to me
 Sensory- eyes still very light sensitive
 Pain/Comfort- right and left lower legs/ heels ache
 Sleep/Rest- poor night's sleep, asleep at 1 am up at 6:30 am...feeling "unsettled"...spent the day at home with husband and children...took a two hour nap
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
-Restocked grocery supply... good dietary management today... home cooked potato soup
-Tried to take it easy as much as possible
-Tried to rest legs and elevate as much as possible

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- chronic heels,GI
 GI- Nausea, slowed GI motility, indigestion, bloating
 GU- no problem
 Muscular- "heavy feeling", weak
 Immune- ok
 Cardiac- no problems
 Respiratory- awoke several times last night with lungs feeling "heavy"
 Psychiatric- ok, calm, tired
 Sensory- eyes very light sensitive
 Pain/Comfort- right and left lower legs/ heels ache
 Sleep/Rest- poor night's sleep, asleep at 10:30pm up several times in the night...feeling "unsettled"...spent the day at home with husband and children...took a one hour nap
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
-Need to restock groceries... less than adequate dietary management today
-Tried to take it easy as much as possible
-Tried to rest legs and elevate as much as possible
-Completed a 33minute Acute Porphyria Continuing Education Presentation for Health Care Providers... Medscape...top Porphyria Experts...excellent densely packed information...hopeful regarding enzyme replacement therapy availability within the next few years

Narrative Note

Chronic Heel Neuropathy
My heel issues started about a year and a half ago...
My heels would get really irritated when I went to bed and my heels rested on the mattress as I lay down. The irritation has become progressively worse and now spills over into my days affecting the shoes I need to wear, how long I can comfortably stand or walk. I know I could take some pharmaceutical agent that might decrease my discomfort... but it wouldn't correct the underlying problem only treat the symptom. I try to use natural, non chemical treatments as much as possible.
My Heel Treatments:
1. Sleep with my feet hanging off the end of the bed, so my heels hang freely in the air... not touching anything
2. Sleep with a puffy pillow under my lower legs so my feet can hang off the other side...heels in the air, not touching anything.
3. Wear comfortable wedge shoes that put the weight on the balls of my feet when I walk, instead of my heels.
4. Sit down and put my feet up when I can.
5. Naproxen at bedtime does help somewhat.

I have been giving more thought to getting some nervous system evaluations/assessments done to see where I am at...
Till now I have felt that I would rather just understand the disease process and address issues as they arise. I still feel that way but I also notice a chronic decline in my neurological functioning (GI, Urinary, Heart, Cognition, Peripheral) that might be beneficial to track. I also seek more natural treatment interventions to help me best manage.

I'll think more on it and talk with my Primary Doctor in the near future.

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- chronic heels,GI
 GI- slowed GI motility, indigestion, bloating
 GU- no problem
 Muscular- ok in the morning, progressive weakness in afternoon (esp. lower legs)
 Immune- ok
 Cardiac- no problems
 Respiratory- no problems
 Psychiatric- ok, calm
 Sensory- eyes very light sensitive
 Pain/Comfort- right and left lower legs/ heels ache (worse in afternoon)
 Sleep/Rest- fair night's sleep, asleep at 10:30pm & up @ 4:30am with son (Ativan & Naproxen before bed), busy day working at the hospital, very tired & weak this afternoon
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
-maintain appropriate carbohydrate intake
-feeling over-exerted working 5days/week and managing family, it feels like a great accomplishment to reach 5pm and successfully complete my work day!

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- chronic heels
 GI- slowed GI motility
 GU- no problem
 Muscular- improved fine motor strength, improved general endurance
 Immune- ok
 Cardiac- no problems
 Respiratory- no problems
 Psychiatric- slow word recall, decreased ability to multi-task
 Sensory- ok
 Pain/Comfort- right and left lower legs ache
 Sleep/Rest- great night's sleep, asleep at 8:30pm & up @ 6:30am (Ativan & Naproxen before bed), busy day working at the hospital, very tired this afternoon
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
-maintain appropriate carbohydrate intake
-still feeling over-exerted between working 5days/week and managing family challenges... today was much better than yesterday!

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- chronic heels, Urinary bladder, GI
 GI- altered elimination, slowed GI motility, constipation, upset stomach
 GU- altered voiding, neuro-bladder holding urine
 Muscular- weak fine motor strength, poor general endurance
 Immune- slight viral illness shared with my children (upset stomach, malaise, headache)
 Cardiac- no problems
 Respiratory- no problems
 Psychiatric- poor word recall, decreased ability to complete complex thought process, decreased ability to multi-task, unable to recall common knowledge, easily irritated, easily emotional
 Sensory- easily over sensitive to sensory input of environmental surroundings (noise, smell, visuals, things touching me)
 Pain/Comfort- mild headache, mild upset stomach, intermittent sharp, shooting right lower leg pain
 Sleep/Rest- poor night sleep, asleep at 10pm & up @ 4am, busy day teaching Certified Medicine Aide Program, stressful evening
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
-maintain appropriate carbohydrate intake
-two part-time jobs is too much... decided not to teach this course again... feeling over-exerted between working 5days/week and managing family challenges...scheduled to work for the hospital tomorrow, concerned...

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- chronic heels, Urinary bladder, GI
 GI- altered elimination, slowed GI motility, constipation, upset stomach
 GU- altered voiding, neuro-bladder holding urine
 Muscular- weak fine motor strength
 Immune- slight viral illness shared with my children (upset stomach, malaise, headache)
 Cardiac- palpitations in the night
 Respiratory- no problems
 Psychiatric- slowed word recall, decreased ability to complete complex thought process, decreased ability to multi-task
 Sensory- easily over sensitive to sensory input of environmental surroundings (noise, smell, visuals, things touching me)
 Pain/Comfort- headache, upset stomach 5/10, intermittent sharp, shooting right lower leg pain
 Sleep/Rest- fair night sleep (w/Ativan & Naproxen), asleep at 10pm & up @ 5:30am, busy day teaching Certified Medicine Aide Program, stressful evening
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
-maintain appropriate carbohydrate intake
-medications to help improve sleep/rest and discourage over exertion

Managing AIP becomes significantly more challenging when...
parenting twin 7 year old boys with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
and...
supporting a 19 year old daughter with AIP that manifests itself as "Mr Hyde" during her Luteal phases.

Narrative Note

Tonight while watching a movie, I was exposed to a painting by Glenn Wessels.
The piece is called, "Last Leaf Light".
I felt an immediate connection... like sunshine through beautifully colored stained glass windows... a hug from grandma...or the way the right song can warm your spirits.
The painting reminded me of my journey in life...
ever trying to: "look on the bright side",
and always trying to keep my hope and faith in a "positive light".
It was vibrant and chock-full of autumnal hues (my absolute favorite).
I wanted to find a replica for my mantle but...alas Google came up empty and my heart sank.
So...
I froze the scene in the film and took a digital photo in hopes of capturing the image for future inspiration.
Maybe I could buy a canvas and create my own version of "Tsue's Light Thru The Leaves".... sounds like a plan.
After all...
All work and no artistic expression makes for a spiritless girl.

Most Importantly:
Connecting, in meaningful ways, with the world we live in is what "Quality of Life" is really all about.

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- chronic heels
 GI- BM x1, upset stomach
 GU- altered voiding, neuro-bladder holding urine
 Muscular- ok
 Immune- slight viral illness shared with my children (upset stomach, malaise, headache)
 Cardiac- palpitations in the night
 Respiratory- no problems
 Psychiatric- clear thinking, calm
 Sensory- easily over sensitive to sensory input of environmental surroundings (noise, smell, visuals, things touching me)
 Pain/Comfort- headache, upset stomach 5/10
 Sleep/Rest- fair night sleep, asleep at 10pm & up @ 6:30am, busy day teaching Certified Medicine Aide Program, nap 2:45pm to 4pm
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
-maintain appropriate carbohydrate intake
-

Narrative Note

My new favorite thing this week has been making fruit and herbal infusion beverages! I found that caffeine and I could no longer co-exist.
My heart palpitations, heart racing, and nervous system sensitivity is much worse with even one caffeinated beverage. I had been limiting myself to one per day, usually hot tea in the morning, but sadly we were forced to part ways...

It is a challenge to identify foods and drinks that don't irritate my system in some way... no dairy, no gluten, no soy, no caffeine, no preservatives/ chemicals, no goitergens. What can a girl eat, or drink and actually enjoy???
I tried some herbal teas, but they didn't work out.

Chai has always been my favorite, so I got the idea to create my own tea-leaf-free chai. I added several whole ingredients to a pot of freshly boiled, still very hot water, and let it rest. After cool, I added some natural sweetener of choice and refrigerated the infusion in my new BPA-free container. I have been adding the infusion as a 1:3 mixture to a cup of hot water in the morning or cold water any time (good old-fashioned kitchen spigot well-water, that has gone through a brita filter). It has been awesome!

I have tried three different concoctions this week, and they have all been great!!!
So tonight before entering my "Daily Post", I did a little "web surfing" and came upon a recipe book, "Cool Waters: 50 Refreshing, Healthy Homemade Thirst-Quenchers" written by: Brian Preston-Campbell in January 2009. I am very excited about this book and will probably order it before the night is over!
I have been reaping the added benefit of increasing my daily water intake because I enjoy the taste so much!

A second type of consumable pleasure that I have identified involves freshly washed, cored and sliced Apples... melted carmel... and dark chocolate chips... Autumnally Delicious!!!

I love, love, love the taste of Cortland Apples! They are abundant in my hometown area of Ithaca, NY (Cornell Orchards), but are quite scarce on Maryland's Eastern Shore... I found some today! Yeah!

I guess if I sit and think about it... my individual health issues have forced me away from the common norm of "American Diet" and that really is a good thing!

I have learned to read labels, come up with my own recipes, support local organic farming and value the quality of the materials I put into my body.

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- chronic heels
 GI- BM x1
 GU- altered voiding, neuro-bladder holding urine
 Muscular- ok
 Immune- ok
 Cardiac- palpitations in the night
 Respiratory- no problems
 Psychiatric- clear thinking, calm
 Sensory- easily over sensitive to sensory input of environmental surroundings (noise, smell, visuals, things touching me)
 Pain/Comfort- headache (7/10)
 Sleep/Rest- fair night sleep, asleep at 10pm & up @ 6:30am, busy day with family
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
-maintain appropriate carbohydrate intake
-stress management

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- chronic heels
 GI- BM x1, nausea
 GU- altered voiding, neuro-bladder holding urine
 Muscular- ok
 Immune- ok
 Cardiac- palpitations in the night
 Respiratory- no problems
 Psychiatric- clear thinking, calm
 Sensory- eyes sensitive to light
 Pain/Comfort- legs and heels dull ache, nausea
 Sleep/Rest- fair night sleep, asleep at 10pm & up @ 6:30am, busy day with friends and family
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
-maintain appropriate carbohydrate intake
-stress management
-medications (Ativan & Naproxen)

Daily Post

 Neuropathies (central, autonomic and peripheral)- chronic heels
 GI- BM x1, nausea
 GU- altered voiding, neuro-bladder holding urine
 Muscular- ok
 Immune- ok
 Cardiac- no problems
 Respiratory- no problems
 Psychiatric- clear thinking, calm
 Sensory- eyes sensitive to light
 Pain/Comfort- legs and heels dull ache, nausea
 Sleep/Rest- poor night sleep, asleep at 10pm & up @ 3:30am, teach at community college 8am to 2:30pm
 Self-Propelled Disease Management:
-maintain appropriate carbohydrate intake
-stress management