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