Health update

Saw Doc Holly again on Monday. We spent two hours with her, going over my options, checking my symptoms, and talking about remedies and diet. Unfortunately, I can't start my regular regiment yet b/c I have a head cold (same as Kate) and she wanted to treat my acute symptoms first before giving me other things. She sent me home with two Chinese herbal formulas and told me to buy Super 8 Probiotic at the health food store. We also talked about Kate and her frequent colds. For Kate, Holly gave us a child's herbal called Windbreaker. It is a liquid - we are dosing her 4x a day. Plus she said to get a probiotic for Kate also.

For diet recommendations, for both Kate and myself, she said to cut WAY BACK on sugar and get all the antibiotics out of our diet, ie. eat only organic meats and dairy. She told us to really read labels and look at how many grams of sugar various things have in them. She told us yogurt with added fruit is as bad as ice cream and suggested we feed Kate plain yogurt sweetened with applesauce instead. Also, she would like us to get juice out of Kate's diet. She gets it at school, so not much we can do there, but we can cut way back at home.

For me, she suggested lots of fresh vegetables and less fruit and less dairy. Plus of course all really bad sugar like cookies or Coke must go.

After less than 48 hours of dosing myself with the herbs for my cold, I started to feel better. Kate has not gotten as sick as she usually does. There has been no nighttime coughing, which she usually gets with these colds.

I am very excited about going forward. I see Holly again next Wed the 4th - will get a 3rd accupunture treatment and hopefully be ready for some other herbs.

Kate

I have a couple of recent things I need to share about Kate. She is so sweet. The other day I was playing with her in her room and said my feet were cold and I needed my slippers. She jumps up and says, "I will get your slippers." and runs off to my bedroom to get mommy's slippers. How cute! She loves to help. She will spray and wipe off the glass tables - love to Windex. She will help me put laundry in the machine and/or in dryer.

Then the funny one. This morning we had breakfast at First Watch. She ate a ton. As we were finishing, she says, "I need to pee-pee." So off we go to the bathroom. I actually thought she might need to poop - she had a funny look on her face. I get her on the toilet seat, she pees, I start to wipe, and then she says, "I need to poopy." So I back away, and she scrunches up her face, and says, "I am trying to push it out; it won't come." It was very funny b/c she said it quite loudly and had this funny look on her face. She did manage to poop. I think she was forcing it b/c her tummy was SO full.

This afternoon we had Caroline, one of Kate's sitters, come over. When we got home, Caroline wasn't sure if Kate had napped or not. Caroline says Kate was quiet in her room for at least an hour and half. If she wasn't asleep I don't know what she was doing. We tried asking Kate but first she told Caroline she did not sleep and then she told us she did take a nap. We aren't sure what to believe. Kate's teachers did mention to Todd the other day that Kate has been "making up" a few stories lately.

Yesterday we had Chick-fil-a and Kate loves their lemonade. After nap the big cup of unfinished lemonade was on the table. She had some but then we told her no more. Then she goes over and gets the lemonade again - when Todd questions her, since we just told her "no", she says, "Mommy wants some. I'm taking it to her." She did bring it to me (even though I did not ask) but of course took another drink before she gave it to me. I'm not sure what to think.

Scheduling

My biggest challenge is fitting it all in. Here are all the things I need to get done - my job (obviously); school work (reading, writing papers, etc.); exercising; keep up with my Mary Kay customer service; plus housework. All of this and of course I need to spend time with Kate and Todd. Kate has been telling Todd, "I miss mommy."quite a lot lately. Tonight I went to the Y to work-out. When I got home, it was bedtime and I got to read her one book. She tells me, "I missed you during lotion." What she means is lotion and jammies - this is usually my part of our bedtime routine. After bath and brushing teeth with Todd, she gets thoroughly lotioned by me and then pjs before short playtime and book.

I've had a few ideas to manage my time - need the discipline to make it work out. I think I am going to start picking Kate up from preschool every day. If I get to work a half-hour earlier, leave at 4:30, and go get Kate, we can spend 5 to 6:30 together before I leave to work-out or go to the office to study. I think that is the most practical option. Will give it a try.

the new doctor

Today I went for my first visit to Dr. Holly. She is not a MD but a DOM, Doctor of Oriental Medicine. She takes a holistic, non-drug approach to health issues. She treats with herbal remedies and acupuncture plus diet modifications when necessary. The visit was 2 hours - it was amazing. I've never had a MD ask so many questions or take such a thorough medical history. She really probes and asks follow up questions. She took tons of notes.

Thankfully she says my case seems fairly cut and dry. My symptoms all point towards two main issues - Candida and liver/gallbladder dysfunction. She feels with some herbal treatments, acupuncture if I want to continue, and small changes to my diet, she can bring me relief from my headaches, neck pain, and sinus issues. I am very excited about the possibility of a pain-free life.

It is hard to describe how my life is with almost constant pain. To wake up in the morning with a headache, or sore throat, or sinuses that feel like they are being pounded, does not make for a great start to your day. It affects my mood and my ability to work efficiently.

In the state of FL, she qualifies as a primary care physician, so I am hopeful some of the cost will be covered by my health insurance. I would like her to see Kate, and eventually Todd, too. She has patients of all ages and with all types of conditions she helps with.

One thing she told me that was very interesting is the deal with antibiotics. I don't take them often and Kate has had them only 3 times but apparently that is too much. Because antibiotics kill off everything - bad bacteria and good bacteria - it actually makes you more susceptible to more illness. It can become a vicious cycle of sick, drugs, sick, drugs.

I go back to see her on the 26th. Between now and then, she asked me to monitor my sugar and dairy intake. She also, for Kate's sake, suggested we go back to hormone-free (organic) cheese and meats. I know they are more expensive but it is important so we will find a way.

Just a moment

Have just a moment to write. I mean to do it in the evenings but I have other things to do and by the end of the day, I am tired of the computer. Todd says I am addicted but all my life is on a computer. My friends email, my customers email, and all our financial stuff is online too.

Different topic - Kate on the phone. The other night I was talking to my mom and Kate was getting ready for bed. I offered the phone so she could talk to Grandma. Without any prompting from me she says, "Hello Grandma. I miss you." How cute is that? My mom is coming to visit next month so we will put it on Kate's calendar when February starts so she can count down the days.

Monday and Tuesday were headache free days. First ones in a while. This Saturday I am seeing a new doctor - a doctor of oriental medicine. She treats with herbs and natural remedies, no drugs. Really hoping she can help with all my aches and pains.

Time to shower - gotta get to work.

Hello, hello, hello

Kate is still having going-to-bed issues. We have tried every tactic - not sure what to do. She sure does say some funny things though. Tonight she told us "I'm a pizza." I said "what kind of pizza"? She says "pepperoni and extra cheese". At other times, she is a dolphin, dentist, or Miss Ella, the children's librarian at our local library. Sometimes I wish I could capture all the funny or cute things she says on tape. Todd is teaching her the song "Me and Mrs. Jones" - apparently they heard it in the car. To hear Kate sing is so funny - she really tries to sound like the person singing.

Today when Todd picked her up from school, she tells him "I cried a yittle(little) bit today." I asked her why, she says "I missed my mommy and daddy". Later on she adds to the story and tells me "I cried in the bathroom". She has a hard time with "L"s - they sound like 'y'. It is getting better - we have been working with her.

Work is going ok - Todd is looking hard for a job.

Happy New Year!

Just read Becca's post - it is true. I am thankful for all we have. Even though Todd is unemployed, I have a job and we are all healthy. Kate is a happy child and likes her preschool.

Can't believe another year has gone by - Todd and I will celebrate seven years of marriage in Feb. Wow - were does the time go?

Picture is Kate and I at Dinosaur World today. We had fun - she seemed to enjoy it.

Gotta run - going to work tomorrow.