Saturday, April 30, 2011

His strength

28 "Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and His understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
-Isaiah 40:28-31

Amen.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Parasites

Ok, this is everyone's favorite topic, right? Not.
But parasties are indeed a real part of most people's health problems.

Most experts estimate that 80-95% of the American population has parasites (just google it - you'll be surprised).

- If you have a pet, you're at risk for parasites.
- If you've ever been out of the country, you undoubtedly picked up parasites.
- If you've ever eaten pork or fish, you've most likely consumed parasites
...these are just a few indicators.

Basically, unless you've recently done a parasite treatment, you most assuredly have them right now.

But before you freak out, try to remember that this knowledge can be a good thing. Parasites can mimic other diseases and cause all kinds of problems in the body. So maybe your strange symptoms have a simple explanation.

The problem is that most doctors don't test for parasites, or they only test for a few kinds. And most medications they prescribe only kill the adult parasites, not the eggs, thus are ineffective.

After I returned from Mexico, my MD gave me a routine parasite medication, which as far as I know, didn't do any good. Next I tried a natural alternative - Wormwood. (That is the nastiest taste on the planet!) I don't think that helped either, because my intestinal problems continued.
Later a friend recommended an herbal treatment, which consisted of taking capsules, powder in water, and drinking a special tea each day, for several weeks (40-50 days, I don't remember exaxtly). Unfortunately, because of my sensitivities to herbs, it made me worse, and I had to quit before I finished it.

Finally, in 2009, I went to Dr. Smith (http://www.allertouch.com/index.asp) who has developed a natural treatment for parasites that actually works! He treated me for parasites in my intestines. Later I found that I had parasites in my adrenal gland, so we treated for those also.
When we tested my mom she originally had them in her stomah and liver. We treated her. Then a few months later more showed up in her lower intestines. So we treated for those.

The point is that there are many different kinds of parasites and they can be in different places in the body. And after treating for one kind, another kind may show up somewhere else. This is why regular checking and treating for parasites is so important.

If you're interested in the natural method we use, send me an email or post a comment, and I'll send you the specifics (it only takes 2 days).
If your body is not as sensitive as mine and you can tolerate herbs, then Dr. Valerie Saxion has an herbal parasite treatment on her website, called ParaCease. http://www.valeriesaxion.com/
She also has MUCH more information about this topic.

Unfortunately, parasites are part of the reality of living in this fallen world. Whatever you do, please take this seriously! Your body is God's temple. Be a faithful guardian of it. Kick out the "squatters." =)

Fighting for health,
-Joanna

- One more note: A good rule of thumb is to get a new toothbrush every 3 months (germs & nasties build up in your toothbrush). But it's especially improtant to get a new toothbrush when doing a parasite treatment. If you don't, you could end up reinfecting yourself from your toothbrush.
.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

I CAN...

Living with Environmental Illness is constantly being faced with what I can't do. I can't - go there, do that, eat this, see them.... The ongoing limitations can be overwhelming at times.

Today I just want to praise God for the improvements in my health that mean there are some things I CAN do again!


- I CAN wash dishes!
It's been years since I've been able to stand up long enough to wash a few dishes. And believe me, it feels great! =)

- I CAN read books!
I don't know how many months it's been since I could hold a book in my hands without getting sick from it. I'm having so much fun reading that I'm actually in the middle of 4 different books right now!

- I CAN do 4 & 1/2 push-ups! =)
Ok, not every day, but at least once or twice a week. Yeah!

- I CAN listen to music!
There were a lot of months when I was so weak that any sounds, even good music, would make me feel worse. It's so wonderful to be playing Wayne Watson and Keith Green again!

- I CAN learn!
For a long time my body was in survival mode: eat, breathe, sleep. Thinking was a luxury I didn't have. But now I'm able to receive information, process it and learn - and I'm loving it! (My brain still isn't 100%, but I think it's at least 50% better.)


These are just a few of the things I CAN do again now, things I took for granted for many years. I praise God for His healing work in my body, and I pray I will enjoy every day, being thankful for what I CAN do!


"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (I Thess. 5:18)

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Roller-coaster

Living with E.I. is a roller-coaster.
For a long time, it was all downward spirals and sideways corkscrews for me.
Thankfully, with the right help, I've been able to make some steady upward progress. But that doesn't eliminate the downward plunges or upside down loops.

For example...
In December God brought me to the top of a huge hill - I got off the Cortef medication!
Of course, shortly after that I had an awful reaction to some herbicide, it took over a week to recover. I was just starting to feel better when I reacted to something on Christmas Day!
After two weeks, I was about back to "normal" (for me) when I had another chemical exposure.
I got over that one, then we had fumes in the oven - we couldn't use it for two weeks.
Finally got that straightened out, and then we got gasoline fumes in the house...we're still trying to get those cleared out.
(And this is just a little snapshot of my life, not including all the other twists & turns.)

But E.I. life isn't without its "ups," thanks to God's grace.

One day I was crying out to God in anguish of spirit, just tired of this trial, tired of the struggle, but also tired of this imperfect life, its pain and impermanance.
Then, like someone had flipped a switch in my brain, I realized that, really and truly, earth has nothing I desire! (Ps. 73:25) Everything I love, all that I long for is already stored up for me in heaven!
In a moment God took me from the depths of anguish to the heights of joy! He used the difficulty of my trial, the loops and plunges, to bring me to a place of spiritual awareness and deeper intimacy with Him.

I understand now that if I hadn't gone through the "downs" of the roller-coaster, I wouldn't have experienced the "ups" either.

I guess all of life is a roller-coaster, not just E.I. life. Heaven is our "finish line," our place of permanance and perfection. Until then we're still on this wild ride.

So while sometimes on this roller-coaster I'm holding on for dear life, other moments I'm lifting my hands and shouting for joy!