I've been keeping this blog for almost 2 years now, and I really enjoy doing it. =) However, the blog isn't really for me - it's for you!
I rarely receive comments on what I post, so I thought I'd take a minute to seek your input. If you'd be so kind to answer a few questions (you can post in the comments or email me your answer), I'd be very grateful for your feedback! Thank you!
Blessings,
-Joanna
1) Do you find the content of this blog helpful and beneficial?
2) Are you happy with the balance of different kinds of posts - personal stories, humor, encouragement, practical health tips & information?
3) Would you like to see more posts in one of these areas? Less posts in one area?
4) Do you think most of the posts are too long, too short, or just right?
5) Any suggestions to improve or change this blog?
Friday, September 30, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
His Promise Never Fails
Today I want to tell you a story. (It may sound a little like one of those children's books where one event builds on another until you reach the big ending. I always liked those....) As crazy as this story probably sounds, it's true.
There once was a girl who had Environmental Illness. She worked very hard to get better. She even called herself the "Super-E.I.-Girl." But sometimes she got discouraged.
One day she smelled paint fumes coming into the house. She stayed in her room all day, and the fumes finally went away.
She was glad it was over. Until she realized that the paint fumes had gotten into her clean laundry.
Her mom washed the laundry again. But before Super-E.I.-Girl checked if the laundry was ok, the monthly pesticide spraying happened in her neighborhood.
Because of the monthly pesticide spraying, her mom could not do any laundry for at least 4 days. When Super-E.I.-Girl tried to use the clean laundry, she got sick.
Since she couldn't use her clean laundry, she had to sleep on the same sheet for over a week. (She normally put on clean sheets every 3-4 days because of the toxins they accumulated.)
Sleeping on a toxic sheet started to make Super-E.I.-Girl feel worse. She got upset with God. Why had He allowed the paint smell to happen right before the pesticide spraying? Why did something as simple as doing laundry have to be a constant battle? She cried and cried, but she didn't feel any better.
Super-E.I.-Girl felt so awful that she finally decided to call her doctor, even though she wasn't scheduled for an appointment for another week. She wrote down all her questions and prepared to get some answers.
To Super-E.I.-Girl's surprise, her doctor told her she had parasites! She'd probably had them for a long time (maybe even more than a year). But those little bugs are so hard to test for, that it was only this one day they finally showed up.
In silence, Super-E.I.-Girl contemplated this news. Slowly, she thought about the past week and realized something.
- If there hadn't been a paint smell, followed by pesticide spraying, she would have had clean laundry.
- If she'd had clean laundry, she wouldn't have felt so awful.
- If she hadn't felt so awful, she wouldn't have called the doctor that day.
- If she hadn't called the doctor that day, who knows how long it would have been until they found the parasite.
Humbly, Super-E.I.-Girl bowed her head and thanked God for the paint smell, and the pesticide spraying, and the toxic sheet, and for feeling so awful, and for her doctor, and for the parasite treatment (which she hoped would make a big difference for her health)!
Most of all she thanked God for His promise in Romans 8:28, that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him. And she asked God to help her the next time she had a crisis to remember and to trust, that no matter what, His promise never fails.
The End.
There once was a girl who had Environmental Illness. She worked very hard to get better. She even called herself the "Super-E.I.-Girl." But sometimes she got discouraged.
One day she smelled paint fumes coming into the house. She stayed in her room all day, and the fumes finally went away.
She was glad it was over. Until she realized that the paint fumes had gotten into her clean laundry.
Her mom washed the laundry again. But before Super-E.I.-Girl checked if the laundry was ok, the monthly pesticide spraying happened in her neighborhood.
Because of the monthly pesticide spraying, her mom could not do any laundry for at least 4 days. When Super-E.I.-Girl tried to use the clean laundry, she got sick.
Since she couldn't use her clean laundry, she had to sleep on the same sheet for over a week. (She normally put on clean sheets every 3-4 days because of the toxins they accumulated.)
Sleeping on a toxic sheet started to make Super-E.I.-Girl feel worse. She got upset with God. Why had He allowed the paint smell to happen right before the pesticide spraying? Why did something as simple as doing laundry have to be a constant battle? She cried and cried, but she didn't feel any better.
Super-E.I.-Girl felt so awful that she finally decided to call her doctor, even though she wasn't scheduled for an appointment for another week. She wrote down all her questions and prepared to get some answers.
To Super-E.I.-Girl's surprise, her doctor told her she had parasites! She'd probably had them for a long time (maybe even more than a year). But those little bugs are so hard to test for, that it was only this one day they finally showed up.
In silence, Super-E.I.-Girl contemplated this news. Slowly, she thought about the past week and realized something.
- If there hadn't been a paint smell, followed by pesticide spraying, she would have had clean laundry.
- If she'd had clean laundry, she wouldn't have felt so awful.
- If she hadn't felt so awful, she wouldn't have called the doctor that day.
- If she hadn't called the doctor that day, who knows how long it would have been until they found the parasite.
Humbly, Super-E.I.-Girl bowed her head and thanked God for the paint smell, and the pesticide spraying, and the toxic sheet, and for feeling so awful, and for her doctor, and for the parasite treatment (which she hoped would make a big difference for her health)!
Most of all she thanked God for His promise in Romans 8:28, that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him. And she asked God to help her the next time she had a crisis to remember and to trust, that no matter what, His promise never fails.
The End.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
The Whole Package
For most of us, when our health starts to deteriorate, we want to just take one pill and be well. Or do one health treatment and be well. Or go to one doctor and have them 'fix' us. Etc.
The reality is that our bodies are complex and intricate. By the time we start to notice symptoms, there are usually many health issues involved, not just one problem.
I think anyone who's been on this health journey for very long will tell you not to expect to find one super-doctor or one 'miracle' treatment.
In the past 7 years, I've consulted over 40 doctors in 8 states. Some were helpful; others were harmful. Gradually, my mom and I realized we would have to take bits and pieces of helpful information from various sources and put together our own comprehensive 'health program.'
Over the last two years, these are most of the things I've been doing consistently (daily or weekly):
- lymphatic massage
- detox bath
- deep breathing
- stretches & mild exercise
- rebounding
- physical therapy (once a week for a year, now only when needed)
- various supplements
- natural remedies
- coconut oil (internally & externally)
- diet changes (as needed/possible)
- CBT allergy treatments
- keeping a non-toxic environment (as much as possible)
- breathing sea air (when possible)
There are other basic things in my lifestyle that help - plenty of water, sleep (10-11 hours for me), laughter, prayer, encouragement, etc.
My body has needed this complete package. One thing alone wouldn't have been enough to produce the level of improvement I've experienced.
There are many things I've tried that didn't help. There are other things I've considered doing but haven't been able to try yet. And I continue looking for new information. I want to keep learning so I can do what's best for my body.
The important thing for you is to work out your own program of what helps you, and then persevere.
If you keep looking for that one "magic" pill, you'll be disappointed.
As you continue seeking wisdom and knowledge, I pray the Lord will guide you. I know He will help you put together the whole package that you need.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." -James 1:5
The reality is that our bodies are complex and intricate. By the time we start to notice symptoms, there are usually many health issues involved, not just one problem.
I think anyone who's been on this health journey for very long will tell you not to expect to find one super-doctor or one 'miracle' treatment.
In the past 7 years, I've consulted over 40 doctors in 8 states. Some were helpful; others were harmful. Gradually, my mom and I realized we would have to take bits and pieces of helpful information from various sources and put together our own comprehensive 'health program.'
Over the last two years, these are most of the things I've been doing consistently (daily or weekly):
- lymphatic massage
- detox bath
- deep breathing
- stretches & mild exercise
- rebounding
- physical therapy (once a week for a year, now only when needed)
- various supplements
- natural remedies
- coconut oil (internally & externally)
- diet changes (as needed/possible)
- CBT allergy treatments
- keeping a non-toxic environment (as much as possible)
- breathing sea air (when possible)
There are other basic things in my lifestyle that help - plenty of water, sleep (10-11 hours for me), laughter, prayer, encouragement, etc.
My body has needed this complete package. One thing alone wouldn't have been enough to produce the level of improvement I've experienced.
There are many things I've tried that didn't help. There are other things I've considered doing but haven't been able to try yet. And I continue looking for new information. I want to keep learning so I can do what's best for my body.
The important thing for you is to work out your own program of what helps you, and then persevere.
If you keep looking for that one "magic" pill, you'll be disappointed.
As you continue seeking wisdom and knowledge, I pray the Lord will guide you. I know He will help you put together the whole package that you need.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." -James 1:5
Thursday, September 8, 2011
When I See You Smile...
(Preface: One of the effects of having many allergic reactions is that I sometimes get a little loopy in the midst of them...I blame it on lack of oxygen to the brain. On the plus side, a little humor is a positive thing in the midst of a reaction. Anyway, the following post is the fruit of one of those slap-happy moments. I don't know if anyone else will think it's funny, but I hope you'll at least get a smile out of it.) =)
I think it's about time that the E.I. community came up with our own music album. It could help communicate our difficulties, emotions, and experiences. Or maybe it would just give us something to laugh at in this crazy E.I. life. =)
To get this new trend in the music industry started, I've compiled my own E.I. Music Album, made up of variations on popular songs.
(Note: Out of respect for the authors of the original songs, I have put my additions and changes to the titles in parentheses.
Disclaimer: The party of the first part is not endorsing any of these original songs and cannot be held liable for injuries resulting from listening to the aforementioned songs.)
Songs of E.I. Life - The Good, The Bad, & The Ridiculous
- Achy, Breaky Heart (With Arythmia And Palpitations)
- Shake, Rattle & Roll (Me Out Of Bed)
- I (Wish I Could) Feel Good
- I Still Haven't Found (The Doctor) I'm Looking For
- Nobody (Except Other E.I.'s) Knows The Trouble I've Seen
- It's A (Toxic) World After All
- Rocky Mountain (Spotted Fever) High
- I Will Survive (I Think)
- I've Got A Lovely Bunch Of (Organic) Coconut (Oil)
- Can't Touch This (Or That, Or Anything Else)
- These Are A Few Of My Favorite (Supplements)
- Somewhere There's A (Fragrance-Free) Place For Us
- Count Your (Non-toxic) Blessings
Please post a comment with your vote for Best E.I. song in this album!
Keep smiling! =)
I think it's about time that the E.I. community came up with our own music album. It could help communicate our difficulties, emotions, and experiences. Or maybe it would just give us something to laugh at in this crazy E.I. life. =)
To get this new trend in the music industry started, I've compiled my own E.I. Music Album, made up of variations on popular songs.
(Note: Out of respect for the authors of the original songs, I have put my additions and changes to the titles in parentheses.
Disclaimer: The party of the first part is not endorsing any of these original songs and cannot be held liable for injuries resulting from listening to the aforementioned songs.)
Songs of E.I. Life - The Good, The Bad, & The Ridiculous
- Achy, Breaky Heart (With Arythmia And Palpitations)
- Shake, Rattle & Roll (Me Out Of Bed)
- I (Wish I Could) Feel Good
- I Still Haven't Found (The Doctor) I'm Looking For
- Nobody (Except Other E.I.'s) Knows The Trouble I've Seen
- It's A (Toxic) World After All
- Rocky Mountain (Spotted Fever) High
- I Will Survive (I Think)
- I've Got A Lovely Bunch Of (Organic) Coconut (Oil)
- Can't Touch This (Or That, Or Anything Else)
- These Are A Few Of My Favorite (Supplements)
- Somewhere There's A (Fragrance-Free) Place For Us
- Count Your (Non-toxic) Blessings
Please post a comment with your vote for Best E.I. song in this album!
Keep smiling! =)
Friday, September 2, 2011
Comfort
I've been reading through Psalm 119 lately. While this is the ultimate Psalm about the power and beauty of God's Word, many of the verses specifically address suffering.
Today I just wanted to share with you some highlights from this Psalm that I have returned to over and over again and have found great comfort in.
May God's precious Word speak peace and consolation to your soul today.
Blessings,
-Joanna
(from Psalm 119)
28 My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
50 My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.
68a You are good, and what you do is good;
75 I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous,
and in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
107 I have suffered much;
preserve my life, O LORD, according to your word.
165 Great peace have they who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble.
175 Let me live that I may praise you,
and may your laws [Word] sustain me.
Amen.
Today I just wanted to share with you some highlights from this Psalm that I have returned to over and over again and have found great comfort in.
May God's precious Word speak peace and consolation to your soul today.
Blessings,
-Joanna
(from Psalm 119)
28 My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
50 My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.
68a You are good, and what you do is good;
75 I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous,
and in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
107 I have suffered much;
preserve my life, O LORD, according to your word.
165 Great peace have they who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble.
175 Let me live that I may praise you,
and may your laws [Word] sustain me.
Amen.
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