The Website is SO close!

I'm sitting here... working away at my website (using iWeb, since I don't know what I'm doing).. and all of the sudden, it is noticeably freezing in the room. The heat has shut off for the night and it's now 2:00am... I should be curled up in bed under my huge down comforter.
I think I've done all I can do for now. I'll need to call Hostmonster to find out how to upload it.
WOW it's cold! 28 degrees. Time to heat up some body buddies and hit the hay. It feels good to be productive. (Now I should apply that same philosophy to my room!)

In a bit of a funk... but I have a feeling it's drawing near to an end

I have been in one crazy funk for quite a while now. I was reading last night in my journal.. and I was feeling this way ever since the beginning of the semester. I need to find the Lord again. I've been slowly slipping (sneaking?) away for a year or two... yet somehow I'm still here. I feel like He's just patiently waiting for me to finish whatever I think I need to do, and finally realize that there's nothing that I really need or want but to enjoy His company. I sense my shenanigans winding to a close.



Well at least when I get depressed I can still function! Had everyone over for dinner the other day, and we had a good time. I made dinner (soup and salad) and dessert (apple crumble).

Semester sum up

Well the semester has finally ended. This calls for a sum up!

• My recital was just capital. YouTube videos will follow, I'm sure of it. I just need to pay some people so I can get the footage and edit it.
• FENAM was... interesting... Temperance got honorable mention..so that was neat.
• I am all done with classes, save for two incompletes. Need to do a paper in Music History and two concert reports in World Music. And then I get my pieces of paper saying "Good job! Here's a piece of paper with Bachelor of Music on it for all your hard work!" :)
• I changed my website to janzenmusic.com. It is not up and running yet, but I'm working on it as we speak...err...as I type.
• I haven't been able to hear very well for the past three weeks.I FINALLY got a good diagnoses and got some steroids to spray up my nose. If this doesn't work.... surgery is the next step. Lets hope it works.
• My count dropped and I got sick at the same time (this was the precursor to the hearing thing).... I'm 95% positive is was something I ate..... And I'm going to experiment and cut out all grains for a while..see what happens. No..I don't have labs to prove my count dropped; just my own experience...I can tell. LOTS of signs.
  

Here's a little taste of my classical recital:
l

Time for rehearsals!

Wow.. so I went from practically not having any rehearsals set up, and not having all my players. To having EVERYTHING set and all my players... this all happened today.... yes.. I've been busy texting and emailing. It's going to be crazy madness for me the next two weeks, but well worth it.
Time to practice and rehearse for my life!

Oh.. and I made this for the fun of it: This would be "horror" genre for my poster... And no.. I won't be posting this one in the music department... It was just for the fun of it.

Aaaallllllllllmost there!!!

Soooooooo close!
I added pictures this time... just to have something to look at. And since the title does have some reference to sailing, I thought it apropos to put in sailing pictures! Go figure...

Poster break!

Took a break from composing and got a necessary thing done... the recital poster! I hope to do a few, but I won't make any more until I'm done composing. I just wanted one done so I could email friends and family to let them know about (those who already don't, that is..)

I only make bets when I know I'll win...

So my recital is coming together... but really.. I need/want to end it with a chamber orchestra piece. So I started one and brought it to my lesson on Thursday... My teacher liked it, and asked when I was hoping this would be performed... to which I replied, "My recital." :)
He's eyes got slightly larger and said something to the effect of, "The one that's in a few weeks!?"
"Yes.. I can do it..."
"I don't want to sound pessimistic here, but I don't think you can..."
"Oh yes I can.."
"Finish it, get all the players, rehearse, and have it ready for your recital?"
"Yes."
"..That's in a few weeks.."
"Yes."
"I feel a bet coming on!"

So he's betting $10 against me that I can't do it.. And one of the other students in the lesson got in on it.. so that's $20 now. So if I finish this, that's $20 for me.. but if not, I loose $20.
When I told my brother about it, he said I should have bet 2:1, cause the odds are against me. *Shrug* I've never bet before.... kind of new to how it works.
So anyway!!
Here's the start of it. Please forgive the midi playback.. it knows not what it does.

Article in the school paper

Here's the end result of my interview with a student journalist from school:

The State Hornet
Student refuses to let rare illness slow her down

The cutest cat ever

You know everyone says it, but really... I really do have the cutest cat in world.

Getting things rolling!

Today I had an interview with one of the journalists at school... Oddly enough, he wasn't doing a piece on me as a musician so much as he was doing a piece on me having ITP. How he knew I had that?.... I'm not quite sure.... hmmmm. Needless to say, it went very well, and afterward he asked if I had pictures I could send to him. Naturally, I said yes.. thinking about the gobs of photos I have from my jazz recital... and then realized they probably weren't exactly what he wanted. So I took some new ones when I got home...and not only for the newspaper, but to help promote my recital as well.
I have more ideas for my recital pics, but this at least gets the ball going and puts me in a recital head space, so to speak. In the end, I want to make my poster look like a movie poster... with the title of "Escape from Capistrano"..or something to that effect........ it's a work in progress.


Jess took the pics, I photoshopped. :)

The Student Musician.... an exciting life.

Today I went to go watch the orchestra rehearse. Since I have to wait around till after they get out anyway, I figured I'd pop in.. I always enjoy it. :) Right! So! Today!.... I step through the double doors, just as Robert (the grad assistant) is going out. He pauses long enough to tell me I may be playing the harp part for one of the pieces. Naturally, this is the first I hear about it... and the concert is Tuesday. That's right... THIS Tuesday. As in 1, 2, 3, 4, FIVE days away. He comes back with copies of the music, and as the orchestra is rehearsing with the student conductor, I step out into the hallway with the Maestro and he informs me the student harpist has never been to any of the rehearsals... And he won't hear her until the dress rehearsal.. So he wanted backup in case she..well...is terrible. Now normally, I LOVE doing this kind of thing. Coming in last minute and saving the day in an awesome way. But that did not happen here.. not by a long shot. 1) I'm not use to playing with an orchestra. 2) I'd never heard the piece before in my life, and therefore 3) Never seen it before, and 4) It's not the easiest thing, that's for darn sure.. Rhythmically speaking. Harmonically, no problem. Super tonal. But fast as hell.. I mean the measures are just careening by! Soaring by with pulses of One..One...One...One! (It's in 3/8.. but too fast to beat in 3).
Needless to say, I'll be listening to a recording of that piece over the weekend. (After we finish filming)


My woodwind quintet is killing me... just.... pure murder. I've spent the past MONTH now on two pages. TWO! Good grief.. I should have been done with this piece weeks ago. But Dave sat in on our lesson today, and gave a fantastic suggestion of going into a march feel... Which it just so happens I already have the beginnings of such a thing when I was working on my dueling conductors piece (which never went anywhere). Three cheers for using old material! I think it'll be exactly what this piece needs. Here's hoping, cause it needs to be done.. like... yesterday.

Oi! It’s past my bed time by 40 minutes. Time to sleep.

Labs are back bearing tidenings of good news!

28 is the magic number this month! That's right... 28! The last time (a month ago) it was 16... It's so nice to be out of the teens! And almost 30 to boot!
Rock. On.

Lab result fail

The only part of my lab results that I care about: Platelets. And what does the number say?... Nothing.. Instead of a number it says (and I quote):
Unable to perform accurate platelet count due to platelet clumps.
Platelets appear decreased on slide.

Now.. platelet clumps don't necessarily mean that my count is higher.. it just means someone screwed up with my blood. :P Either the phlebotomist or the lab techs... or my platelets where just excited, they couldn't wait to start sticking together! (Ha! There's an entertaining mental image for ya!) *Sigh* Well.. I'll be seeing my hematologist tomorrow... so we can order one again. This is a total drag though, cause I wanted to see if what I ate on Sunday made my count drop. Yes... that sounds slightly masochistic... but to be sure, I did not do that on purpose. Whilst in the processes of filming, we went out for lunch. I ordered a black bean veggie burger (wrapped in lettuce). It was pretty good, but really salty... and later that evening I felt like crap, and my left arm was in serious bone pain. And then the next day I had two nasty purple bruises on each hip!
But so much for that experiment! Way to flub up on the one thing that counts, people!

Right... vitimn D calls me...

Filming begins

I am off to catch the next train into the Bay.. and tomorrow we will start filming! (around 5:30 in the morning, I do believe... yikes).

I just got my labs done..... so I'll get the results in a few days.

Jess and I did P90X together today... arms, shoulders and abs. Oh.. my.... goodness. That is all.

Yes, yes, and more yes.

I attempted to email Dr. Awesome last week... but some things were going a little wrong trying to get the email through, and I was never fully sure if he got it. Basically, it was me informing him that I was feeling fantastic, and was wondering if there were any more labs he wanted to order. I never got a reply, so I assumed he either didn't get it, or didn't have time to respond.
But lo and behold! Today in the mail was a letter from his office... and what was in said letter? LAB ORDERS! WHOOHOO! Nothing else.. no letter.. Just a single piece of paper with some more labs on it to do. I'm so excited! One of them is a CBC!! :D
You can bet your biscuits I'll be getting that done tomorrow.

The shower filter is working. Rock..... on. My hair is getting it's curly-awesomeness back, and the acne is clearing up.

My woodwind quintet is almost done. For sure it will be done by next week.

Filming this weekend and next for The Final Hour.

I started doing P90X... and it's AMAZING! I am so outrageously sore form yesterday..it's out of control.

For the week not starting out so great, this is on fantastic way to end it!
Yikes! Pumpkin hour! Time to sleep!

It's shower time!

While I was fasting up in Santa Rosa, my skin became amazingly clean and clear, and my hair was startlingly healthy and wavy, worthy of an Herbal Essence commercial. Never in my life had these two items been this way.
My return home found 'oo's and 'ah's in response to the unintentionally new look. However, to my dismay, after only a day or two, acne started cropping up, and my hair went back to it's frizzled, flat self. I was rather shocked, thinking that it was my new healthy lifestyle that brought this good fortune upon me. Clearly there was more to it, for I hadn't changed anything since being home.
Cue detective work.
Shampoo could explain the hair... quite easily infact, because I was using their shampoo while up there. And the acne? Stress and hormones, was my first guess. So I bought the shampoo (and soap to go with it... which I love!). And just waited out the other. HOWEVER... it's been three weeks since being back.. and STILL no change. Now something is really amiss!
Cue deductive reasoning.
It's the water.
Plain and simple.
So... what to do? Why get a shower filter, of course! Which is precisly what I have done. Just now... well... an hour ago.
So I'm going to go install it, and take myself a lovely shower, and we'll see what happens in the next week! :)

Let the composing commence!

School has begun (early this year, might I add). And for the first time in my educated life, I have only one class a week. And it's not even a class.. it's my private lessons. So yes.. I only have to be on campus on Thursdays. Wow. Of course.. that doesn't mean I won't be there other days. Undoubtedly I will, due to rehearsals and whatnot for my recital. But it is so nice to have the open schedule.

Today I went on a little adventure. It started with me wanting to ride my bike.. So I got my biking clothes on and thought, "Maybe I'll ride to school" (which is over an hour ride). But then I thought I really didn't want to drive to the hatchery, ride, wait, then ride back, then drive home. Then I got the crazy idea to make some lunch and ride to the lake nearby. And that's precisely what I did. :) I made myself a monster of a salad, and tossed that into my backpack, along with a good book... checked google.maps to make sure I knew where I was going, and off I went!
Now... here's the thing... google.maps doesn't show hills and whatnot in map mode... just the streets. So in my mind, I'm thinking flat the whole way. But oh no siree! Not flat at ALL! Think San Francisco. I had to get off and walk.. and even then I was gasping for air. And then!.. Going down the otherside was death waiting to happen. My word but I was flying down the otherside of that mountain like an avalanch. A firm mental note not to go back that way was etched into my being.
Needless to say, half an hour later, I arrived at the lake.. parked myself in some shade near the water, kicked my shoes off, and ate and read in the peacefull breaze.
The way home was a totally new route... and still with a very large hill, but it was decidedly far better than it's former.
I think I'll go again tomorrow.... and a new way..again...


Here's the last movement of the woodwind quintet I'm currently working on. (Oh iMovie.. you crack me up....)

Burgers and Fries!

I waltz into the kitchen, wanting something to eat. Oddly enough, the craving for french fries comes to mind. I had some golden potatoes and homemade ketchup, so why not!... But then, what to go with them?.. How about some bean burgers!
So I get a simple recipe out of Joel Fuhrman's book for the burgers, slice up the potatoes and sprinkle some garlic powder over them, and stick them in the oven whilst making the burgers. I discover though, as I'm going along, that I want more in the burger than what Dr. Fuhrman calls for, so I start throwing stuff in. Then Jess comes into the kitchen, and then things REALLY get going.. and the new challenge is to get these things as close to beef burgers (in taste) as possible. Let's see if I can remember what all is in here...
Black beans
Kidney beans
Onion
Garlic
Celery
Almonds
Sunflower seeds
Tomatoes
Cumin
Ketchup (homemade)
Benson's Seasonings
Quinoa (seasoned with white vinegar, molasses, cumin, more Benson's)
I'm sure there were a few other things... we were just throwing stuff in that seemed like it would work.. heheh... It turned out GREAT! Baked it for about 20 min at 350 degrees, then flipped them and bakes for another 20... something like that. They LOOKED like beef.

The ketchup was also a mix of recipes and turned out shockingly good.
Tomato paste
Sun dried tomatoes
Apple juice
Lemon juice
Apple cider Vinegar
Hemp oil
Dates
Onion
Garlic
Oregano

Then Jess made this absolutely amazing "cheese" sauce.. that was made with nutritional yeast and other things (the recipe was in the Thrive book)

The "bun" is gluten free bread from Trader Joe's (the brown rice bread).

Needless to say, it was an amazing dinner. Very filling, and very tasty.

Spinach Ravioli Take 1

On the 11th day of my fast, I came up with an idea for spinach ravioli. It turned out pretty good, but the recipe still needs some work.

This sucker has no oil, salt, sugar, dairy, egg, meat, or gluten. :D

Missing it more than I thought

I arrived home safe and sound, but the next morning found myself depressed..feeling as if I accidentally left a piece of myself back in Santa Rosa. I'm surprised how much I miss everyone and being there.. It was quite a culture shock to come back home oddly enough. I'm a little better today, but still down. I'm sure the slightly messy room and the hospital bill hanging precariously over my head doesn't help matters either. Tomorrow I'll take care of both of those, as well as renew my county insurance so I can get more labs done. That should help things... being productive always helps these things. 100% guarantee right there. You may not feel completely better, but darn tooten you will feel better than you were beforehand.

School starts soon... I need to edit and compose.

Leaving :(

Last night was bar non the best night here. I put on a little concert for everyone (played my tunes plus some standards).. It was only about an hour.. maybe a little more. Then another lady played some more classical pieces, and I and another musician started singing along. And then we started dancing.. oh what a hoot! It all started at 7, and we ended around 9:45.

There was a good turn out, too; about 25 people. Dr. Incredible was the only one there out of the doctors, but of all of then, I was happy he was the one to make it... considering what he's taught me was the influence for my most recent song (which needs a name still).

All in all, it was a great way to end my stay here. :)

Oh right! Platelets!... yeah... 16. Dr. Awesome told me that sometimes we don't see any changes for at least three months.. especially with auto immune diseases.. and especially went it involves the blood (I think..). I'm not disappointed though.. my health is at an all time high. I saw a picture last night from my senior year in high school, and I look better than I did then. Wow! That blows my mind.

I think today I'll leave after dinner.. that way I can say my proper goodbyes and get everyone's email (and not hit any traffic on the way home).

What an amazing summer.

Energy is up... so how about those platelets?

Got a CBC today! They managed to squeeze me in last minute. :) I'm beyond curious now... Results will be in tomorrow! (I think...)

I moved rooms today. Since today was the day I was supposed to leave, the room I was in was scheduled for someone else.... Conveniently, the room right across mine was empty, so I got to throw all my stuff into that one...and leave my keyboard in the living room. :) So far my roommate hasn't shown up yet... I assume she'll be here by tonight.

I got a crash course in Qigong yesterday from Dr. Incredible. (It's pronounced chee gong). I practiced this morning, and now I just have an abundance of energy.. I hardly know what to do with myself. I gave Lela a massage after breakfast, and I lasted quite a long time before getting tired.. Very cool. :)

I didn't make it to the pool yesterday like I wanted... Well.. no... I supposed I did make it, but didn't swim cause the lanes were closed at the time. Lame. But at least it was a nice walk to the Y and back (about 30 min). I really want to go today... but I'll either have to miss the cooking demo, or go right after dinner... neither of the two sound appealing... but if I want to go, something has to give. Maybe I'll drive there after dinner so I can put more time in between eating and exercising... Yeah... that sounds like a good idea.

I saw another Doctor today (and Wednesday). His job title is something along the lines of neurological chiropractor. It was fantastic. I already knew my left hemisphere was pathetic compared to my right.. so he gave me some great tips to do while practicing and exercises to strengthen/stimulate the left side. Very very very cool stuff. He was really excited that I came to see him cause what he does is really geared toward people like me (musicians, artists..etc).

I am so bummed I can't stay here longer. I am just loving it here! This has got to be one of the best summers I've ever had, and my oh my how I don't want it to end! :( Ah well... life needs to continue, right?

No salt makes things interesting

Today I could eat almost anything (save for grains), and I tell you what.. no salt... wow. It's amazing how much we depend on it to make food taste "good." That said, there is NO salt here (you would have to buy some and sneak it in if you wanted it) and you have to get very creative to enjoy the food. Yesterday was a bit hard... but today it all tasted better. I don't know if it's just me and I'm getting used to it or what.. But it'll be interesting to see how I think everything tastes by the time I leave.

Speaking about leaving, I decided today to stay until Monday. I have the means, so I'm taking it.. and that'll give me a chance to schedule one more appointment with Dr. Incredible. I learn so much from him every time I see him, it's ridiculous. Truly, I would love to just follow him around for a week.. I would be set for life, I think, afterwards. :) My time with him today was amazing again. A slightly different experience, but just as cool... cooler, in fact. I was on a high for pretty much the rest of the day.

One of the interns and I watched Fight Club...heheheh... It had been a long time since I had seen it, and only once before.. so it was fun to watch it again.

I really really really want to start swimming... my only problem is my swimsuit bottoms don't fit anymore, so I may go to a local store and try to find some new ones.

Technically labs would be tomorrow.. but they usually only do it for people who are fasting, so I'm not sure if I'll get one... I'll ask in the morning. If anything, I just want a CBC...

Oh the energy!

So my blogging slowed down a bit because I'm not by my computer as much within these past few days. I did yoga this morning, and it was fantastic! My legs were shaking by the end. :)

Tomorrow I have another energy therapy session with Dr. Incredible, and then I think I'll go swimming down at the local YMCA.

On Wednesday I'll be seeing another doctor who specializes in exercise and improving brain function.

My chest started to feel a little tight today.. like a cough is coming on... So we'll see if anything becomes of that...

I'm tossing around the idea of staying a few more days... Perhaps leave on Monday or Tuesday. Not sure.. I have some calculating to do... But I figure, this is my time to heal.. I'm here... I should get as much as I possibly can out of this. We'll see... I'll decide soon.

Got some food!

The day started just splendidly with an hour message. Then the morning lecture was also fantastic. And then spent a lot of time visiting with friends and chatting.

And then for dinner, I got food!!! Of course... it didn't take much to make me full, but it was nice.. all raw.

Tomorrow will be all raw too, I believe.

Then Sarah came to visit. :)

A very nice day indeed.

My energy level is going WAY up. I got so used to just laying around and resting... but now I find I get a little antsy... Maybe tomorrow I'll go for a walk. :)

Juice please!

WOW! Watermelon celery... and this sucker tastes like a jolly rancher, I kid you not. And my oh my it is a tall glass! And we get four of these things!? Phew!

Not much else to say.. the day hasn't really started yet... Still 125. :)

Wow..we have arrived at the end of the road.. Day 14 draws to a close

Today was a sleepy day, to be sure. I fell asleep around noon and slept through the 2 o'clock lecture... I needed it, and was quite rejuvenated after.

Then spent nearly the rest of the time chatting and hanging out with friends. A new couple arrived today.. the husband is a famous D.P! (Though I didn't recognize his name) He's DPed tons of movies, apparently... Dances With Wolves I heard was one of them. Cool stuff. Apparently they get actors, producers, directors, etc in here from time to time.

Some friends have been getting together and watching movies at night.. so I'm joining them tonight. We're going to watch Back To The Future Part 2.

Juice tomorrow! It's SO exciting!!!!

The final Day, 14

Slept very well last night.. FINALLY no ear problems, thank you drops!

Of course, a small disappointment is my count didn't budge from 23. *sigh* But that doesn't mean much... these things take time.. sometimes months, so I really can't be to discouraged (or surprised)... but I would like to have a higher number to show everyone when I get back.

However, on a positive side: 125lbs today! Watch out!!

There was an exercise class this morning, which consisted of all fasters, so we just had a Q&A. :) Next time, though... I'll be ready to work.

I love this whole fasting thing, but man am I ready to eat! Juice tomorrow!!! Whoohoo!!

Almost at the finish! Day 13 ends...

The 2 o'clock lecture was just fantastic! I love the straightforwardness of all these doctors! :D He spoke about the digestive system and how it works, and shattered a bunch of myths about other things... I just want to roll around on the ground and scream how amazing it is here and how I wish everyone could be here experiencing this with me!

Today has been a little bit of a sleepy day, so I've been taking it easy. Drawing and chatting for the most part. A new couple arrived..from South Carolina. Wooboy! The accent! I love it... The wife seems like a real sweetheart. :)

MY EAR DROPS CAME! :D I currently have some drops in my ear, so I'm typing all of this with my head sideways. Heheheh. The bottle is the cutest thing ever.. I must take a picture..

Results tomorrow!! Oh my goodness!! It makes me want to go to bed right now so tomorrow will seemingly come sooner..

Oh.. the poor lab tech. She just couldn't get a vein... so poor me as well!! There were a few very painful moments there. :P But she got one eventually, of course... Next time won't be as bad cause I'll be eating by then.

Another food idea:

7 Layer Bean Dip

(from bottom to top)

1. Brown Rice
2. Salsa
3. Mashed pinto beans
4. Guacamole
5. Mashed Black beans
6. Humus
7. Sprinkle of Black olives

I've also got blueberry pie and pizza stewing about in my brain. Man this is fantastic! I love making tasty things that are totally healthy

Prime number 13!

No cooking demo this morning. :( ..bummer.

BUT.. I did go see Dr. Awesome.... Things were actually more tender than I thought. When he was looking in my ear, it was pretty painful, and he suggested some drops that he could order. I then mentioned to him the vinegar and alcohol remedy, and he thought that was a splendid idea as well. So we mixed up a batch, poured it in, then placed a cotton ball in there so it would stay. When I sat up, everything got a little dizzy..so I pointed it out to him. Essentially, his reaction was, "Oh right.. my bad.. the cold temperature will throw things off..." Then looked at me with a raised eyebrow and concerned face as if to say, "Will you be okay?"

I reassured him I was fine...... it went away fast enough.

So we're also going to get the drops as well...which should be here by tonight, I think. WHOOT! :D Sweet relief is on it's way!!

LABS TODAY!!!! Oh goodness.. it's hard not to get excited about it....

The 2 o'clock lecture should be good.. It'll be given by the other MD that's here.... he lectures fast. (I love it)

I think I'll park myself outside and draw myself a flower...

Getting closer! Day 12 ends!

After the energy therapy, I wanted to dance a jig..but resisted, as to not totally exhaust myself. This was confirmed later when I saw Dr. Incredible. He asked how I was doing, to which I replied, "Fantastic." Then he charged me to rest, and explained how everyone wants to go and clean their whole house or something to that effect afterwards, but the key is to rest. And rest I have been doing. I sat outside for a bit and soaked up some vitamin D while chatting with some friends. And then crashed on my bed and took a nap (This is me just now waking up...)

The whole therapy actually gave me a little detox headache, so I've been downing the water. Just fascinating.

Oddly enough... this is getting much harder now that I'm at the end. Before, it was just taking it a day at a time, but now that I know I'm only a few days away from eating again, it's really hard not to perpetually think of food. Ha! It amuses me.

The ear is no better.. I'm going to see Dr. Awesome tomorrow, and something will be done about it. I must admit though, it's very interesting that it doesn't hurt... you would think that by now there would be some serious infection going on... Maybe my body is just that cool now. :)

This is a picture from my usual spot:

Day 12 could not start out any cooler

Alright.. Dr. Hotness is now Dr. Incredible... Here's why:

During the breathing class I had asked him about my diaphragm/sledding accident and if he had any suggestions. He said he might be able to help, so I made an appointment to see him today at 10am.

So I sit down in his office, and we talk for a bit. I tell him the full story of the sledding trauma, my tail bone, and my jaw, and then we begin. Now...when I first got there, I actually had no idea what he did.. so I wasn't sure what to expect.. As it turns out, he does energy therapy. I was quite interested to see how it would go, because I've had that done once before (about a month ago) and didn't feel too terribly much.

Cue Dr. Incredible.

First he started at my feet, just holding them and feeling what was going on with my body. His hands were so warm and had a nice touch. At this point, I couldn't feel anything besides the warmth, which admittedly felt great against my iceberg feet. After a time, he let go and pointed out my right side was great, nice and open.. but my left side was blocked.

So he moves to my leg, one hand under my knee, the other on my shine.. This time I think I feel a little tingle, though I'm not to sure about it. He mentions something about my spleen and liver, which I nearly intimidate thought, "I wounder if that has anything to do with my ITP.."

Then he moved to my pelvic area (Don't worry... it was all PG), and that's when I started to feel things. His hands were tingly.. very tingly! Like an ultrasound. It was wild! And then, I kid you not, I felt a little bubble of energy float up from my pelvis, and gently release out of my chest... It's not like he told me I would feel that.. or anything for that matter. The room was quite and I had my eyes closed, and then bloop!, out comes this little round energy ball. This happened two more times before he moved to my ribs.

This time it felt like waltzing on a gently rolling sea... really, that's the only way I can describe it. There was a consent feeling of motion, gracefully swaying. Ha! Oh poetic.

By the time he got to my head, my brain was buzzing, and his hands were no longer just warm, they were flat out hot.. like he had been warming them by the fire.

Needless to say, that was one wild experience, and I am still buzzing about it.

I will be doing that one more time before I leave, that's for darn sure. And I think I'll get a massage as well.....

My word I'm just having one great experience after another here! I am SO thankful I came here and so blessed that the Lord opened the way for me to come!

This morning, I put out my laundry in one of those netted bags and set it outside. When I got back from my appointment, I found my clothes now washed and folded on my bed! How cool!

I only got 5 hours of sleep last night. It's odd how the brain says, "I'm awake!!" and the body says, "Oh my goodness.. need more rest..."

So I just lay in bed, thinking of all the amazing recipes I can make when I get home... Of course, they didn't really help, cause that started to make me hungry... but it was fun to think about, non the less. :)

Rumor has it there's a great lecture at 2... Guess I'll go get ready!

Day 11 ends.. the light is getting closer!

The 2 o'clock lecture was amazing! The doctor who gave it is so straight forward and blunt, I just love it.. I'm going to call him Dr. Intense... cause he was! Wow. It was all about The Pleasure Trap, which is a book I'm going to get before leaving here. And oh the stories he had, and how he became so straight forward with his patients. Just an amazing man. The whole lecture went an hour over (we all had lots of questions...hehehe), so we got out at 4:30.

Ear......oh ear.......... I will claw you out if you don't stop this...

There's lots of relaxing time around here... and besides reading, I've been thinking about what kind of healthy recipes I can make. Here's one I started coming up with. I have no idea if the proportions are right, but I wanted to write it down.... so it'll go something like this:

Spinach Ravioli

Dough:

• 2 cups Brown Rice Flour
• ½ cup water (Go easy! It may be less)
• 2 cooked, and well blended golden potatoes
• 1 tbsp. Chopped basil
• 1 tbsp. Chopped oregano
• Pinch of salt

Filling:

• 1 cup Finely chopped mushroom
• ¼ cup chopped Onion
• 1 cup finely chopped Broccoli
• 1 cup finely chopped kale
• 4 Garlic cloves, chopped
• ½ cup water (maybe more?…)
• 2-3 tbsp. Tamari
• 1 tbsp. Chopped basil
• 1 tbsp. Chopped oregano
• 1 tbsp. Chopped Rosemary
• 1 cup Quinoa
• Pinch of pepper and cayenne

Outer Sauce:

• 2 cups spinach
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tbsp. Basil
• 1 tbsp. Flax seed
• ½ cup cashews
• ¼ cup walnuts
• ¼ cup water
• Pinch of salt
• Chopped rosemary

Preparing the Filling:

Sautee mushrooms, onion, broccoli, kale, garlic, and tamari in water until soft. Remove from heat and add basil, oregano, rosemary. (Optional: Take about 1/3 of your mixture and lightly blend in a blender. Add this back to the mixture for a slightly creamy texture). Add quinoa. Add pepper and/or cayenne for a little kick if desired.

Preparing the Pasta:

Mix dough ingredients together gently until soft and pliable. Split evenly in two, and roll out thin on floured surface, so you end up with two square sheets.

Assembling the Raviolis:

On one of your rolled out sheets, spoon the filling mixture into evenly spaced out mounds (about two inches apart). Cover with the other sheet of pasta. Cut raviolis apart, and with a fork, gently push down on their edges to seal them together (and to give a decorative look)

VERY lightly brush the raviolis with olive oil and bake at 350o until brown. (May need to flip them halfway through)

Outer Sauce:

Blend all ingredients (except rosemary) in blender until smooth. Add more water if necessary.

Final Touch:

Place raviolis in shallow bowls and pour sauce on top. Garnish with the chopped rosemary. (Maybe some cilantro too)

Oh yeah..... Can't wait to try that!!!

Hello Day 11!

What a way to start the day: YOGA! And with none other than Dr. Hotness! This man is just brimming with experience here. The class itself wasn't crazy intense or anything, but I tell you what.. don't eat for 11 days and then see how you do doing yoga. A different experience to be sure. But a fabulous one at any rate! Of course, there were a few times I had to put my hand to the wall because I stood up to fast.. He looks over at me and then realized I was fasting.. and day 11 to boot. (There was only one other there fasting, but she was on day 3). I reassured him with, "Don't worry.. I can feel it coming."

He gently puts a hand on my shoulder, "The problem is, we all think we know... but we don't."

"Oh... hmm.. Then I guess I don't know then.."

At the end of the class he told me he was half tempted to ask me to leave at the beginning, cause he's seen people need stitches from falling. I'm glad he didn't though, and I stuck with it the entire class. And it was quite rewarding. My body was well pleased with doing more than just sitting and sleeping. And oh the abundance of knowledge and tips that I got! He explained so many things and it really helped me to get into the poses more. Can't wait to see what I learn from him tomorrow!

My ear didn't wake me up quite as much.. I figured out that laying on my left side helps a little (which makes me wonder if indeed it's water in the canal, and not trapped fluid behind the ear drum). At least it isn't really hurting.

126.8 this morning! Wow..... that's just....... cool. :)

Three more days?! Really?? Time is just cruising by! And two more days till labs!!! AAHHHHH!!

Winding down Day 10

The Church service was..meh... okay. The Pastor was a woman who read the whole time from a prepared speech. And that's just what it felt like... like I was in one of my speech classes. At least the time for worship was good.

The 2 o' clock lecture was Breathing Techniques for Health, and my was it invigorating! Just simple breathing exercises, tips, and encouragements. It was run by Dr. Hotness. And after the class I spoke with him about my sledding accident, and how I've always struggled with using my diaphragm. He had a few ideas and we set an appointment for Tuesday.

Today, for whatever reason, has been a cold day. So now I'm curled up in my bed with a few heating pads and watching Ratatouille/playing Sudoku (during commercials).

And the ear is STILL being stupid....... Funny how the one thing that's really giving me problems during my fast has absolutely nothing to do with my fasting. (It started before I came).

Labs are coming soon!!!!!!!

Whoa! Day 10 already!?

The ear crackling/popping/fizzing thing came back last night in full force, preventing me from getting any kind of normal sleep... So now I feel like I got hit by a truck in the night (I also got cold... that didn't help things... but a few extra pieces of cloth solved that easily enough). I have no idea what it is... and the doctors aren't sure either. :P I really hope it isn't something alive.. give me wax, give me water... but not mites... bbllllleeeeeecccckkkkkk.

I found out that there's a small group of people here going to go to the Presbyterian Church next door around 11. I think I'll go..

I'm going to try to do a little research here about this ear thing before I leave, however....

And a nice way to end Day 9

Instead of the an intern doing the evening rounds, it was Dr. Hotness this time (I guess the interns are...well.... somewhere else). He was quite impressed with how I was doing and told me I was a great example. Cool? We talked about my platelets for a bit as well. He told me he knew a guy who also cruised around the teens with his count, and only got up into the 40's after fasting. But hey! Give me 40 any day of the week! In the end, there's only one way to find out what my count will be... and that's to hang in there, and find out for myself!

Sarah and Ted came by, and we certainly got a lot done. Went through The Final Hour of Henry Cromwell... figuring out the story, timing, actors, etc. Three cheers for productivity! Then we watched Transformers 2 with a riff track, which was quite amusing. :) They ate garlic, chicken pizza (my all time favorite pizza) while I sipped on my water. Every now and then I would lean over and steal a whiff of Sarah's slice. Ssssoooooooooo good. Can't wait to eat again!

Wow it's time to sleep!

Day 9 starts out nice :) heheheh

Slept a good 7 hours.. 9pm till 4am. Then just lay in bed, with my body saying, "More rest, please!" I eventually fell asleep for a few more. Then the usually Doctor knocks on my door.. I sit up, expecting to see an intern at his heals, but instead it's another Doctor! And not just any other doctor, but the hottest one around here! :D heheheheh. ALL the women talk about him.. a few have mentioned how they want their daughters to marry him. He's somewhere in his mid 40s, I'd say. With just a touch of grey wisping about in that brown silky hair; just long enough to brush across his eyes. And a fantastic, healthy body to boot! AND he teaches the yoga and exercising classes. HA!

Anyway...

The ear and throat are almost totally healed. I haven't heard any more crackling since yesterday morning, and there's only a slight tightness in the back of my throat. Phew! But hey, was I right!? I think I was..... I said to give it two or three days... ShaBAM.

Sarah and Tedward should be coming around noon, I think... Guess I'll get ready for the day then..

Day 8 ends

I decided not to go to the cooking demo... one, because I had mild stomach pains that longed for food, and two, Rob and Julianna and her mom were coming around that time. We had a wonderful visit, sitting out side and chatting. I explained to them how the whole thing worked and shared some of the stories that I've seen and heard. I do believe they were impressed. :)

The evening talk was "How to read your labs"... I definitely had the jump on everyone with that one, but of course, I didn't know everything. Needless to say, it was very informative.

The ear hasn't crackled since this morning! Fabulous.

My! Not much to say...Guess I'll go to bed! :)

Day 8 is shaping up to be a lazy day :)

No morning lecture today. So I sat myself down with some friends and had a nice chat. A new couple arrived last night, and wouldn't you know it, the wife is a Theory and Composition major! HA! Though her focus was on theory.... We had a lot to talk about, but unfortunately she has a very heavy energy about her...You know? The kind of person you can only talk to for so long because all their past experiences and pains seem to hitch rides on every word that comes out. And consequently, by the time you're only halfway through the conversation, you're so exhausted at trying to doge all the self pity that you either have to excuse yourself before being engulfed by the doldrums, or hang on to your seat and brace for further onslaught. You know... their eyes aren't quite fully open, as if the weight of the world they are perpetually burdened with is making them tired. Their smile is always halfhearted, as if they don't want to give up their moping for even a brief moment and let some teeth show.

Phew!

There's a cooking demo at 4:00, and I really can't decide if I should go or not. On the one hand, I will learn some fantastic, tasty recipe, but on the other, I will be submitting myself to shear torture with the savory aromas of healthy home cooking. We'll see...... I have 4 hours to make a decision.

The ear and throat seem to be improving. :) If I had to estimate, I'd say they'll be fully gone in two days? Maybe three?

Oh! I haven't mentioned yet! My glutious maximus is so sore. A common occurrence, or so I've heard. It's nothing unbearable, and personally I think it's funny more than anything else. :) It feels like there should be a massive bruise there, but there is none to be seen. Maybe my body picked a spot to store some toxins until I start eating, where then they will empty out of my system.... one way or another.... Sounds exciting. :)

Another fantastic story from one of the folks here: A women who had diabetes (type 2), hypertension, and arthritis now no longer has diabetes and hypertension, and the arthritis is nearly gone. Just amazing!!!! Before coming, her blood pressure was 190/100 (while being on 3 different meds), and yesterday was 100/60.

AND.. I found out today that there was a girl who came with Type 1 diabetes (TYPE ONE!!), who fasted on lettuce, cucumber, and some other green (can't remember), and is now eating and hasn't had to take insulin since! It's been 40 days now.... CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!??!! How cool is all this!?!!

I'm starting to really enjoy everyday, and look forward to the next.. and learning to respond to what my body wants. And what does it want now? Fresh air! Ahhhhhhhhhhh

Day 7 ends.. responding to the call to rest..

Overall today was a sleepy day, and I do believe it was caused by my getting too cold yesterday. So I took it really easy today. At one point I curled up with a blanket outside and enjoyed the breeze.

With that said, I still feel the need to rest. So here I go! :)

Halfway Marker!!! Day 7!

This morning the doctor and intern (Erin) come in for the usual morning checkup. I greet them with a smile and sit up as the doctor comes a sits by my side, holding my chart that they make their daily notes in. Next to that, what do I see but my lab report.

I gasp, "Are those my labs?!"

Doctor, "Yes they are."

I glance at Erin, who I've become friends with and she knows my whole story, and then glance back, trying not to wiggle with anticipation, "So what's my platelet count?"

He casually gestures with a hand, raised in a slightly defensive position, "It's nothing exciting.. still low..."

Me, still trying not to wiggle and straining to read the numbers upside down, "Yeah.. but what is it??"

"23.."

Erin and I exchange a breathless, girlie "AAAHH!"

But the Doctor explains how the number can be misleading. The way it works is they take a sample of your blood, spin it (or whatever else needs to be done), and then a count is collected. Then an estimate is made according to that number in proportion to the rest of your blood. But when you're fasting, numbers start to get thrown a bit because the blood concentration changed. Even still..... it's exciting. :) We'll know for sure if it's going up when next week labs come in.

No lecture or video this morning.. not sure why. I go to the dinning room (which is where these things are typically held), and there's a few friends sitting, eating, and chatting. I join them and we all had a very nice chat. They had a lot of questions for me about my job and music in general, and I had a few stories to tell that had them laughing heartily.

A package arrived for me today from Margaret. :D A cute dress, and lots of art supplies! I haven't done any kind of art in a long time, so I'm very excited to try them out... I think I'll try to watercolor the fountain....

I'm moving tomorrow morning, apparently. This isn't a surprise, and I'm happy I got to stay in this room for as long as I have. Technically the room I am currently in is more expensive, but since the room I was supposed to be in was not available, they put me in this one (and I didn't have to pay the extra). My next room will be on the second floor.. so I'll get some exercise using the stairs! HA! :D And I think we get a balcony... I'll find out tomorrow.

People will come to help me move, since my energy level is not adequate to be carrying around bags and keyboards.

My goodness I can't believe I'm halfway there...

What is this? Day 6 is over already?

Todays morning lecture was a cooking demo... And I must say I am more than excited to make it at home. Sweat Corn Chowder! How could you possibly go wrong with that.

Today was just a beautiful day, and it seemed the courtyard was perpetually filled with wonderful aromas. On more than one occasion I would be chatting with a fellow faster, and then some glorious sent would come wafting by and send our noses straight into the air, nostrils flairing, and then heave a sigh of longing and desire. Soon my friend... soon.

The second lecture was done by one of the MDs here. It was on Salt, Sugar, and Fats: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. He was a fantastic lecturer and the information was great! I took lots of notes. :) Just a few quotes that came up that I'd thought I'd share:

"Eat FOOD"

A little sugar is okay as a sweetener, but not okay as a food.

And my favorite:

"If you don't change the direction your going, you'll wined up where you were headed"

Physical update: The back of my throat is starting to hurt... Same side with my ear thing (which has not gone away in the slightest). No swollen lymph nodes, but it's definitely red in the back... We'll see what tomorrow brings!

Side note:

I am absurdly excited to find out my lab report... Or more specifically, my platelet count. I'm trying not to be excited, but I really can't help myself.

Gooooooooood morning Day 6!

Here's a great way to start the day check list:

• Sleep great
• Enjoy the cool morning air: smell it, feel it, taste it, breath it, aahhhh
• Weigh 130.4
• Go to a cooking class and learn an amazing recipe: Sweet Corn Chowder
• Get labs drawn: CBC and Metabolic Panel <-- VERY exciting
• Continue the day relaxing, sipping your water, and reading a good book outside in the wonderful air. :)

Back tracking!!!

Last night, as I lay in bed, lazily watching TV and updating my blog, a giant obese fly goes sauntering by my face. It was clear he was tired and wanted somewhere to rest, but alas, could find no comfort in where ever he landed. He would stop, take a breather, then drunkenly buzz to the other side of the room where the cycle would continue. I also was very tired, and with no fly swatter about, didn't have the gusto to hunt him down with a piece of clothing or rolled up paper. However, after I turned out the light, he seemed to have satisfied himself with a spot to hunker down for the night, and pestered me no more with his incessant loping about.

Day 5, another day done

My appointment with the chiropractor went well... got a few more things to adjust that didn't want to last time. Oh.. and my ear?.. Yikes! Here's how that went:

Doc sticks a gloved finger into my mouth and massages the far back corner (near where the inner ear canal connects.. you know.. that whole ears, nose, throat thing)

We have now entered a whole new world of pain. I grab the bench I'm laying on, desperately trying to relax, eyes closed and slightly watering, and mumbling something along the lines of, "UHHHHHHHH...MMMMM..UUUGGGHHH!"

He finally pulls his finger out.

I bask in the relief, "Oh.. my.." And rub my eyes.

He looks at me and asks, "Did that hurt?"

I laugh, "Yes...." Then raise an eyebrow, "Is it supposed to?"

"No...." He rolls his chair to the other side, "It means there's inflammation.. Lets check the other side..."

ROUND TWO! Except this time he does a few more things, adding to the pain and the total amount of time.

He looks down at me, "Did that hurt to?"

Me, thinking OH MY GOODNESS PAIN!, reply, "Yes...."

"Well... we should do the other side again.. you know, can't be unbalanced." (He wanted to check some more things)

I laughed, "Oh yes... can't have more pain on one side than the other."

So away we go again! And because this is the side that's more inflamed, it is naturally even more painful. I didn't even realize I started to bite down until he pulled his finger out and his glove was scraping across my teeth.

Quite the excitement for one day.

And unfortunately, it's STILL crackling like there's Seven Up trapped behind my ear drum... When I see him in the morning, I'll let him know... Maybe we'll get to do it again!... *sigh*... The whole point was to release trapped fluid. Why is there fluid backed up, you ask? My guess is from some sneezing I did on Wednesday or Thursday.. I wouldn't be surprised... it certainly wouldn't be the first time something like this has happened... Though it is the first time it's sounded like Seven Up fizzing about.... Odd.

The rest of the day was okay. I little bit of nausea, but nothing too bad, and being out in the fresh air seemed to help. I spoke with one of the other interns, who had commented to Dr. Awesome that she had a friend with ITP, that was caused by environment... exposure to metals, chemicals, etc. So he had me fill out an environment form thing... and I think will order some tests? Not sure. And apparently, the H.Pylori test that he order, they DIDN'T do! They tested for something else.. or.. I don't know.. that just doesn't make sense. The intern said they will randomly pick and chose who gets the test done.... What!? Weired..

Today one of the ladies left, and apparently it was also her birthday so she wanted me to put on a little concert. Hehehe.. So I wracked my brain and came up with Save It For a Rainy Day, Danny Boy, and The Quite of My Heart. Since I didn't bring any jazz music with me, it had to be memorized. A few other ladies joined us, including that intern mentioned in the above paragraph. I made one of them cry with Danny Boy.. hehheheh. :) They all throughly enjoyed it, and word got around what I had done....So now everyone wants me to do it again. I will...and maybe a few more tunes will come to mind by that time.

To close today, I just wanted to say this is not nearly as easy as I thought it would be.. And there have been moments that I've been a little scared, and have thought, "Am I doing the right thing?" And then I see all the amazing miracles right before my eyes! And everyone I tell my doubts to, they become my strength and encouragement. There is NO way I could have done this anywhere else.

I took some pictures today of the courtyard... I will undoubtedly take more. :)

Made it to Day 5, and still alive! :)

First thing I want to say is that I can't even begin to imagine doing this on my own. Nooooo sir. No way. Having a barrage of all kinds of Doctors, all well trained and having countless experiences with fasting... It's extremely comforting, if nothing else. And great to have if something isn't going right... which I know I would never be able to tell what's right and what's not. So many different feelings going on here.... who, but Doctors experienced with this, would know what to look for. For instance, my stomach started hurting a little bit yesterday (on the left side). I mentioned it to Dr. Awesome (whom I was seeing because of my ear), and he felt around and was asking me questions. Everything is fine.. it's just food slowly passing through.. and I mean sllllloooowwllly... Considering all the factory workers have gone on vacation, all production has all but completely stopped.

Snap, Crackle, and Pop have decided to set up camp behind my ear drum. It's beyond annoying now... The eviction notice will be posted an about an hour.

131.6 this morning. Wild. By the time I'm done, I'll be high school weight... maybe even less (I was a tad overweight in high school). Man how totally cool is all this!!! I can't wait to hear other stories around here!

Time to start the day! :D

Day 4 ends

What a nice day! I went outside to read, but wound up chatting with 4 older ladies, exchanging stories. I was cracking them up, apparently. :) One of them had had a headache for 16 years! fasted for 41 days, and no longer has her headache (it was from a car accident). Another had Lupus, and fasted for 21 days, and it was almost gone, but she had to go home (to Israel!!!!). Another got rid of her diabetes. I'm sure I'll collect more stories by the time I leave.

Then I got ready for my message, but before I left Dr. Awesome came in and informed me that it wasn't such a good idea to get one currently... Since I had been feeling nauseous the past few days, it very well could make it worse, since a massage releases toxins. He thought if I wanted one, I should wait till after day 7. Fine by me. I still have my chiropractic appointment for tomorrow. And I've got some fluid backed up behind my ear drum, so he'll take care of that....... that should be interesting.

Then some good friends popped by for about 30 mins. It was a bummer they couldn't stay long, but it was good to see them. :) All we had time for was a quick exchange of stories and briefly show them around, and then they had to take off. A good way to end a good day. ?)

I no longer feel a craving to eat.. but all these food commercials, and seeing people eat around here... it all looks SO good! Yikes!! And oh my goodness.. I haven't been watching much TV, but there are so many advertisements for food. Just incredible.

Day 4: A better start

Phew! The hot pads I slept with kept the leg pain at bay and I managed to sleep through the night, dreams and all! :D So I'm feeling much better this morning... The birds are chirping their happy little tunes outside, mixed with the traffic, and there's a wonderful breeze gently sweeping through the room. My hope is that the worst is over.

I got a new roommate yesterday. An older lady (57, I think) from New York. My is she a talker... I need to watch out with this one. She seems very high strung, and needs this vacation years ago (I think she's just staying here to eat healthy.. not necessarily fast in anyway).

I asked my old roommate, Erin, how many were here to fast, to which she replied about 10 (for water only). Which made sense. Here I am, moving around like an old lady, and I see these actual old ladies bounding about with all the energy of the world.. and I'm thinking, "Now wait a minute..." So yes.. they're not doing what I'm doing. Most of the water fasters hang out in their rooms, and only come out time to time to listen to a lecture, or take a very casual stroll around the courtyard. Personalty, I like to sit outside and read; Roughing It, by Mark Twain. I tell you, I've never laughed so hard and out loud at a book than this one. What a fantastic author!

My weight this morning: 132.6! Wow....... I wasn't expecting to drop this fast, but I do believe it will slow down now. I stopped wearing my jeans, as they were falling off even before I got here.. now they really don't fit! I can remember when it was nearly impossible to break 150... and getting to 145 was an intangible idea only for a fool to hope for.. And now look. My just look at me. I was 142, all on my own before arriving, and now the weight is just melting off. I prayed, in earnest, for the Lords help.. to make me desperate for Him (and that can be a dangerous prayer... cause you never know how it'll get answered). We all have to pass through misery and be brought to our knees before standing in a new light. Did that make sense?

I am so excited to get some lab work done, but I don't think that's going to happen until Friday. Come on platelets! Let's go platelets! You can do it! Rah rah rah!

Oh wow... Day 3, why do you hate me so?

Sooooo. Last night I slept, oh... four hours.. the rest of the time was spent tossing and turning from some mad pain in my legs; from my lower back down to my ankles. Oh goodness the uncomfortableness of it all. I spent nearly the entire day today sleeping... or least attempting to sleep. I got a hot pad from one of the interns... that was nice.

Yesterday, in my desperation to rid myself of the massive amounts of pain, I schedule myself an appointment with one of the chiropractors and massage therapist. I have to wait till tomorrow for the massage, but luckily I was able to see the chiropractor within the hour of my scheduling. As it turns out, he was one of the doctors that makes the morning rounds to check on everyone. He is an amazing chiropractor, to say the least. Really knows his stuff, and addressed some problems that no other chiropractor has before. I'll see him again on Tuesday. :)

I can't wait to feel better! It's been nothing but nausea and pain ever since the end of day one. Good grief! Lord, have mercy! This is so intense, I can hardly bare it.

(This is going to be one of those post that I'll look back on and be glad I stuck it out...................... I hope)

Day 2 begins with a bang!

So the nausea I went to bed with grew over night, until 4:00am when it unleashed it's fury and I found myself with my head in the toilet.... Ha! I'm feeling much better now.. though my stomach has that tight, "You puked last night" feeling. It certainly dose wonders to vanquish any food cravings, that's for sure!

My roommate is one of the interns here, and we wound up chatting till 11:30 last night. Hehehe... I wasn't tired at all, so we just relaxed on my bed and shared stories/experiences. At one point Prednisone got mentioned, and while talking about it she wanted to know more about it, and went and got one of her lab books and we started looking it up online. I was amused. We were such nerds at that moment.

Alright! Time to let the day begin! 1..2..3.. rest!

End of Day 1

Thought I'd update before I hit the hay:

Every day, at 10am and 2pm they have a lecture, video, or cooking demo to go to. I skipped the 10 to just relax and nap, but made it to the video at 2. It was great (as I have a feeling they will all be).. I was on the Standard American Diet, and why everyone is getting so FAT! The lecturer was quite comical, and had a great presentation. I know I'm going to say this about all of them, but it was something every American should watch, to be sure!

Currently I'm feeling pretty good. Very slight nauseated, and some jitters (like pieces Prednisone became unglued from the crevices of my tissues, and are now making their way out... That may or may not be the cause, but that's what it feels like in any case).

This morning, I forgot to mention in my earlier post, I was awoken around 7:30am by a doctor and intern. I laughed and said, "It's like the hospital!" Except they don't wake you every few hours like the hospital does. Sheesh! Anyway... Apparently they check your vitals every morning... so I guess that'll just be my new alarm. :)

It starts....Day 1

Slept well last night. The bed is very comfortable and the pillows are soft yet supportive. Met with my doctor (who I'll call Dr. Awesome, to protect the innocent, as it were) around 8:30am and talked about what to expect and what to do during the fast. With that being said, I may not post every day, like I thought I might. One of the things not to do is be on the computer or watch TV. I mean, you can.. but not for long periods of time. This is a time to rest all parts of the body, including the eyes and brain. But I'm sure popping online really quick to write a post isn't going to ruin anything.

Also, it looks like I may not compose as much as I thought I would. I was thinking my mental energy would stay up while just my physical energy lowered... but I hear that's not entirely the case. I may have times when the composing comes easily, but there will be times when I'll just want to rest. I'm not concerned... just going with the flow of what my body needs. This is it's time in the spot light.. I've ignored it for so long, time to give back and start over.

Lab results are in! Platelet count is a whopping 15! HA! Highest it's been in two months... though it's not saying much. But still! Hehehe. When I was talking with Dr. Awesome, he said,

"Well.. your platelet count is 15, which I guess isn't too much of a surprise."

To which I replied, "Alright! One point up for last time!.. And if you think about it.. that's four points up from two months ago!"

He laughed and commented on my positive attitude. Then gave me an assignment, which was to have my count up in the 30's by next week. We'll see what I can do...

So far not crazy hungry...just a small touch of the munchies... we'll see if I feel the same way by tonight/tomorrow. :)

Arrived and stoked!

After one of the most grueling 2 hour drives in massive amounts of heat, I have arrived safely at the clinic. Well I do say, it is fantastic! It's like an apartment complex, and all the apartments are VERY nice. Two bed, two bath, kitchen, living room, dinning room. TVs in the bed and living rooms. A court yard in the middle of everything. A little dinning hall. SO cool and welcoming. I've already made some friends and have only been here a few hours.

Because I got here so late, I haven't started fasting yet. Still just eating fruits and veggies. Tomorrow the adventure begins!

These next three weeks will be fantastic.

Getting ready to go!

Tomorrow I leave for the fasting clinic! I'm getting very excited, and can hardly believe that I'm actually doing it. Crazy.
I'm toting my keyboard along and plan on getting a lot of composing done, among other things. :)

In preparation for the fast, I've been eating nothing but fruits and veggies for the past two days. It's torture, I tell ya... torture. Not eating? No problem... Eating healthy? No problem... But make an amazing salad and think, "Oo! Quinoa would be great in this!.. And some sliced almonds!"..no such luck!

Here's an example:
Broccoli
Zucchini
Asparagus
Onion
Avocado
Spinach
Lettuce
Arugula

Of course.... it was still fantastic... but it could have been even MORE fantastic! Ah well.... Almost there.....

Easy salad for a hot day

Kale
Spinach
Strawberries
Zucchini
Almond slices
Cranberries
Squeezed lemon slice for dressing.

Shabam.

Hot Apple Pie for the 4th of July

This was my first 4th of July after being diagnosed.. and naturally after starting my healthy eating habits. So.... to celebrate Independence Day, I wanted make an apple pie. Yeah.. in 100 degree heat.

Here's what I came up with:

CRUST:
1 cup almonds
1 cup cashew
1 cup dates
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon

Blend together and then mash into a pie pan (lightly greased with coconut oil) (Yes.. this is a 'no bake' crust)

PIE:
8 apples, pealed and sliced
A dash of water
LOTS of cinnamon
2 tbsp vanilla

Boil till apples are soft

Pour apples into pie crust. Garnish with pecans. Enjoy. :)

Here's the photo I took with my phone:

One week till the journey begins

The count down begins! One week, exactly! I'm extremely excited and nervous... but more excited than anything else.

My platelet count has been cruising around 14 for the past 2 months now...or at least... it was... I haven't had a CBC in 3 weeks, so I don't fully know, really. It could be lower! Ha! But no.. I don't think so. Judging by my last *ahem*..cycle.. I'm gunna say it's around 14. However, no more bruising... unless I whack myself against something hard. And only some petiche on my legs. [I know I've eaten too much garlic (or other blood thinners) when there's more little red dots speckled across my calves].
I've also been off the Prednisone for 2 months. Can I get a "Hallelujah!"? Phew-wee! Never again, I tell you....... never again. Last semester is just one enormous blur... honestly. I played in 3 or 4 recitals, and I barley remember them. Even my best friends! Good grief, what a mess I was! I'm so thankful things are returning to normal.. Maybe not my platelet count, but at least my mental and emotional state, thank you kindly!
Along those lines: My dream last night, a bunch of music school buddies and myself taxied in a giant plastic toy plane to some park and had a picnic. There were a handful of professors there as well, and one of them (Mike) pointed out how healthy I was looking, and the rest concurred with things like "you have more energy" "healthy glow" etc... (these have all been real comments I've been getting from folks). It was a pleasant dream.. nice to see some old friends. :) Heh heh heh.

I love the fact that 145 lbs is now a higher weight for me. Wow what a concept! I've been in the 155 range for so long.. It's just crazy to be 142. And it's not going to stop there! In four weeks, I will be down to what I should be... errr.... which is somewhere in the 120's. Oooo! I like the look of that. 120. Nice.