It was good to rest yesterday, and important to try to recoup some of my energy. I was so drained, and needed the restoration which comes from sleep -- lots and lots of sleep.
Now I was facing a new week, a new meeting with Dr. Ford, and a new perspective on my health. Because now I would have something I've been waiting a long time for -- answers!
I started the morning with the supplements Dr. Ford had added to help repair my digestive system. One beverage tasted a little like slightly-sweetened coffee, the other was more like a bland protein shake that I can add frozen fruit to for a smoothie, plus probiotic tablets to increase my stomach acid. After a quick breakfast of leftovers, I headed for Dr. Ford's office, gearing myself for the information he had to share, and the plan he had devised to help me reclaim my health and well being.
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 John 1:2
OK, here's the info, in a nutshell. My bad cholesterol is high, my good cholesterol is low. I suffer from anemia -- not because I don't have enough iron, but because my system is not processing it correctly. I have muscular atrophy, but am not yet at a point where I can exercise. And there are severe blood sugar issues.
There are several things that we thought might be problematic, but didn't turn out to be. And nothing is pathological. The best news? Everything can be treated and ultimately healed, with the process we are already on.
Dr. Ford expressed concern for my stress level, although he understood that I had been under more strain than usual with the play performances last week. Still, he began me on a biorhythm exercise, to teach me how to retrain my breathing, which will help release stress. It was a simple exercise -- just breathe deeply in and deeply out, concentrating on the air coming and going from my heart and lungs, while smiling and thinking happy thoughts.
What are happy thoughts? I tried happy memories, but they were bittersweet at best. I tried imagining myself in a favorite place, but that didn't work either. The exercise which was supposed to be stress-releasing instead brought additional stress, and brought the tears flowing.
I flunked it this time. It seems I'm a stressed-out emotional trainwreck. But we're going to try again on Wednesday, and from now on I'll be meeting with Dr. Ford twice a week. I'm also supposed to start a private journal, more in-depth than this blog, and try to address my emotions and stressors through the written word.
For some reason, that frightened me.
But now, this is what the LORD says-- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43: 1
I had lunch out with a friend -- sirloin steak, green beans with onion and bacon, and a side salad. After an hour-long walk and my working shift, another friend and I enjoyed a delicious dinner of baked chicken breast, brussels sprouts sauteed with bacon, and broccoli and cauliflower blend.
It was an informative morning which held more positive than negative answers -- at least to my perspective -- followed by breaking bread and spending time with supportive, caring friends. Thank you, Lord, for the blessings of a great day!
Su
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