Raw Challenge

Just when I think I am over being sore I am sore all over again! Sore in a good way -- lets me know my muscles are working. Speaking of being in working order, I finally got my lab results back from when I went to the endocrinologist week before last. Sometimes my labs take a bit longer because they have to do some specialized calcium and protein tests that are sent off. That being said, IT WAS ALL GOOD NEWS!

My endocrinologist is so happy and proud of me! He said, "please don't change a thing, just keep doing exactly what you are doing." I am so EXCITED! I was typing up some information on raw diet resources for a woman that goes to our church who is interested in learning more about it, and I couldn't stress enough how much this lifestyle has changed everything for me. If you are curious, even the slightest bit -- I dare you to try a raw food diet (high in greens) for one week and see for yourself. One week -- you can do anything for one week, can't you? Start right now, make a commitment to yourself, and see how you can change your life, too!

Awesome Check-up

Today I went to the endocrinologist and had an excellent appointment. I can't help but think that a year ago every time I went to the doctor it seemed I was getting more bad news about my health. And it was almost 3 years ago that I was really struggling to make it through the day. Now it is all good news and that feels great! In fact, my doctor said he wished more of his patients were like me because I was doing absolutely everything in my power to have a good outcome from an unfortunate condition.

My labs were great! No kidney issues at all! He even asked me if I ate lots of fruits and vegetables based on my lab values alone. He also thought it was really good that I have been doing boot camp because it showed him that I am really feeling healthy and confident in my body again. When I got sick, it was very hard because I felt like my body had betrayed me -- no matter what I wanted it to do it was doing the opposite and I had no control over it. My endocrinologist reminded me that I can never have total control over my body and it may always throw me for a loop every now and then because I do have hypoparathyroidism. But we also talked about how being proactive about my health and condition have given me a great deal of power back in my life.

I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, if I had not found a high raw lifestyle, there is no way I would be where I am today. I thank God that I was in the right place at the right time and that I was receptive to trying something totally new. I got my green on and boy has it paid off!

Journey to a healthy lifestyle

As you know I have been trying to add a little more lean protein back into my diet since I stated a pretty grueling workout routine. I have tried some raw protein powder that tastes pretty good and I have had some fish. It will be interesting to see if this works for me or not. There are a couple of things I have noticed right off the bat: 1.) my face has broken out and 2.) sorry for being so blunt, but I am constipated. So far, I am not liking the protein thing --- for me.

I am going to stick with it for at least a couple of days and see if my system kinda levels out, but my body is going to have to do better than this or it is not worth it. One thing that I have learned over the last 3 years since my health troubles began is to listen to my body. There are experts on everything and people line up to tell me what I should and should not eat, from my doctors to my trainer, to nutritionists. Sometimes they do give conflicting information and that is when I have to rely on myself and everything that I have learned, and the way that I feel. So when I say I am not sure about this protein thing, don't forget that I also say "for me." I am no expert on diet and nutrition either. I am excited about some of the things that have helped me on my personal journey towards a healthy lifestyle, and I want to share the things I have found that work for me. Green smoothies and a high raw diet have literally changed my life -- given it back to me, in fact. I hope that you try them and they change your life, too. As for me, I am taking new steps on my journey (largely because my previous raw diet has helped me get to the point where I can) and we will see where this path leads. I am excited about the future, whatever it may bring.

Things I have learned on my Journey

I have had several people email me about my blog yesterday. It seems as though many of you are familiar with this uneasy feeling of which I speak. Let me say, one must be careful with what one says (writes). Yesterday I said I was going to embrace the feeling, pray, and meditate on it and try to be open to what came my way. Well, today I was invited to write a series of articles for the hypoparathyroidism association (HPTH) on my journey with the condition. I was also asked to teach a class to Presbyterian women on the book of Joshua. (For those of you who are unaware, I am a Presbyterian minister.) Anyway, I have learned, once again, that all I have to do is say I am ready (and mean it) and the doors will open. It is the "meaning it" part that is sometimes difficult.

The book of Joshua is not my favorite book and I will need to do some research to teach it in a way that will do it justice. It is definitely not what I would have chosen, but perhaps there is something there that I need right now. It feels good to be busy again. I am teaching a Sunday school class on Song of Solomon in the month of November. That will be kinda fun -- it is neat to teach a class that deals with something so taboo in our culture, especially when it comes to religion --SEX. Finally, in December I am teaching a seminar on the Marys in the New Testament. Fun! Six months ago I would have never attempted to do all of these things, which felt so strange to me since I was accustomed to doing much more than that before my health issues.

Now, I am feeling more and more like me every day. In fact, I think I am feeling even better than the "old me." As part of my self awakening and acceptance of what has happened in my life over the last two and half years I thought I might make another list. The following is what my journey over the past two and a half years has taught me:

1. Life is too short not to absolutely LOVE what you are doing and the people you chose to have around you!

2. When "experts" tell you there is no other way, you should always question their motives and do your own research.

3. Never be afraid to seek a second, third, or even fourth opinion.

4. Listen to your own intuition and make sure you know your body's signals -- it is very SMART, trust it!

5. Don't be afraid to try something new. When I decided to try a raw food diet many people were curious, but most thought I was little crazy and wondered if I was going to become a "crunchy post-hippie tree-hugger." I truly believe raw foods have given me my life back (and helped me embrace the crunchiness I've had in me all along.)

6. Never be afraid to ask for help. When I first got sick I thought I had to just go on at the same pace as always so that I wouldn't let other people down, and so they would think I was fine. When I quit trying to hide how miserable I felt and asked for help, I found it.

7. Life is too short to worry about what other people think about how I dance or sing. I am not very good at either, but I enjoy both.

8. Pets are a source of unconditional love. I have two of the best dogs in the world, two super-wonderful birds, 2 frogs, and 3 hermit crabs. My menagerie never fails to bring me joy.

9. Life is too short not to notice the beauty which surrounds us every day. Whether it be the sunrise, sunset, a piece of beautiful music or artwork, the moon, a flower, an insect, or the smile on a face.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them. Do this often -- and follow it up with action. Do not let them doubt your love for one, single minute.

11. Give of yourself everyday. This does not necessarily mean "help others" or "volunteer to help someone/thing." This means give of YOURSELF, not out of obligation, but out of love.

11. Give thanks every day.

On that note, thank you for reading my blog.

Yesterday the big 3-Ohh, and Today THIS!

I was so excited yesterday to learn that I had lost 30 pounds since starting a raw food diet, but today's news is even MORE EXCITING than yesterday. Most of you know I went to the doctor about 3 weeks ago and had all my labs run again. Today I went back for the results of those labs, and I am HAPPY to report that for the first time in 2 1/2 years my labs were completely normal!

My last labs were taken on Jun 30th. It was at that time we discovered that my kidney values had not righted themselves, and although my lab values had improved slightly, the amount of protein, calcium, and sodium in my urine were dangerously high. For instance, calcium in my urine was at 380 (normal is below 200 for women, and below 250 for men) in Mid May. My endocrinologist and urologist put me on a vegetarian diet at this point. At the end of June it was at 336. I was prescribed a medication that would help me absorb more calcium so that it would stay out of my kidneys on this visit, but I was also warned that other lab values would probably also be affected and it would most likely become necessary to add another medication to control those values. That is when I began a raw food diet. I knew I had to do something! Today my calcium value was 202!!!! Not only that but the lab values that they told me would most likely be affected by the medication were not, and had also improved from the previous labs! They were unable to find any traces of protein in my urine at all! And my sodium levels were within the normal range. Ever since my surgery 2 and half years ago I required calcium supplements to maintain my blood calcium levels. When my previous labs came bag with so much calcium in my urine they took me off of all calcium supplements, but were unsure of how this would affect my blood calcium levels. Last time I had a significant drop in blood calcium I suffered severe and uncontrollable muscle spasms. However, today we were so pleased to learn that my blood calcium levels were perfectly normal! I had a feeling they were normal because I have had no signs or symptoms that it was low, but it was nice to have the confirmation!

The doctor told me that he felt like my labs were so good in part to my excellent nutrition. He expressed that ordinarily he would be concerned for someone with a history of low calcium and hypoparathyroidism to be a vegan because they "do not consume the foods richest in calcium like milk, yogurt, and cheese." But, he said, "Your levels are perfect so you need to keep doing exactly what you are doing." He asked me if I ate a lot of greens and I told him that I ate a lot of greens and that I loved green smoothies! He had no idea that I meant I ate several POUNDS of green stuff everyday.

Since I have no thyroid I have taken Synthroid ever since my surgery. The last thing he did before I left was lower my dose of Synthroid. Because I have lost so much weight, I no longer need as much Sythroid.

I am so EXCITED! I am so proud of myself! I feel so good! I feel as though I have my life back and am no longer going from one medical complication to another. I have a clean slate and boy, am I ready to color it beautiful! Thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged me on this raw journey! Hold on...who knows where we will go from here!