A New Angle

I've been meaning to post an update about what was going on in my last two posts but I just haven't been ready until now. The whole thing was such a surprise and gave us so much to think about. All of the supportive comments really helped us a lot...thank you. It was comforting to receive caring and encouraging words and stories from others who have experienced similar things. Taking a breath, a little time, and the help of others has caused us to step back and take a look at all of this from a different angle. We've done a ton of research since the doctor said she wanted to rush into surgery. Over and over we've read...and heard from others...that it's not only a good idea to wait, it's usually common practice. Surgery is a BIG deal! It's not something to rush into. The idea of it really upset us all. Cysts can change and often do. It only makes sense to wait and watch to see if it changes.

We've also learned that dietary/eating changes can make a big difference with this and thyroid (the other issue). We had already been making significant changes in our diet and this was the push we needed to take it to an even higher level and get more serious about it. We've been eating more veggies, whole grains, natural foods, no dairy and less meat. In fact, we're almost vegetarian. The only meat we've been eating is some fish and an occasional meal with organic, free range chicken. We're limiting ourselves with the red meat to verrrrrry seldom. We've read so much about how a more natural, plant strong diet can be life changing. And, so far, we all feel better from it. Although, I'm not sure I'll give up my Ben and Jerry's Coffee Heath Bar Crunch ice cream! Hubby and my daughter have found alternatives that they LOVE! They both love coconut ice cream...especially the cookie dough flavor. Hubby fell in love a few years ago with Trader Joe's soy ice cream with dark chocolate and cherries. I haven't found any alternatives that I like yet. So, an occasional tub of Ben and Jerry's just might be something I won't give up.  But, I rarely have it....so, that's ok. 

Exercise always seems to be one of the answers to just about every health issue. This is no exception. Talk about a kick in the butt to get to the gym more regularly! Hubby was already doing great. My daughter was doing ok. I had gotten a little lazy with it over the past few months. But, now, we're all going to the gym just about everyday. The hardest part is going but once we're there it feels great and I can't believe I put it off. It makes no sense to avoid something that can make us feel so good and improve our health and quality of living.

Another thing we've read and heard a LOT of good things about is acupuncture. It has a reputation of correcting these kinds of problems. We decided to go for it. My daughter had her first visit just a few days ago and is noticing changes already! The acupuncturist we're going to specializes in women's health. She also recommended Chinese medicine for the thyroid. We were ready to go for it with that too but when my daughter mentioned it to her OB/GYN, she said it can cause more problems. But, in the same email, she suggested giving my daughter injections of a hormone that we already told her my daughter had a problem with in the past. My daughter's immediate reaction to that hormone was, "no way!". We'll talk to the acupuncturist about the Chinese medicine some more tomorrow. In the meantime, she's going to stick with the acupuncture and see what happens.

It just seems to make the most sense to do healthy and non invasive things to try and correct this or any other health issue. I've read and heard countless stories about the success of such things. Cutting someone open and doing surgery should be a last resort and...hopefully...one we can avoid!

Magic Needles

About a month ago I posted about how I've been diagnosed with tendonitis in my elbows and how much pain I've been in. A couple of you suggested acupuncture. I researched it and quickly gave it a try.

It was amazing how much it helped with the very first treatment! I could finally sleep at night. However, I could only afford a couple of treatments. Luckily, I found out that my insurance provider has their own acupuncturist and I was able to get my doctor (with a little pressure) to give me a referral.

I had to wait a month to get in and my first treatment was this week. I found it interesting, yet again, that it was nothing like I had read in the countless stories online. And, that it was different than my first acupuncture treatment. I guess they're like chiropractors, they all do things a little differently.

This one came in and quickly started putting needles into my arms, around the elbows (three in each, I think), and putting them in VERRRY deeply, as far as they'd go, even indenting the skin!!! OUCH!!!! The pain was soooo intense that I thought I was going to pass out! He explained that the pain in my elbows is like a pressure cooker and the needles are like vents, letting it out. That could explain why the left side (the one that has been so bad) hurt wayyyyyy more! Thank goodness he didn't ask me to move my arms around like the first acupuncturist did!!! I think I would have blacked out right then and there!!!

I'm so glad my daughter went with me because she was able to get a wet cloth to wipe my face. Ahhh! She told me to think happy thoughts. Problem was, the pain was so intense that I couldn't come up with a single thing. She calmly started describing happy memories and it helped so much! What a great girl! :-)

I'm seeing improvement each day since. It's amazing! I woke up this morning and could move my arm without any discomfort. It still hurts when I move it in certain ways but that seems to be improving too. Strange magic!

I have more treatments scheduled in the coming months. I wish they could be like I've read...painless and relaxing! But, the improvement and increased ability to use my arms and get back to normal living is worth it.

I also pressured my doctor into giving me a referral for physical therapy. I want to learn how to strengthen my arm without hurting it again. That starts next week.

Needles of a Different Kind

I've experienced a lot of different kinds of needles in my life. Some I like...sewing and knitting. Others...like shots, IV, blood...not so much. Today, I had a totally new needle experience...acupuncture!

The experience was very different than I had expected. I thought I'd go in and lay on a table and have needles placed in me at various spots on my body and just lay there for a while. It was nothing like that. And, I wasn't afraid of being poked...which is kind of weird...but good, since I was about to be poked a lot. The needles are very thin, about the size of a human hair. And, they don't really hurt going in.

The acupuncturist located the pain in my elbows and placed needles in those spots. Then, she had me move my arms around to help in circulation and releasing the pain. That was a surpise! Move my arms with needles in them?! Yikes! But, it was okay. She continued this process, taking needles out, putting others in, and having me move my arms until I had relief. I think I got a funny look on my face when I did feel the relief and she knew exactly what had happened and said that a lot of people say it's "crazy" how it works. I agree.

I can't say that it was a painless process because it wasn't. There were a couple of times that the needle was a little deeper than the pain spot and when I'd move it would hurt in a strange way that I can't describe. But, she'd pull it out a bit and sometimes that would do the trick. Other times she had to try another place. She also did some "cupping" (a little suction device) on my really bad elbow to help bring the pain spot up to a place she could access. That didn't hurt. But, I have a few little circles on my elbows. lol

My pain is significantly less but not completely gone. Since I injured my elbow a few months ago and the pain has been building, it may take a couple of treatments to get full relief. I'm feeling hopeful. It was hurting pretty bad earlier today. And, my right arm has had to compensate for the other one so much that it was hurting a lot more today too. I tried to do a little knitting this morning (before the treatment) but had to stop. Compared to this morning, my elbows are a lot better. My next treatment will be on Monday. I'll keep ya'll posted as to how it goes.

Thanks to JoMamma and Jennifer for the advice to try acupuncture. It's something I've been interested in for years. I'm not sure why I hadn't thought about trying it for this. I researched it online after both of you recommended it and couldn't believe all the great testimonials and info I found! Thank you! :-)