The Green Smoothie Disaster

Lately I have been having more reactions from my high histamine levels that come with my chronic blood neoplasm. Between that and my Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) I begin each day with my proverbial "histamine bucket" already full to the brim. After having read up and done research on low histamine diets, I've decided to attempt to decrease reactions by eating healthier. I have been focusing on foods that are low histamine, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory or high in antioxidants. Yesterday I made my breakfast smoothie with goat milk, mangos, almonds. pea sprouts, cucumber and flax seed. Since it was Saint Patrick's Day and not green looking I decided I would try my newly purchased chlorella powder. The label on the bag of chlorella said to put in one teaspoon but since I was not sure how I would like the taste or handle it I only put in one half teaspoon. That half teaspoon made it a lovely shamrock green fit for any Irish festivity but had a pungent aroma of grass clippings a couple days in the compost. While I may be somewhat repulsed by the aroma, I am sure Bessie the cow would have been tantalized by it.

I convinced myself I can drink anything for health if I put my mind to it and get my mind off of bovine meal comparisons. I drank about one third of the sixteen ounce glass over about ten minutes and was suddenly hit by nausea, stomach pains and a migraine. I left the rest of the glass on the counter to add a festive Saint Pat's green to my kitchen. As the day progressed so did my reactions. The nausea, stomach pains and migraine were later joined with a prego belly from bloating, brain fog and fatigue, swollen and painful joints and facial angioedema. I was still awake at 2:20 am from my discomfort. My symptoms came much too quickly to be detoxification and identical to many of my food reactions. I should have listened to my nose and not drank any of it. You can believe I won't again...EVER!!!

Today I am improved to the point I only look three months pregnant rather than seven, digestive symptoms continue, headache and joint pains still very much there though improved and my face looks like a cartoon hound dog from the angioedema.

I did not get any photos of this reaction but these first two are from a reaction to the yeast in gluten free homemade pizza crust I had on March 8th  give a clear idea of how I am visibly impacted.

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This is me just twelve hours after the first two photos

How my face looks between reactions

Angioedema where I get hound dog lines and what my hubby calls a balloon valance below my lips

My take away from this is to once again realize how individually unique each person's tolerances and reactivity. While I research for answers, I need to pay attention to what things my body does or does not like and rather than to just follow any given list somebody else developed. Going forward, I will continue to pray for wisdom, glean wisdom from forums, FaceBook groups and blogs of others traveling a similar path to find ideas, resources and support. In the very near future, I plan to have genetic testing done to see if it points to any other underlying causes to my issues.

Dexter hopes your Saint Patrick's Day was a blessed one!

So here's to more days without prego bellies and hound dog faces!

Blessings,

Deb

Low Histamine Chef

Hista-what? A Visual Guide to Histamine Intolerance

What is Multip;e Chemical Sensitivity

Kathryn Chastain Treat Tribute and Reblog

Today I blog with a heavy heart, yet one that rejoices. There are people who you have never met in person yet dramatically impact your life and speak into your soul. Kathryn Treat was one of those special ones. I had contact with Kathryn on online forums, blogs and through reading her book "Allergic to Life".  Kathryn has impacted many with her blogs and book. Her example of courage, fortitude and faith have inspired me and many others in the MCS community. From her writings I discovered therapies that are helping me deal with my own health issues and have been empowered with greater knowledge to manage the labyrinth of life with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities. I am sure there are many who were also blessed with similar experiences.

I am joining many others in praying for Kathryn Treat's family and friends left behind as they grieve and miss our dear friend. We are grateful for her courage, support and efforts while on earth and grateful she is now free of all restrictions where she can feast, mingle with others freely and even dance before the Lord. Heaven is richer having her there.

 Read more about Kathryn Treat in Stehanie of MCS Gal's blog http://sensitivetochemicals.com/kathryn-treat-fellow-blogger-friend/

And from Jennie Sherwin who knew Kathryn well and spent time with her while both in treatment for severe MCS.

http://jsherwinblog.wordpress.com/2014/12/21/kathryn-c-treat-daughter-sister-wife-mother-grandmother-author-and-loving-friend-rip/

You can find Kathryn's book here:
http://www.amazon.com/Allergic-Life-Battle-Survival-Courage-ebook/dp/B00EU77QZQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419277168&sr=8-1&keywords=allergic+to+life

Treasured Moments

While reading Kara Tippett's blog Mundane Faithfulness she asked what are the little things in life, the moments we treasure the most. It reminded me once again of how I need to be intentional in seeing and savoring those moments to most fully engage in this life God has given me; to look for joy, peace and grace that is always available regardless of how hard the circumstances are, even in the midst of our tears.

My hubby and I joke how so far all of 2014 was not in our plans. While not our plans, we are so thankful for one who is sovereign over all and has His perfect plan and purpose for our lives.

Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds me God's way and my ways are so different and often at odds. His ways are so much higher and motivated by God's glory rather than my selfish ambition or desires of comfort.  He is more concerned about my holiness and eternal good and His glory than the ease of today or this year. 

Our year began with my Multiple Chemical Sensitivity causing me such horrendous reactions to the dust mitigation chemicals used in Arizona. They became so severe that by the first Monday in February my doctor advised us to relocate. Moving was not in our plans. We had less than two years before down-sized into a home we thought we could live in now and in our retirement fifteen years down the road. We were very involved in our Arizona church with many we dearly loved. My husband was serving as an ordained pastor/elder alongside the teaching pastor as well as working his full time IT job. It was a huge gift that my hubby's immediate response was asking the doctor questions about where would be good locations for me then saying we will move as soon as God leads in securing a job and selling our home in Arizona. But that night, when we arrived on our pastor and wife's home to share this burden, we all sat there stunned, saying how much it sucked, shedding tears and pouring our hearts out to God in prayer.

Summit of Lookout Pass at Idaho/Montana border February 28, 2014 on our way to say good-bye to Mom P.

The next two months were a whirl wind of prepping our home to sell, a week visit from our daughter and her family, travels to say good-bye to my sweet godly 93 year old mother-in-love in Idaho and 80th birthday party for my Dad in Washington,

My Dad and I at his 80th birthday with some of his art behind us

My parents, siblings and I at Dad's 80th birthday party

packing, cleaning, house hunting trip to Colorado and the many lasts times and good-byes. Those months, while crazy, were filled with many sweet moments. Moments of sitting at my mom-in-love's bedside and being able to thank her for her example and tell her what a wonderful, godly, self-sacrificing and loving man her son is and how I know her influence and prayers had much to do with it. The moment of seeing her tears of joy hearing those words. In Washington, moments of joy, laughter and story- telling with my extended family: parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, our grown children, their spouses and grandchildren. We celebrated my Dad's 80th birthday, where we all for the first time saw all his paintings on display. We watched our Minnesota and Washington grands meet for the first time and the joy they had together. One favorite moment was watching the three of them squealing with joy and chasing bubbles together!

We had precious moments as friends served us in love to prep our home for sale, cleaning and packing for our move. We ended up having more times with friends who lovingly helped and served us since I was physically unable to do nearly as much. Spontaneous laughter, sharing life, praises and prayers with my three dear sisters in Christ who came over and helped me so much the last weeks up to our move were so precious. I treasure those moments and still six months after moving away, treasure them for continuing to point me to God and His goodness when they call or text me with scripture verses, prayers and encouraging words. The many good-byes were hard and bittersweet but joy in knowing we will be together again, if not here then in eternity.

My precious sisters, JoAnn, Angie, Anna and I

 Out to dinner at our favorite organic restaurant in Arizona for the last time with our good friends Doug and JoAnn

Just before pulling out of Arizona to begin our move to Colorado

Laughing at the wind at a rest stop on our move in southern Colorado

The first weekend in May, just days after arriving in our new state of Colorado, we flew up for the funeral of my husband's dear Mom. She passed on Good Friday, which was so fitting as Easter was her favorite holiday. This year she got to spend it with her Savior. Again, precious time with family as while we grieved we shared stories about Mom and moments of laughter in the remembering. 

Joel with all but one of his siblings the weekend of Mom's funeral. Joel's the handsome guy on the right.

This summer we were blessed with two more granddaughters. The one in Washington we were able to spend time there snuggling her and her two year old big sister. Wet kisses, reading stories, swinging at the park filled that week with joy. Our second new granddaughter was born in August and we have yet to see her as we got news of Joel being laid off from his job a couple days before we were to travel there for a week visit. We felt it wise for Joel to get immediately involved in the process of job hunting and cashing in 70 hours of vacation to help tide us over in how ever long this season of unemployment lasts.

As Joel's job ended October 10th, God has continued to meet us with a sense of peace and an ability to rest in Him and enjoy the many treasured moments He graces our lives with each day. We have been enthralled with the beauty of the Colorado autumn colors and have spent time taking drives and hikes in the Colorado Front Range and walks into neighborhood open spaces. We have laughter over goofy things and the joy of a look from across a crowded room that fans our love and desire. We watch the antics of numerous prairie dogs or observe the dragonflies in our garden. We enjoy observing the ever-changing mountain views from our bedroom window or as we drive in the area.

These extra tame prairie dogs were fighting over trail mix we share with them from our trail head
 picnic table overlooking a lake.

Elm tree in its autumn finery in our front yard Sunday morning October 19, 2014

So as our plans disappear and in our human logic the year has spun out of control, we look for Him in those small precious moments. We never dreamed this year would hold major health obstacles, a move to a new state, loss of a parent, and loss of a job Joel had enjoyed for over fifteen and a half years. But we see His hand in so many details great and minute. We are learning to have greater dependency on Christ and are growing in ways we had not expected. We are confidant of His faithfulness in what the rest of this year and the years to come will hold.

So today as I write this, Joel is at yet another job interview. Please join us as we are praying that God will close all doors but the one He has for him, the one that will be for our best and His glory.

Blessings,

Deb

Starting at Zero

My friend Tracy was sharing how when her sister-in-law moved to Texas some years back the hardest part was always starting at zero with people in her new community. They had zero history with her, zero knowledge of her life prior to moving, zero knowledge of her grown children and grandchildren, zero knowledge of who she really was, her gifts, talents, challenges or heartaches. When she shared this with me, I so resonated with this on multiple levels.

Moving from Arizona to Colorado a few months ago, we are constantly starting at zero both with folks not knowing us and us not knowing them. After a few months there are a few who know much of our story and we have learned much of theirs. Still rarely a day goes by where I don't have the starting from zero experience where we try to fill each other in on our life up to this point in a nutshell. This happens at our church, in the neighborhood, with new doctors and practitioners. Rebuilding in a new community takes starting from nothing and laying new foundations that will hopefully lead to many great relationships.

I find there is an aspect of starting at zero with family and friends who have known me for ages when it comes to all the impact MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) has had in my life. For instance my extended family and I used to eat large batches of popcorn nightly and in the last four years that has morphed into now having to explain that I have an anaphylactic allergy to corn in any form. In fact being in same room as popcorn or corn chips causes me to have asthma and other symptoms. Fragrances and cleaning products that I thought nothing of using for many years now are very problematic and can cause me symptoms days after the exposure. The starting at zero to explain myself and how so many things negatively impact me to those who have known me years earlier is hard and wearing. It is difficult feeling like my health issues are impacting others around me, yet I either have to start at zero and explain or suffer reactions. Depending on what I am exposed to the reactions are immediate or delayed with varied symptoms that may last a few hours to several days.

Many friends and family members have been empathetic and inquire how they can serve me. They are curious and ask questions about what impacts me and how to prevent reactions. Those are the ones that make it easy to rebuild from zero. I have people in my life who have gone to natural cleaners, installed used carpeting, painted with no VOC paints and installed no VOC flooring to accommodate me in their homes. My grown kids and their spouses have made their homes safe for me and gladly cater to my dietary needs. My church care group meets in a home that uses natural products and I am able to attend because they remind everybody before each meeting to not wear fragrances. This Friday we are going to a dinner where the hostess has catered the entire meal around my dietary restrictions which is no easy feat. Instead of giving up or taking me up on the offer to bring my own meal she rose to the challenge. People who respond like that greatly bless me and encourage me to make more effort to start from zero when it comes to my MCS.

Haboob in Phoenix, AZ

My MCS and the dust suppressant chemical used in Arizona are the reason we moved to Colorado

last spring. While beginning at zero in so many relationships, we have been so blessed by a church body who is warm, embracing and understanding as well as a community that is much more in tune with natural non-chemical way of life. While starting over is difficult the benefits to my health have been wonderful!

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

There is anther way I start from zero and that is with my own self. I "forget" I am not fully as healthy and energetic as I was in the past. I still think I am the gal that my husband called the "Energizer Bunny" who kept going and going. I have always been driven and thrived on activity and socializing. I still want to thrive that way. I can get busy in the living of life, remodeling or yard projects, guests staying, hiking and photographing my lovely new area and suddenly I hit a wall. I am too fatigued to function. Or I forget that I can no longer go certain places without it impacting me. Monday afternoon I went to pick up my meat order and was exposed to the strong tar odors of freshly laid asphalt in their parking lot. Since I was already out made another stop on the way home. By dinner time, I was operating in a major brain fog with extreme fatigue, allergy symptoms, migraine and facial swelling. Also realized that some of my improvement that came from my IV therapy a month ago was wearing off so I was reacting more easily and not rebounding as quickly. Still I am having some symptoms as I write this Wednesday afternoon. This morning I went and had another IV session with Meyers Cocktail and glutathione. By tomorrow morning my energy should really kick in and if like last couple times will better tolerate and more quickly rebound from exposures. Right now I am so relaxed from all the magnesium in the Meyer's Cocktail a nap is calling my name. So I need to remember to remind myself of who I am now so I don't land at zero from my own living like I did in the past.

One place I never have to start from zero is with my personal Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He knows me intimately.(Psalm 139)  He knew all my days before even a one of them was (Psalm 139:16) and has the very hairs on my head numbered! (Matthew 10:30) He cares about all the details of my life; of your lives. Such peace, assurance and grace for living flow from Christ.

So how have you had to begin from zero with others or yourself? I would love to hear your stories in the comments.

Blessings,

Deb

Invisible Illness Week and Friendships

The week September of September 9-14 is Invisible Illness Awareness. An invisible illness is an illness that another cannot detect by just looking at a person. There are numerous invisible illnesses that healthy appearing folks are struggling with on a daily basis. Invisible illness can impact not only how a person physically feels but can also change their ability to function in arenas such as employment and relationships. I myself struggle with two invisible illnesses. If I am gussied up and have a smile pasted on my face you would never guess I  have both a form of chronic leukemia that requires daily low dose chemotherapy and MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity). Many of my MSC blogging sisters have written great articles about invisible illnesses this week and how it impacts us. The one I find myself most desiring to reblog is the one that shares how MCS impacts our friends and loved ones that was written by Colleen on her blog Life in the City with a Future.

The road to a friends place is never long! Especially if nontoxic!

I can say I have been blessed to have friends and family members who do go above and beyond to accommodate me to safely spend times in their homes and to safely visit me in mine. Colleen describes how such a friend has done that for her. These special friends will never fully understand the huge impact and incredible blessing they each are to me!

My dear friend Lynn from Iowa was here to visit me on Labor day

Colleen's informative blog where her friend Beth also shares a friends perspective can be read here http://lifeinthecitywithafuture.wordpress.com/2014/09/12/day-256-in-the-pursuit-of-love-iiaw-a-sisters-journey/

May increasing our knowledge break down tendencies to judge, and rather, help us to foster understanding, build friendships and produce love!

Blessings,

Deb

Glimpses of God at Work

We received news Friday August 29 that my husband was going to be part of a major lay-off at the company he has worked with for over 15 years. His last day at work will be October 10. We were both shocked by the news. My hubby was saddened because enjoys his work and has very good relationships with co-workers that he has known between 5-15 years. Though we don't know the future and looking at unemployment is scary, we did not feel our world tilted or fell apart. Instead we felt God's presence and peace and saw His body rally around us to pray, encourage, network, write resumes and recommendations. We feel hope and peace and are anticipating what God will do in the near future.

God was so gracious and His timing so perfect. I had a good week digging in the word and reading in Philippians which had prepared my heart. That morning I had another set of IV treatments of Meyer's Cocktail and glutathione. The Myer's Cocktail has, among many other ingredients, a high dose of magnesium which is very relaxing. Then that afternoon as Joel was getting the news of his lay off, I was getting a free hour massage for new patients at my chiropractor's. So I was very calm and relaxed when I received the news. 

God has enabled us through our prayers and prayers of many to both remain calm, resting in the knowledge God has a sovereign plan and none of this takes Him by surprise. We have had more peace than humanly possible in these circumstances. I know the true test of walking in faith will come when the last pay check arrives. We are purposing to keep focused on our Savior and the knowledge that He does have a perfect plan for our lives for our eternal good and His glory and our asking all our friends to pray for us to do that as well as pray for another job.

The first evening as we talked and prayed we once again remembered a favorite story from the Bible. This story takes place in 1 Samuel 30. In the story David and his 600 mighty men return home to find their home town Ziklag burned to the ground and all their women and children had been taken captive by their enemies the Amalekites. David's men were naturally very upset and there was mutinous talk about stoning him. So what did David do? Did he ride away on a swift horse or put a political spin on it to take the pressure off of himself? Did he give into despair since his own 2 wives and children were also taken? No he did the simplest and most powerful thing we can every do in hard situations he looked to the Lord for strength and encouragement.

And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. 

1 Samuel 30:6 ESV

In the King James version it reads, "but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God". I can imagine David wandering a distance from the men to commune with God. He was likely remembering how God had cared for him in the past when things looked very difficult. He recalled how when he was a shepherd boy God enabled him to kill lions and bears that came after his sheep. And remembered how the LORD was victorious through him when he killed the giant Goliath with five small stones and a sling. Then there were the many times Saul had hunted him with murderous intent and God protected and spared his life. He encouraged himself in the LORD who had cared for him time after time and strengthened his faith that God would work again.

Last Friday as we were absorbing this news we remembered this story and began recounting the many ways God has cared for us personally: how He worked 15 1/2 years ago to provide this job when Joel was last laid off, how He worked in our recent move from Arizona to Colorado in such speedy and miraculous ways. Even when circumstances have been hard, He has been there for us sustaining, leading and providing. As we recounted time and time again when we saw His hand working in our lives we were encouraged in our faith and strengthened in our hope and faith for this situation. We continue to remind ourselves and each other of that.

Last blog post I wrote about how God used a tree falling over in the wind to meet neighbors and save over $1200. (You can read that here.) We now see that God was protecting our finances for this next season, though we had no clue at the time. We  were suppose to have taken vacation to drive 14 hours to visit our daughter's family and see our newest grand baby leaving last weekend. The day before the news of his layoff, Joel came down with a bug with fevers and cough and our daughter asked us to postpone our trip due to the risk of a respiratory bug with a newborn and two older siblings with a rare lung disease. By not leaving, not only did it give us time to process and figure out what's next, it enabled us to realize Joel really needed to be here busy job-hunting and the 70 hours vacation pay will be welcomed funds when his job ends. While my Nana's heart longs to snuggle and love on this newest grandchild and her siblings, the timing is another way God is caring for our needs and part of His plan.

So we have many questions and as of yet no answers, but there is confident hope and peace in trusting the One who has all the answers. We are trying to be wise with our decisions and choices but we need to be careful in our researching and figuring to not let the "what-ifs" overwhelm us or cause us to panic. We need to consider options but not be consumed by them. When we dwell in fear we are no longer walking in faith since fear is the opposite of faith. In fact God gives us grace for each day, not for the "what-ifs"

of the future. Pray we rest in His grace-giving care and hope as we await what is next.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for,

the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

Rocky Mountain National Park

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

where does my help come from?

  My help comes from the Lord

the maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2

Praying this week each of you catch glimpses of God at work in your own circumstances.

Blessings,

Deb

Blessings in Disguise Part 2 or How God Knocks Down a Tree

I wrote this three weeks ago with the intention to immediately get back to polishing it up and posting it. Instead life happened and blogging seemed to be the thing that got pushed aside. While this is old news, its too good a story about God's grace to pass by.

Yesterday afternoon we went up to Boulder where I had an appointment with my MCS doctor. While we were in Boulder, storms with wind and rain came through the areas. We returned home to find the wind had downed the lightening-killed maple tree and landed it in our next door neighbors' yard, resting atop the high board wood fence. We had scheduled two arborists to give us bids on removing this lightening-charred maple skeleton, as well as a few other trees from our over-planted yard. But God had other plans that far exceeded our own.

Amazingly nobody was hurt and absolutely nothing was damaged. It was as if the hand of God had gently laid it to rest on the fence and the ground. Our Vietnamese neighbor, Tim, had went into the house moments before it landed on the patio where he had been standing.  The tree extended over one of Tim's numerous fish pond in his lovely backyard Asian garden, yet it did not ruffle a feather on his glazed ceramic duck ornaments resting on the edge of the pond. A terracotta pot was gently swept aside by the branches on the patio without a crack. God's protective care was evident.

 

Joel immediately went out and rented a chain saw so we could quickly clean up the mess in their yard before daylight left. The clearing went quickly with the the chainsaw and Tim's help. While I was praying nothing was damaged and that our neighbors we barely knew would not be angry or sue us, God was knocking down more than trees. The tree toppling and our immediate response to clear it, broke down all walls and instead we were invited to attend a family birthday party the following day for their granddaughter.

We have four mahogany-leafed Choke Cherry trees about thirty feet tall that we were going to remove ourselves, so Joel began working on that Friday evening after we got the other tree cut and into our yard so quickly. Suddenly, a man appeared in our side yard with his two Labradors. He had heard the chainsaw noise and came over to investigate. In the course of our conversation we discovered Stan lived on the next street and wondered if he could have the bigger chunks of wood for his wood burning stove. He then offered to come over Saturday morning with his chain saw and help Joel with our project in exchange for the wood. We were even more delighted to find out Stan and his wife were also Christians.

Saturday morning before Stan arrived, the first arborist came and gave us a bid for the tree removal and pruning we were wanting done. His total was over $1200 before any stump grinding. Yikes! We realized then the more work we do ourselves the better! But those twenty year old silver maples two feet from the fence still seemed too risky for us to do on our own.

Stan arrived and when he found out we wanted to take those maples down, he shared that he is a landscape architect for the state and had forty years experience in that and as an arborist. He said he could easily walk Joel through safely felling the trees and would direct him how to do pruning in the golden locust and huge elm tree out front. Joel and Stan got the trees all down without any incident even with the discovery of a large wasp nest in one of the maple trees. Our back yard was soon a gargantuan brush pile!! The blue spruce and lilacs that were hidden by the other trees now are visible, as well as our mountain views from the second story!

Joel and Stan cutting trees

I was so thankful Stan was there to help Joel Saturday.  The night before, I momentarily forgot that I was chemically sensitive and helped Joel as he used the gas-powered chainsaw. I ended up with nasty reactions to the exhaust that took several hours and numerous medications to get under control. Our trip to Boulder Friday afternoon was so I could try Myers Cocktail and Glutathione IVs to see if they would reduce my reactions.  They made a difference, in spite of severe reactions, I rebounded much more quickly than normal.

So, God used the wind to down a tree in a manner that enabled us to get to know two families in our new neighborhood and saved us a boatload of money! What initially seemed like a disaster were definitely blessings that helped open up doors to get to know our neighbors and save us money! God is so good!!!

Blessings to you all!

Deb