The Phoenix Rises From The Ashes! Well Almost.

I felt like the Phoenix that rises from the ashes!  I came down with the flu the day after the yard sale and unlike most flu bugs I couldn't shake this one.  My family took turns being sick and this flu seemed to come and go.  Each child must have had it 2 or 3 times.  Soon my family was well but I continued to run a low-grade fever, have nausea and headaches.  I decided that in order to care for my family I had to take pain meds.  I have really tried to not take any extra medications.  After 4 weeks I decided that maybe if I act like I'm well I will be well and I went to yoga class.  I became nausea and dizzy.  I had to lay on my mat so that I wouldn't be sick.  The poor guy next to me was new and it seemed to give him permission to stop and lie down as well.  After I came home I spent the rest of the day in bed with a horrible migraine.  

My family all claimed there health back but I continued to suffer.  I chose not to get my labs, afraid that the illness would taint the results.  After 6 weeks I decided I had to go into the doctor.  My doctor was unavailable so I was scheduled to see Dr. G.  The Friday before my appointment I began having terrible pain like a vice was wrapped around my ribs and being squeezed   The pain shot up my back, neck and into my jaw.  It would sometimes run down my arms.  I suffered all weekend and then went to see the doctor.  She acknowledged my fever and rapid heartbeat.  Then she looked at my chart and saw that I have cancer.  She then shook her head at me and said "This is just cancer, there is nothing I can do for you."  I told her my whole family has had the flu.  She still insisted that it was only cancer.  She asked me if my house was clean or dirty.  "Dirty" I said, I've been sick for 7 weeks.  She told me my stomach problems were a result of stress due to cancer and I should take an antacid and get a maid.  She told me the fever, heart rate, aches and chills were just cancer and that there was nothing she could do for me.  I told her that if that was the case my whole family has cancer.  She sent me home with that advice and asked me to get my labs done.  She added on a few new ones like a thyroid test that I was sure I didn't need.

One Treatment Leads To Another

I went and got my labs done and they came back showing that my cancer markers continued to rise.  It also showed that I was anemic.  I began taking garlic and herbs for my flu and added in iron and other vitamins to try to help the anemia.  The pain had stopped and I was feeling a little better.  Then on the next Friday the pain started again.  I decided to semi-listen to Dr. G and take an antacid to see if it helped.  All I had was children's Maalox so I took it and it seemed to lessen the pain.  I guess I had taken too many pain pills during the flu and destroyed my stomach.  On Saturday morning I went to the store and picked up some prilosec and took it for the next 14 days.  That took the pain away and I began to feel like the Phoenix rising from the ashes.  I really felt good!  I thought I've done it!  But one thing leads to another and I began to develop a urinary tract infection.  I thought "I know how to deal with this!"  I started taking cranberry capsules, juice and drinking large amounts of water.  I also took an over the counter medication.  But unlike in the past nothing worked.  I found myself calling the doctor.  Mine again was out and they set me up with Dr. C.  I thought anyone but Dr. G please.  I went into my appointment that same day and Dr. C had left for the day.  There was a mix up on the schedule.  Who could see me?  Non other than Dr. G.  At least she ran a test so she could see it wasn't cancer.  She said it was very bad and was afraid it would get into my kidneys.  She gave me a strong antibiotic and told me I couldn't take any supplements while on it.  The druggist told me not to drive as it would make me dizzy.  I only had to take it for 3 days.  So I had a dizzy Easter Sunday but it was a nice one.  

Whats Next

Now you would think my troubles were over but from that came a slight yeast issue.  I was able to take care of it with probiotics.  My UTI started to come back so I drank lots of pure cranberry juice.  This time it went away.  I still felt week and started getting achy all over.  I was hoping that my red blood count had gone up.  I went for new labs.  They have just came back and while my cancer markers have once again started going down I have become more anemic.  My red blood cells continue to drop along with my Hemoglobin, hematocrit and neutrophil.  On the other hand my neutrophil bands are high and they now see nucleated RBC's in my blood.  My liver is also having issues again. Now that I can take my supplements again it will turn around.

What does all that mean?  It means that my bones are having trouble making enough red blood cells to move oxygen through my body.  I'm very anemic so I don't have a lot of energy and get out of breath often.  I haven't been able to exercise like I want to and have began using an oxygen bar to up my oxygen intake.  My white blood cells (neutrophil) are low.  

Hopefully I can find away to turn this around.  There are many situations that can cause this state.  Problems with the bone marrow such as Leukemia or Hemolytic anemia can be a cause.  While I'm not discounting my labs, they have not risen that high and I feel I can combat the situation.  A rare form of Hemolytic anemia runs in my family and I have already told my body that it cannot get that.  The treatment for it is in exact opposition to the treatments for cancer.  In cancer you try to raise the immune system and with Homiletic anemia you try to suppress the immune system.  

Time to Travel

So that is where I am at right now.  A little tired, week and achy.  However, my dear husband won a trip last year!  He has been patiently waiting to take me on it.  He planned it,  booked it  and it is coming up fast.  He so wants it to be a relaxing enjoyable trip.  So I'm going, and if the anemia means I have to lay around in the sun all day, I'll suffer through it!

We will be going to New Orleans and then on a seven day cruise.  It should be fun!
  So how can I stay healthy and eat right on my trip?  That was a big question for me!  No I can't do everything I do for myself at home and the ship wont let me take my juicer and organic veggies with me.  I am taking all my supplements and some meds in a handy little pack.  I also am taking some individual packs of amazing grass.  This can be mixed up with water and you have a green drink.  While not the same as fresh it will do for a few days.  I'm taking some instant organic oatmeal with flax,  I have some essential oils and a  small version of my bio mat.  Kris Carr who travels a lot has a little video presentation about traveling and keeping healthy.  Here is the link Quick and Easy Travel Tips!

P.S. I got a wheatgrass growing kit for Easter!  Can't wait to get back and start growing my own wheatgrass!