My Spiritual Journey

Sunday, August 16, 2015

A Personal Log of how I got rid of my PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome) symptoms within 7 months using Natural Remedies: A Personal Success Story

Here are some updates of the things I’m doing to kick PCOS in the butt!

I had a BodyTalk session with Kristin Pierce Jan, 2013. She mentioned my body was giving messages of an irregularity on my left ovary. Within a few weeks I went to my family doctor who gave me a requisition to get an ultrasound.

In the meantime I went to my homeopath, Dr. Hoe Mark in March 2013.

The symptoms I gave were me being irritable, having irregular periods, several months of continual pain on the right side of my leg, an imbalance in the way my armpits smelled, and bloated and belching frequently. He suggested I had a metabolic imbalance and possibly a cyst on my ovary. He gave me a list of 3 homeopathics; streptococcinum CM, lachesis CM, and lycopodium CM to take. They were 9$ each.
I had experienced greater stomach pains about a week or so after taking the homeopathics. I called Dr. Hoe (free of charge) and he said to increase the amount I’m taking at a time. After researching more about homeopathy, if your symptoms get better, they are working. If they get worse they are also working, but you need to increase the dosage. If nothing happens, then there are other symptoms to take into consideration and a different remedy to match those symptoms.
Within 2 days of increasing my dose my leg pain was completely GONE, the smells in my armpits had begun to balance, and I became much less irritable and not quite my regular cheerful morning self, but much more pleasant.

Diagnosed with PCOS, ultrasound confirmed it April 2013

I went to Dr. Fleury, a Naturopath

She listened to all the changes I’ve experienced and all the things I’ve done about them. She weighed me and then suggested I changed my diet to include more proteins and fats, especially first thing in the morning.
I have been drinking her coconut late recipe first thing in the morning for about a month.

Coconut Late Recipe

A couple of hours after I drink the late I eat a snack that contains whole foods. I’ve been eating an orange and almonds. I am also taking a probiotic and a tsp of Essential Fatty Acids (high potency, good quality fish oils) at this time. For lunch I try to make sure I have proteins included. I’ve decreased the pastas and foods containing white flour (and try to avoid products that contain enriched flour) and have increased my proteins substantially. I have still been eating pasta, but just at a decreased amount and add more gluten free varieties when I do.
I am still drinking lots of water with lemon to aid in alkalizing my diet, remembering to drink a cup of water before I eat and 1 after to increase in digestion.
Within a couple weeks of changing my diet I was no longer bloated and belching as much in the evening. I also feel a lot stronger and more energy.

Went to my family doctor to check results or tests/ May 2013

Thyroid normal, blood normal, everything else normal. He suggested I could go on the pill to regulate my cycle. I definitely DECLINED! He is very open to other natural therapies and is aware of the benefits I receive. He suggested I stick with the homeopathic's and naturopath's plan given my current changes. He said I should focus on staying on the new diet and losing weight and continuing to go to the gym would greatly help.

I went back to my homeopath, Dr. Hoe Mark (he told me to check back with my results in month)/May 2013

I told him the diagnosis and he said it is becoming much more common. He gave me 2 more homeopathics to take that will increase the speed of the healing, zincum metallicum 4C and thyroidinum 30C. He said that I will be taking these together for quite a while (maybe a year) but it should go away all together. I ordered a 250ml bottle (the largest size they carry) from Herbs and Health. They will combine all 5 in one bottle. (Apx $50)

Future goals:

I’m planning on doing some cleanses from Grail Springs Holistic Detox for Body, Mind, and Spirit, by Marentette, Madeline.
After my cleanse I plan on shocking my body and going 10 days without grains or dairy.
I’m continuing to go to the gym at least 3 times/week and focus on weight lifting at a SLOW speed, with higher repetitions. I only do 20 mins of cardio when I’m there. I do intervals with my cardio so my body doesn’t get used to what I’m doing. Whenever I’m at the gym I try to be in the moment, focusing on my body healing as I smile with my whole body.
On the days I don’t go to the gym I try to go for a 30 min+walk. On average I do exercise about 3-4 days/week.

UPDATE NOV 20/2013

I am still taking the 5 homeopathic mixture. I definitely notice a difference in my moods, my B.O. smell and energy level when I don’t take them. Dr. Hoe said I won’t need to take them forever, but for longer than regular homeopathics. I’m also taking homeopathic magnesium in the morning and evening to make sure I get a good sleep ($9 for a large bottle of dissolvable tablets).
I am drinking the coconut lattes every morning, with the exception of a couple weeks during and after a family holiday.
I was taking a probiotic and EFA fish oils in the morning, but have ran out. I have noticed a decrease in my energy level since I have stopped taking them and I’ve been more bloated.
I usually eat an orange and almonds pretty much every day about 2 hours after my latte. On days I don’t drink it I eat 2 eggs and toast , sometimes oatmeal, or flax cereal with yogurt, blueberries and chia seeds, but only on weekends
I haven’t done any cleanses as per the naturopath's suggestion. I haven’t been back, but plan on going again sometime in January.
I have been going to the gym at least twice a week and did a 6 week body/mind movement (Anat Baniel Method) class 1/week with Dan Ouellette. At the gym I do 25 mins cardio (on leg exercise days I go on the treadmill, arm focused days I go on the bike) still at intervals of pace and intensity. When I lift weights I do very slow, mindful lifts to build endurance based on a book I read and some advice I was given. I try to do more reps at a lower weight than less reps at a higher weight. I also do exercises on the mat that strengthen my core. I’m typically at the gym for an hour-hour ½, taking my time and making sure I’m enjoying myself without rushing. I also listen to The Power which is awesome motivational stuff! I definitely noticed my strength coming back, toning in my body and I lost 5-7 pounds. I stopped going to the gym since mid Oct, but plan on going again right away. My husband and I have been doing a yoga video I used to do almost every night for the past week or so. I’ve already noticed significant changes in my flexibility.
On a side note, I don't have leg pain, but I still have chronic pain in my knee and neck and lay on tennis balls from when I was in a car accident a year ago. I also do stretches and exercises to strengthen and help keep my pelvis aligned. I’m still seeing a chiropractor and myofascial massage therapist and also plan on booking a physio appointment, Bodytalk and possibly doing some spine decompression from a Groupon I got.

UPDATE /April 2014

I’m now 22 weeks pregnant! Wow that was fast!
I had lost close to 10 pounds before I became pregnant, but that won’t last for long! I’m still going to the gym when I can, which seems to be twice a week these days.
I continue to have a coconut latte first thing in the morning. About an hour later I have the EFAs and the HMF intensive probiotic from the Naturopath with an orange and some almonds and now my prenatal vitamins. This no longer lasts me until lunch however and I have a little snack before then. I’m no longer taking the homeopathics. All is going well!

UPDATE /Aug 2015

My son is now a year old, wow time flies! I am at the same weight I was before I have him. I do not have any of the symptoms I had before (odor, irritability etc.)
I haven’t been going to the gym as regularly, about 1-2 times/month. I do plan on getting back to the 3 times/week in the fall. However, we go for family bike rides, walks, and I meditate 2-3 times/month, and do yoga.
I continue to have the late for breakfast during the week and 2 eggs and toast on the weekends. When I want an afternoon snack I include protein like a turkey bite sausage. I continue to keep my pastas/bread consumption low, and include the gluten and non-gmo varieties.
I no longer take any homeopathics. I do take continue to take the HMF intensive probiotics (especially after researching about how the immune system is related to our gut health and how that also helps my son through breastfeeding)and the EFA fish oils.
For the last four months I have also been taking Asea. It has helped me with getting a great night’s sleep, giving me even more energy, and repairing my body in general.
I haven’t felt this great since before I became pregnant with my daughter 5 years ago!! I also feel much more balanced than I have felt in years. I can’t wait to go back to the gym in the fall!!

Sunday, February 22, 2015

In Like a Lion; Sam's Birth Story

I had been unable to walk the last couple months of my pregnancy without having low abdominal pressure or having to go to the bathroom right away. When I walked at Fringe Festival for over 2 and half hours I should have known Sam was coming sooner than later. That night I awoke a couple times needing to go to the end of the bed to rest on all fours leaning on a pillow. At 6:45 am I had my first contraction. The next one at 7am woke up Marc. We knew we would be meeting our new baby boy very soon! We called the midwife right away knowing that Soleil’s birth was only 5 hours and subsequent births could be half as long.

At 7:10am I was downstairs eating some breakfast while I breathed through a couple of contractions. By 7:30am the contractions were very intense so I went back upstairs to try to relax and breathe through them. I found it extremely difficult to focus on relaxing with all the commotion going on in our small townhouse condo. I breathed through 2 more, and ended up screaming in my pillow for the rest of them. Marc woke up his mom and dad who were visiting for the weekend. His dad began working on the last bit of pumping that was needed for the birthing pool. Marc was busy waking up Soleil, our inquisitive 3 year old daughter. She was a little nervous about the loud noises coming from her mama and wondered why she couldn’t see me. Marc was also getting Gabie, his 11 year old daughter ready for her 9:30am flight home to B.C. He was making sure she had everything packed and called my sister who we listed as the emergency backup to take Gabie who was listed as a minor. While Marc was busily getting everyone ready and keeping them at a distance from me he was also trying to be supportive through my extremely painful contractions. Needless to say there was a lot going on and even though everyone was trying to be sensitive of the situation, I just needed a peaceful space!

Marc continued to balance his time between supporting me through my contractions, which were coming intensely every 4 minutes, and getting everyone out the door. I tried going into the bathtub because that helped so much with Soleil’s homebirth, but no matter what I did I couldn’t get comfortable and was unable to get into any kind of deep relaxation/meditative state. I knew there was no way I was going to make it to the birthing pool.

My sisters left with the grandparents, Gabie and Soleil to the airport around 8:15am. The midwife showed up a couple minutes before they left. She realized how far along I was and frantically called out to the second midwife to get her bag. Marc was trying to help me breathe/relax, but he was still in a rushed state. While in our bathroom upstairs I turned to him between contractions and told him I needed him to relax. I then turned to the midwife and calmly asked her to relax because it was making it extremely difficult for me to relax. They both took a deep breath and then were able to help guide things and slow down the remainder of the birth.

On Aug 3, 2014, at 8:22am I caught my little leo, Samuel Grayson Lepage. He weighed 8 pounds 7oz and was 20in long. He was crying a little but was he was easily soothed. It was just as incredible as when I had birthed Soleil. Holding your child for the first time, meeting this incredible human being who has been growing inside of you for 9 long months is nothing short of miraculous. I held him on my chest for almost half an hour. What an amazing, precious bonding experience.

We waited about 45 minutes trying a few times to birth the placenta. The standard time is 30 minutes and Soleil’s took 45 mins with a 5 hour birth. The midwives were getting nervous that the placenta wasn’t coming. Marc was enjoying his bonding experience as he holding Sam shirtless. I was still very alert but lost some blood and was nowhere near ready to birth the placenta. After an hour had gone by we agreed with the midwife to call an ambulance to go to the hospital. Marc and I decided our goal was to home birth Sam and we had already done that. And the midwives were strongly suggesting we go just as a precaution.

The midwives and ambulance guys had a few disagreements about some protocol concerns. After a short while we were on our way. I was still very alert at this time. I asked if someone was getting my water bottle and everyone kept telling me yes, that someone else would get it. But I knew that the person that they said was to get it wasn’t going to (they typically don’t like delivering mothers to drink water in case surgery is needed). As I was on the stretcher, about to get put on to the ambulance, I asked them how Marc and Sam were coming. The midwife and ambulance guys said that he was going to follow in our vehicle. I told them my sister took our vehicle with Soleil. They called to Marc and he got the car seat ready and Sam went for his first ride sitting beside Marc in the ambulance. Sam was so content and slept most of the way.

In the delivery room everyone was so nice. But I didn’t expect the placenta to be just as painful, if not more, than birthing Sam. I remember letting out a really loud scream and the doctor told me that it wouldn’t help. I didn’t really pay any attention. It helped me and that’s all that mattered at that point. They ended up giving me 3 doses of Fentanyl, which wears off fast and doesn’t affect breast milk. It was some pretty great medicine! I remember closing my eyes and thinking of all the things I was thankful for. I told the staff, “I know it might be the drugs, but thank you for your help.” Marc, Sam, and I hung out in the room for a few hours until I was able to go into a wheel chair to go to my room

At first, the nurse said we only had to be there until 10am the next day. But when the test results came back the next day they said my hemoglobin was so low I needed to stay another day. If it wasn’t going to increase I was going to need a blood transfusion. We also found out Sammy had cephalohematoma (2 raised bumps on either side of his head from being delivered so quickly). His head looked like the shape of a heart. Everyone wanted to make sure everything was going to be okay, just as a precaution. I knew everything would be fine and was pretty calm considering, but I still asked my friend, Joanne Mueller to do a distant reiki treatment on both Sam and I. It was pretty cool because I could tell she was working on Sam and me by our breathing. He also slept so deep and peaceful following the treatment.

The first day at the hospital wasn’t so bad. It felt like a stay at a low end hotel. It was nice to do nothing but snuggle with my new baby boy. We had a visit from my sisters and Marc’s parents. I had tears in my extremely puffy eyes when I saw how excited Soleil was and how much love she had for her new baby brother. Soleil was curious as to what happened during his birth, why she couldn’t see me, why I was screaming, and why I was in the hospital. I had a lot of answers to share with her. Although I tried to prepare her as best I could before I had Sam she still needed a lot more reassurance for her inquisitive mind.

By day two at the hospital I was more than ready to go home. Because my hemoglobin was low I needed to increase my iron. The menu was not conducive to an iron rich diet. In fact, some meals it was quite the opposite. I made sure to ask Marc to bring me an iron filled burger from the cafeteria along with some orange juice to help with the absorption of iron! I was shocked that the maternity floor, with plenty of nursing mothers also didn't even have decaffeinated tea or even decaffeinated coffee.
We were getting visits every 4 hours from the nurses to test blood pressure, temperature, and head measurements. There was also the cleaning staff, laundry, meal delivery, beverage, and random checks. It was a lot of interruptions when we just needed rest. There was this one nice lady who came in to clean the floors with a mop. I had a friendly conversation with her while I pretended she had a sanitary mop that never entered anyone else’s germ filled room and the cleaner in the bucket magically killed 100% of all the germs. However, when she coughed without covering her mouth I wished I had two ruby red slippers that could take me home instantly. A lady came by to do a routine ear test for Sam. She did one ear and said it was negative, but that they typically come back that way. Why on earth are they doing tests that are typically negative anyway?! She said I could go to this place and retest his ears. Yeah, like I was going to do that. If he has issues hearing I will be able to tell soon enough and I will contact the necessary people at that point. Then I had a routine check by the nurse. She asked if two male students could stay. I agreed. I mean it was just the same old check, right? Wrong! She checked everything in front of them. She hadn’t checked everything since the first check. If I would have known I sure wouldn’t have agreed. I’m not a shy person, but I felt I was just a body to be studied and my privacy was invaded. I know I could have said no, but I had already said yes. There was no way I was going to stay another day in this place whether they wanted me to or not. I thought, why in the world would anyone WANT to go out of their way to have a baby here?! It is so unrelaxing, invasive (even to me who isn’t a private person), and full of unhealthy, unknowledgeable people. I needed to heal and the best way I know how is with a healthy diet cooked with the love of chef Marc and plenty of rest in my own bed.

On check out day I couldn’t have been happier! Sam was so alert and content while we got him dressed to go home. All the way home he was quiet and alert as he was looking around. It was so surreal to take him home. It was much more peaceful, quiet and snuggly spending time with my new baby boy in the comfort of my home. When the aunties brought Soleil from her fun filled day she was so excited to see her new baby brother at home. Thank you to aunties!! What would we ever do without them?

Six months later and Sam is still an amazing baby. He is so happy and content. There were no breastfeeding issues, minimal postpartum issues, and most of all I feel as though his birth has reset my body in so many positive ways. I had PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and was matter-of-factly told I couldn't have any more children, but it was good cause I already had one. Seven months, a few simple, natural life style changes and I was surprised to be pregnant without trying. I may not have planned to have another baby quite yet, but I'm so very lucky that Sammy choose me to be his mama. He may have come in like a lion, but our Sammy is snuggly and calm as a lamb!

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

How I Discovered my Chakras; An Unusual but Amazing Experience!

While working 40 plus hours I attended university fulltime and went through a divorce from a 13 year relationship. I worked extremely hard to obtain a B.Ed. degree with distinction and pay some tuition fees along the way. As a way to minimize the stress I did regular exercise such as parking several blocks from the University and walking, riding my bike when I could, going to the University gym, taking yoga classes and/or going for walks and jogs. I also had much needed monthly massages. However, with all the busy-ness and chaos I still lost myself. I remember walking through the university halls feeling numb, heavy, and gray. One time I paused as I was walking to class trying to remember how I got there. I think back on it now and wonder how the heck did I do that and what the heck was I thinking?!

The first time I heard the word, ‘chakra’ was from the massage therapist. He gave me a brochure and suggested I read about them. I was a little curious but didn’t have extra time at this point in my life. I’m pretty sure I glanced at it briefly before tossing it out. During the following massage session something very unusual happened. I was lying on the table as he worked on my stomach. It felt as though he was pressing on a hard rock. He told me to visualize throwing the rock away. I imagined throwing it in a lake. I repeated this action a few times, but every time I checked it was still in my hand. I told him I couldn’t throw it away because I would feel an empty spot without it. He asked me what I could put in its place once it was gone. I told him I was looking for something pink or something red, but I couldn’t find something soft enough. He suggested I put some feathers there until I found that perfect thing. I didn’t tell him but I thought that feathers were ridiculous. They weren’t the right size or shape. I’m pretty sure I even scrunched my nose at the idea. However, within a couple minutes I was surprised that the hard rock in my stomach had changed to a moveable, plasticine-like substance.

As I paid for the session I was quiet, confused, and contemplative. I wondered to myself why I said those things. I’ve had regular massages for a few years and I’ve never said anything like that before. What did the rock represent and why couldn’t I throw it away? Who says, “Something pink or something red” in a massage session? What did those colours mean? What is the perfect, soft something that is pink or red? I was very intrigued. He suggested I learn about chakras to help understand what went on in the massage session. I simply nodded, but was extremely curious by this time and made a mental note to look them up as soon as I had the chance!

After the session I drove by the weir on the way to work. I couldn’t take my eyes off of the sparkling river. I felt the need to breathe in the surroundings and I just had to go there. I had about 15 minutes before I had to be at work. I spent those precious minutes mindfully watching the river flow, the birds fly by and the people around me. I never felt more aware, grounded, and connected. It was incredible! As soon as I got the chance I did a Google search about chakras. I discovered that the stomach area he was working on included a ‘sacral chakra’ and was related to the element of water. I thought it was pretty fascinating and coincidental that I had the desire to go to the weir after my treatment and how amazing and fulfilled I felt afterward.

I soon became consumed with learning everything there was to know about chakras. I was researching about them every moment I possibly could. Within a week or so I started following a simple 10-15 minute guided meditation I found on the website http://www.eclecticenergies.com/chakras/open.php. I would take out a little box that contained something I specifically chose to relate to each chakra. Some items matched the colour or element of the chakra which helped me visualize what I wanted them to look like. I began each meditation by saying a prayer of thanks and guidance. Then I glanced at the item that related to the chakra I was ‘cleansing’ and visualized it being pure and clean. Next I would include the hand mudra associated with the chakra and quietly say the sound connected to it, just like the website suggests. At the end of each session I visualized sealing up my bubble or aurora as a protection against any negative energy. I then said a prayer of thanks to God and put my special items away. The first several times were very methodical.

About a week later something amazing happened. It was 7:45 am and I had finished meditating on my root, sacral, and solar plexus chakras. I then took out a green jade gemstone, my heart chakra item, and focused on making it a pure green. I checked the paper from the website to make sure my hand placement and posture was correct. I started making the sounds, “yaaaam, yaaaaam”, just like I had been doing. It still felt meticulous and orderly until all of a sudden out of nowhere I began to cry. It wasn’t like any cry I had before. It was the biggest bawl I had in a very long time. It felt like the most cleansing cry of my life! I had the deepest, longest exhale. It felt like forever until I inhaled again. On the exhale I felt all the black, dark negative junk empty my body. On what it felt like was the longest inhale, a wave of bright light filled my entire body. It was such an incredible experience. I felt calm, at peace, and I loved myself, the world, and everything in it. The grayness that had once surrounded me was lifted and in its place was pure love and peace.

I am so thankful I learned about chakras. Since then I’ve had many amazing experiences getting to know how my body and spirit are connected. Whenever I’m feeling low or lacking in life I refer back to my favourite nonfiction book about chakras; The Complete Guide to Chakras: Vintage Edition: Unleash the Positive Power Within, by Ambika Wauters. Every time I read it I learn so much more about myself and get great advice on what to do when life gets complicated. If you are ever feeling disconnected, lacking in life, and/or alone I would highly recommend you read the book, try following the meditation from the website and/or include your own personal reflection on your inner most self. Taking a few minutes each day to explore what feels right to your body has such a positive impact. It may take a few times to see results, but it is so worth it!

Friday, August 2, 2013

A Gratitude Attitude!

I felt like writing today and I had a plan to start part two of a blog about why children can be sensitive, but I couldn’t stop thinking about how lucky I am. I am overcome with such gratitude, joy and love for so many things I just have to write about that today.

So, why am I so grateful?

Well to start off, I am so grateful to have the most wonderful husband(ish) in the world. He is the man I have been searching for my whole life. He is the man I spoke of and wrote about in my journal. He is the man I knew was out there for me and I am so lucky to have found him! He truly is amazing. I have tears in my eyes right now as I think about just how much I love him. He is the most patient person I have met. He has stood by my side and supported me through the times I was not the self he once met, such as my pregnancy and the many after effects of the car accident. He is so open and understanding and communicative about all those issues that are trivial to most men but can be so bothersome to most women. He helps me see the bigger picture and soothes my worrisome mind. He is trusting, forgiving and compassionate not only to me, but all people that he meets. He is loving, passionate, and tender. He is sweet, sincere, and kind. He laughs at my jokes and I laugh at his. We have many similar interests there is never a dull moment. He is an amazing father. He does yoga, cleans, and makes the bed every day, just because. He can cook the most delicious and healthy meals on short notice as if it were nothing. He sets my soul on fire and calms my soul like the ocean breeze. He is my soul mate, the yang to my yin, sometimes the yin to my yang, and I am so grateful to have him in my life!

I am so grateful to be the mother of the most 2 ½ year old girl. She is so intelligent I feel as though I am speaking to a 4-6 year old at times. She absorbs things quicker than a sponge. She is incredibly curious about the world around her. She loves to read books and learn new things. She respects nature and has a love for all living creatures (well except those pesky mosquitoes). She is kind and gentle with her friends. She is a great helper and leader of her peers. She gives the most amazing hugs and neck massages. She isn’t concerned with large expensive toys and can play with 3 Polly Pockets and 2 changes of clothes for an entire weekend. She has the attention span of a 5 year old yet is still active. She eats her fruits and veggies, and doesn’t know much about the land of sugar and candy. She is creative, imaginative, compassionate, and considerate. She has a great self-awareness and notices the finest details wherever we go. She has such an impeccable memory; she is my grocery list app. She has taught me so much about the depth and importance of emotions, children, and life in general. I am so grateful to have given birth to an amazing daughter and I am privileged to watch her grow every day.

I am grateful to have such a large, diverse family. I have a mom and a stepdad who are forgiving and accepting of me and my not so good traits as well as almost anyone they meet. My mom is the best conversationalist in the world and can have the longest conversation with a stranger. She can organize a closet and fold a sheet or a towel like nobody’s business. She is a very strong and determined woman who has shown me many great things about how to be an exceptionally organized and caring mother. My step-dad would give his left arm to a help out a stranger off the street. He is a jokester who can dance a jig and do a mean ‘Bill Cosby’ shuffle. I have 6 siblings who mean the world to me. I have an older sister who taught me how to be a big sister at an earlier age. Although we rarely got to see each other growing up, she has always loved me and remembered me every birthday and Christmas. One sister is creative, courageous, and stands up for what she believes, another sister is supportive, humorous, and compassionate. I have another sister who is accomplished, helpful, and determined and another who is empathetic, amazing with children, and so much fun to hang out with. I have a brother who is generous, loving, and passionate. I am so grateful to have a family who is so fun to hang out with, forgiving of mistakes we all make, and who teach me every day whether they mean to or not that love and spending time together is the most important thing in life.

I am so appreciative of having the most caring friends. I have a friend who listens without judgement, shares from the heart, and is the most generous person I know. I have another friend who tells it like it is, helps me see the bigger picture, is gentle, patient, humorous, magnetic, and mesmerizing. I have another friend who is honest, grounded, compassionate, strong, level headed, and generous. I have another friend who is adventurous, fun, caring, and sweet. I have another friend who will stop at nothing to pursue her dreams, lets nothing hold her back, listens with her whole soul, and can keep up to my dancing. I have many friends and acquaintances who share their thoughts and feelings and teach me how to be a better person. I meet many new people who help give me new perspectives on life and various topics. I am so grateful to have met such wonderful friends, acquaintances, and even strangers who I can share my thoughts, hearts desires, and that I can learn so much from.

I am extremely fortunate to be able to work in the comfort of my home. I am so blessed to be able to witness the miracle of other amazing young children grow and learn. I have the luxury of teaching curious toddlers based on their interests rather than to a test and without writing report cards based on the results. I get to go for wagon rides, play at various parks, build towers, play with Polly Pockets, line up Hot Wheels, paint, colour, play with Play-Doh, do puzzles, practice my photography skills with cute kids, dress up, play make-believe, have pretend picnics, dance to Pocket Full of Sunshine and many fun kids songs, do kids yoga, sing off key without judgement, read literally hundreds of new kid’s books every month, explore and express my imagination and encourage them to do so too in fun and creative ways. AND if I needed one, I can have a nap during most nap times! I am so grateful to have the opportunity of raising my child and that other parents give me the honor of being their child’s care giver while they are at work.

I am also grateful for so many random things; I have an amazing God who loves me no matter what happens and forgives me no matter what I do. I have a mind/body that tells me what I need whenever I am willing to connect with it. I live in beautiful country with a jazzy, fun-spirited city that has fresh water and ample opportunities. We rent the cutest townhouse condo in a great neighbourhood and will soon be buying a cozy little house. We have wonderful paths for biking and walking close by. I have fresh basil plants growing out back. I picked up a brand new Magic Bullet from a garage sale for $20. I am so appreciative to have received 3 garbage bags of really nice clothes. We have a nice vehicle. The new Circle Drive overpass is amazing and will allow me to visit my sisters in half the time. I love that I’m able to read and learn about new things and that I can share this knowledge with other people. I can learn from the many amazing authors who publish their stories to share with the world. To be able to go to a library that provides so much material for free. I bought a new pillow that fits me just right. I am thankful for Raffi and Charlie Hope, and other children's musicians, great parenting books, the internet, farmers, and health food stores. I am grateful for long weekends, all genres of music, cell phones, stickers, coloured paper, sunny days, green grass, blue skies, foliage and colourful flowers.

I am grateful to be me. I’m thankful to have had 37 years’ worth of experiences. I love that I am passionate about life. I appreciate my ability to forgive others easily, my free-spirited nature, open-mindedness, willingness to understand another person’s viewpoint, be brutally honesty, and see the positive of the worst situations. I adore my straightforwardness, trustworthiness, organizational skills and care of nature. I love that I seek information to better myself and share that knowledge with others and that I try to make healthy, natural choices in eating and living. I love my dancing skills, my painting/drawing ability, sense of humour, and my big juicy bum. I’m thankful for all those awful, hurtful, awkward, worrisome, drawn out, and painfully rough transitional moments I have endured because I know those are the moments that have made me appreciate life even more, be a stronger, wiser, and more grateful person.

With all this love and joy of life it’s difficult to contain it!

Monday, April 22, 2013

A Personal Log of how I got rid of my PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)symptoms within 7 months using Natural Remedies: A Personal Success Story

Here are some updates of the things I’m doing to kick PCOS in the butt!

I had a BodyTalk session with Kristen Petersen Jan 2013. She said my body was giving messages of something irregular in my left ovary. I went to my family doctor who sent me to get some tests done.

I went to my homeopath, Dr. Hoe Mark in March 2013.

The symptoms I gave the homeopath were me being irritable, having irregular periods, several months of continual pain on the right side of my leg, an imbalance in the way my armpits smelled, and bloated and belching frequently. He suggested I had a metabolic imbalance and possibly a cyst on my ovary. He gave me a list of 3 homeopathics; streptococcinum CM, lachesis CM, and lycopodium CM to take. They were 9$ each.
I had experienced greater stomach pains about a week or so after taking the homeopathics. I called Dr. Hoe (free of charge) and he said to increase the amount I’m taking at a time. After researching more about homeopathy, if your symptoms get better, they are working. If they get worse they are also working, but you need to increase the dosage. If nothing happens, then there are other symptoms to take into consideration and a different remedy to match those symptoms.
Within 2 days of increasing my dose my leg pain was completely GONE, the smells in my armpits had begun to balance, and I became much less irritable and not quite my regular cheerful morning self, but much more pleasant.

Diagnosed with PCOS, ultrasound confirmed it April 2013

I went to Dr. Fleury, a naturopath

She listened to all the changes I’ve experienced and all the things I’ve done about them. She weighed me and then suggested I changed my diet to include more proteins and fats, especially first thing in the morning.
I have been drinking her coconut late recipe first thing in the morning for about a month.

Coconut Late Recipe

A couple of hours after I drink the late I eat a snack that contains whole foods. I’ve been eating an orange and almonds. I am also taking a probiotic and a tsp of Essential Fatty Acids (high potency, good quality fish oils) at this time. For lunch I try to make sure I have proteins included. I’ve decreased the pastas and foods containing white flour (and try to avoid products that contain enriched flour) and have increased my proteins substantially. I have still been eating pasta, but just at a decreased amount and add more gluten free varieties when I do.
I am still drinking lots of water with lemon to aid in alkalizing my diet, remembering to drink a cup of water before I eat and 1 after to increase in digestion.
Within a couple weeks of changing my diet I was no longer bloated and belching as much in the evening. I also feel a lot stronger and more energy.

Went to my family doctor to check results or tests/ May 2013

Thyroid normal, blood normal, everything else normal. He suggested I could go on the pill to regulate my cycle. I definitely DECLINED! He is very open to other natural therapies and is aware of the benefits I receive. He suggested I stick with the homeopathic's and naturopath's plan given my current changes. He said I should focus on staying on the new diet and losing weight and continuing to go to the gym would greatly help.

I went back to my homeopath, Dr. Hoe Mark (he told me to check back with my results in month)/May 2013

I told him the diagnosis and he said it is becoming much more common. He gave me 2 more homeopathics to take that will increase the speed of the healing, zincum metallicum 4C and thyroidinum 30C. He said that I will be taking these together for quite a while (maybe a year) but it should go away all together. I ordered a 250ml bottle (the largest size they carry) from Herbs and Health. They will combine all 5 in one bottle. (Apx $50)

Future goals:

I’m planning on doing some cleanses from Grail Springs Holistic Detox for Body, Mind, and Spirit, by Marentette, Madeline.
After my cleanse I plan on shocking my body and going 10 days without grains or dairy.
I’m continuing to go to the gym at least 3 times/week and focus on weight lifting at a SLOW speed, with higher repetitions. I only do 20 mins of cardio when I’m there. I do intervals with my cardio so my body doesn’t get used to what I’m doing. Whenever I’m at the gym I try to be in the moment, focusing on my body healing as I smile with my whole body.
On the days I don’t go to the gym I try to go for a 30 min+walk. On average I do exercise about 3-4 days/week.

UPDATE NOV 20/2013

I am still taking the 5 homeopathic mixture. I definitely notice a difference in my moods, my B.O. smell and energy level when I don’t take them. Dr. Hoe said I won’t need to take them forever, but for longer than regular homeopathics. I’m also taking homeopathic magnesium in the morning and evening to make sure I get a good sleep ($9 for a large bottle of dissolvable tablets).
I am drinking the coconut lattes every morning, with the exception of a couple weeks during and after a family holiday.
I was taking a probiotic and EFA fish oils in the morning, but have ran out. I have noticed a decrease in my energy level since I have stopped taking them and I’ve been more bloated.
I usually eat an orange and almonds pretty much every day about 2 hours after my latte. On days I don’t drink it I eat 2 eggs and toast , sometimes oatmeal, or flax cereal with yogurt, blueberries and chia seeds, but only on weekends
I haven’t done any cleanses as per the naturopath's suggestion. I haven’t been back, but plan on going again sometime in January.
I have been going to the gym at least twice a week and did a 6 week body/mind movement (Anat Baniel Method) class 1/week with Dan Ouellette. At the gym I do 25 mins cardio (on leg exercise days I go on the treadmill, arm focused days I go on the bike) still at intervals of pace and intensity. When I lift weights I do very slow, mindful lifts to build endurance based on a book I read and some advice I was given. I try to do more reps at a lower weight than less reps at a higher weight. I also do exercises on the mat that strengthen my core. I’m typically at the gym for an hour-hour ½, taking my time and making sure I’m enjoying myself without rushing. I also listen to The Power which is awesome motivational stuff! I definitely noticed my strength coming back, toning in my body and I lost 5-7 pounds. I stopped going to the gym since mid Oct, but plan on going again right away. My husband and I have been doing a yoga video I used to do almost every night for the past week or so. I’ve already noticed significant changes in my flexibility.
On a side note, I don't have leg pain, but I still have chronic pain in my knee and neck and lay on tennis balls from when I was in a car accident a year ago. I also do stretches and exercises to strengthen and help keep my pelvis aligned. I’m still seeing a chiropractor and myofascial massage therapist and also plan on booking a physio appointment, Bodytalk and possibly doing some spine decompression from a Groupon I got.

UPDATE /April 2014

I’m now 22 weeks pregnant! Wow that was fast!
I had lost close to 10 pounds before I became pregnant, but that won’t last for long! I’m still going to the gym when I can, which seems to be twice a week these days.
I continue to have a coconut latte first thing in the morning. About an hour later I have the EFAs and the HMF intensive probiotic from the Naturopath with an orange and some almonds and now my prenatal vitamins. This no longer lasts me until lunch however and I have a little snack before then. I’m no longer taking the homeopathics. All is going well!

UPDATE /Aug 2015

My son is now a year old, wow time flies! I am at the same weight I was before I have him. I do not have any of the symptoms I had before (odor, irritability etc.)
I haven’t been going to the gym as regularly, about 1-2 times/month. I do plan on getting back to the 3 times/week in the fall. However, we go for family bike rides, walks, and I meditate 2-3 times/month, and do yoga.
I continue to have the late for breakfast during the week and 2 eggs and toast on the weekends. When I want an afternoon snack I include protein like a turkey bite sausage. I continue to keep my pastas/bread consumption low, and include the gluten and non-gmo varieties.
I no longer take any homeopathics. I do take continue to take the HMF intensive probiotics (especially after researching about how the immune system is related to our gut health and how that also helps my son through breastfeeding)and the EFA fish oils.
For the last four months I have also been taking Asea. It has helped me with getting a great night’s sleep, giving me even more energy, and repairing my body in general.
I haven’t felt this great since before I became pregnant with my daughter 5 years ago!! I also feel much more balanced than I have felt in years. I can’t wait to go back to the gym in the fall!!

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Healing Resources and Practitioners

Brennan, Richard. Change Your Posture, Change Your Life: How the Power of the Alexander Technique Can Combat Back Pain, Tension and Stress.

Hay, Louise. Heal Your Body. (Inspirational healing)

Khalsa, Harjiwan. Kundalini Chakra Cleansing CD. (Found at the library).

Lee, IIchi. Meridian Exercises for Self- Healing.

Levine, Peter. Healing Trauma: A Pioneering Program for Restoring the Wisdom of Your Body. (The library’s hard copy is more visually appealing but much more expensive than the soft copy).

Levine, Peter. Trauma Proofing Your Kids.

Levine, Peter. Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma.

Madison, Dr. Lynda. The Feelings Book: The Care and Keeping of Your Emotions. (I got this book from the library with intentions of helping Soleil handle her toddler emotions better, but I learned a lot about my emotions as well).

Marentette, Madeline. Grail Springs Holistic Detox for Body, Mind, and Spirit.

Nicholls, Carolyn. Body, Breath & Being: A New Guide to the Alexander Technique

Wauters, Ambika. The Complete Guide to Chakras, The Vintage Edition; Unleash the Positive Power from Within. (If you’re interested in learning more about chakras).

Amazing Healing Practitioners - Saskatoon

Bodytalk/RMT: Kristen Petersen/14^th St.E (291-8552) More info on body talk and Kristen Petersen can be found at http://www.bodytalksystem.com/learn/bodytalk/principles.cfm

SRT (Self Regulation Therapy): Irma Robson 2^nd Ave N (280-1950), although Heather Brenneman (343-1502) or Judy Pope (934-6454) are supposed to be excellent as well and they are Psychologist so it would be reimbursable for insurance. More information about SRT and the practitioners can be found at; http://www.cftre.com/

Body Movement Classes: Dan Oullette (306-715-2354)

Chiropractor: Dr. Cam Olson (306-955-5888)

Acupuncture: Wei Ping Wang/315 20^th ST. (306-933-4164)

Homeopath: Dr. Hoe Mark/315 20^th ST. E. (306-382-4507)

Myofacial Massage Therapy: Jody Braun (306-249-4099), Aaron Johnston (306-249-4099), or Dan Oullette (306-715-2354)

Cranial Sacral/ Visceral Therapist: Marie Laniece (306-384-3531) or Linda Fisher/Delta Bessborough (306-665-2424)

Energy Clearing: Jacqueline Nuesch http://vibeh2o.vpweb.ca/Treatments.html (306-343-6120)

Sho-Tai: Terry Bell http://www.sho-tai.ca/practitioner/terry-bell

Initial Diagnosis: PCOS

I recently went to the doctor to get some tests done. The doctor at the ultrasound matter-of-factly- told me I have polycystic ovarian syndrome. At first I was quite relieved to discover I had ‘something’, something I could label. I was pretty relaxed about it because of the way he told me and also because I had been to a homeopath a few weeks prior and he suggested I might have a cyst on my ovary. I felt reassured that there was a confirmed reason why I am having such a difficult time losing weight after Soleil was born and why my monthly cycles aren’t so monthly.

After I went home and Googled some of the effects of PCOS I became slightly sad, scared, shocked, and a little bit overwhelmed. I read that I may not be able to have any more children. Marc and I were possibly considering having another child, but to have that option taken away is a bit disheartening. Some websites suggest that I need to be on medication for the rest of my life and that I now have a significant chance of getting diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, blood sugar imbalances and cancer. Wow! I already feel like my body has aged ten years in the past three since having a child and being in a traumatic car accident, and now this. I’ve been working so hard on getting back to where I was that it seems like yet another reminder that I am not quite there yet.

The past three years have been quite a blur. Within that time I have become a completely different person, unrecognizable from the person I was and not even close to the person I want to be. For almost two years I was completely disconnected from myself and had no desire to reconnect. Time was on fast forward and I never wanted to be in the moment I was in, which is the opposite of what we are supposed to do to be at peace. In only 3 years I have had so many symptoms from anxiety and depression, to chronic pain and digestive issues. Some symptoms are possibly from regular post-partum stuff, but I believe all were enhanced from the trauma of the car accident. When my body was in a flight or fight state it was working on the basic stuff, like digestion, just to survive. After getting a Bodytalk treatment I was finally able to just breathe.

Now that my body has returned to state of functioning, I can finally appreciate the small moments again. I am so thankful to have found all the resources that helped me work on healing my body. All the material I’ve been reading on trauma, emotions, and body awareness has helped me to remember to focus on accepting things the way they are and not overreacting. Things do happen for a reason and everyone experiences positive and negative situations in life. I consider myself lucky to just have PCOS, who knows what condition my body would be in say in another year or two from the state I was in. How many other people are in that state and have no idea they are or how to get out it?

Having a diagnosis of PCOS has enabled me to revaluate who I am and what my body needs. It is another great opportunity to get to know my body on another level and make some even healthier life-style choices. One of the first things I have done is look up some natural approaches that help with PCOS. I already eat fairly healthy, but everyone can always improve their diet! I’ve changed a few simple things like instead of drinking regular tea first thing in the morning; I drink a strong, plain green tea to provide a boost in antioxidants. I usually eat toast, cereal, oatmeal or bagels for breakfast, but now I eat oatmeal (soon to be steal-cut oats), a hard-boiled egg and soon to add an orange for almost all breakfasts to increase my metabolism. I've also been waiting about 2 hours to eat anything. I am focusing on eating more whole foods and drinking lemon water to promote an alkaline state. I have decreased my carb and sugar intake even more and I am being even stricter on the products I purchase.

I have been continuing to bring a deeper awareness to my body since the Bodytalk session and even though some parts are painful, it is still amazing to be able to be in the moment again! I have been practicing the ‘Alexander technique’ of posture and breathing based on a couple books I read. I am doing regular exercise, yoga, and stretching both at the gym and a home. I am taking a movement class with Dan Ouellette to help change some patterns and create more positive body movements and body awareness. I have gotten 2 amazing visceral massages from Marie at the Harder Wellness Center, and plan on continuing acupuncture and chiropractic treatments. I have also been taking some homeopathics, which have cleared up some major symptoms I was having, and I am supposed to go back to the Homeopath (who was the first to suggest I had cysts) in a couple months. In addition, I’m going to do a body cleanse/fast based on Madeiline Marentette’s book when my blood work comes in.

With all of the focus I am putting on my health and wellbeing and putting my needs higher on my list of priorities I am very positive and have complete faith that I will clear out every last cyst and be able to lose weight naturally!

UPDATE /April 2014 As written in a blog 'My Personal Log' (almost a year after diagnosed)

Ø I’m now 22 weeks pregnant! Wow that was fast!

Ø I had lost close to 10 pounds before I became pregnant, but that won’t last for long! I’m still going to the gym when I can, which seems to be twice a week these days.

Ø First think every morning I continue to have a coconut latte. About an hour later I take the EFAs and gut flora repairing probiotics from the Naturopath with an orange and some almonds and of course my prenatal vitamins. I’m no longer taking the homeopathics.

Helpful Resources: