Itchy but feeling hopeful...
Sometimes I wonder why I am keeping this blog. I just suspect that what I am learning isn't just for me. It can make me feel exposed and vulnerable, especially since I have no idea who reads it. But it has been a journey and this is where I keep track of the details should I, or someone else, need to find them someday.
I don't usually look back at past posts so I probably repeat myself.
I am in Colorado because I was able to push myself through the first 9 weeks of the semester when it is most important for me to be at work. I teach a couple 1 unit classes, which must be done as overload (making the week long), because of the grant we have with the state. Suzi, who works with me and is incredibly supportive considering the weight of my being gone from work falls largely on her, could tell I was struggling.
I often would feel OK in the mornings but by evening my ankles and wrists are swollen. My hands and feet hurt terribly, even making it hard to drive home. A couple times a week I will get the chills like I've gone the flu and it is miserable.
So, I decided to take the time off to do a protocol called Lomatium that is known to drastically improve/take care of the Epstein Barr Virus, which is probably the smoking gun for this cancer. I am also waiting for a call that there is an opening at True North, the medically supervised fasting place in Santa Rosa, CA.
I started the herbs the 27th. Actually, I started something called Munity by Barlow Herbals because using it first is supposed to cut down the chances of a very miserable measles-like rash that can happen as the body detoxes. Well, 6 days in with just the Munity, which has some Lomatioum in it, and I am covered from my scalp to my toes in a red, raised, itchy rash that blisters and gets more hot and raised if I rub it. They suggest green juices and lots of water which I am doing, to help it clear as quickly as possible, but there really isn't a solid guideline on how long it will last.
To be honest, I'm glad to feel SOMETHING. So many people would tell me they felt effects of the IV mistletoe or the salecinium or the high dose vitamin C. I feel nauseous when I'm getting high dose C but, after a nap, I don't feel anything.
I've had an epson salt bath and will continue those but I tried an oil because my skin is so dry which made things worse.
I realize as I am writing this that I am also glad to have outward symptoms that someone else can see. I realize this is an issue for me. I feel lousy much of the time but hate sharing that with people. I feel like a fraud often - taking time off when people constantly tell me how good I look. I suppose they are comparing me to chemo patients they have seen. Dr. Nagourney told my sister and husband to imagine what it feels like to have influenza. He says my cells indicate something like that. I felt validating but it still doesn't help me. So....this morning, when I had to cancel something and disappoint loved ones, I was grateful too have a serious, ugly rash to validate that I have something going on. Of course, biopsies and PET scans have done that too-but chronic stuff is tough. It plays with your mind.
So, I'm off to take another bath before I lose it. Hoping this is a real turn around for me. I know I've struggled with EBV/Chronic Fatigue since at least 1992 and it would be great to feel like it is being dealt with and that I have a way to continue dealing with it in the future.
BTW, people normally only get this rash once when starting to use this herb and your body doesn't habituate to it...so you can keep using it. It is giving me hope.
I don't usually look back at past posts so I probably repeat myself.
I am in Colorado because I was able to push myself through the first 9 weeks of the semester when it is most important for me to be at work. I teach a couple 1 unit classes, which must be done as overload (making the week long), because of the grant we have with the state. Suzi, who works with me and is incredibly supportive considering the weight of my being gone from work falls largely on her, could tell I was struggling.
I often would feel OK in the mornings but by evening my ankles and wrists are swollen. My hands and feet hurt terribly, even making it hard to drive home. A couple times a week I will get the chills like I've gone the flu and it is miserable.
So, I decided to take the time off to do a protocol called Lomatium that is known to drastically improve/take care of the Epstein Barr Virus, which is probably the smoking gun for this cancer. I am also waiting for a call that there is an opening at True North, the medically supervised fasting place in Santa Rosa, CA.
I started the herbs the 27th. Actually, I started something called Munity by Barlow Herbals because using it first is supposed to cut down the chances of a very miserable measles-like rash that can happen as the body detoxes. Well, 6 days in with just the Munity, which has some Lomatioum in it, and I am covered from my scalp to my toes in a red, raised, itchy rash that blisters and gets more hot and raised if I rub it. They suggest green juices and lots of water which I am doing, to help it clear as quickly as possible, but there really isn't a solid guideline on how long it will last.
To be honest, I'm glad to feel SOMETHING. So many people would tell me they felt effects of the IV mistletoe or the salecinium or the high dose vitamin C. I feel nauseous when I'm getting high dose C but, after a nap, I don't feel anything.
I've had an epson salt bath and will continue those but I tried an oil because my skin is so dry which made things worse.
I realize as I am writing this that I am also glad to have outward symptoms that someone else can see. I realize this is an issue for me. I feel lousy much of the time but hate sharing that with people. I feel like a fraud often - taking time off when people constantly tell me how good I look. I suppose they are comparing me to chemo patients they have seen. Dr. Nagourney told my sister and husband to imagine what it feels like to have influenza. He says my cells indicate something like that. I felt validating but it still doesn't help me. So....this morning, when I had to cancel something and disappoint loved ones, I was grateful too have a serious, ugly rash to validate that I have something going on. Of course, biopsies and PET scans have done that too-but chronic stuff is tough. It plays with your mind.
So, I'm off to take another bath before I lose it. Hoping this is a real turn around for me. I know I've struggled with EBV/Chronic Fatigue since at least 1992 and it would be great to feel like it is being dealt with and that I have a way to continue dealing with it in the future.
BTW, people normally only get this rash once when starting to use this herb and your body doesn't habituate to it...so you can keep using it. It is giving me hope.
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