Naturopath, Continued

I had another follow-up with my Naturopathic Physician yesterday. Pretty much all good news again, lots of healing happening according to his electro-gizmo. A couple of surprises though--cortisol was high (indicating some stress)--I haven't felt too stressed lately (hmm, except for Monday at work maybe--how long does cortisol hang around after a stressful event?). Also glucogon was high, indicating I've been eating too much protein! This is surprising because all along I've been having trouble digesting protein--so I've been eating lots to compensate for that, I guess. Although honestly I don't think I was eating excessive amounts. So, I will cut back a little there and add more veggies if I can, and I always enjoy carbs too because they give me lots of energy.

Dr. E. also checked my food sensitivities. As he had predicted three months ago, I have improved to the point where I'm no longer sensitive to many foods. Once again I can eat spelt, chicken, oranges, tomatoes, peppers, and curry. A few of the foods that I must continue to stay away from include wheat, pork, alcohol, peanuts, and cow's milk products (although butter is now okay). These may or may not improve in the course of my intestinal healing and I will find out about that in another 3 months.

I have indeed felt better than ever these last couple of months, with the odd 'tired' day thrown in, seemingly randomly. Keeping busy with work definitely helps; perhaps there is an element of adrenaline there, with having something important to do. Sitting at home with a grumpy 2 year old can be tiring sometimes. :)

Pranking the Neighbours

Down the hall we have some neighbours that like to decorate their door according to the season. At Halloween they had some yellow tape on their door amongst other decorations. So I added an orange sign that read BEWARE OF CAT (they have two of them). To my chagrin they left that sign up for several months.

Then for Easter they put up a very colourful wreath on their door, covered with flowers and plastic eggs. It begged for some further decoration so I made a little beanie cap for one of the chicks!


What else have I been up to? Work and family, mostly. Malachi has been sleeping well although he still goes to bed quite late (about 11pm). I have continued to do a little bit of 'Handy Andy,' but not too much. I have felt pretty good physically and mentally lately. My MD ran my bi-yearly blood tests recently and a lot of stuff had improved. So that is great news!

Monkey

At the zoo last fall

Work

Lots of it. I've been busy lately!

A little while ago I advertised my handy man services on Craigslist. I got two calls; one for a fencing job that was too big for me, and one to install some sliding closet doors and quote on countertops. From this second call I've had a month of work (a month being my spare time, about a day a week). I think I am almost done...it's been fun as the work has been varied, installing those mirrored closet doors, fixing a light, installing lights and a smoke detector, putting in a deadbolt, fixing a window awning, patching holes in the wall, fixing closet doors, installing a waterproof moulding around a shower...and tomorrow I am supposed to paint a bedroom!

I also got a call from my dad to work on an indoor landing/ramp for Abbey Medical so spent yesterday and part of today doing that. Columbia has also decided to get busy all of a sudden so I worked an extra half-day today and am already committed to an extra day next week too! And I am quoting on some sliding shelves for Michelle's friend's mom--and possibly also an interesting cabinet extension.

Throughout all this extra work I have felt capable healthwise, which has been a blessing. I got a cold this week which has been slowly but steadily increasing in annoyance. Not a good time to work 6 days in a row. :|

Uncanny Resemblance

Every time I change our fine little fellow's diaper, I have an eery urge to say, 'Koodo!' Especially when he flashes me a grin. :)

It Figures

It's kind of annoying. Often when I post something about getting better, the next day I have a bad day. This was the case after my last post (below). It was a harder week (though not terrible or anything). But, it only lasted for a few days and then I was back to "normal." Good and bad seem to go in cycles. Also, eating carob chips seems to coincide with feeling good. Strange huh?

Naturopathic Update

I saw Dr. E. again yesterday for a follow-up naturopath appointment. I have been having a really good week so I was quite positive when asked about the status of my complaints. For example, I have not been lightheaded or dizzy for quite awhile. I have been stronger--able to exert physical effort without getting wiped out. I have enjoyed going to work instead of dreading it. According to his electro-gizmo that measures energy in my body, many levels were much better than they were when he tested me in November. Liver function was up, protein digestion was up, toxins were down...I was much encouraged. "I'm getting better," I said.

That being said, there is still a ways to go. The doctor said that at my next appointment in 3 months, he will spot check some of the foods I am sensitive to, and he expects that I will be okay to eat about 80% of them again! He put me on a bunch of pills, most old, some new--I'm taking some probiotics (bacteria that will call my intestines home).

I have a regular blood test with my Family Doctor in April. It will be interesting to see how my liver enzymes are doing (they have been a bit high on the last two tests). In addition, he is checking my blood sugar/insulin. I am curious to see if this long term low glycemic index diet will have an effect on that.