Health

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Hearing Loss

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Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome can cause a defect in the sound conducting mechanism of the middle ear, and which may result in hearing loss. My “good” ear has been crackling and feeling less good. I see an ENT regularly and have shown a steady pattern of loss in both ears, predominantly my right ear.

What seemed like a normal follow up to see why the tinnitus and crackling has worsened in my better ear, ended up in receiving some surprising news.

My last hearing test was just 6 months ago and it is evident that there has been progressive loss. My doctor said she would not usually advise hearing aids at this level yet but considering EDS and the obvious progression, her opinion is to start now before it gets worse.

Today is one of those days where I feel just completely defeated by my body. The idea of hearing aids at my age…. but I will rock them. My purpose here is to help others like me to feel beautiful, strong and supported. So, I am taking another hit for the team.

Anyone else out there have hearing aids?

Health, News

Lower Health Care Costs Act

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Committees play out the regular duties of congressional lawmaking, which have not changed much in more than a century. Committees decide which bills move forward to consideration by the House or Senate as a whole. Senate committees vary from banking, armed services, agriculture, natural resources and so on. The Senate divides work between standing committees into subcommittees. Senate committees monitor on-going government operations.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions is a committee under the U.S. Senate with a total of 23 members. The Ranking Minority Member is Patty Murray and Lamar Alexander as the Majority Chairman. There are three subcommittees: Children and Families, Employment and Workplace Safety, and Primary Health and Retirement Security. June 18th was the recent full committee hearing on Lower Health Care Costs Act. Senator Alexander begins the meeting with a startling statistic that “up to half of the 3.5 trillion, the U.S. spent on healthcare in 2017 was unnecessary.” This tapeworm on the American economy is the biggest financial problem facing American families. How do we reduce what the people pay out of their own pockets from primary care to prescription drugs?  Some suggestions are to end surprise billing, more transparency, require patients to be given more information on the cost and quality of their care, and to increase prescription drug competition.

Senator Murray and Alexander are working on bipartisan bills along with other committee members for this  Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. The debate about lower cost health care is always an ongoing debate. This 2019 act will provide Americans better options in healthcare. This topic is very important for our country, as many people are unable to afford healthcare. There are people who have no choice but to ration life-saving medications, such as insulin, due to irrational price markups. Issues like this are killing people.

“A functional market does not regularly drive families into bankruptcy.” – President and CEO of Nonprofit Pacific Business Group on Health, Ms. Elizabeth Mitchell

Our healthcare has become a luxury, enabling anti-competitive behavior with consolidated markets in an industry that has a patient’s interests last. This bill can help mend a broken market, where a majority of citizens rely on crowd-funding to treat illnesses.

“Half of the public cannot see a doctor when they need to because of healthcare cost.” – Mr. Isasi of Families of USA

*Watch the June 18th, 2019 meeting to listen to more information about this Lowered Healthcare Cost Act

Travel

Wanderlust: Gainesville, Florida Favorites Guide

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Florida is such a great state to live in. Think about it: we live where people vacation. There are many Florida cities that are full of culture, hidden gems, good food and weird fun. Gainesville is the home of the University of Florida. This is not just the home of the Gators and good college football, but a beautiful place to visit and live. Shands is a teaching hospital that is also a home to many specialists. People come from all over to see their doctors.

The first stop I always make in Gainesville is straight over to The Reggae Shack Cafe for the best Jamaican cuisine. They even have vegan options, desserts and a table of hot sauce. The first time I tried their Caribbean style food, I fell in love; Sweet plantains, spicy jerk sauce… every morsel is heaven. The culture is there and the food is made with love.

Even though there is no room in my belly, I walk down University Avenue to their neighbor, Karma Cream. They have ice cream and fresh baked goods. Even if I can’t stay, I at least grab something for the road. My favorite is the vegan peanut butter chocolate.

The Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring is an underground spring that was once a hidden gem and is now a hot spot in Florida. If you arrive late, expect to wait up to two hours. After you sign in and pay, there is plenty to do if you need to wait your turn. They have a campground, pool, corn hole, food truck and a large property to wander. When your time has come, you get your snorkeling gear that they rent to you and head down the steps to the brisk clear water. You can look up at the sky and greenery, or down below at the rocks under your feet. It is an amazing must-have Florida experience.

Downtown Gainesville has a lot of great restaurants and shops. Restaurants near the college are more Gator influenced with college vibes and Gator games on tv. If that isn’t your scene then head to downtown. During the weekend there are farmers markets, Depot Park, Brunch at Boca Fiesta and record stores to browse. I spotted an awesome vendor, Medusa Moderna at a pop-up event.

Crooked Path Forge is Jordan Borstelmann’s forge for his blacksmithing and bladesmith workshop. Jordan offers exclusive classes for those who want to learn how and make their own hatchet or knives. The classes are small for more one on one crafting and each student leaves with their own finished working knife that will last them their lifetime. Sign up in advance because his classes fill up fast.

Gainesville is a great Florida getaway, with so much to offer. It’s the perfect Florida staycation for a quick weekend trip. I recommend going when there is not a home game or the hotel prices will be much higher.

Our last stop before heading home was the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. It was a beautiful place to explore. It felt like we were Alice in Wonderland.

Hotel recommendations:

Hom

Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown

Health

Blu Detox Protocol

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Order protocol system here

Blu Detox Protocol

Fasting is a method of restricting food intake and has been practiced for thousands of years. Studies have shown that fasting has many benefits, such as helping to reduce chronic disease by stimulating autophagy. Autophagy is the process of breaking down and disassembling dysfunctional cellular components and recycling or regenerating cells to balance the body or reach homeostasis. Fasting is not suitable for everyone; therefore, you should consult your healthcare provider or doctor to ensure it is safe for you.

Depleting your body of important vitamins and minerals can be dangerous, which is why I do not believe in strict water only fasting. This detoxifying cleanse comes with herbals teas to keep nutrients in the body while continuously boosting the immune system to prevent feeling ill as your body detoxes.

The ideal fast is recommended for 48-72 hours. After your fast is complete, you should avoid eating a heavy or large meal. Break your fast with something light for the first day. Start with clean-eating and small portions. You may also incorporate lemon water throughout the day with your fast, and/or a glass of celery juice first thing in the morning.  Otherwise, the fast should only be limited to the provided tea blends and water. If you have any additional questions, please email me at info@mistibludream.com and please remember that this is not to cure, diagnose or treat disease. Medical disclaimers are located on each packet for legal purposes.

 

You will find three tea packets included in the Blu Detox Protocol:

  • Spring Cleaning is the detox blend that supports the immune system while helping your body to eliminate toxins. This blend is naturally loaded with antioxidants and vitamin C. Have a cup of this tea each day during your detox. You can drink it cold or hot.
  • Revival is an anti-inflammatory blend that helps reduce stress levels, supply your body with nutrients, improves hair and skin health, soothes aches and pains, and helps with digestion. You can drink it cold or hot.
  • Energizing Sprinkles is a greens mix. Typically you could put it in your smoothies, juices or muffin mix but for this fasting protocol, you will mix a spoonful in a cup of room temperature water (can be chilled). This gives you energy while alkalizing the body and also assisting in the detox process. The blend will balance your pH, flush out toxins, sharpen your mind and focus, and boost your energy, all while improving your mood and keeping your electrolytes balanced. This does contain a small amount of green tea so if you cannot have caffeine, please customize your detox by swapping it out for Healing Sprinkles. Healing Sprinkles is not a greens mix but has many nutrients, mood improvement qualities, and anti-inflammatory properties. This blend is usually best in hot water as a tea, with honey and coconut milk (and baked goods, smoothies, and coffee). However, additives and other ingredients are excluded during the fast.

*This protocol system comes with three packets, each providing enough product to last the full three day cleanse. This can also be ordered as a sampler to try the three blends without having to order full sizes.

SHOP!

 

 

mental health

What Anxiety and Depression Feels Like

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Anxiety is not being nervous over a big presentation at work. It’s not the butterflies in your stomach while you stress over what to wear. It’s not the feeling of having a hard time because you have too much on your plate.

Anxiety is a wave that towers over you, consuming your entire body. You tremble and shiver, your throat closes up and your palms sweat. Your heart races like a hummingbird. Many times it can be for no reason at all. It is out of your control. Your body is temporarily not yours. A state of panic sets in and you feel like you might die. Anxiety is neurotransmitters out of balance. It is the feeling of melting into quicksand. It’s feeling as if something terrible is about to happen. It feels as if you are about to implode.

Depression is not feeling bummed because you had a rough day. It’s not feeling sad because things didn’t go your right today. Depression is not being sad about that mean comment someone made towards you. It is not something that you can just suck up and get over. It is not cured by a simple attitude adjustment. It is a thick heavy blanket that drowns you. Sometimes it is devastatingly painful. Sometimes it is pure numbness, and other times it is the feeling of doom buried deep within you. It is like you are grieving the biggest loss you have ever felt. Even when the sun is shining and the sky is blue, this feeling can sink you. Oftentimes there is not even a reason. It’s like you’re missing a limb. Something is missing but you can’t place what it is.

Anxiety and depression does not make you weak, nor does it mean that you are weak. Mental health disorders are greatly misunderstood by a majority of society. The stigma must end and something needs to change. Generations are losing many to this epidemic. Addiction grows from mental health disorders and the need to self-medicate to escape from suffering.

My Amazon Recommendations

Little ways to make a small difference:

  • Listen when someone needs to talk
  • Don’t tell them it will “get better” or to “suck it up,” as these are dismissive comments that are not helpful
  • If you don’t understand, then try to empathize
  • Toxic positivity can be harmful. Pretending to be okay is not productive or healing.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Call 1-800-273-8255

Available 24 hours everyday

Health, mental health

Drunk Dad and Mental Health

mistibludream

Father’s Day is not always the easiest day for everyone. Some have lost their father and some have had an absent father. It can be an emotional day for many.

Today is a day that I think about my dad, who has his phone turned off so that his kids can’t call and wish him a happy Father’s Day. The last time we spoke was the previous week. I make sure to keep in contact daily but lately he forgets and sends hateful messages my way. When we spoke last week, everything was fine at first. As he drowns his mind in his fifteenth can of beer, he turns into a broken man. His self-hatred consumes him to the point of misery.

My dad gave up on himself years ago. Each year that passes by, his mind and body transform more and more. Once a lean, handsome and charming man to an overweight and grimy shell. He never made it to my wedding and he can’t even make it to the end of his driveway.

In Eric Erickson’s stages of psychosocial development, Generativity vs. Stagnation is when a person between the ages of 40-60 either volunteer, raises children, mentors or contributes to society; generativity is finding your life’s work and meaning. If you fail to accomplish this stage, you reach stagnation. Having little connection with others, lack of self-improvement and no motivation can be qualities of stagnation.

As my father transitions from that stage, into the next stage, I realize he is clearly coming from stagnation. The next stage is Integrity vs. Despair, from the 60s till the end of life. Reflecting on your life at this age, you feel a sense of accomplishment or failure. My dad lives in a state of despair. People in this stage feel as if their life is wasted.

Though my dad has children and family who love him unconditionally, he takes his misery out on those he loves. I know when he calls me the worst names imaginable and repeatedly tells me that he hates me, that really he just hates himself. I know that he is a hurt man that feels hopeless with no answers. Maybe he carries regret for the years he was not sober; years went by where we lived with a growing pit in our stomach of what the night would bring as he sucked the whiskey out of his mustache. I believe he is a prisoner to his own mind and body.

Though he damaged my brother and I throughout our lives, we still remember our sober dad. We remember the road trips, Sunday breakfast, camping trips and his great laugh. He has always been a Jekyll and Hyde. His soul felt the sunshine and other days he felt cold darkness.

I blame everything on the ignored mental health crisis that no one talks about. I blame it on alcohol and how it can poison an unstable mind. I blame it on the world for looking the other way while others suffer, because they don’t understand. As this elephant sits in the room, crushing others, we pretend to be fine.

My dad lies on his disintegrating bed, drinking his sixteenth beer as his body gets sicker. His hate burns in his belly while he curses life. I don’t know how long he will be around but I already grieve idea of not having a father. I grieve that he won’t let anyone help him and that we have to watch him slowly kill himself from afar, while his lasts words are that he hates us.

We just respond, “I love you too.”

Health

Grieving Your Past Life and Accepting the New

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I remember the days when I was a social butterfly. I was building my empire, helping the community and I knew everyone. I truly thought I had so many friends. It was not until my health was at my worst when I realized that I actually only had a handful of real friends: Those who visited when I had open heart surgery… Those who came by when I got my pacemaker…. Those who checked in on me… Those who were there during the low times.

Someone healthy once said to me that people get sick because they want attention. That could not be further from the truth. You do not get attention when you are sick, you get dropped and become a has-been. You are forgotten and realize most of your friends were only drinking buddies or you were their wingman. Out of sight, out of mind. People move on from you and gravitate toward a replacement. I had a career that was flourishing. I was traveling several times per year, all expenses paid for. I was challenged, inspired, thriving and growing. But my health always catches up. It always knocks me down, no matter how high I climbed.

Typically, I quietly climb back up. I kept most of my health to myself besides major things that were hard to hide. I masked my symptoms with caffeine, marijuana and alcohol. Depression was always tucked away inside. I never slept and I resented my body.

This time, I didn’t climb back up. I accepted it. I embraced it. I shared my story and my truth so that others didn’t feel the need to suffer silently like I did. My career fell apart.

Tyler Durden: It’s only after we’ve lost everything that we’re free to do anything. -Fight Club

On the plus side, when my health deteriorated, I realized who was important. I realized I wasted precious time with the wrong people when I had amazing friends that were there all along. It reminded me about quality over quantity.

I have learned to change my perspective. I may not be the career fueled woman I once was but my passion has never skipped a beat. I remind myself how grateful I am to now live a genuine life, with no toxic friendships, no false relationships, nobody with a hidden agenda. My life is a challenge but it is real and so are my relationships.

When you find yourself in this position, it’s a chance to reinvent yourself. You reevaluate everything. You cut the toxins out and you ask yourself, what do you truly want? How can I touch lives and make a difference?

I may be grieving who I once was, my fair-weather friends, and my fast-paced career. However, I am excited to see how my new journey unfolds and where life will take me. I feel my purpose needed to be more meaningful. I was lost in the fun, excitement and the haze of fake friends and couldn’t see what I was meant to do. I was meant to change the world, to help others and to make a difference… no matter how small. Even if I just pave the way.

Health

Unconsented Pelvic Exams

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*Sharing my homework assignment with everyone because it matters and I always choose important topics.

Intro To Healthcare Assignment: Ethical Issue

Ethical issue: Performing unconsented pelvic exams on women while they are under anesthesia is legal in 45 states.

My Perspective:

Medical students are practicing pelvic exam while patients are under anesthesia. During Shawn Barnes’ third year in medical school, he was asked to and did perform pelvic exams during his obstetrician and gynecology training. Once anesthesia was administered, the attending physician or resident would ask Barnes to perform a pelvic exam for educational purposes.

When later voicing his opinion of this ethical conflict, Barnes learned that this was, in fact, a standard protocol to perform unconsented internal vaginal exams on unsuspecting ob/gyn patients. Many people outside of the medical field are shocked and horrified to learn that doctor-patient trust could be violated in this way.

Why wouldn’t the doctor or the hospital require consent? It has been nearly a decade since Shawn Barnes voiced his opinion and nearly thirty years since this topic has first been discussed and yet these exams still occur in 45 states, legally. Simply put, we need to end the practice of uninformed and unconsented internal vaginal exams.

I can’t help but wonder if I have ever had an unconsented pelvic exam during one of my many ob/gyn surgeries. Please contact your local government.

*Hawaii, California, Illinois, Virginia, and Oregon have outlawed the practice

Missouri
Office of Missouri Governor Michael L. Parson

P.O. Box 720
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Florida

Office of Governor Ron DeSantis

State of Florida

The Capitol

400 S. Monroe St.

Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001

Sources:

https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2012&issue=10000&article=00028&type=Citation

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bioe.12441

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/12592274/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/16206868/

https://medium.com/@holympus/its-time-to-completely-stop-unconsented-pelvic-examinations-cef80c38b334