Rheumatological rant...

Many of you know I have many auto immune conditions that keep my life interesting, to say the least ;-). I had my first rheumatologist appoint in 4 yrs yesterday. I had been going along steadily these last few years, joint progress and swelling but riding the roller coaster of bad and not so bad, generally feeling the best I have in a long time. After a severe flare these last three months with renewed activity in my large joints..I freaked out a little and decided to go see a new guy down here for an evaluation. Nearly two hours drive through the most beautiful scenery, it was like what I see on British shows like Escape to the Country, only I'm in Australia!  Much better than driving through city smog like we used to.  Yes, that was the positive energy I pulled from the day, and what a gift that was!

As I thought, there's nothing he can do since I've had such bad reactions to all the new wonder drugs. Methotrexate is it...which never helped, but harmed...mentally I still withdraw from even thinking of going back on that, the complete and utter sickness I felt ALL the time...14 years of that and liver damage was enough!  Yet, he disrespected my natural healing regime, which, not only is ALL I can do and the hope I cling to, BUT, has helped more than anything over this 18 yr nightmare..without nearly killing me!  I've had less pain and joint involvement over the last 3 years since abandoning modern rheumatology and the 14 years of hell that went with it, feeling I would die, bedridden, tears each day, heart doctors, lung doctors...I could go on... from SIDE EFFECTS, not the disease!  Proof enough my body was not tolerating any of it and I was being poisoned!

The reason I've had this huge flare recently was because I forgot to renew my herb and spice cocktail while I was sick with a bad virus! Anyway, I gave him a piece of my mind about not upsetting me and we got on fine after that LOL.  He even taught me a few things. But isn't it about quality of life, not scientific proof! These last 3 years have been like waking up again after living a nightmare.. like one of those movies where you wake up and you're in your mid thirties and the last thing you remember is being a teenager... I usually feel depressed after these appointments, he saw me as a great teaching subject for his student and as usual, I left him scratching his head over how complicated I am lol. After writing this though I feel quite calm and collected. I'm going to have xrays for keeping note of joint progress...and this hippy freak is staying natural baby ;-)

I am back on all my natural remedies again, and adding coconut oil to the concoction, plus I'm ditching all processed food, chicken (already four legged free) and dairy, gluten...  I do yoga, meditate, am conscious of unhealthy and healthy energy forces and the control I have over that, I practice mindfulness thinking, I walk at least three times a week (when I could not leave the house... 5 years ago the rare occasion I left was in a chair) I'm not wonder woman, I never compare myself to anyone, worse or better, I just do what I can do and try to live in the moment.  Chronic illness is not managed with drugs alone, we are so much more than that... body, mind and spirit...

Isn't it a shame we can't work in harmony to help these debilitating diseases, why does the modern world disregard what our ancestors did for centuries so easily... :-(

library love...

Today has to be the coldest I've experienced, 3.5 degrees Celsius at lunch time, that's really cold for an Aussie :-) I love it though, I love winter and feel so content listening to the sounds of rain, hail and thunder, whilst being cozy inside, lovely...

So, cuddled up with blankies, doggies, books, my Google tablet, and cup of tea... and chocolate, can't forget that... I started thinking about book love, which reminded me of library love!  I'm working through the mountain of books I borrowed last time I went to my wonderful library, I can't wait to finish so I can go and browse and borrow some more.  I totally love my kindle app, but there is something really comforting in a real book when you aren't feeling well.

I had to be about 3... my first memory of a library, my mum took me there, and taught me of its purpose, I still remember choosing my books and bringing them home, exciting! It really is one of my earliest happy memories, thanks mum xx

At the school library, I was 5 and doing the borrowing on my own, adults scared me, so it took a lot of courage to take my Meg and Mog book up to the counter to get the cards stamped, I really liked that book, so the story ends well, I did it lol.  I  bought a copy of Meg and Mog lately for sentimental reasons, plus it's still an awesome book! :-) 

Today our library has an adjoining café, making the experience even more perfect, it's one of my favourite places to go, and always makes me feel better.  Library love :-) 

Thanks for reading ... x S 

Simple joys...

I think I've always had it in me, the ability to see, appreciate, and enjoy the simple things in life... being still and just soaking in the glory of something like a dewdrop glistening in the sunlight, the beauty of a flower or even sitting and admiring the things in my home I've collected on my life's journey.  Not so simple I guess, really...

I call it a blessing, and draw on it every morning especially as I'm going through this psoriatic arthritis flare up...I go to bed each night and can't help but hope for a better tomorrow, when that doesn't happen, I remind myself that this is my normal for the day, to then live in the day and let the positive energies around me, the simple joys, help me feel content. 

Today, these beautiful anemone flowers made me feel glad, aren't they beautiful!  I feel that even though I sorely miss doing lots of things each day, I'm given the gift of time, to enjoy a flower for hours if need be...a nice counteraction to the negative effects of illness huh :-) 

Well, today was a little more exciting, we decided to begin watching the Harry Potter series again, days can feel really full if you use your imagination, and luckily, I have  copious amounts of that ;-)

Thanks for reading  x S 

Pippin's 6th birthday!!

It was Pippin's 6th birthday yesterday! I can't believe its been 6 years already, but I also feel like he's been with me forever.  He is such a character, he makes me laugh daily with his antics, and his cuddles and looks of pure adoration....what can top that. My life path is certainly different to what I expected, and at times I can miss what I can't have due to living with chronic illness, but having Pippin around, my constant companion and best friend at my worst times and best, its easy to keep focused on the blessings in life, those small treasures that bring inner peace and happiness..  He gives me all this without even trying.  Happy Birthday Pip!!!  Thank you for being my furry baby  x S

New Bears Looking for a home!

Jellybelly Bears introduces Shadow the Vampire Bear, and Finn the Fennec Fox.

We've both been adopted, thanks :-)

Please email me to adopt jellybellybears@yahoo.com.au

Cheesy Grin!

For us, the last warm days in autumn always include a doggy bath and bedding wash up, ready for winter.  Its nice to be able to have the boys air dry instead of using the blow dryer one last time.  Their fur is so much softer this way too and I'm sure they love running about madly as they dry.  I couldn't resist taking a photo of the boys drying off.  I'm sure Spike is a goofball on purpose, its so hard to take a good photo of him!  He'll look to the side just as I'm about to snap, or pull these sorts of faces hehe, maybe he is just that happy to be clean lol.  Pippin is delicate and poses gracefully as usual lol
I do love my boys!!

Look who I found...

A little bunny, well, I didn't find her, of course I created her, with a lot of love and joy, I sincerely love my work as a teddy bear artist, and pink bunnies, what could be cuter at this time of the year!  So I'm really very happy to show you my little Jellybelly Bears, Bunny, Esther, I hope she will find a new home for the holidays.  Please click to email me if you're interested in adopting her. 
Esther has been adopted :-)
Please click photo for larger picture.

Please feel free to email me if you'd like to adopt or ask any questions at

jellybellybears@yahoo.com.au

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