Month: August 2018
Loneliness during illness
I began this web/blog site with the intent to keep a track on my medical info, since my short-term memory was seriously injured- still is to a certain degree, which can be a fantastic blessing when I get frustrated over small things, because I soon forget them and I’m left without a reason to stay mad:). Another reason was to encourage, if possible, anyone out there in the same situation as mine.
I had a great job and relationships before the illness, my life was on a high peak of happiness and contentment and I worked hard to get there. That changed literally overnight. But something that took me by surprise was the loneliness that trickled in along with the illness, like two best friends, inseparable and intent on causing trouble. I was cast aside, no longer a productive and effective member of the society. I call it “the silent depression” and I now understand how horribly it afflicts the ill, especially the chronically ill, and the senior citizens. With Lyme, as with other toxic and neurological illnesses, the mental clarity and health deteriorates and one’s personality changes. I used to feed off the energy of multitudes of people and found solitude boring and useless. Not now.
So I sat down this morning having my breakfast of tea and a gluten-free/vegan carrot/banana bread (not my usual breakfast, but I baked last night:) thinking of all the other ill people out there in the world and the loneliness they may be experiencing. What can I say to be of encouragement? What encouragement can I receive for myself?
For those who believe in God remember that He used the most imperfect people, men and women, to do great things through. It’s never too late, you’re never too weak, to ill or too fragile to be a strong force for those around you. I am like Issac who was a dreamer, but God ended up doing great things through. What about you?
Rom. 12:15; 1 Pet. 4:10; Ex. 14:14-The Lord shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace:) These are some verses to encourage you:)
For everyone:
Forgive.
Meditate on good things (health and a cure and remember not everything has been discovered. I strongly believe there is a cure for Lyme, Chronic Lyme, Neuro Lyme etc, even if it has not been discovered yet, but above that I believe that our body has the ability to heal from anything if given the proper balance of nutrients and extracting all toxicity out of it).
Help others. (That means even if you can only pray for them, or smile at them, or give one word of encouragement, it gives you a temporary break away from your troubles).
Make a plan for what you want to do when feeling better and start planning towards that. Here you’ll have to be realistic and change some of the past goals and plans.
The internet is a source to reach out, through support groups, but be careful not to get stuck in the negative cycle of complaining only. Some days you’ll need to unload, and you should do so keeping in mind that your audience is hurt too, but than don’t forget to smile and laugh. (Watch comedies).
The best cure for loneliness is health and being part of the society once again, until then fight like hell to get there, and I promise you once you make it to the other side a wiser person will emerge on the other side.
I’m reading this book now, and I love it. It’s a look into the human body/autoimmune/cell function with a biblical insight as well. For those who don’t have a passion for the medical field, this may be a bit boring, but it’s not hard to understand. Well written and an easy read.
http://www.scriptum.ro/librarie/mai-presus-de-stiinta.html
For those who want the book in Romanian.
God Bless:)
Osana
In ultimul timp mi-a fost tare dor de Dumnezeu. Gura mi-a fost inchisa, probabil pentru ca inima imi trece prin anumite schimbari si desi schimbarile sunt pozitive in final sunt noi, si tot cei nou ia un timp de rumegare. Impovarata de anumite detalii a vietii de zi cu zi, am uitat sa vorbesc cu el zilnic, cum am obiceiul, dar inima a continuat sa tanjeasca dupa momentele petrecute impreauna in mod regular.
Toti trecem prin momente similare, cand gura noastra parca nu poate exprima ceea ce am simtit asa de clar si puternic odata in trecut. Toti trecem prin momente in care parca ne impedicam de toate amanuntele vietii, si ne auto-frustram sau auto-invinovatim. Devenim tacuti trecand cu o anumita sovaire prin noul process al cresterii, icercand sa invatam tot mai multe.
Am invatat, ca durerea nu e sfarsitul sperantei. Am invatat ca nu-mi dau indeajuns acreditate, am invatat ca totu-i trecator, totul inafara de dragoste. Frica e foarte trecatoare si numai dragostea o poate invinge. Am invata ca am tendinta de a conversa direct si fara multe detalii. (Scurt si cumprinzator cum e zicala). Am invatat ca-s mult mai puternica decat mi-am dat seama in trecut. Am invatat ca-mi iubesc fratii si surorile extrem de adanc, desi poate exprim treaba asta in forma saraca. Am invatat ca Chet si copii sunt in centrul inimii mele dar Dumnezeu stapaneste peste toate. Am invatat ca a ierta este nou pentru mine si ca atare am de luptat sa patrez o inima iertatoare mult mai puternic decat mi-am dat seama. Am invatat ca Romanii stiu cum sa incurajeze un om cazut, mult mai superior decat isi dau ei seama. Am invatat sa accept faptul ca Dumnezeu ma chemat sa fiu vulnerabila in fata voastra, simultan un proces necesar insanatosirii unui suflet ranit. Am invatat ce-i suferinta dar simultan am invatat cat de adanc iubirea parcurge in aceste momente de suferinta, daca le lasi sa parcurga. Am invatat ca impreauna putem invinge orice. Am invatat ca toti avem o poveste de zis. Am invatat ca e un privilegiu sa va am in viata mea, privilegiu de care sunt foarte adanc miscata si multumitoare.
Am invatat sa zic: Doamne iti multumesc de toate! si sa simt aceste cuvinte pe deplin.
Voi prin ce trece-ti in ultimul timp?
Va doresc o zi plina de pace in toate colturile inimii si puterea de a invinge orice obstacol prezent in mijlocul vostru.
O zi binecuvantata va doresc la toti:)
Smog in Seattle
Not the best picture, but today, while on my way to a doctor appointment this was the view of Seattle. You can see a bit of the Space Needle, and the faded skyline of Seattle through the smog we’ve been having these past two weeks. The past three days it has been particularly bad. It covers the city giving it an eerie feel, you may see the ghost of the ferry boats departing and that only if you’re close enough to the terminal. Some citizens were walking this morning with face masks on, others were pulling their clothing over their noses on their way to work. The UPS workers especially wore protective gear over their noses. Pieces of ash fall gently over our balcony outside and the sun is of the color of blood, fully rounded and easy to look at during our evenings. Morning time the air is refreshing (the picture shown was taken around 9 am), but anytime past noon and into late evening the smell of campfire, burned rubber tires and other smells invade our nostrils. Thankfully we have air purifiers and today will be last hot day for a week or so. Rain is predicted for Saturday and Sunday and I pray the same will happen over the areas still burning- California, British Columbia, and Eastern Washingon. But life still goes on and I watch people taking their dogs for a walk, children playing in the pool and the work crew building the scaffolding around our apartment building for the improvements to come. I pray God will keep you safe.
Are Strawberries Really Organic?
https://realfarmacy.com/dirty-little-secret-organic-strawberries-arent-really-organic/
https://www.care2.com/greenliving/driscolls-organic-strawberries-make-a-big-move-forward.html
https://fitnessreloaded.com/organic-strawberries-vs-conventional-strawberries/
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=225300
The past year I’ve noticed an odd change in the Driscoll’s organic strawberries both in look and taste. They look like strawberries on steroids, keep “good” a long time without molding. But it’s the bitter/metallic taste I get in my mouth after eating a few strawberries from Driscoll brand that bothers me the most. My palate seems sensitive to toxins, pesticides, artificial colors etc, in foods and it’s like a radar telling me which foods are not really organic. I don’t believe Driscoll’s organic strawberries sold in stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Metropolitan Markets, Safeway, Albertson’s etc are actually organic (even if they label it so and hack up the cost). I go to the farmer’s market and those strawberries are half the size, not perfect in their looks and if not refrigerated and eaten right away they go bad in a day or so. That’s organic, just like I remember it back in my grandmother’s garden, who lived in north Romania area before any genetically modified Monsanto poisoned non-sense came into existence.
Twin River organic blueberries -same thing, huge, void of taste and leaves a bitter/metal taste in my mouth. Same with Anthony’s organic grapes.
Just putting this out there for anyone fighting from an autoimmune and toxicity overload, hope this may help. All Driscoll (and other companies need) need to do is take off the organic label that misleads anyone who’s trying to eat clean.
God Bless:)
Life shall have a say:)
It’s hot. A gay couple in the apartment building next to ours is arguing loudly, unhappy, dropping the f-word every other second and I’m here writing to you.
I got a phone call yesterday, finally, with my CT results: 7mm kidney stone in my right side, 4 cm cysts on each ovary, and a UTI infection. In comparison to what I’ve been through this is not bad, only temporarily through the attack episodes which can get really bad quick, fast and in a hurry:) There will be follow-up appointments to address both issues next month.
But, prayer warriors and well-wishers, I need your prayers again for one of my sister-in-law, Brigitte. Her mom, feeling ill the past few weeks finally went in to see a doctor only to discover she has liver cancer that spread to the lymph nodes. Today she had a heart attack and a stroke. She was put on an induced coma and is on the operating table now: there’s obstruction in one of the veins in her brain causing damage. We’re still waiting for updates. I have peace because I trust God but I’m thankful for the modern medicine and brilliant sergeants, the options we have today and high technology.
My mom is stable and happy, so is my dad. They seem to enjoy each other’s presence during their retirement, as it should be.
Have a blessed day today an don’t forget to take deep breaths, then smile:)
Durerea sufletului, boala corpului, suferinta spiritului
1 Tesaloniceni 5:23 (NTLR)
23 Însuşi Dumnezeul păcii să vă sfinţească în toate şi să vă păstreze întreaga fiinţă – duhul, sufletul şi trupul vostru – fără pată la venirea Domnului nostru Isus Cristos.
Traditional si religios, trupul a fost dat la o parte, gasit fara mare importanta in cercurile religioase urmat indeaproape de suflet, la fel gasit fara prea mare importanta. Numai spiritul omului a fost pus pe un pedestol ca singurul focus important in credinta. E ca si cum am spune, Isus nu e important, nici Duhul Sfant, numai Dumnezeu. In noi exista trei dimensiuni, trei atmosfere, trei lumi intr-una singura. Daca nu intelegem importanta acestor treimi care exista in noi, ne va fi foarte greu sa intelegem treimea dumnezeiasca. Fiecare latura are o importanta egala (nu mai mare sau mai mica) si toate trei au nevoie de o existenta harmonioasa pentru o relatie sanatoasa cu noi, intre noi, si cu Dumenzeu. Dar nu-i usor in a mentine harmonia intre cele trei: trup, suflet si spirit, asa-i? Parca aud deja remarci pline de furie, mai ales din partea extremista a unor crestini, dar pot spune cu convingere ca daca trupul si sufletul nu erau asa de importante nu erau atatea versete in Biblie dand sfaturi cum sa le ingrijim, respectam, hrani, imbraca, cultiva, pastra sanatoase.
Treimea dumnezeiasca exita in noi, pentru ca suntem facu-ti dupa chipul si asemarea Lui (treimii dumnezeiesti).
Daca trupul nu se simte bine, sufletul si spiritul sufera. Daca sufletul e bolnav, trupul si spiritul sufera, daca spiritul e bolnav trupul si sufletul sufera.
Am observat, atat la mine cat si la altii, ca trupeste poti fi sanatos si peste noapte in primejdie de moarte, desii poate doctorii nu pot gasi nimic grav in corp, producand confuzie. Bolile autoimmune, in schimb nu se vad pe masinariile medicale, sunt atata de sinistre si periculoase ca poti muri dintr-o muscatura a unei insecte extrem de mici. Dar bolile autoimmune, am observat, au un lucrul in comun- suflet bolnav care dealungul anilor a tot scurs otrava in corp fara sa ne dam seama manifestat intr-un system imun slabit.
Romani 12:2 a fost tocit in mintile noastre cu o latura spirituala dar, din punctul meu de vedere, incompleta. Nu ai cum sa-ti reinoiesti gandirea, daca esti invatat ca-ci gandurile noastre nu sunt importante, partial importante sau importante numai cand are de a face cu o latura religioasa. Asta inseamna ca unicatul nostrul, RNA, calitatile noastre etc, la care Dumenzeu cu drag a lucrat sa ne formeze nu-s asa de importante ca de exemplu a stii scriptura de la cap la coada si invers.
Sufletul meu a fost bolnav ani de zile, scurgand continu ortrava in corp, in forma de furie si neiertare. Te rog nu fa aceeasi greseala. Sanatatea corpulu si a sufletului sunt in mod egal extem de importante, ca si partea spirituala:) Incepe a ierta, incepand cu tine si bucura-te de momentele mici binecuvantate din viata:)
Va doresc o zi binecuvantata la toti:)
Carte Noua!
O marturisire personala, acum pe piata privata Romaneasca:))))
Detaliile sunt afisate pe pagina Book/Carte:) Pute-ti lasa mesaj privat pe Facebook sau telefon la sora mea Delia la +40 760 562 282 pentru a da comanda, cu numele, adresa si cantitatea de copii:) Imi pute-ti lasa si mie mesaj privat pe Facebook cu aceelasi detalii.
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Transportul inclus in pret. În 1989 după căderea communismului în România, nu numai țara se găsește în mijlocul multor schimbări dar și Carmen, o adolescentă hărțuită de încercări, printre care și un missionar American. Va reuși ea să înfrunte atât durerea trecutului cât și frica prezentă în fața alegerii unei vieți noi? Acest roman este bazat în totalitate pe experiențele personale a autorului și va trasporta cititorii în adâncul luptelor ei emoționale ca copil și în cele din urmă ca femeie, soție, soră și copil a lui Dumenezeu. Acest roman este primul într-o serie, bazat pe viețile fraților și a surorilor Damean din Hunedoara. 372 de pagini.
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Multumesc anticipat 🙂
În 1989 după căderea communismului în România, nu numai țara se găsește în mijlocul multor schimbări dar și Carmen, o adolescentă hărțuită de încercări, printre care și un missionar American. Va reuși ea să înfrunte atât durerea trecutului cât și frica prezentă în fața alegerii unei vieți noi? Acest roman este bazat în totalitate pe experiențele personale a autorului și va trasporta cititorii în adâncul luptelor ei emoționale ca copil și în cele din urmă ca femeie, soție, soră și copil a lui Dumenezeu. Acest roman este primul într-o serie, bazat pe viețile fraților și a surorilor Damean din Hunedoara. 372 de pagini.
The Battle Within
For my sister Delia:)
Within all of us lay a hidden battle, some having to do with uncertainty, or pain, or unanswered questions so on and so forth. Lately, my inner battle has been whether I should keep on writing in this blog, exposing my fears and victories, or not. But talking to my sister Delia gave me my answer.
We all have gifts. Mine happens to be the gift of writing. We all have moments in our lives in which we doubt whether our gifts are real or not, or simply they’re a personal delusion on which we feed when bored or overexcited. I’ve been fearful to write the past month or so, questioning many things, such as the need for yet another story in this world, but what if that story is exactly what someone else needs now in order to push through today’s pain and uncertainty?
Last week I’ve visited the doctors again, making sure they don’t miss my absence:) Kidding. The back/pelvic pain and fever became unbearable.
As you can tell, things could be better. I suspect a kidney related infection. I’ve had a few procedures done and no communication, as yet, from the urology specialists. I’ve been given a prescription for an unrelated matter and good luck chump. The prescription causes cancer and I feel ignored. I’m sharing this because of my frustration in the western medical system who was eager to get me to do few expensive tests but not bothered to give a diagnosis or treatment for something that it’s obviously an issue. I’m sure some of you have been through something similar, felt frustrated and let down, yet again, by the medical system who does not seem interested in curing anyone. But I will not give up, not yet anyway. There’s life to be lived and things to be done:)
So, if you have a talent but you feel reluctant to pursue because you may feel “what’s the point?” especially when others seem only interested into milking and ignoring you, do it anyway for the simple reason that you can. Others dream to have your gifting, but you have it so go use it and help someone. No grand gestures necessary, no big words required, just your willingness. Start small and move forward.
P.S. Morning the death of a nice uncle, who died today from cancer. Uncle Relu was a hardworking, nice man.
God Bless:)
Journey 