HOPE
UPDATED On March 11, 2007
Sherrie was referred to me by Susbltn as
I wasn't in the chat room when she
came in seeking help. Here is her first letter.
Hi Kesti,
Susbltn gave me your address and told me to ask you for a link.
I have quite a few problems and these
four are the ones I have to deal with to stay out of depression.
I also am a diabetic !, coronary heart patient (X4 bypass),
beginnings of congestive heart failure,
Dystonia, Narcolepsy, Catalepsy, Sleep Apnea (mild).
They are fixing to take me down off
of Klonopin after being on it for 10yrs.
I am not sorry to come off, but I am
afraid of the side effects of coming off.
I did some research on the drug and know
what problems can come up. I'm just scared about it.
I'm also on oxygen 24 hours a day because I can't hold the level
up for some unknown reason. I can't utilize enough from our air.
Is there anything I can do or am
I stuck with the doctors and drugs from now on?
I'm sorry to lay this out, but I'm at a loss.
Thank you so very much, Sherrie.
********
Dear Kesti,
Just wanted to say thank you for sending
me your web sites and that I am still reading.
It is such a support just to know that some information
is out there for me to work with.
I have researched the medical world to death,
but am thankful I have a specialist
in the area of neurology and sleep disorder who will listen to
what I have to say and not do anything without my approval.
He has been really good about this.
Now, I have another avenue to research,
a place to go when we can get me off some of this medication.
Although I know I'll be on insulin the rest of my life
I have hope of cutting way back on that too,
now, after just reading what I have gotten to this weekend.
Thank you so much!! The first thing
I cut out and already have is Nutara Sweet.
I have no doubt that is part of my problem.
I can hardly believe it is so deadly and I thought I was an aware person
to my eating and caring for myself in almost every way I possibly could.
I have no doubt this has a lot to do with the problems I was born with
getting so much worse as the years have gone by.
So it is "Good-bye" to that junk!
Thanks to you and your sites...I may be able to live my life to the fullest!
I am a very happy person and laugh a lot. I have no doubt if
I hadn't met each problem and surgery with the idea that God takes
care of all and was at peace and able to
laugh with the workers and other patients
I wouldn't have done so well. I have
always bounced back like a rubber ball,
doing things they said I would never be able to do again.
That's really all it takes, for being raised with boys, my attitude is
"Any thing you say I can't do, I'll show you I can." Just a "barefoot Okie,"
can gain a lot of love and laughter through the years.
My parents died early in life, I plan to stick around a long time!
That is one of the reasons I have looked for doctors who
would listen to me and work with me, not on me.
They have to know that I am a "Spiritual
person" not a "Religious" one.
Thank you and have a wonderful day.
Sincerely,
Sherrie Garrison.
********
Hi Kesti,
It's me again!!
If you run on through the uses for Klonopin it is also used for involuntary
muscle movements, like epilepsy, this includes Dystonia (in the PDR).
Dystonia is why I was put on it over ten years ago.
Dystonia is an involuntary muscular
movement disorder that runs in families.
My Mother, her Mother, her Mother and her Mother, and also my
younger son seems to have it. That is six generations,
but no one has it as extensively as I do.
I also carry the cardiovascular dis-ease,
diabetes, and bipolar dis-ease. (I do not look at the word disease
the same way others do...it is actually
a un easiness of the mind and body)
The cardiovascular system is still open
after a quad. bypass over six years ago.
I didn't allow the BIG heart attack, which my family is noted for doing
before agreeing to surgery...not knowing another way out.
With the limited knowledge of that area of medicine,
made the only decision I felt I could. Not one has lived six years
past surgery without the need of it again...my oldest brother.
He says, "No." Can't blame him and will back him
at every corner no matter his choice. No pushing from here.
I have had panic attacks and know what they are like.
It's the worst thing I ever went through
in my whole life...I no longer have them,
Thank God or whatever one calls the
Higher Power we all feel in one way or another.
I changed my life to rid the panic attacks. I changed it for the best.
I'm not worry about so much almost nothing.
As close as anyone can get to it.
My parents are both through the eternal door
and I am blessed with a very special son, who is here for me
as well as the most wonderful fiance one could ever have.
I turned 54 yesterday and made a milestone in my life.
My BS is under control, BP is like that
of a 24 years old and I love life as never before.
..I can't really explain it...I just decided to live and love living.
It has taken years and at the right moment I met this wonderful man
who feels the way about life I do and we plan
to spend the rest of ours having a BALL!!
I fell in love for the first time in my life, after divorcing my friend.
We had been married almost 25 years. We're still the best of friends.
We walked our own divorce through the process.
No lawyers, only a judge who signed the papers we drew up ourselves.
He was just here this afternoon. I've known
him since I was 13, so at 23, I married him.
We had a wonderful friendship and I'm glad he is the daddy of our boys.
Sorry, you know more about me than you really wanted to know.
But I set out to say: No, I don't have panic attacks.
Not since about 19 years ago, I started out by meditating
each morning before anyone woke except the Topper, the cat.
Thank you so much for your help. I appreciate it more than you know.
Sincerely,
Sherrie.
PS: Hope you don't mind...I have printed out TPCN
and posted it on my fridge! I like to read it daily.
I think this will add to my self confidence. Thanks.
TPCN is as follows:
Quotes from Norman Cousins...He conquered his illnesses with laughter
Great quotes to inspire, empower and motivate you to live the life of
your dreams and become the person you've always wanted to be!
Belief
Drugs are not always necessary, but belief in recovery always is.
Inaction
Just as there is no loss of basic energy in the universe, so no thought
or action is without its effects, present or ultimate, seen or unseen,
felt or unfelt.
Medicine
Like a celestial chaperon, the placebo leads us through the uncharted
passageways of mind and gives us a greater sense of infinity than if we
were to spend all our days with our eyes hypnotically glued to the giant
telescope at Mt. Palomar. What we see ultimately is that the placebo
isn't really necessary and that the mind can carry out its difficult and
wondrous missions unprompted by little pills. The placebo is only a
tangible object made essential in an age that feels uncomfortable with
intangibles, an age that prefers to think that every inner effect must
have an outer cause. Since it has size and shape and can be hand-held,
the placebo satisfies the contemporary craving for visible mechanisms
and visible answers . The placebo, then, is an emissary between the will
to live and the body.
Self-improvement
It makes little difference how many university courses or degrees a
person may own. If he cannot use words to move an idea from one point to
another, his education is incomplete.
Will and Will Power
Free will and determinism are like a game of cards. The hand that is
dealt you is determinism. The way you play your hand is free will.
Her last letter brought tears to my eyes..
.such a brave person with so much spirit.
so I asked her permission to make a page.from her letters..here is what she wrote.
Dear Kes,
I am just me. I have no idea how I could touch someone else,
but if you think it could help just one other person go right ahead
and use it as you see fit. I don't know the words, "You can't; You never will"
because they don't run the universe. I have only overcome because
of our Heavenly Father (that's what I call the Powers that Be--
but, we're not all limited to that form).
I don't mind you using my name
and screen name...I don't mind being E-mailed, either.
"Belief, Inaction, Medicine, Self-improvement, Will and Will Power"
This is what you sent me that I have placed on my fridge.
I go there a lot for distilled water---I have found it is better
for me than any other type.
I have gotten rid of the gall bladder problem with this.
I also use cranberry juice (not cocktail) for the urinary
tract infections that diabetics are prone to having.
It keeps the bacteria from implanting to the bladder. It works!!
Okay, after that soap box moment, I'll get on with this letter.
With all the people you help, I have no idea how you find time
to answer my letters. I am thankful to be sure.
You have just added to my smile and my sunshine.
Thank you so much for your immediate attention to the problems
I am facing and have faced...would you believe the fear is gone?
I knew if I could get past the fear, I can do the other.
I will come off the Klonopin with no problem, now.
My appointment back to this doctor is two days away.
I'll just be able to discuss it with him and do just fine with coming down off of it.
Kes, do you mind if I continue to write you during this process?
If not, I know just reaching out to you
will help me keep things in perspective.
That is needed for me to get through is to keep
the point of view on the good, not the bad feelings.
Your letter is so important to me, as I have
found that the peace,
I was seeking is really inside of ME, and you were able to show me this
I guess, I sort of forgot to look inward
. Thanks for helping me with that! :) !!
Thanks so much for everything,
Sherrie.
SherLoo732@aol.com
********
Wonderful People like Sherrie are the reason I keep
"burning the midnight oil"
and getting all of our great information on the site...
I hope all of the chat regulars are sharing with me...
the tears of happiness from knowing we can and do help.
God Bless you Sherrie for sharing your story with all of us.
I know your wonderful Spirit will help many others....HUGS...Kesti
This poem came across my desk
during these letters to Sherrie...I think it was meant for this page.
This life is yours
Take the power
to choose what you want to do
and do it well
Take the power
to love what you want in life
and love it honestly
Take the power
to walk in the forest
and be a part of nature
Take the power
to control your life
No one else can do it for you
Nothing is too good for you
You deserve the best
Take the power
to make your life
healthy
exciting
worthwhile
and very happy.
Susan Polis Schutz
May the Lord bless you and keep you...May He make His
face to shine upon you....and give you peace.
To return to home page...click butterfly below:
To go to my first Site for information on health..poems..pics..etc;
click link below
UPDATED On March 11, 2007
Check out my Popcorn Flour Recipes
plus easily revise your recipes to low calorie and eat healthy for life!
http://kesti16.com/Tressba/EatsAndTreats.html
Attention!
As of November 8, 2006 I had 54,427 visitors and reloads on my Tripod counter
Due to a problem, I now have started the count over with a Carp fish counter.
Click under My New Green Counter to see a very interesting site and pictures about Carp Fishing!
Thanks, Kesti
