So interesting I had several conversations today, as I do on many days, about people being able to tolerate foods or supplements that they once could not at all.
It is so interesting to reflect back on the conversations that have transpired with those same people in which they expressed such fear around never being able to again tolerate certain things or ever improve at all. When the day comes, it seems that it fits itself into life so nicely and neatly as if it were never a problem before. it is often hard to remember when it was a problem. It is really exciting to be able to assist someone in making those steps forward and then going on to bigger and better ones.
Another interesting conversation today was with someone who said she knew she was getting better, but it was really slow, and she wasn't sure. It is always a great thing when you feel this way to reflect back on your notes from the beginning of treatment so you can compare what you were feeling then to what you are feeling now. As we did that, we could see that in fact, many things had changed for the positive.
It is a slow process going from being so unwell to being in healthy balance again and as one goes down that road, gauging progress by the subtle changes helps to keep focus on progress.
It all can get very overwhelming and confusing, think about journaling if it doesn't make you too crazy to do that. Sometimes that can really keep you centered and focused.
Anyway, I thought this was a little interesting thing to share for the day.:)
Be well.
Comments
I noticed I have certain
I noticed I have certain things I want changed, and I feel like I am not progressing unless those certain things are changed. In thinking this way I am not giving credit to the many positive steps my body is making because I am wrapped up in what I feel it is not doing yet. So, yet again a problem with my thinking, not my healing. It was good to look back and see I had changed. I need to keep a more detailed notebook, I find I do not write on the days I feel good..so its remember to note that as well.
The changes happen slowly..
At first the changes happened so slowly they were barely detectable, but then at about eight months into treatment I took a big leap forward when I started the SF722. I'm barely a year into treatment now and my pain (discomfort) level is down to about a 2 (I'm on list 3 still) or a 3 (during ovulation and just before my period). Unfortunately, it is at this point when you begin to be impatient with the process because you're almost there, but not quite. I find myself cheating a bit on the diet because I'm feeling so well, but I know I have to keep that in check in order to continue progressing. My boyfriend is always reminding me when I complain, how far I've come over the last year. I spent a lot of last summer at the beach in the salt water because it helped my pain so much, but I haven't had to do that in months. I don't have insomnia in the middle of the night anymore and my feet and hands aren't cold all the time anymore. Lots and lots of little things are gone. It happened for me, and it will happen for you too!
Tolerating supplements and giving the process its 'time'
Thanks for your sharing Matia. I also completely identified with Melanie's comments. I am about 14 months into treatment now. The road for me has also been slow, but steady. I would always have an initial struggle period with all new supplements or changes in the protocol. Had the toughest struggle with probiotics, could not tolerate even a pinch for a very long time. And now, my body is really welcoming it. Never imagined I would ever be able to tolerate Vitamin D and hooala..I had some muscle pain recently and we finally took the step and I was completely surprised at how my body welcomed it without major issues - something that I had never ever ever imagined or visialized could happen (although deep down I firmly believed that sooner or later it would happen) but never imagined myself actually reaching there.
I would say overall I am about 75-80% better now. Like others, ovulation and menstruation still bring in discomfort. I still have flares (mostly from trying new foods earlier than I should), but they are fewer and much milder (Its like you are not petrified of them anymore, they seem so much more manageable). Although like Melanie mentioned, it gets more tempting to cheat at this stage because after so much struggle, you are actually feeling better, but your bladder is not yet ready for some things. So I sometimes try things hoping it would be fine but it causes a flare.
I am one other person that may sound like a broken record but my realizations at his stage:- TIME, PATIENCE, BELIEF and DISCIPLINE. There is no short cut to this, none at all. You have to give it the time, just give it the time and go through the processes (symptoms and protocol changes) that are happenning. Its like - with each our own struggle. No one else can go through this for you. As much as it causes us pain and frustration, you have to go through it yourself, endure it and most importantly, have belief - a very firm unwavering belief (in yourself, in Matia and whoever or whatever that you regard as all powerful) that you will come out on the other side. Thousands have and you will too! There is always light on the other side, its only a matter of time. For some it may be sooner than the others, but we all will get there, eventually. Its like for a couple of years (or more), you make 'yourself' (physical, emotional and for some perhaps spiritual self) a priority. Its like the "tapasya" mentioned in yogic traditions (Tapasya implies a self-discipline or austerity willingly expended both in restraining physical urges and in actively pursuing a higher purpose in life). The funny part is, for us, its not WILLINGLY, but nevertheless, we go through it and do reap the benefits. The discipline that we are all exercising needs courage, immense courage, the type that changes us to our core and makes us extra-ordinary people.
When I started writing this, I did not intend it to be so philosophical but I guess, since I feel I have turned a major corner with vitamin Ds and probiotics, it just poured out, just some reflection.
-Hami.
Hami
What an extraordinary post, Hami, on so many levels. I identify with basically everything you said, and encourage newer patients to truly hang in there when it seems impossible or when you're seeing some progress but feel like you keep hitting setback after setback. It's not that the process isn't working.... it's that it is working.... that's your body fighting for wellness... the way it happens is just so counterintuitive when -- even those who are more open to holistic stuff incl. me -- grew up "indoctrinated" with a Western medicine mindset of disease & health.
Also wanted to chime in b/c I was one of those people Matia spoke of... just tried coffee again after many unsuccessful prior attempts and low and behold it was totally fine!! Might as well have been like I was eating a cucumber!... like coffee had never ever bothered me. When in fact I was convinced I would be one of those people who even when I recovered just would never be able to tolerate coffee... that for my particular bladder it must clearly be a major irritant for me.... and esp b/c I saw how the vast majority of patients were drinking it even way early on in treatment and even though I was making good progress and eating so many foods, I couldn't handle coffee.
All of this really is hard to believe though until it happens for you.