BirdSong 4-17-17

Posted on July 14, 2018 by treadin' on high

BirdSong

Make my day

It’s not even dawn yet

And you’re ready to play

Open window season

Primavera, yes!

When I can’t sleep

God sends you to sing to me

I’m so grateful, for

A smile in the night

Gifts from the Giver, my Giver

So that’s why you’re not sleeping,

little feathery ones

Who needs beauty rest

When such beauty abounds

A symphony of sounds

Pre-dawn bird song

Who are you that you do his bidding?

A great example, that’s who

Thank you, Lord

For teaching me more each day

thru birds and song

Not just one

Now there’s more

You know they sing for me

They know they sing for You

Thank you, Papa

For sitting in the audience with me

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:6)

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what’s in a healing

Posted on July 5, 2018 by treadin' on high

Is this a question or the beginning of an answer? Hmmm.

What exactly IS in a healing? In my life (almost said at my age, ooops) I’ve both witnessed many and experienced several of my own. Whether physical, emotional, mental or spiritual…there are all kinds of healings.

Today I’m thinking of physical healing. Having chronic pain for 15 years, it’s safe to say it is on my mind. A lot! Too much! Even after much prayer for me and by me, where is the healing? God? Are you there? Of course he is! I experience Him daily and many of my prayers are answered…all the time.

Today I report that I’m actually getting better! Why this doesn’t happen all in one day, one instant, I don’t know. I do know there are things to learn along the way, friends we would not have met otherwise…a life to live!

So I encourage my friends, family and fellow bloggers who have prayed for, thought about and followed my healthy journey. Let’s never give up. God does have a plan. He’s always had a plan. And we have choices to make every day which may affect the timing, and even aspects, of our answers along the way. Sometimes an answer is right in front of us but we choose a different route that takes us on a detour. I believe God uses even the detours to bring about His purpose.

Some day we will know all of the answers to our questions. Some people say we won’t even care at that time. Again, hmmm. I think that my inquiring and analytical mind will still want to know. We may know in the instant we arrive at our eternal Home. Or He may allow us to discover these answers as we go, as we meet and visit with every person who has impacted our lives, in every direct and indirect way. Ohhh, this is a subject I love to think and talk about…how we will spend our time when we finally get to that completely perfect Destination!

So back to ‘what’s in a healing’. For me, it’s been…life! Here’s why I say life. Back in the early years of my dis-ease, there were moments – especially in the dark – I thought I might not make it through the night. My brain felt like it was moving inside my head. My world was upside down; pain was off the charts, indescribable. There were panic attacks. Tears. Dependency. Debilitation.

After those early days, weeks, a few months – I was on my path to wellness. My healthy journey had begun! And wow am I glad that it wasn’t revealed to me that nearly 15 years of choices and decisions, would affect my healing. Yet, maybe I would’ve welcomed the news that at least I’d live long enough to see my granddaughter become a teen and there’d be another granddaughter to enjoy. And not from a wheelchair or even pharmaceutically incarcerated!

Often I have described this as a roller coaster ride. Today I pictured it as a dance because it’s been one step forward, two steps back. Two steps forward and one or two steps back.  But always there is forward motion. Seeking and searching. Finding and applying. Knowing, yet not knowing. What I’ve come to believe is that there is no panacea. But there are so many good things that God has provided us in nature, as well as the intelligence, wisdom and knowledge of how the human body works and does not work. How it heals and does not heal. Through things that we consume and by using therapies and technologies that assist the body’s natural healing process. There are many things I do, but today I will share just a few. I consume CBD in different forms, kratom in multiple strains, Miror EPF…and I’m a big fan of my Ortho-Bionomy practitioners. Look it up, it may resonate and help someone you know or yourself! All of the things I do have good side effects.

Today there is less pain. I’m sleeping much better most nights. And mornings are easier – to know me is to know that this is HUGE!

So there’s been life and discovery and ideas for the plan that’s been there all along. All of the answers are not clear yet. I do know that my desire is to glorify God in my life. I have many opportunities to do that, every moment of every day.

And so do you, my friend! As we ask our questions, we need to expect answers! Have a little faith. When ‘stuck’ on the edge of our trek to higher places in life, know without a doubt that when you call on the name of Jesus, He will arrive immediately. Then link your arm in His and walk without fear. Know that Habakkuk 3:19 says this:

‘The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
    he enables me to tread on the heights.’

 

 

 

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StormSense

Posted on June 27, 2018 by treadin' on high

img_0218-1img_0218-1

StormSense

Sense the storm

Brighter flashes

Louder rolls of thunder

Counting seconds in between

Come closer I say

I’m not scared

Memories of lawn chairs

Aluminum no less

Mom and me

Front porch

Heaven will be Heaven with mom and chairs again.

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all over the board

Posted on June 20, 2018 by treadin' on high

Theoretically thinking, a nap sounds amazing.  Yeah, no…easier thought than done.

Today it seems like I’m the ‘iron’ piece in the Monopoly game, except the ‘wrinkles’ under me are actually on the game board of Life. And it’s not really a game. It is real life and the spinner is out of control.

Thoughts, emotions and even prayers ~ are all over the board. Jesus, won’t cha puh-leeeez take the wheel?

The emojis of my exhausted mind and fatigued body are not lol’ing.

Since doing all things natural is the way I try to roll, I concocted a smoothie adding a new kratom strain that is supposed to be a Mood Booster. Guessing now that a double or triple dose was called for.

It must be one of those good times to just be thankful for my many blessings, naming them 1 by 1. Just? Isn’t that what I should be doing all the time?

It’s no big surprise that my devo this morning was right there where it needed to be. God’s eye is on the sparrow and it most certainly is on me and you. He knows the day we are all going to have before we ever barely make it to the bathroom. Suppose the things He’s showing us and saying to us might even be a forewarning? Day 42 of Seeing the Unseen by Randy Alcorn could’ve been my sign. I even scribbled a few nuggets of it into my journal, like:

“I want to stay in the habit of ‘glancing’ at my problems and ‘gazing’ at the Lord” ~ Joni Eareckson Tada.

and from 2 Corinthians 4:16-18,

“So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.”

(I added a couple verses and quoted the Message here cuz it was more fun talking about potatoes and a celebration both in the same sentence!)

Together let’s strive to tread on the heights with the feet of a deer. The Sovereign Lord does give us strength and we know that He is near. You and I need only to call on Him.

Thanks for sharing my day. I hope you’ll share something of yours with me…and sleep well, my friends!

 

 

 

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Wind 3-6-17

Posted on June 19, 2018 by treadin' on high

WIND

in the air, on my face

whole trees dancing

branches and leaves, abandoned to self

whistling fury, demanding its way,

bringing about change

whether good or bad…

warm currents of spring promise,

death cold of winter storms…

I’ve always loved the sound,

the feel, the sights ~ of wind

clouds racing across the sky ~

of beautiful blue or threatening gray

In awe of God’s power displayed in these winds,

no less in the gentle breezes of summer

Wonderful Holy Spirit always comes to mind

He also brings dancing and change

and fury

Listen to hear Him, be open to feel

See His handiwork all around if you will

Beautiful and threatening

yet gentle as a breeze

I’m in love with all of this

And grateful beyond measure

That I am His.

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the message is in the details

Posted on June 13, 2018 by treadin' on high

God is still in the prayer answering business. Today I received a miracle, temporary or maybe not…it’s all good! Last week I blogged about that disheartening dental visit in Arkansas where I was told my crown could not be put back on…the tooth could not be saved. Today at my own (and favorite) dental office, prepped for surgical extraction, I was given other possible options!

To set the tone for this grateful day, let’s back up a minute to two days ago when the ‘usual’ dental anxiety hit me during one of those not so fun events of weakness and brain foggy fatigue. Fearing one of those might hit me while in the dental chair, a meltdown seemed easy enough to accomplish, so I had one! Then on the phone one of their sweet dental assistants who ‘gets’ me said we’d just be prepared and if I didn’t feel well enough, we could just take the x-ray, talk about the options and reschedule. Today I was determined that fear would not rule me. I put on Misty Edwards’ Yahweh (I Will Not Deny Him) set my heart and mind toward better thinking and I was ready! When you are in right thinking like that, you might as well ask for a miracle and so I did! At the same time I decided that if my tooth was not healed when I got there, I’d be okay and would even refuse oral sedation to calm me. Face it head on and trust. Today was gonna be different! Kevin prayed on the way and I felt strong and well walking in!

So should we be surprised that my dentist recommended we re-schedule for an exploratory visit…numb me, clean up what’s there and see what we have to work with – maybe a post and crown, maybe just a new crown, maybe an extraction after all.  Praise the Lord!

All these details make for a miracle message that I don’t want to forget. And I hope it resonates with someone out there. Who can’t sympathize with a little dental anxiety? And who doesn’t need a little reminder to chill and trust? You’d think by now I’ve learned that it’s never ever as bad as my mind decides it’s gonna be!

If you are following my healthy journey blogs, I am now home after just four weeks of treatment for RA, Fibromyalgia and all the uninvited symptoms and conditions that tag along. And I am doing really well! When compared to recent, unbearable flares and many years of dis-ability, there has been great improvement since going out to the Neurologic Relief Center. It’s been a learning experience…a great experience! My healing and dropping pain levels began there and is continuing here at home using several methods of treatment and therapies. I will blog more about them specifically next time.

Until then, thanks for sharing my healthy journey details. It’s my desire that someone is helped as I am being helped. And join me on the high places that only my God can take me to! As Habakkuk 3:19 says:

“The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights”

 

 

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changes in latitude, not attitude

Posted on June 6, 2018 by treadin' on high

Monday was very emotional (both bad and good…for several reasons). The most devastating was finding out that a crown that had come off could not be re-cemented and the tooth could not be saved. Oral surgery is now on the schedule for next week back home. Already not feeling well (having one of these episodes that seems to come with the program that I did not sign up for – weakness, nausea, headache-y, fatigue), I left the dentist by myself in a town I’d never been in before with the fuel tank on E …and had a good cry at the gas pump. Friends I’d been staying with had packed up and left for Florida that morning (yayyy for them), and I shouldn’t really be alone right now. So my husband was boarding a plane and I would be picking him up in Fayetteville later that afternoon. I did have that to be excited about!

For the 3-day weekend (no clinic on Fridays) I’d checked out a micro-current unit and used it quite a bit. During the previous weeks I’d come to really like that treatment and felt some better afterwards. So I ran several protocols each day, but one of them caused me to flare for two of those days, one being Monday. So now I’m on a break from both that as well as another therapy that had caused flares last week. The first two weeks that didn’t happen and I had felt stronger after those sessions (their target area was different). Every other therapy and all adjustments were very positive and my pain levels have gone down! Since the first day here, I have been seeing great results quickly.

So I’m reporting good news that I know I will be well one day soon. It may not happen in all the ways I was expecting, but it is happening! Getting up in the mornings are much easier. No more level 10 pain, mostly 5-6! Sleep has improved some, but still not enough hours. My central nervous system is still stuck mostly on the gas pedal, but sometimes the brake. And we are working on that. I’m so very hopeful!

Tomorrow I will have five more of my favorite treatments…this includes all three of the Dr’s, so I’ll be getting off to a good start for the weekend travel. It will do me good to see family, friends and dogs again. It’s only been two weeks but when you don’t feel well, there’s ‘just no place like home’. So it was a no-brainer to go home to my own dentist for this procedure. I already don’t do dental work very well in these years of illness. Monday night during the wee hours of sleeplessness I allowed fear to creep in. This had to do with my tooth, afraid of pain that was not even there yet! Even though faith and prayer are my ‘go to’s’, I found myself in a dark place for a short time. We’ve all been there, and this too shall pass, so my next blog entry will have a lighter note I’m sure!

I’d had such a great time with my friends who arrived back home last night. I think we laughed way too much to be legal, but it IS the BEST medicine. Daily we see little miracles here in NW Arkansas. There’s nothing like seeing people with more smiles and less pain!

Till my next blog, I’m still treadin on high!

 

 

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do you like pina coladas…rheumatoid is a pain

Posted on May 26, 2018 by treadin' on high

Sooo, I’m home…just for the long weekend, and it’s a sweet (re)treat! Unexpected, last minute needed decision.  At the moment I’m having Caribbean drinks with the fam…good times. (I’m not supposed to have sugar right now, so this is kind of an experiment, hehe)

And then I’ll be ready for round/week 3. My second week at the Neurologic Relief Center was more of the same treatments as well as a few other things added in. I saw all three of the Dr’s on Thursday, one of them to discuss my blood test results and ways to address some of the issues. I forgot to mention last week that I’d been getting Piezo therapy, too. You can check it out at elvationusa.com/piezowave2. This is extremely intense during treatment, but the results are immediate and good.

My diet was improved this week as I made better, thought out choices for my proteins, fats and carbs. This coming week my food allergy test results should be back and it’ll be good to see if any of my previous allergies have returned. (Two years ago I had eliminated my allergies thru an acupuncture treatment protocol called NAET.) Even if not allergic, it’s still a good idea to avoid gluten and dairy since they both usually cause inflammation. And I’m doing great drinking tons of water…summer and the heat helps with that. My rheumatology is kind of off the charts, too, so there’s that. But it’s all good…my pain level has not been at a 10 since my first day, except during certain treatments where it’s necessary to get the desired effect and then it’s better afterwards. I know I’m in a good place to heal.

My favorite therapy is frequency specific micro-current and my least favorite is ARP Wave. I love my therapist though – we make each other laugh and that helps. To find humor in all the pain is so beneficial. A huge part of the day is spending time with other patients and their family/caretakers/friends who come to support and hang out. Swapping stories and how we each came to be here is therapeutic, even fun. Depending on your schedule for the day, you might look like you’re moving in…packing food and water, supplements, extra clothes (I don’t like to wear shorts and tank all day needed for some treatments), computer, phone and books. My technology time has greatly decreased since I’d much rather make new friends from all over the world!

Till next blog, keep treadin’ on high places.

“The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
    he enables me to tread on the heights.” (Habakkuk 3:19)

Kim

PS My son, Jordan, gave me the title to this entry and I love it.

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stillness

Posted on May 19, 2018 by treadin' on high

in the stillness of the night

I met with my Lord

in the quiet, in the night

my soul was outpoured

I told Him of my needs that day

and released them to His care

He closed my eyes and said

‘all is well, my dear’

call out to God, the Father

and to His only Son

and you will meet the Comforter

Who is the Holy One

@Kim L. Newsome

many years ago

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weepy g’byes and many new norms

Posted on May 16, 2018 by treadin' on high

So I’m here in beautiful Fayetteville, Arkansas. It’s pretty, it’s clean and the people are friendly. Many have discovered this and so it is crowded, lots of traffic.

I wanted to post this at the beginning of the week, staying consistent. But that didn’t happen. It’s been a whirlwind (ad)venture since Monday. Well, since we left Saturday. The 2-day trip was enjoyable, emotional and exciting. Sunday we needed to shop a bit and again Monday morning…making sure my sleepy time was going to be comfy (and it is!)

Monday at 1:00 I began eval’s, exams and x-rays. My Autonomic Nervous System Regulation scan and my Static EMG scan were both enlightening though not surprising. I had never seen results on scans like those to help me both understand and comprehend why my body had decided to defy me so radically. Some thing, most likely many things, brought their junk to the table of my life. Dr. Katinka contemplates and, along with her staff, will work hard to uncover and discover what is making me tick…or not tick!

After Dr. Katinka worked on (affectionately referred to as ‘mashed’) my vagus nerve, I was handed my schedule for the week. Next was my ARP consult where Jeana took some pics of my hands and feet, video of me walking, asked me questions and told me what to expect with her each day…then handed me a list of the amounts of fats, proteins and carbs I needed to cram into my mouth every day prior to and after ARPWAVE. What the? Look I just lost 20# and did not eat like this…ever! So I did began to panic a bit. Professional athletes use this treatment and if you don’t eat like this and drink 32 oz of water both before and after, it will ‘hurt’ more during ARP.

Yesterday started out with the first of three visits to Dr. K’s table for a gentle mashing. (actually the 2nd time she came to me while I was in microcurrent treatment) Microcurrent was kinda fun cuz you’re in there with a few others getting treatment and our therapist is a sweetheart. By then it was noon and I’d had micro for almost 2 1/2 hours.

While in there Kevin kept bringing me food – and not cuz I was starvingl! I began to really stress out with trying to count all of these numbers (some recommended I use an App while others didn’t find it helpful) I never much cared about before since I just hadn’t felt like eating enough to make a difference…for a long time now. I was also stressing about getting Kevin to the airport and be back in time for my 3:00 Dr K mashing! There was the chance that I could be hurting a little more with all this activity my body is not used to (my old norm) or be too tired, etc., and with the airport 35-40 min away, my friend, Nancy, as well as two very sweet girls from Sweden offered to take him for me. I said no cuz I wanted every last minute with him (alone). We all had fun with that fact and it lightened the moments I was having. By the way, rather than being sluggish and having level 10 acute pain, I was already experiencing a level or two less and feeling energetic and a bit euphoric, like I could conquer…some thing! So we headed to the local healthy grocer to stock me up on some yummy things. I felt pretty good driving back to the clinic, but not becuz I’d just left my hubby to fly home. That was not easy. It also marked a new temporary norm for me.

ARP was painful and intense. I’m not gonna lie. Nancy was there with me and along with Jeana, we were able to laugh thru some of it! It hurt becuz of what it is doing for me, not for lack of eating. By then my stomach felt like I’d eaten rocks at some point. So there are goals to reach and along the way it is opening up pathways that are, obviously, not open…causing discomfort. So when it gets to level 10 pain, the current is tuned back a bit and I was told to point my toes toward me, breath deeply (are you kidding me, I’m a shallow or a no-breather with pain), AND report where I’m feeling what and the intensity level. It was laughable how I struggled with this attempt at coordination. At that time of day, I’m usually brain foggy, sluggish and just plain fatigued! But I did it, yayyy, and I’m ready for round 2 today at 4:00. After my Dr K mash and a foot bath.

This morning was light work…an adjustment and blood work. Nancy insisted on taking me to save on my arms and hands. (I did sleep well last night, awake only from 4 – 5:30, another yayyy!) Then we came home to rest AND EAT MORE FOOD. I should be napping and there’s a nice rainstorm happening right now, but I really wanted to get my family and friends updated on here. I appreciate those of you interested and following me, especially if you are considering The Neurologic Relief Center for yourself or family.

Oh, yeah, I’m also ‘wearing’ a PRS (Personal Recovery System) ARPWave unit. I could/should wear it 24/7 but I did take it off last night to not deal with the wires and hopefully sleep better in that sense. Right now it’s on my left arm and I’m loving the positive effects!

I’m blessed and I’m very thankful this week and I’m treadin’ on higher places! (Habakkuk 3:19)

Thanks for listening, friends. You are in my prayers.

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