Creative Counterpart

I was sitting in my chair and when I turned around this is what I saw!

I really have wanted to post lately, but I’m not sure what to say or what to talk about. My life is in such a suspense at the moment just waiting to find out if it’s really Fibromyalgia or if there is something else going on with my body. I’m stuck between wanting to know what’s wrong, and wanting relief from the pain. Pain has become such a common word in my vocabulary lately.

One thing I have been trying to focus on lately, other than myself, is how I can serve others around me to keep my mind off of my own condition. I’ve started a checklist of things I would like to do for others. I have yet to do any of them but I hope to start as soon as I can. Really I could use the things on the list just as much as others could, in the sense that I could use doing them. Things like writing cards of encouragement to others, inviting others over for tea, giving gifts, etc. will benefit me in my act of service as much as they will others. I think it will be good “therapy” for my spirits.

I just wanted to make a quick post to inform you all of what’s happening. My husband and I both payed a visit to the doctor today. My husband apparently has influenza and will be home from work all week. This is both a blessing and yet I feel so bad for him being sick. I can be happy that God has provided him to at least help me take care of our son for the next week.

As for me, my doctor thinks that I may have Fibromyalgia. They drew 3-4 vials of blood to rule out any other problems such as thyroid problems, rheumatoid arthritis, other syndromes, etc. She wouldn’t prescribe me any extra pain medication at this point. She wants to wait for the blood work to come back and we will have to find a medication that is safe during pregnancy. I must admit I was a tad bit emotional about this. My pain get very intense and nothing over the counter brings relief. In the meantime, I am just trying to get as much rest as I possibly can and take care of myself as best I can. At certain points the pain is manageable, but most of the time the severity of the pain or the nagging of pain that will just not subside is overwhelming to say the least.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers. Positive thoughts are always welcome .

I think I am in need of more prayer and support. Support more than anything really. My pain is back, I only had 1/2 a day of rest from it. I am going to make an appt with my physician this week if I can, and also I am probably going to make an appt with a Rheumatologist, which is a 6-8 week wait at the moment. I wouldn’t be able to get into see him until April. In the meantime I want my doc to do a physical exam and blood tests.

Right now I am barely functioning, and we have respite children staying the night. It really has been a nightmare. I am so overwhelmed by my inability to live a normal daily life, and my husband and I have discussed to stop doing respite for now until I can find out what’s wrong and get relief from the pain, and become fully functional. This hurts. It took us so long to get here and now I can’t do it. I can’t be normal and that hurts. I am struggling to grasp my daily life and my mental stability at the same time. All I can do is think about why I’m in pain, and worry whether I”ll ever find out.

Before I never put all of my chronic pains together, but have been doing some research online to try to figure out what my symptoms could be. I must say it’s scary for me to see that I relate alarmingly to Fibromyalgia. It hasn’t been until this week when all of my symptoms have hit at one time that I am putting them all together. The widespread joint pain, muscle pain, stiffness, tenderness, and spasms.. the headaches, the “brain fog”, etc. I am going to bed now to get some releif in my neck from the heat pad, and pray that I can function at church and at least until noon tomorrow when the twins go home.

I have been posting less than normal this week. A recent flare up of chronic pain is affecting my life quite deeply lately. Sometimes I can function through it, but when it just becomes too much I lie down and am in either so much pain all I can do is sleep or just enough nagging pain that I absolutely cannot sleep.

I have arthritis, but I have yet to know what kind. It has taken me years to meet a doctor that was even comfortable believing my claims of chronic pain. Just this week I have been given the hope that my current doctor may help me to get a better picture of what my chronic pain is. It is taking me a lot of unbearable pain to muster up the courage to even think of getting an exam and blood tests for this purpose. This is mostly because I have been made to feel as if I was overreacting or making up much of my chronic pains. I have been suffering from widespread joint and muscle pain for over 6 years. It has affected my life in many ways which I have accepted as normal over the years.

My only question (for myself) is, what is more torturous for my family and I? Would it be to get a diagnosis and know the specifics of my chronic pain and how to better manage it, or just live with it and “suck it up” as much as I can until I cannot function enough to care for my family? The biggest obstacle I have to overcome is my mothers parental spirit of raising girls who were tough and could just deal with things. My mother suffered from chronic pain most of her life, but only sought medical help when she could no longer function well enough to work or care for her family. I am not so sure that is who I want to be. I am not so sure it’s such a bad thing so seek help. I am not so sure it’s such a bad thing to be vulnerable.

Gossip; We all deal with it at some point in our lives. Many of us deal with it on a daily basis. I personally deal with it on a weekly basis. As a stay at home mother, I’m sad to say that I deal with the most gossip at church. It’s seems to come at the most difficult times to deal with the problem. I must admit, I have even fallen into the trap of gossip many times with some of my sisters in Christ. But, there are two things I know. Gossip bothers me and gossip is something that must be dealt with by the Word of God.

Why do people gossip? Though people gossip for many reasons, The Bible tells me that pride is the underlying problem that leads to gossip. Most of us can see that the desire to “exalt oneself” and “tear down” others leads to gossip. Gossip somehow makes us feel better about ourselves or more important. Let us examine the following scriptures to determine how God views the prideful heart.

Proverbs 25:6-7, “Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,
and do not claim a place among great men;

it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”
than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.
What you have seen with your eyes”

Proverbs 25:14, “Like clouds and wind without rain
is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give.”

Proverbs 8:13, “To fear the LORD is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.”

The above verses teach us a lot about pride. First, we learn that pride and arrogance often lead to humiliation and shame. We also learn that a humble heart and attitude often leads to recognition and honor. Too much boasting about oneself is something that turns other people away and shows the fruits of an arrogant heart. Proverbs 8:13 shows us God’s truth about pride and arrogance. They are labeled by God as evil and something that we should hate. It is also in this verse where we see pride connected to gossip (perverse speech). Satan himself was cast out of heaven because of pride (Isaiah 14:12-15).

Now let us look at some scripture that describes what gossip does to ourselves and those around us.

Proverbs 16:28, “A perverse man stirs up dissension,
and a gossip separates close friends.”

Proverbs 20:19, “A gossip betrays a confidence;
so avoid a man who talks too much.”

Who does not agree with these proverbs? Gossip stirs up trouble, tears apart close friendships, and betrays the confidence of others. It is so true that the credibility of a known gossiper is often slain. It really is sad when you do not feel comfortable confiding in a friend from church because you know they are a gossip. Gossip hurts people. We may not ever see the hurt we have caused to another when we gossip. But, we can be sure that gossip is hurting someone and most of all it’s angering God.

“Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to” (1 Timothy 5:12-13). Because women tend to spend a lot of time in each other’s homes or working closely with other women and getting involved in many people’s lives, they hear and observe a variety of conversations or situations which have the potential to become distorted, if what they see is not kept private. Timothy stated that widows get into the habit of going from home to home, looking for something to occupy their idleness. Idle hands are the devil’s workshop, and God cautions against allowing that sin to enter our lives.

Gossip comes in many forms. I have personally stumbled into gossiping when it came in another form than what I was used to. As a new Christian, I was surprised to realize the hidden forms of gossip that truly existed. It is a strong conviction of mine to bring these situations to light. Gossip is, in a nutshell, talking negatively OR about private subjects when you do not have the other party’s (those being talked about) approval. This can come in the form of prayer requests (these can be anonymous people!), adults discussing children or other information regarding families (especially in children’s ministry), making slight comments about a specific person, and the sharing of any information that is negative or not previously approved for sharing by those involved. I do believe that there are a few very rare exceptions to this. But let us also remember the way in which we are supposed to deal with our problems with on another,

First, our attitude is very important. “Be kind and tender to one another. Forgive each other, just as God forgave you because of what Christ has done.” (Ephesians 4:32) It is then that we are more able to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).

If the offense is serious, it needs to be dealt with in this fashion.. and not through gossip,

“If your brother sins against you, go to him. Tell him what he did wrong. Keep it among yourselves. If he listens to you, you have won him back. But what if he won’t listen to you? Then take one or two others with you. Scripture says, ‘Every matter must be proved by 2 or 3 witnesses.’ But what if he also refuses to listen to the witnesses? Then tell it to the church. And what if he refuses to listen to the church? Then don’t treat him as your brother. Treat him as you would treat an ungodly person or a tax collector” (Matthew 18:15-17).
Those who guard their mouths and tongues keep themselves from calamity (Proverbs 21:23). So, guard your tongue and refrain from the sinful act of gossip. But what do we do when we encounter someone on a regular basis who wants to engage in gossip with us? You can take comfort in the fact that when you refrain from gossiping with another brother or sister in Christ, you are also helping THEM. Gossip takes two people at least. When you kindly keep your tongue you are keeping yourself and the other person out of a world of trouble, at least for the moment. Kindly saying “I’d rather not talk about them behind their back, if you want to know you could ask them,” or changing the subject is often good enough.

In my own words:

Legalism put plain and simple: If you think you are made more righteous or pure before god by the way you dress or wear your hair or by some other work, or that someone is less righteous before God because they do not, you are a Legalist. God’s Grace is sufficient. Not by our own works but by the Grace of God we are saved. All else is an afterthought to honor God, and is definitely not the same for everybody, and won’t necessarily ever be.

In Somebody else’s words:

Legalism is the notion that a sinner can, by his own efforts, or by the power of the Holy Spirit in his life, do some work to obtain or retain his salvation. Some legalists think man has free will and can perform good works if he just sets his mind to it, thereby obtaining the favor of God. This type of legalist thinks that a sinner can believe the Gospel on his own steam. Other legalists think that a sinner does not have free will, that any good he does is done by the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him, and it is these good deeds done by the power of the Holy Spirit that obtain or help obtain, retain or help retain, his salvation. Both types of legalists, but especially the latter, may acknowledge that Christ’s work of obedience is necessary for salvation, but both deny that Christ’s work is sufficient for salvation. Both types of legalists assert that to Christ’s work must be added the works of the sinner, done either under his own steam, or by the power of the Holy Spirit. That is what makes them legalists: their shared belief in the incompleteness or insufficiency of the work of Christ outside of them. They may differ on what constitutes good works; they may differ on whether only God’s law or church law as well is to be obeyed; but they agree that the work of Christ alone is insufficient for their final salvation.

I just found this information today. Here is the scoop on the “government rebates” situation:

Rebates: What You Need to Know

After my first pregnancy, I was overcome with a problem that seemed to add more weight to the “postpartum blues”. I bled for many weeks. It added up to almost 3-4 months. This time around, I was wondering if there was something I might be able to do so that it would not be so much. Some Christian ladies online had wonderful ideas, and one in particular stood out to me. She told me to look into drinking red raspberry leaf tea. I have always been interested in natural and herbal remedies. After all, God didn’t design such a richly beneficial planet earth for nothing! It is no coincidence that the earth’s medicinal stores are often far safer and easier on the body than our man-made counterparts.

Setting out on my search to find out more about red raspberry leaf and other such herbs that are beneficial to the postpartum body, I came across some great information on the benefits of certain herbals during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. I will outline the best I have found below.

Red Raspberry Leaf

Brewed as a tea or as an infusion, raspberry is the best known, most widely used, and safest of all uterine and pregnancy tonic herbs. It contains fragrine, an alkaloid which gives tone to the muscles of the pelvic region, including the uterus itself.

Most of the benefits ascribed to regular use of Raspberry tea through pregnancy are traced to the nourishing source of vitamins and minerals found in this plant and to the strengthening power of fragrine – an alkaloid which gives tone to the muscles of the pelvic region, including the uterus itself. Of special note are the rich concentration of vitamin C, the presence of vitamin E and the easily assimilated calcium and iron. Raspberry leaves also contain vitamins A and B complex and many minerals, including phosphorous and potassium.

The benefits of drinking a raspberry leaf brew before and throughout pregnancy include:

~ Increasing fertility in both men and women. Raspberry leaf is an excellent fertility herb when combined with Red Clover.

~ Preventing miscarriage and hemorrhage. Raspberry leaf tones the uterus and helps prevent miscarriage and postpartum hemorrhage from a relaxed or atonic uterus.

~ Easing of morning sickness. Many attest to raspberry leaves’ gentle relief of nausea and stomach distress throughout pregnancy.

~ Reducing pain during labor and after birth. By toning the muscles used during labor and delivery, Raspberry leaf eliminates many of the reasons for a painful delivery and prolonged recovery. It does not, however, counter the pain of pelvic dilation.

~ Assisting in the production of plentiful breast milk. The high mineral content of Raspberry leaf assist in milk production, but its astringency may counter that for some women.

~ Providing a safe and speedy pariuntion. Raspberry leaf works to encourage the uterus to let go and function without tension. It does not strengthen contractions, but does allow the contracting uterus to work more effectively and so may make the birth easier and faster.

Nettle Leaves

Less well known as a pregnancy tonic but deserving a kinder reputation and use, Urtica is one of the finest nourishing tonics known. It is reputed to have more chlorophyll than any other herb. The list of vitamins and minerals in this herb includes nearly every one known to necessary for human health and growth.

Vitamins A, C, D and K, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, iron and sulphur are particularly abundant in nettles. The infusion is a dark green color approaching black. The taste is deep and rich. If you are blessed with a nettle patch near you, use the fresh plant as a pot herb in the spring.

Some pregnant women alternate weeks of nettle and raspberry brews; others drink raspberry until the last month and then switch to nettles to insure large amounts of vitamin K in the blood before birth.
The benefits of drinking nettle infusion before and throughout pregnancy include:

~ Aiding the kidneys. Nettle infusions were instrumental in rebuilding the kidneys of a woman who was told she would have to be put on a dialysis machine. Since the kidneys must cleanse 150 percent of the normal blood supply for most of the pregnancy, nettle’s ability to nourish and strengthen them is of major importance. Any accumulation of minerals in the kidneys, such as gravel or stones, is gently loosened, dissolved and eliminated by the consistent use of nettle infusions.
~ Increasing fertility in women and men.

~ Nourishing mother and fetus.

~ Easing leg cramps and other spasms.

~ Diminishing pain during and after birth. The high calcium content, which is readily assimilated, helps diminish muscle pains in the uterus, in the legs and elsewhere.

~ Preventing hemorrhage after birth. Nettle is a superb source of vitamin K, and increases available hemoglobin, both of which decrease the likelihood of postpartum hemorrhage. Fresh Nettle Juice, in teaspoon doses, slows postpartum bleeding.

~ Reducing hemorrhoids. Nettle’s mild astringency and general nourishing action tightens and strengthens blood vessels, helps maintain arterial elasticity and improves venous resilience.

~ Increasing the richness and amount of breast milk.

Other Herbs used for Pregnancy

Black Haw – used in the early stages of pregnancy to help prevent miscarriage
Blessed Thistle – used in the latter stages of pregnancy as a liver tonic and builder, as well as a stimulant of blood flow to the mammaries, and used to increase milk production; also reduces hemorrhaging during childbirth
Burdock Root – has a high concentration of vitamins and minerals and is a liver booster
Chamomile – lifts the spirits and calms the nerves, used for digestive disorders during pregnancy, is combined with ginger to help morning sickness, and has a high calcium content as well as an anti-inflammatory aid
Dandelion – greens and root – a high source of vitamins and minerals, aids digestion, nourishes and tones the system, diuretic, useful for fatigue and exhaustion, liver booster
Ginger Root – used for morning sickness and digestive problems, safe during pregnancy for treating colds, sore throats, and congestion
Kelp – high in vitamins and minerals, aids thyroid
Spirulina – high in vitamins and nutrients
Bee Products – – royal jelly, propolis, bee pollen, raw honey – many nutritional benefits
Always remember to eat a very healthy diet when pregnant and/or nursing!

Herbs to Avoid During Pregnancy
Angelica – stimulates suppressed menstruation
Black Cohosh – uterine stimulant – mostly used during labor
Blue Cohosh – a stronger uterine stimulant
Borage oil – a uterine stimulant – use only during the last few days of pregnancy
Comfrey – can cause liver problems in mother and fetus – use only briefly, externally only, for treating sprains and strains -
Dong Quai – may stimulate bleeding
Elder – do not use during pregnancy or lactation
Fenugreek – uterine relaxant
Goldenseal – too powerful an antibiotic for the developing fetus, also should not be used if nursing
Henbane – highly toxic
Horsetail – too high in silica for the developing fetus
Licorice Root – can create water retention and/or elevated blood pressure
Motherwort – stimulates suppressed menstruation
Mugwort – can be a uterine stimulant
Nutmeg – can cause miscarriage in large doses
Pennyroyal Leaf – stimulates uterine contractions (NOTE: Pennyroyal essential oil should not be used by pregnant women at any time!) – do not handle if pregnant or nursing

Rue – strong expellant
Shepherd’s Purse – used only for hemmorhaging during/after childbirth
Uva Ursi – removes too much blood sugar during pregnancy and nursing
Yarrow – uterine stimulant