It's been a while since we offered an update on Wendi's health challenge. So, I asked if she felt up to writing a blog post to let everyone know what she's going through, highlighting a few new directions taken of late. As usual, I added some color splashes and graphics here and there, just for aesthetics. But, the following post is from Wendi. -Jim
Many thanks and lots of love go out to all of you for the love and support you ve been sending my way. I can t spend much time at the computer, but Jim has been trying to keep up with my email and he s been passing along your love, concern, advice, and healing energy. Thanks so much for everything, including the things that have arrived through the postal service. I definitely feel the love from all of you and I want you to know that each and every one of you means so much to me! * blows kisses *
Here s the truth about how I ve been and what I ve been going through: My healing has been extremely slow (so it s difficult to see the progress most days), making this one of the most difficult times of my life. Many of you know me as a loving, centered/grounded, spiritual individual who sees and lives beyond most ?negative? things in life. Even though that part of me is still very much who I am at my core, it s not always easy to be present/loving/centered/peaceful when your life seems to have been turned upside down and your body is in varying degrees of pain on a daily basis.
I cry a lot some days. I don t like to cause my loved ones distress by seeing that I m upset and in pain, but after years of psychotherapy, I ve learned that keeping my feelings/emotions locked inside is even more unhealthy in the long run. So, the tears come ? a lot of them. When I m feeling overwhelmed by all that this lyme disease has brought with it, I have to admit that my tears slightly freak me out a bit. The lyme bacteria may *possibly* be excreted through tears, so I have to be careful that my family doesn t wipe them away. It s a scary thought that a loved one could potentially pick up the lyme bacteria by simply wiping away the tears of someone, isn t it?
The main reason this is so difficult for me is that I worked so hard to regain my health. I reached a level of health and happiness (on all levels --- physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally) through hard work, dedication, and self love; I took control of my life, of my health and happiness. Then, a tiny bacteria entered my body (cloaked in an invisibility cloak that my immune system couldn t recognize) and my health no longer seemed to be in my control. The cleanest diet in the world can t help a body defend against a bacterial invasion that the body doesn t even recognize at first. I felt overwhelmed and helpless in the beginning, but I ve since been feeling more optimistic.
When the lyme bacteria first enters the body, the immune system can t detect it. However, when I began taking an appropriate antibiotic, my body recognized the dying bacteria and the toxins they produce (it s actually the dying bacteria and their toxins that cause most of the pain for those with lyme disease), and my immune system was able to begin working on bringing my body back into a healthy balance. It s a tough undertaking, so I ve been doing as much as I possibly can to assist my body in this healing/cleansing process it must go through. From all the research I ve done, it s clear that this could take years for most bodies to overcome (if ever). As I said in my last update, that s not going to be the case for me! I know my body can regain its balance/health much quicker than someone who s living a standard American lifestyle.
The morning before my latest appointment with the lyme specialist, I had reached a point of physical saturation from all of the medication and supplements. My body made it very clear that it wouldn t accept anything else. I became very ill, the medications burned the lining of my throat as they came back up, and I fell into a deep sleep on the bathroom floor. Jim found me there, hours later (he and KDcat had gone out for the morning). It was scary for Jim to see me there when he returned (and I m grateful KDcat didn t witness it). I was in severe pain in my shoulders from sleeping on the hard tile floor, but something had changed. There was a deep, inner knowing that was present. I knew that I could no longer, would no longer, fill my body with medications and supplements that kill the bacteria. It was too much on my body, too much on my spirit to know that I was fighting with something. I gave up the fight, gave up the struggle, and a sense of peace filled my being.
My visit with the lyme specialist MD the next day went well. I was a bit nervous about telling him that I decided I wouldn t be taking any more medications, but he put me at ease. What a fantastic doctor! What he said was something like:
No one knows how to cure this disease. If you feel that your body knows what it wants to do, then you should follow your instinct. I have no problem with you stopping the antibiotic at this point, although one more month might give your body a bit more assistance with eliminating the bacteria.
He is such a wonderful doctor. He listens to me, doesn t assume I m an idiot, and even encourages me to follow what I feel is right for my body. He said that with lyme disease treatment, the doctors learn as much from patients as the patients do from the doctors.
So, I am no longer on medication. The pain is sharper without the medication, but there is an overall sense of deeper health when my body isn t filled with all of those antibiotics and supplements. My tummy barely had room for food because of all of the pills I was swallowing (no, I haven t lost weight; in fact, I ve gained weight because the bacteria is causing complications with my thyroid --- but, my weight will normalize again when my body is healed from this). Taking antibiotics and massive amounts of herbs/supplements was certainly not the right path for my healing, but I m not sorry I took that route for a bit.
My new protocol is one of nourishment and love. When I feel the pain, most times I go within and let the bacteria know that it s causing me pain. I truly don t believe that any of us (yes, even something like a bacteria) would cause harm to another if we knew a better way to get what we need. So, I talk to the bacteria at times and let it know when it s causing me pain. It may sound really strange to be doing something like that, but I know we are ALL connected and one, so in some way the bacteria must be able to understand me. Anyway, the pain seems to diminish at those times (but, I do acknowledge that the pain relief could come from other reasons).
The lyme specialist MD said that there s a chance that at this point, after taking the antibiotics and herbal protocol for over two months, that my immune system may be able to take over. He said if my body could produce enough white blood cells on a continual basis, I have a good chance of healing. That s exactly what I was feeling that morning on the bathroom floor: my body can do this. I don t need to be filling my body with bacteria-killing substances anymore. I don t need to be killing anything. I need to be nurturing and building up my body so that it can do what it needs to do in order to be healthy, vibrant, and able to live a long life.
Something the specialist said brought up a radical thought on something I could be doing to help my body heal from this disease. I m not ready to share what I ve been doing, but it s certainly quite radical. I m going to try to scientifically document my findings to share with all of you in the near future. Even if it s a failed experiment, I know you ll all find it fascinating!
So, that s how I ve been. I still cry a lot at times. I have times when I m filled with peace, as well. During this entire ordeal, however, I have never lost the knowledge that I WILL be well once again. I ve been learning a lot about myself through this experience (and I ll share that another time). For now, however, I wanted to let you know how things are going and I wanted to say how thankful I am for your continued love and support. I am blessed to have you all in my life!
Special thanks go to Jim who has been taking on a tremendous amount of extra work both here at Pure Jeevan and at home. He lovingly prepares all of my meals, helps me do the things that most people take for granted, and never complains that he has next to no time for himself. If you ve been enjoying his updates on Pure Jeevan, be sure to let him know. I ve admired his dedication in keeping this site and community alive as I take time away to help my body heal.
Lots of love to all of you!
Wendi
XOXOXO
Original Comments
Below, we have included the original comments from this blog post. Additional comments may be made via Facebook, below.
On November 24, 2009, wrote:
Wendi! I'm so glad to hear how you are you are doing but I'm really sad to hear that you are still in pain.
I hope your radical treatment works really quickley and gets those white blood cells to eat the bacteria!
Love you! XOXO.
On November 24, 2009, wrote:
That's wonderful that you have found a doctor that supports your decisions about how to handle your health. It sounds like he truly cares about your well-being and wants to help.
Get plenty of rest and get better soon!
Swayze :)
On November 24, 2009, wrote:
Wishing you the very best in your radical treatment plan.........I like the thoughts of this "whatever it is"! Well, being radical is my middle name at times so am very excited for you! Cannot wait to hear of your success.......and it will be! Many blessings to you and your family and have a great Thanksgiving this year. I am giving thanks to you and, also, for Jim for taking over while you get your health back. I have learned so much from your web site and your friends over this past year! Looking forward to an even better year for all of you!
On November 24, 2009, wrote:
Dear Wendi,
We don't know each other but I'm sending you love and courage to go on. Cry as much as you feel you need to. I have faith that you will get out of all that, stronger, and with new knowledge of your body, of health and you will surely be even more appreciative of all the little moments, all the blessings in your life.
Marie : )
On November 24, 2009, wrote:
Dear Wendi and Jim,
I have truly looked up and down your web site hoping to get an update and fearing that I had somehow missed it.
Getting this word from you was comforting to me as well as anyone who knows you, your family and your health issues.
I'm very glad you have Jim and KDCat to be your closest helpers and supporters. We all need that in our lives to maintain our wellness. I know they are a great comfort to you. I have been very impressed at Jim's filling in the gaps for you. I also know that when you come out of all this, we will all be so amazed at what will become of this journey. I feel you and everyone who hears your story will live better and learn lessons never before taught. You will break through on so many levels for yourself and others as well.
Continue to take care of yourself and each other.
All healing prayers and best of healthy wishes!
Christydarling
On November 24, 2009, wrote:
wishing you the VERY best health and the SPEEDIEST recovery, wendi.
those naughty little bugs who live inside us! naughty! naughty! naughty!
do you believe in metaphoric illnesses? i do. so i would ask myself 'who "bugs" me? - can i forgive them '
might be worth trying.
love, auntie patricia
On November 24, 2009, wrote:
A little prayer, and a request to your body - Please send your greatest healing knowlege to the places that need it most, and please ease the pain whenever possible.
On November 25, 2009, wrote:
I send you lots of love and healing thoughts, and I am so grateful that Jim takes such good care of you. He certainly has been doing a wonderful job keeping the blog going! I hope you feel better very, very soon.
Love,
Joanna.
On November 25, 2009, wrote:
As always I am so impressed with you Wendi, and you too Jim! You're real, you're genuine, in pleasure or in pain, you give us all so much! I love you for your open and willing attitude of sharing - Wendi, even when you're in pain my dear! What love and giving that is!
I'm so glad your MD is willing to accept your wishes and work with you in this. That is awesome. And rare in my experience. I found relief to my "mystery" pain via acupuncture but I have no idea if it works at all on bacterial infections. I will pray and send healing vibrations that if the radical treatment does not work you'll be led to another that will. Or that spontaneous healing will occur. Either way, as I told my doctors, I don't care to know what my mystery pain was as long as it's gone.
Much love, peace, and happy Thanksgiving (whatever and however it shapes up to be with all of this going on).
sheila
On November 30, 2009, wrote:
Wendy:
I am troubled to hear of your pain. I'm sending many positive healing thoughts your way. May you continue to heal at a rapid pace.
In my own research and quest for health I've come across two tools that may be of assistance to you.
While researching (before jumping in feet first) David Wolfe's Longevity Now Program I've come across a passage that may interest you: "Because they work along pathways of electromagnetic activity, zappers are particularly effective at releiving the emotional trauma caused by tenacious nervous system disorders (such as herpes, and Lyme's disease)" (89). This is the only reference to Lyme's disease I've found in the book. I've recently started using the zapper myself on a 7 day fast and, it may be coincidental, have had no painful detox symptoms. For more information on zappers please see the work of Dr. Hulda Clark.
Secondly, I've read Charlotte Gerson's work (the fabulous documentary "Gerson Miracle" is also available as an instant watch on Netflix) and the Gerson therapy uses coffee enemas for pain relief. I've tried the enemas, but since I have no pain, I cannot say one way or another if they are useful for pain management. I can say that I feel terrific afterwards--but I do not know if this is from the caffeine or the cleanse. I hope you find these tools interesting and research them for yourself. If possible, I hope they bring you some relief.
Kind regards,
KL
On December 6, 2009, wrote:
thank you so much for the update. slow healing is hard. i can relate to so much of what you have said. please take care of yourself. we are thinking of you.
On December 6, 2009, wrote:
I have asked people on rawfoodrehab.com to keep you in their prayers. we love and miss you wendi!
On December 6, 2009, wrote:
Wendi, Thank you for the update, it means a lot to hear from you. I love you, and you are in my prayers. XOXO
On December 6, 2009, wrote:
Wendi Dee....you are on my mind and in my prayers so often. Your presence is missed, but I know you are focusing on the most important thing, which is healing and recovering from this huge challenge. You are so loved by so many.....know that we all are sending healing thoughts your way.
Love you always......P
On December 6, 2009, wrote:
Dear Wendi, thank you for letting us know what is going on with you. We love and miss you very much. I think all you have gone through has only strengthened your internal impetus to heal, I'm glad you are so tuned in. And Jim, thank you for taking such good care of our beloved Wendi, and for your own inspiring presence in our lives. Love to both of you ... Elizabeth
On December 21, 2009, wrote:
Dear Wendi and Jim we have never met but just hearing your story makes me feel like I know you in a way. You both have beautiful souls. There is no doubt in my mind that you are going to recover from this. Sending love and prayers your way. Love you both ...AC
On December 21, 2009, wrote:
I had Lyme disease several years ago when I lived in CT. ( I have since found out that there are actually about six different kinds of Lyme that attack different nervous systems in the body and you can have more than one at the same time.) I am English and don't take kindly to be sick, so I was happy to take the antibiotics for ten days and then went to a naturopath who gave me some herbs. However, the symptoms continued to recur for two years. it was only when I found nutritional cleansing that my two year recurring symptoms finally went away. I did the cleansing for about a month and replenished with the shakes and continue to use the program every day, four years later. I am now a vegetarian and a raw eater (about 50-50) and have learned a lot more about nutrition since then. Getting the toxins out of your body with a powerful cleanse really helps and then renourishing your immune system. ( You do this anyway, I'm sure.) The name of the system I used is Isagenix and it has kept me healthy for the past four years. Here's a website: www.TheAnswerToHealth.com. Good luck and let your intuition guide you.
On December 21, 2009, wrote:
Wendi I know you are going to pull through. Everything happens for some reason, by the time you're done you will know the reason for all this. Love ya lots!
On December 22, 2009, wrote:
Thanks, Bethany. The experiment didn't work as planned...at least it didn't seem to, but I did learn something fascinating that I'll share with everyone in the near future! :-)
I love you, too!
Wendi
XOXOXO
On December 22, 2009, wrote:
Thanks so much, Swayze! :-)
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On December 22, 2009, wrote:
Tracey, the radical plan didn't work as expected. I did learn something interesting from it, however, that I'll be sharing in the near future with everyone. :-)
Thanks for your sweet comment. I hope you have a LOVELY holiday and new year!
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On December 22, 2009, wrote:
Marie, thanks so much for the love and courage! :-) I think I'm done with crying, for the most part, and I'm filled with a lighter feeling. Yes, you are right...I am more appreciative of all the little moments and blessings in my life!
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On December 22, 2009, wrote:
Christydarling,
You are so sweet. Thanks for your comment. I'm definitely learning a lot during this time of healing and I'm happily going to share it all with everyone when I feel the time is right. :-) Thanks so much for your support and encouragement!
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On December 22, 2009, wrote:
Thanks so much, Auntie Patricia!! I loved the idea of looking for who "bugs" me. I'll have to sit and think about that, since no one pops to mind right away. ;-)
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On December 22, 2009, wrote:
Terri!
You are such a dear. Thanks so much for your love and support--and for the card in the mail! One day I hope to hug you in person!
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On December 22, 2009, wrote:
Joanna, thanks so much! I agree that Jim has been doing a wonderful job of keeping the site going. He does so very much and it's all very much appreciated by me, as well. :-)
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On December 22, 2009, wrote:
Thanks for your comment, Sheila! :-) Your love and appreciation is felt and it fills me with happiness. I say the same thing: I don't care what cures my pain, I can live with never knowing what healed me. It's the healing that I am most interested in! ;-)
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On December 22, 2009, wrote:
Thanks so much, KL! You are so sweet to share what you came across. I'm not getting worse, so that's very promising. :-)
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On December 22, 2009, wrote:
Thanks so much, Bitt! It's so wonderful to be surrounded by love and prayers. You are so sweet!
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On December 22, 2009, wrote:
Thanks so much, Amanda! I love you, too! XOXOXO
On December 22, 2009, wrote:
Penni, you are such an angel. I love you so very much. Thanks for all the understanding, love, and support! :-)
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On December 22, 2009, wrote:
Elizabeth, thanks so much! I love and miss all of you so very much, too! All of these lovely comments fill me with even more healing energy!
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On December 22, 2009, wrote:
Thanks so much, AC! Yes, I'll heal from this and I'm already learning a lot along this journey that I will be sharing with others. You are so sweet. Thanks for your lovely comment. :-)
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On December 22, 2009, wrote:
Thanks so much, Kathy! I'm already learning a lot that I'll be sharing with others...so, there's definitely a reason for this lyme to visit my body. I just hope I finish learning everything soon so I can be done with the pain and move on to helping others more fully! ;-)
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On December 22, 2009, wrote:
wendi, this is what i sent a lot of my friends yesterday:
'auntie straight & narrow' can be so stubborn...
---
i've been hearing about mms for years.
these statements
http://mmsdr.com/index.php page=prv_testimonials
plus this video
http://video.google.com/videoplay docid=9482841...
pushed me over the edge.
i ordered a bottle.
this is pretty good too... an explanation:
http://video.google.com/videoplay docid=9482841...
sounds like a medicine cabinet in a bottle.
good for many conditions because most conditions are caused
by parasites -- a parasite by any other name would be as destructive...
so mms destroys the parasites: virus, bacteria, and big ones too.
---
so wendi, if i had a physical challenge, i'd do MMS (pokes a hole in the cell wall of microorganisms + they don't like the oxygen), diatomaceous earth (pokes a hole in the cell wall of microorganisms), and oxygenated water... (again, those kinds of bugs are anaerobic). and wonderful raw, raw, raw foods. :)
i am so impatient with any physical discomfort. :)
but maybe that's a good thing because then i do anything and everything i can do get well as soon as i can.
i wish you impatience enough to GO for it and patience enough to listen and hear your body.
you deserve to be 100% well.
love, patricia
On December 22, 2009, wrote:
Thanks, Auntie. ;-) I've been given a lot of info about MMS from many of our Pure Jeevan family members. It just doesn't resonate with me...I have a difficult time with the odor of chlorine and the thought of swallowing something that smells like it (and many have told me the odor comes out the pores, too, when taking it) turns me away from the idea of taking it.
I'm working on something pretty awesome right now that may just work for the lyme disease and anything else that comes my way in the future. Stay tuned to hear more about that once I've had time to work with it and see how it goes! I may just cure the world, for all I know! LOL
Thanks so much for your love and for sharing with me. It means so much to me!
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On December 22, 2009, wrote:
Wendi, I know that typing is really hard for you, but I am getting desperate and was wondering if you could share some more info about your treatment of Lyme.
My 22 year old daughter was diagnosed with Lyme last August and had been a mess ever since. She took 4 weeks of anti-biotics and felt ok for a few days and now she is in alot of pain, with headaches, nausea, joint pain and burning, unable to concentrate and memorize, etc. She is a senior in college and really struggled this past semester.
We went to an infectious disease doctor, who ordered bloodwork when she was home over Thanksgiving. We went back today, and all her bood tests were normal, except Lyme, but the doctor said that was normal for Lyme and will be high for several years. She dismissed the possibity of Lyme saying that she took the 4 weeks of anti-biotics and this couldn't possibly be related. She basically said, I can't help you.
My daughter will only be home for a few more weeks before returning for her last semester and I don't know where to turn. If you have time, I was wondering if you could share how you are doing, how you found a Lyme specialist and what protocols you have tried.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. You are in my prayers.
Nancy
On December 22, 2009, wrote:
Nancy, I just sent an email to you. I'm sending lots of healing love for your daughter. *HUGS*
Love,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On December 28, 2009, wrote:
an excellent site i just found - http://lymebytes.blogspot.com/
if i had lyme, i'd get that book. and i enjoyed the articles on the right side... in fact, reading the one about people won't understand, i can relate to a lot of lyme symptoms and i remember a little tick who burrowed into my thigh after i moved here -- in a park-like setting with lots of trees.
i think that we all can have a lot of diseases that we can hold at bay with our diets & habits... or feed with our diets & habits -- such as cancer, diabetes, etc..
i got the MMS yesterday and i'll be trying it... had one dose so far, this morning. i know we are all part of the food chain, but i want to have as few 'others' in my space as possible. :)
t'would be wonderful to not have to sleep as much and to have more mental clarity again. :)
On December 31, 2009, wrote:
Wendi,
I don;t know if you remember me
I am so sorry to hear you got lyme.... It is very strange that we are in this position. I remember a little over a year ago I found your video on youtueb and was very inspired by it. I wrote to you a few times telling you how very ill and bedridden I was... from lyme disease. You gave me nothing but encouraging words and I was so grateful for it.
I just cannot believe now, that we are in the same boat... although you are probably in a better state than me... I wish you nothing but health and wellness.. I am still trying to achieve it myself. One thing I have learned from this is that it takes a REAL holistic plan to get through this... this disease really is Mind-Body and Spirit...
Much love and healing to you and please feel free to email me if you choose!
Shandy
On January 2, 2010, wrote:
Thanks, Patricia! :-)
If you're interested in getting tested for Lyme, the best test is the Western Blot...where they look for specific "bands" related to the bacteria. It's not an easy disease to diagnose, but knowing what you have is helpful (in my opinion) so that you know what you're healing from. :-)
I'm doing MUCH better...but I'm not ready to share what I've learned and what I'm doing. Maybe what have been learning can help you and others, as well. Sorry to hear you've been having lyme-type symptoms.
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On January 2, 2010, wrote:
Shandy!
I receive hundreds of emails a day, so I'm not always best at remembering everyone. Sorry about that. ;-) However, it's so nice to hear from you and I love reading that you felt I was encouraging in my past emails. I enjoy helping others!
Yes, it's strange that now I have the same disease. I have been doing a lot of research, experimenting, and learning so very much. I'm healing, now, and will most likely be able to help others with all that I've learned.
Keep reading our blog, because when I share what I've been doing and what I've learned...you may be able to put it to immediate use. :-)
Lots of love to you!
Wendi
XOXOXO
On January 2, 2010, wrote:
thanks, wendi. but i don't have the symptoms now. i used what i know to flush 'em out. when i get a symptom, i don't go to the medical people. they've never been helpful to me. instead, i reach for my research library and just apply the simplest, healthiest remedy i can find... nature is so kind. remedies are always in simple foods. 'let food be your medicine.'