A New Beginning

Hello, I have decided to start a blog on a new journey I am setting forth upon searching for healthy living. I simply thought this would help me keep track of my progress and stay focused and encouraged to press on. I know the road I am setting out upon will be very difficult at times... but my prayer is that the results will be more than worth it in the end. 

You see, my health has been going from bad to worse over the last few years. At first I was simply sick a lot, with no idea what was wrong (scary time in my life). The next phase was being diagnosed with Lupus in September of 2010. At first I was relieved, it was so nice to know what was "wrong" with me finally. However, this simply marks the beginning of a roller coaster ride of trying to figure out how to make me feel better. Some things worked for awhile, but nothing lasted long. I finally gave in to using one medication after the other trying to find some normalcy for me. Until now I find myself on tons of meds, in lots of pain, and my bad days far outnumber the good ones. 

IT WAS TIME FOR A CHANGE!

My amazing family has been an awesome support to me through the struggles I have been facing, going way beyond the call of duty. We saw a video called "Sick, Fat, and Nearly Dead" A man's journey to getting healthy. Now being overweight was NOT my problem, but having an autoimmune disease, and the meds I am on were a similarity I shared with this man. So, my whole family decided to do something drastic hoping for a change. So together we proceeded to juice for 9 days ending this weekend.   

While we were juicing we started researching and found a diet that is supposed to help with Lupus. It has changed 100s of lives making it possible for many to lead great lives without the constant pain, and worry that is normally involved with living with Lupus. So, we have decided that since we had already "detoxed" by juicing we would go straight into this. So for now we are simply eating  Fruits and veggies, some beans, and some nuts. NO SALT, NO DAIRY,NO FLOURS, NO SUGARS, and NO MEAT! We are hoping for great results, but we know it will probably take a while to see them. So for now we simply decided that it can't hurt, and it just might help, and we are therefore willing to give it a go! 

Where I am at now: 

Mid-high pain levels on most days

low low energy

unable to walk around for more than 10minutes

Unable to be outside during the day

Medications I am currently on:

20mg prednisone per day

15mg meloxicam per day

400mg plaquenil per day

25mg Methotrexate per week

50 mg Tramadol as needed (usually a few times a week)

8 mg Zophran as needed (at least once a week)

Goal:

I Would like to see the good days outnumber the bad

Be able to play outside with my nephews and nieces without falling apart physically

Walk three miles

Bring the Prednisone down to 5 mg per day

Go off meloxicam

Go off Methotrexate

Go off Tramadol

Go off Zophran

I know, I know... one tall order... but if you are gonna reach, why not reach for the stars? RIGHT?! :-) 

So hopefully from time to time I'll post how things are going, how I am feeling as we go along. Maybe blog some challenges, or successes, pictures of what a "Meal" looks like for us now. :-) This way I can keep track of how things are going and hopefully be able to look back in AMAZEMENT at how FAR I'VE COME! :-) 

Philippians 4:11-13  Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: ¹² I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. ¹³ I can do all things through Christ^[b] who strengthens me.