3-30-2009
I was reminded today of why I love living in this town of Pine-Strawberry.
I was standing in line in the Ponderosa Market and the cashier looked at the lady behind me, and said, " I know you! I have your driver's license here." Stating that she recognized her from the license, she then gave it to the lady who had not realized she was missing it. Seems it was accidentally left there on a previous shopping trip.
I don't expect you would find much of that in large cities. It is the attitude of 'Neighbor' that is so often exhibited here that keeps it unique.
After I left the Market I noticed our United States flag flying from poles in front of several business and so I started looking further. There are a lot of residences also flying our flag. Patriotism is alive and well in Our Town and it makes me proud, not only to be an American, but to also be a citizen of Pine-Strawberry. I know there are a lot of great places that people call home, but I am happy to be here (arrived just 31 short years ago) and plan to stay until someone puts me in a pine box.
12-21-08
Experiencing arthritis
For 2 years in 1998-1999 I suffered extreme and increasing pain and numbness in my hands and forearms to the point of being unable to hold tools, utensils and other items for more than a couple minutes. I also developed a swollen right hand which turned out to be a different issue which I will discuss below. I could not sleep for more than an hour, and then I would have to get up, walk the floor shaking my arms and hands to get rid of the numbness and pain. Then I could sleep for another hour. While driving I would have to alternate my hands on the steering wheel as I would not be able to feel it after about 10 minutes. While eating, I would drop my fork because I could no longer feel it after about 5 minutes. Also, I would swing a hammer 4-5 times and then it would fly out of my hand because the feeling was gone.
All the while I was trying to continue my construction business to keep the $$ flowing. Fortunately my wife was employed at that time.
After going to my personal physician who diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome who then referred me to various specialists, who all confirmed that my problem was in their specialty, (i.e. wrist surgeon said it was not CTS until he read the report from my Dr and then he wanted to perform surgery; Rheumatologist read the same Dr report and diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis.)
The hospital X-rays did show advanced arthritis in hands, wrists and elbows. I tried to get relief through various alternative medicines such as acupuncture, chiropractic and physical therapy. None of the above did any good and I refused to take Celebrex, or related, also refused surgery. I have a hard head about these things, have always felt that the patient should control his destiny, not just go along blindly with what the Dr.’s practice.
End result, I suffered alone, without any help. I refused to take even aspirin as I made a commitment years ago to keep all drugs possible out of my system, I have never used any illegal drugs, so why use the prescription type.
In Feb 2000, we made plans to go on an Alaska cruise on Sun cruise line. While talking to the travel agent in Payson, she asked why my right hand was so swollen. I replied that the Dr’s had said that it was edema related to my CTS. I then described my other symptoms and she told me I should call Jeannie who had helped her husband. She didn’t even give a last name but did give me the number and when I got home, I called Jeannie. This was on a Thursday; turns out she was working out of the Pine Medical Center doing a Biological Terrain Analysis on a computer program which determines the body ph balance.
She asked my blood type, (O+) told me to immediately quit eating white potatoes and wheat products and to bring her a recent blood report, and urine and saliva samples on the following Tuesday. I did so and she gave me a list of foods to avoid as well as a list of beneficial foods to modify my diet even while she anylized my samples.
She had the reports completed by the next Thursday and confirmed that my body was extremely acidic due to lifelong eating habits and choices. On the following Sunday morning, 10 days since I modified my diet, I awoke to realize that I had slept all night straight through and had neither pain nor numbness in my body.
I might add here that none of the medical practitioners did any studies of what my body ph was or anything related. I don't believe they have a clue what causes arthritis or how to deal with it aside from pain meds. When I asked the Rheumatologist about what the Celebrex would do to me, he shrugged his shoulders, said "It'll give you ulcers, but it'll relieve the pain in your hands." I said no thanks I'm dealing with enough already.
From that point on, I have had little discomfort from my arthritis as long as I mind my diet. Dairy products are the other big item that causes problems.
Believe me; it is not hard to stay on a regimen when you suffer if you digress.
Jeannie referred me to a book that I bought and recommend to those willing to study and learn about this. It is called "Eat Right for Your Blood Type" by Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo, published in 1996. It has food lists for all 4 blood types. You can buy it on Amazon.com for about $16.00 or may be able to locate it at the library. Amazon has other books by him about lists of food and beverages to go with the diet.
The “edema” turned out to be a yeast infection caused by too much sugar consumption which was corrected by eating natural yogurt once a day. Yes, men can get yeast infections too, and it can be anywhere in the male or female body, even though it is most common in the urinary tract.
Incidentally, we went on the cruise, enjoyed it immensely and I felt fine and ate very well by eating most meals at the buffet where I could pick and choose.
I took the following statement from Dr Michael Jonas Kahn, PHD website: http://www.zphbalance.com/
Arthritis is NOT a disease, but simply a result of a body chemistry that has become either too acid or too alkaline. This state of health brought about by calcium deficiencies from a diet that is either unbalanced, deficient, toxic or all the above. And where a simple "mean" pH tape test (done correctly) can reveal a person's state of pH balance, and thus warn a person or help him with the changes to diet or supplements that would be best to bring him back to balance before suffering the long term consequences of a bad diet.
http://www.zphbalance.com/drmjk/healthtips.html
Hope this is beneficial to you.
Mike