A really good day!

It has been a really good day. I feel stronger than I have felt in a long time. I am really enjoying it! I know that I would not be at this point without all of your encouragement, strength, love, prayers and support. Thank you!

Push update: My reaction to the push last night was fairly mild. I had a low-grade fever for a few hours and a little bit of pain, but it was NOTHING compared to last week at this time! A mild reaction means my immune system is getting stronger....that is a good thing! I am sure they will go up on the concentration again today. I'll let you know how it goes.

As I mentioned weeks ago, one of my concerns is my gastrointestinal tract. I had a complete work-up by a GI doctor last fall, and he could not find anything wrong. My internal medicine doctor thought I could have celiac even though all the tests (including biopsy) were negative. So, I have just assumed I have celiac disease. When I arrived in Reno a few weeks ago, they also did several test. Well, I have received the results of the test, and they have found PLENTY wrong. I have a friend in my intestines. Yes, a parasite! He has made himself at home, and he is wreaking havoc! I am malabsorbing food, and I don't have any of the good bacteria in my gut! I have plenty of the bad ones (including candida) that are out of control, but the good ones have gone MIA! (I have been taking probiotics but there is still no trace of the good guys!)

I have also been diagnosed with food allergies. (Note: my allergist did a skin test, and said, I did not have food allergies. Lesson learned....you should get both a skin and blood test in order to be sure) I am very allergic to milk, eggs, almonds, flaxseed and moderately allergic to beef, and a few other food items. I have been on a gluten-free, candida diet for five months because I suspected a candida issue (as well as possible celiac), and the diet has helped many of my gi symptoms. Although helpful, it is very restrictive, and I was using eggs, almonds and beef to get protein, iron and other nutrients. With this new information, I have been forced me to get rather creative with my diet! I am using olive oil and coconut oil to get more calories, and I have added tofu to get more protein. The Texas girl,who grew up in beef country, is eating tofu!!

I saw the doctor (Dr. Fong) yesterday, and based on my progress and new found problems, he recommended I stay an extra week. It was a hard one to swallow! I have been counting the days until I can come home to be with my family!! Chris and I had a long conversation last night, and we decided to follow the doctor's advice. I am going to continue treatment through May22nd, and I will fly home May 23rd.

You know, I have learned so much about my body since I have been here. I have lyme disease but I also have many other problems that have gone undiagnosed (for a long time) and contributed to my health issues. I am so thankful to get to the bottom of it all! I have not always done the best job of taking care of myself. As a mom, I am usually the last one to take my vitamins, eat right, rest or exercise. Since I have been so ill, my prayer had been, "God please show me what is wrong and how to take care of my body." He is answering my prayer, and I have a new resolve to take care of myself! If you have a healthy body, please take care of it, and appreciate the blessing of health! It truly is a gift...don't abuse it!

Love to all!
Ronda