Into the Fall!

Peg had a pretty good summer with her Lyme disease. Some days it was one step forward and two steps backward, and occasionally she had some “episodes” (more about that later), but she made it thru OK. She was able to reduce some of her medications and supplements without negative impact. Like many others, we had difficulty obtaining Armor thyroid medication because of the nationwide shortage, but we have been able to receive the amount Peg needed for now.

Last month, Peg had her first opportunity in ten months to return to her naturopath in Southern California to check out where she’s at physically. We were given some extra money to cover the travel costs and office visits, so she braved the 5-hour trip (with Andrew and David). After the tests, the report from the doctor was encouraging. He uses a “bio-feedback” scan to see what things might not be right in your body, and, for the first time ever, Peg was right in balance without any supplements or medications. The test results proved that she no longer needs most of the supplements that she previously needed. We attribute much of this balancing to the JuicePlus that Peg has been taking regularly since the spring. Peg had a lot of energy and did really well on the trip.

Recently, though, Peg has been struggling a bit. Sometimes, she has what we refer to as “episodes” with more frequency, usually after a day with more activity than usual. Peg has difficulty describing how she feels, but they appear to be sort of like a light seizure. At first, she feels a sensation in her hip muscles, and then there is some involuntary tensing of some of her muscles. These episodes are not painful, but they are uncomfortable, and she is exhausted afterwards, and she has a lot of muscle soreness, especially in her hips and neck. We honestly don’t know what is causing these episodes, but they seem to be more muscle-related than neurological. At this point, there is no hope of funding any further medical tests, so we just need to pray for healing.

Peg also seems to be at more risk of the episodes when she sits for long periods without elevating her feet or when she over-exerts herself. For example, last week she sat on a hard chair (even with some padding) at a Bible study we attend, and afterwards, she had an episode in the car. Also, this past weekend, Peg went to a JuicePlus conference in Clovis. There were meetings on Friday evening and all day Saturday. She had some episodes after the meetings, and yesterday she was just feeling sick all over. She’s been a bit better today, but not 100%.

Peg realizes she needs to take thing a little easier. She works hard around the home as a mom and homeschooling our 9th grade son, plus she is involved in ministries at church. In order to avoid overtaxing herself, Peg is stepping down from the work she is doing with the Awana girls each week. She will still continue with her freshman girls class in the student ministries and the student ministries worship team once a month, as long as she is able. Also, she continues her part-time work as a Wellness Consultant with JuicePlus.

So, life has been quite a struggle for Peg recently. Maybe she is just going thru another level of de-toxing, or maybe her Lyme disease is gaining ground. Whatever it is, we covet your prayers for her healing.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

- Psalm 91: 1-4 (NIV)

One of my favorite verses to get me through our valleys with over 20 years with Lyme disease has been Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

I have not written in a while. We have been adjusting after our move and getting settled now. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.

Since we moved, my health and my Lyme symptoms have been generally better, but I have still had some ups and downs. I have been following the protocol prescribed by Dr. Pomroy, my naturopath, and he has graciously provided much consultation over the phone, but I have not been able to go back for any follow-up visits in over 7 months. I’m sure that his protocol has had a great positive effect in strengthening my immune system. Even so, for a while I was experiencing some frightening episodes where I had seizure-like symptoms, and then they would subside for a time. It has been a daily battle to keep up my health and attitude.

I wanted to share a new amazing part of my health journey. I heard about Juice Plus from a friend, and I was intrigued because Juice Plus would help me to enjoy whole food-based nutrition. Juice Plus made sense to me because it is a whole food in a capsule. Easy to take and for only about $1.40 a day, this product would fit into our limited budget. My husband, Larry, always said, “If it is in a capsule I can take it.” I try to eat the 7 -13 daily recommended fruits and vegetables every day, but I knew I didn’t come close to that, even with juicing every day. Juice Plus bridges the gap, and the clinical research confirms that it really works.

In the last three months I began using Juice Plus, I have experienced even more health. This is a whole food capsule providing 17 fruits & vegetables and grains daily. I know I can't eat that many fruits and vegetables a day. And, after starting with Juice Plus, my "episodes" (the seizure like attacks), blood pressure, joint and muscle pain (much like MS and Fibromyalgia), short term memory loss, brain fog and slurred words have been so much better. The Lord has been so faithful!

Another aspect that highly appealed to me is the Juice Plus Children’s Health Study. For every adult order of Juice Plus Orchard and Garden Capsules, you can add a child for free! My son, David started when I did and, in the three months he has taken Juice Plus, he has increased his awareness of health and nutrition and I was assured he was getting his veggies in. He had more focus with school and recently he began trying more veggies, which he has had trouble eating because of allergies, textures and in general, does not like them. Sound familiar? Well, he is beginning to take ownership of his nutrition! He sees the result himself and has been so much healthier.

I have experienced such positive results with Juice Plus that I have signed up with them as a Wellness Consultant! You may want to check it out for yourself at http://www.peg4juiceplus.com/, and you can contact me if you have any questions or would like to discuss it further.

JuicePLUS+
Peggy Owens
Wellness Consultant
Scientifically proven to build the immune system, reduce risk of cancer and heart disease.

From Peg…

It has been quite a while since we have written in this blog. Our move to Oakhurst took all our time and energy. We love the setting we live in (and so does our dog). We are so blessed and God is so faithful!

I have been struggling with a little setback with my health, but that is the nature of Lyme even in remission. The co-infection, Babesia (Babesiosis is caused by an intraerythrocytic parasite, Babesia which is similar in effect to Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria. Symptoms of Babesiosis are similar to those of Lyme disease: fatigue, malaise, myalgia, arthralgia, chills, and fever.) Sorry to add all that! In short, I have good days and bad days.

I need to have regular chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy to keep me aligned and to keep the lymphatic system working to clear out toxins. Larry has been helping with the massage therapy, and we are trusting in the Lord for financial provision for a chiropractor. There are several chiropractors up here who have been recommended to us. I have been having migraine headaches and joint and muscle pain, and that has been keeping me up at night again. We have had a lot on our plates, but we stand firm as we seek God’s provision and peace. He is our all in all!

It is a challenge to stay within our extremely tight budget and to find the resources to purchase the food I need to keep me healthy. Trader Joe’s is about 45 minutes south, in Fresno. I have made so many wonderful girlfriends, each bringing insight as to how I can manage our needs.

My diet, supplements, eating on time, exercise, a good night’s sleep, and not overdoing it – along with therapy – are key to my strength and health. I am learning to make that a priority and to pay closer attention to keeping on track. It has been four weeks now since we moved up to Oakhurst and we are all beginning to find our rhythm once again.

I have met a couple of people who either also struggle with Lyme, or who know someone who has Lyme. That is a blessing as we compare our protocols.

I will keep this short for now, I get so tired, but know that I sense your prayers and enjoy keeping in touch.

We do love it up here and are slowly getting settled in. If I never see a cardboard box again in my lifetime, I will not feel too bad!