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)