Long silence is finally broken

 Yes, I have been inactive and doing my best to deal with life as it has come at me during the pandemic and post pandemic.

Can I tell you I have been blessed by this crazy stressful time..

Yes, blessed.

I have learned some new skills and new things about myself. 

Where to begin that is the question?

In the last year I saw a new beautiful grand-daughter added to our first grand-daughter.

Her name comes from the game Zelda.... YES seriously and the son and his wife went back and forth over which one of the names would be first and middle. After family poll, The wife won. 

I will do post on that later. (No not a year later, sooner.)

We have also seen children transition out of our home to be one their otherwise. Though it was not on the best terms. I wish them well and pray for their success. I love them with all my heart. I even miss the dog too.

We have a daughter who ahs been through life changes. She was able to go to Korea and stay for a time to experience the culture and come back with great experiences. She dated once she got back and it was decided not to continue after a while. It was totally a blessing, even though she was so broken hearted at first. 

But Heavenly Father had prepared the perfect man for her, just like he did for me.

She and her husband tied the knot on June 5. I am wiping sweat from my brow and finally able to rest now. She is definitely cherished and loved. I am so grateful for him. 

He is a very sweet young man. He even calls me mom. should I admit it catches me off guard, but in a good way. The tone in his voice is one of love and respect. For that I am grateful. He sees where I am physically and knows what later life may look like with my daughter. She and I are both hyper-mobile and have Ehlers-danlos (a connective tissue difference). But I see the genuine love and caring he ahs for her. I could not have asked for a better Son to add to our clan. 

Then there is the Oldest and the Youngest, still at home. Yep. Still here.

Honestly I do not know what I would do without them to help when I am not feeling well.

The oldest did take some time to work for UPS (Yes the big brown truck company.) and t0ehn after a break for the IRS......Yes those people.... That is not meant to say they are bad, just tax law is confusing. He resigned recently to come back home. For new adventure which I need to wait talking about it. But he is back on Streaming again (Need to add the channel link here- ) Look for NephiteJNF streaming your favorite Pokemon games and others -Please observe which game in the video so you pick one appropriate for the age group.

So where did I go over the last year. 

I started Job hunting the end of the prior year. 

Got offered a few Civil service jobs; but had to turn the first one down due to the physical requirements being too much for me. 

Got offered a second one part-time on call accepted it and I am currently working this one, though due to the situation I could not start working right after I got hired.

Then a week later I was offered temporary term job working the Census. 

YES I am one of those people who was knocking on your door incessantly. 

Please forgive my sin.

Luckily, I was able to finish that up and then transition to the other job. 

Toward the end of last summer, I joined a veterans group and started to learn horsemanship.

This actually another post......

Until next time

May 1, 2020-Loong Hiatus-2017-2019 review of Health and Family Events

Yes, I have been out for a while.

Little did I know that my whole world would be turned upside down in a matter on months.

This is just brief review of medical and family events. Does not include what I or my Family accomplished otherwise in that time.

October 2017

First My husband's job loss of nearly 20 years. 

January 2018

Major sickness in our home.

February 2018

Then a re-testing for dermatology.

A Doctors visit that would change my world both with my civilian doctor and my VA doctor.

April 2018

Civilian- Diagnosis of fibromyalgia. 

May 2018

VA doctor-Referral to VA geneticist- diagnosis Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and a general overall hyper-mobility. Lots of Genetic testing. I mean lots of tests.

Which explained a lot of things.

Plus finding I am not bullet-proof like I used to be.

June 2018

My husbands retirement from the Army Reserves after decades of service.-This was totally a shock for us.

First order for custom braces,

July 2018

Received my blue 'ability' hang tag (Yes, it is a wheel chair with a blue background.).

Received Wrist splints

August 2018

Pain and swelling of legs and ankles due to LipoEdema (precursor to lymph-edema).

Learning to Use a Flexitouch machine at home for Manual Lymphatic Drainage.

Received a walker for use during times of weakness and lack of energy.

September 2018

My husband taking a Civilian contractor job and departing overseas for a year.

At that point all seems to be a blur doing my best to catch everything up financially.

Plus still maintain Physical Therapy and medical visits that had me traveling 3-5 days a week to Salt Lake from my home.

January 2019

Everything seemed to be settling down. Still testing medications to see if there would be an immediate reaction or latent reaction.

March 2019 

Started VA Tai Chi -13 Forms Adapted (Dr. Zibin Guo)

July 2019

Received Silver ring splints

August 2019

Dermatologist Administered test of  Essential oils doTERRA and standardized patch.

September 2019

Caught a really nasty cough that took months to get through. Had to take controller meds and do nebulizer home treatments, stayed at home unless I had an obligation to be somewhere.

Still on those meds. 

December 2019

Memorized VA 13 forms adapted Tai chi

Currently Physical and Manual Therapy is a part of my life as is home program exercise.I will flesh this out some more and give some more detail as time goes by. I will review the first half of 2020. 

In another post.

But in the mean time things are truly looking up.

Why We Serve

Why We Serve

We serve those around us

because we get to make a difference

to those around us by:

-sharing knowledge

-sharing skills.

We get to relieve the suffering of the wounded.

We get to clothe the naked.

We get to witness the healing of the sick.

We get to bring light into the darkness.

We get to educate the unlearned.

We get to free the captive.

We get to welcome the warn torn soldier home.

We get to serve others and

give the best of us to them,

because we are in the

service of our GOD.

My main desire is to serve and help others,

what else can give such great joy.

I am going to share more of my vision in seeking to serve those around me.

Building this business really is not about me getting what I want, but more about helping those I am working with reach their goals in their own way and time.

It is all about YOU, not me.

What are your goals.

Life-Changing Paths

October was filled with new and exciting things.

I was able to attend my first NASM Optima conference in Scottsdale Arizona.

It was a really neat and educational experience I learned so much.

I was able to connect with old friends and make some new ones.

This last Thursday though we had a huge life change-Job change.

My husband lost his job.

Luckily, he had reserve drill this weekend. This was good for him.

I am not unhappy or sad or worried.

Why?

Because Heavenly Father has it all in His hands, it will all work out. no one would ever think you could feel such peace when your husband tells you I lost my job, but I did.

Monday we both applied for jobs at several places.

Today looking, I may consider going back to school to get my athletic training certification.

Many places are hiring athletic trainers. As long as there are sports (athletes and weekend warriors) there will be a need.

Please look to my education pages, for up coming office hours and events.

On to the next adventure....

The rest of August and September Updates.

Well It has been since August since  I was last here.

Most of August I was busy with kids getting ready for Utah College of Massage Therapy.
One graduated the basic level and two entered to become Massage Therapists.

Pretty getting paperwork and all done for them was a major portion of my work.

September Brought my favorite event doTERRA's International Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah.
With over 30,000+ in attendance.

The new essential oils and products brought forth were amazing.

The system for helping new people discover doTERRA was absolutely needed. No more confusion one united system and vocabulary.

The best and most heart warming part was the hygiene kits that were done.

The donations made to Operation Underground Railroad and the expansion upon the process of reintegration of those who have been through those events was awe inspiring. I am glad this company gives so much back and so much to those who share it. Who in turn give even more back to those around them.

Please see doterra.com for more info on Humanitarian efforts.

Please talk to me if you would like to learn ho to become a member and become better able to serve your fellow man.

The Next 2 years- August 9, 2017

Finally after asking for my doctors to talk they finally got together and did just that about my ankle reconstruction surgeries.
confirmation that I should go ahead with their recommendation and approval of the 2 year course.

I will give my self a shot every night for the next two years in the upper thighs and lower abdomen, rotating sites of course. I will put a picture in later of my bruises. Yes I bruise easily but I am getting better.  Years ago I did Vitamin B12 shot in my thighs. So I know how to do shots, plus I have family with diabetes.

My goals for this 2 year stint is to see my bone mineral density go up, with the happy side effect that my lumbar and greater trochanter will increase also to be normal versus osteopenic.

My fitness plans are pool running and exercise doing what want to do on land in the water first.
Balance exercises on land with in reason.

I will also review and test items for transport of this hormone treatment.

Forteo.com has more info. ( I am not an affiliate of the company nor am I receiving anything from them.)
In short it is a parathyroid hormone and must be kept between 2-8 degree C (36 -46 degrees F).
It is perishable. they say during my 28 day use it can be out a max of 36 hours total. But I am not taking any chances. I want this course of treatment over in 2 years.

This drug helps build and lay down new bone without interfering with the body's natural bone resorption process (recycling of old bone into new bone).

I have used bio-phosphates in the past but had issues with it tearing up my gut and acid reflux after a while even when following the instructions to the letter.

I will test out my travel gear over the next two months. I will report how that goes.

If you have anything you want to ask, Send it to me.

Extended care program

UPDATE: I am now working out just to get back basic functioning without pain after surgery. I have gained weight and struggled with overwhelming fatigue episodes for the past decade plus. I have had Bilateral Fasciotomies (Dec 2012- Jan 2013) and recently ankle reconstructions and bracing(Feb & Apr 2017). These have changed my world both personally and as a Personal trainer. Being told I am not to run or be in an unstable environment has been the pits. I did these procedures so I could run again. My Bones are very soft near the ankle, so until bone mineral density is higher-they say no.

Recommendation form the doctor are more calcium citrate and vitamin D3.
Other suggested recommendations are home made bone broth with collagen.
Stay away from Gluten and other known digestive irritants for myself.
A very simple natural diet.
Some herbal supplements to support healthy bone.

Currently I have switched from the therapy at Logan Regional Hospital to Mountain West Therapy at the The Sports Academy and Racquet club in Logan, UT, because they have a warm therapy pool. Granted I miss the treadmill pool at the hospital, but there is more flexibility in timing. I can go more often without paying more. The extended care program offered through the club in partnership with Mountain West Therapy is really a good deal. Gives you access to all of their facility, other than those services and private lessons, etc that have a fee. MY husband has access because of an agreement with his employer and the club of pay per use fee.

I will write more as a review as I get to know the facility better. Right my main use has been the Therapy and indoor pool, plus locker room as amenities there.

Dry Sauna, Hot tub, Steam room

I will forgo the steam room for now. Past experience has been these rooms are not maintained as they should be and harbor mold types. I am sensitive to these, we will see on a day they are doing maintenance if I choose to go in or not.

The doctor recommended I take up swimming, but it does currently hurt my ankle to actually kick when I swim. So water walking and running in the pool are my options. I can walk on land as long as it is a level stable surface. Bicycling is ok Stationary depending on whether upright or recumbent or spin cycle. It seems that certain manufacturers forgot the short people. So far the spin bike is the best fit. The elliptical did not feel good on my ankles. My feet were picking up as they moved back.

I really just want to run again without pain