Change Of Pace

Good Saturday Evening, December 1, 2018 @ 19:47:14. I am sitting in my chamber watching the gauge climb. My left ear is not wanting to adjust yet but I will continue to work with it. Since winter weather has arrived I do not need the extra cold packs inside the chamber. I continue to use my personal fan. I direct the blower to my  neck and sometimes rotate it to the back of my neck while I am in my dives. Oxygen is flowing and the chamber is fully inflated. There is a special valve at the top of my chamber that regulates the air to maintain the 1.3 ATA.  I still put a large ice pack in the bucket close to where the concentrator tubes attach to the chamber to cool the air that is being blown in. I am feeling the cooled air and it is very pleasant. All systems are good. My left ear has adjusted to the dive. Yahoo!

Change Of Pace. Do you realize that every time change happens, everything else in your life has to adjust to it? Exactly! That’s where I am today. These changes are also occurring in D because he’s in this journey with me.

Change Of Pace talks about a change from what was once common or normal/routine. I must change what I am accustomed to. My daily routine has been altered. I will have to develop a whole new mindset and practice it well in order to accomplish my intended goals.

Change Of Pace. It all began with us purchasing this hyperbaric chamber in mid-summer. We had to make room for the chamber. Then we had to set it up. Then we had to learn how to use it properly. Today is my 60th dive. I have dived a total of 119 hours. It has become a vital part of my recovery. I am pleased and will gladly continue my dives. I have noticed that I receive mental clarity and feel rejuvenated after each dive. I also enjoy the confines of this vertical chamber. It is large enough for me to sit very comfortably in a chair and still have the freedom to stand up and even circle the chair if I desire. The two windows keep me in touch with the world that I find comfort and peace in. The oxygen mask is comfortable and presents no problems to breathing.

Change Of Pace. It is 6 weeks since I had my three-day clinical treatment protocol. It was quite an experience! Multiple procedures were accomplished. Intranasal protein rich plasma and stem cell therapy, NAC therapy, iv nutritional therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, cranial osteotherapy, nasal cranial release, light therapy, alpha stimulation, music-based therapy, neck pain injections, MCT oil and other nutritional supplements, Ketogenic diet, a whole bunch of education and encouragement was provided me while I was treated by Dr John Hughes, Dr Dave and Kirk. D was able to be there too so he had the opportunity to learn about the multimodal, regenerative approach to recovery from traumatic brain injury first-hand. I left Basalt, CO not knowing what the future held but I was determined to recover! I was to continue hyperbaric oxygen therapy 5-7 hours per week. I came home with a number of supplements designed to assist me in a number of ways. Ginger for the terrible intestinal issues I have had since my fall at work. Intranasal insulin treatment done at night for 10 days. A special supplement to take when I experienced any head pain. 1 Tbsp of MCT oil daily, Rx for additional therapies to assist in my recovery. And two urinalysis kits to check for certain markers that Dr Hughes suspected.

Change Of Pace. Dr Hughes has an excellent associate. Her name is Dr Rachelle. She has been following up with me since I returned home. She has encouraged me every time that we have talked by phone. Last week Dr Rachelle called me with the results of the first urinalysis. O my goodness! My body is messed up. But it is in repair. I will change my lifestyle in every way to accomplish recovery!

Change Of Pace. Dr Rachelle is certain that I am positive for celiac disease. I have written previously that when I was just 18 days old that I had nearly died. I was introduced to baby cereal at that young age. So dear ones, I am to make sure that no foods that contain gluten are ever eaten again. I have been attempting a gluten-free diet for about three years now, but today I have a very good reason to act on this new lifestyle. Dr Rachelle also informed me that I am positive for candida. So here is my new diet: No gluten, no grain (I can eat organic oats on occasion), no dairy, no added sugars. Yep! I need to learn a new way of eating that consists mainly of whole food proteins, certain veggies and fruit, and specific fats. I will be getting rid of all packaged foods like pasta and crackers. Most of our canned goods and jarred foods are already g-f and organic but I will need to pay more attention to the additives in those prepared foods. Dr Rachelle also told me that my serotonin levels are very low. I pretty much knew that, but the labs confirmed it. I am to supplement with Co Q 10 and Vitamin C and also begin drinking electrolyte-rich water. She provided me with a list of the supplements that she recommends. I am so grateful for Dr Rachelle.

Change Of Pace. I want to get well. I want to know life without all of the limitations that my traumatic brain injury left me with. I want to be able to enjoy living as I have always hoped for. I want to comply with Dr’s orders. I do not want to remain in this limbo-like state of blah. I hope to feel the thrill of living a healthy life and delight in the years I have yet to live. I want to cherish every moment. I hope to know the joy of mutually expressed love with my most precious husband and family. I want to LIVE WELL.

Change Of Pace. And finally dear family and friends, I need your prayers. I need your kind words of encouragement. I need your phone calls. I need your visits. I need to touch the living and active and passionate places of life that had been robbed/stolen from me on the day of my work injury; Sunday, March 13, 2016,  and every day that has passed since then. I know that I must travel life’s road but I can not do it alone. I need you. And I know also that you need me too.

Hugs,

Suz