I put the call out on Monday for any questions that you guys might have about living with Chronic Illness or anything else you wanted to know about me. I had a few through email and one through the comments. I am will try to answer all questions as best as possible but will split them up over the next couple of posts so as to not overwhelm you!
Q. What are your non-medical goals for the future? From my darling Cysta (CF Sister), Somer Love (yes, that is her real name!)……
A. I think it is really important to have goals separate from health related stuff. It gives you something to focus on and live for. At the moment I have a couple of major goals… I am thinking of getting into Health and Wellbeing coaching. I obviously have the background and am currently studying to get the “how to” part of it down. I am currently in the process of organising group work through my local neighbourhood centre for people with Chronic Illness and Injury to help them create a realistic Health Management Plan and work on their goals for the future. It will all be pro bono and I hope to help them in many different ways. I will be doing that in the next couple of months and I am really excited about it. I also have a couple of other projects on the go at the moment but most importantly I just want to settle into my new place and then get working on them. I also dream of going to Italy for 3 months for my 30th in 2012. I will keep working hard to able to do that. Thanks Somer!
Q. Do you use any alternative treatments?
A. I think as with everything in life it is important to have balance. I have a large number of treatments as prescribed by my medical team but I have also found benefits from other places not always recognised by conventional medicine. I use pure Essential Oils in an oil burner (an Aromatherapy technique), I find certain oils like peppermint are great for respiratory problems and I have used lavender oil for years for many things ranging from Insomnia to Depression. I regularly get massages as my back muscles get very tight from coughing. I also get Acupuncture on a semi regular basis. As Chronic Illness can have a devastating effect on your hormones and due to some medications I was on, I had extremely low hormone levels. I was offered HRT and both myself and my consultant didn’t think it would be a good idea. In 2008 I found a doctor that specialises in Bio-Identical Hormones and I started them in April 2008. It has made an amazing difference to my energy levels, my headaches, my muscle tone and my appetite. It was a choice I made and it has been one I do not regret. The most important thing is that when you try any new treatment you need to be honest and upfront with your medical team – even if you think they are not going to like it, you must tell them. At the end of the day it is your choice and if it is not going to effect any of your other treatments then go for it. Also any good alternative therapist will never ask you to stop your medications – if they do…. walk. All of the above are complimentary therapies. They are to be used to compliment your current treatments not as your sole treatment plan, they will work best together.
Q. You were assessed for a Lung Transplant, are you listed?
A. No, I am not listed. I was first assessed in 2006 and then again in early 2007. This was due to a severe decline in my lung function and the doctors thought it would be very unlikely I would recover that. Their predication was that if I didn’t have a transplant within two years that I would die. This was obviously upsetting but at the same time, I knew in myself that I could get past this horrible period and that I would be able to recover some of what I had lost. And I have done exactly that through hard work, blood, sweat and lots of tears. I had to get really strict with treatments and not put my head in the sand. I am a much more aware patient and I am now also very grateful for the reprieve that I was given. Lung transplant will most definitely be a part of my future if possible but at the moment I am not there and I am happy about that.
That will do for tonight. I hope that you have found out something new and if you have any other questions please do not hesitate to email me. As I said before, I will be moving house this weekend as well as working next week so I may not be able to post as regularly as normal – I apologise and will aim to be back on board as soon as possible (lets hope Telstra will be in the mood to give me a swift new connection!).
All the best, Lily
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Thanks for sharing these Lills!! How are you feeling?