July 11, 2014 Are you going to age with grace?

Well, long time, right?  I've been working hard on getting better, and made a decision not to share again until we had been on our new treatment for six months.  We started in January, so I guess time is up.  I'd have to say that we are much better!  I'd venture to say that the chemical sensitivity issues have cleared up by maybe 60-75%!  Wow.  It's been a long road.

We are still travelling the road to health of course.  I'm realizing that with our genetic makeup, perhaps 75% is about tops for us :)  I'll take that.  And don't think I've ever given up on the 100%, of course.  But with chronic issues, it's best to go with what today brings.

What have we learned over the past few months?
1. You get through the bad days on God's grace.  Every time I have a day that I think I just cannot get through, God shows up big time for me.  I'm generally cheerful, but there have been a couple of dark days.  And every. single. time. that I have a really really dark one (not just a bad or stressful day - those I can handle), God gives me a gift.
2. Chemical sensitivity is multi-faceted.  It is a physical illness.  It is a genetic condition. It includes a specific sort of brain malfunction, causing the brain to over-react physically to chemicals/fragrances/mold, etc.  It has to be treated from several directions at once - genetic testing, medications to help the body detox the liver, organ support for those parts of your body being attacked, allergy identification, intolerance identification, brain retraining, specific supplements, diet changes, living changes, lifestyle changes, etc.  It's a long row to hoe.  A very long row.
3. Genetics are ridiculously intriguing, convoluted, confusing, and marvelous.  But thanks to certain tests, we now know how to better help our bodies.  And we know some answers to certain questions (ie types of B12 that work for us, what sorts of supplements our bodies need since we genetically cannot make certain crucial elements that other people make, and so on).  Still a long way to go with this, but my brain can only handle so much at a time.
4. Post traumatic stress syndrome.  Hits at weird times for odd reasons.
5. It is amazing how little we can survive upon.  And amazing how awesome it feels to have certain extras again, like a couch.  And a bed.  Ohhhhhh yeah.  And central vacuums are the bomb. LOVE. THEM.

So, that's where I'll stop on the health update.  We are doing so much better.  But mostly I don't think about it.  We have constant blips that tumble us down hills, but I've learned to just sit for a moment to shake off the stress of the fall, lean on God, get up, and keep on walking.

The title of this post actually comes from the group Bastille, one of my current favorites.

Are you going to age with grace?
Are you going to age without mistakes?
Are you going to age with grace?
Or only to wake and hide your face?

I just want to age with grace. I'll make mistakes, but that's ok.  I make a ton of mistakes every day.  Sometimes I pay big time health-wise.  But again, that's ok, because I have God's grace.  Here's hoping we can all age with grace.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."