GeorgeLesley

Stroke Survivor - male
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  1. GeorgeLesley
    Yesterday was a busy day, driving to Duluth and back in snow. But the news was good. Went to OT for the Saeboflex. She asked how I was doing, hadn't seen her in over a week. I smiled and said let me shake your hand. We shook hands, she started really laughing, and the Saeboflex never came out of the bag. As we left, she asked if I needed any adjustments to the Saebo, I laughed and said you are talking to the Gizmo, Gadget Guy. She laughed and said just keep on doing what you are doing. I will.
     
    What she did spend her time doing was a new (to me anyway) therapy called something like Grafton I think. she spread a cream on my fingers and messaged each knuckle, then used a metal rod to work out the bad stuff. I think she called it facia or something like that. I was more interested in the results she was achieving than the names of the therapies. The good news: my fingers moved almost into a complete fist (90%). I thought the thumb had full range of motion before, but it really does now. Could even bend the index finger at the last joint. Absolutely amazing. The bad news: This morning some of the movement has been lost, I suspect the bad stuff facia? has moved back in, she said it will take time. Next time I'll be more agressive about moving the fingers the rest of the day after the treatment. I got lazy. I guess. I am confident that additional treatments will continue to restore my finger movement. I'll write more about this as I do it. She said she just went to a weekend seminar on this in January. I thanked her for giving up her weekend, I appreciate the results.
     
    On to the Dr. appt, actually she is a PA, but many years of stroke experience. All the numbers look great, a few potential clouds on the horizon, (don't we all have some), but nothing of immediate concern. She did ask me to speak at an OT conference in Oct and also a stroke survivor conference in Oct. Assuming I can get to Duluth then I'll do it. Not sure what I have to say that would help anyone, but if asked I'll try. I also gave her several websites, including this one, to look at. I also told her about several gizmo's and gadgets she had not heard about. Amazing how much info is available to us today.
     
    Long entry today. sorry. But talking to the Drs I now talk to I realize that we, and our caregivers are our own best advocate. We must be deeply involved in our own care. We get 15-30 min a month with a Dr. We have hours every day to do our own research. We must educate ourselves so that we at least know the right questions to ask. The time with medical professionals is precious, spend it asking the right questions, not talking about our grandchildren as we all want to do. For those unable to do your own research, this forum is a great place to start.
     
    I found the same thing with my first wife and her breast cancer and diabetes. By the time she died, I could have probably taught a diabetes education class. During her cancer treatments, I found new treatments even her Oncologist didn't know about, and he offered to try and get her into them. In the end, it didn't matter, she died anyway, but she was the first in our area to get a device implanted in her chest so I could vacuum out the fluid building up around her lungs at home. Not tooting my own horn, this is not about me, it is about each of us taking control as much as possible of our own situation. As I started my research on this new affliction in my life, I told my wife I don't want to chase straws, but I don't want to overlook a straw that might help me, either.
     
    Man have I been blessed. Two great wives in one lifetime. How lucky can one guy be? 28 years with the first one and I hope at least as long with the second one. I don't do this marriage thing very often.
     
    Anyway, the sun is rising over a few fresh inches of overnight snow, temp is -5 outside, and I get my Neuromove today. It qualifies as a gizmo, since it is pretty complicated. I hope this simple brain of which there is now less, can figure it out. Didn't have much brain to start with, really can't afford to lose anymore. As chatty as I get, I am sure I'll have lots to tell about the Neuromove. Also have several other gadgets to talk about in the future, but enough for today.
  2. GeorgeLesley
    Still struggling with the senselessness of my aunt's death. Ya I know, she was over 80, lived a good life, had three successful children, 64 years with one man, happy, but a fall in the night killing her? Could happen to any of us anytime. Anyway she'd want me to move on and not dwell on her passing, so I'll try.
     
    Did the ususal exercise yesterday. The hand continues to show real improvement. Finger strength continues to improve. Dexterity still leaves a bit to be desired. Can't move all the fingers at all joints, particuarly the last joint. Still a work in progress. Only been at it a week. The Saeboflex really is not designed to fix all of that. But grip strength, well it really helps that. The Neuromove should be in this week or so, more exercise then, only two months to go until fishing season starts. Assuming the water is soft by then. Still two feet of ice on most lakes at the moment. The canoe is still frozen to the ground, but we did see 50 yesterday.
     
    We are building a brick bread/pizza oven outside this spring. We put the foundation in last fall to let it settle over the winter. As always, if I can figure out how to post a picture, I'll do it after it is built. The wife says any and all of you are welcome to come and make bread/pizza with her, she loves the company. If you are up to it we can have that race down our driveway I spoke of earlier. I will even consider giving a head start, depending on situation. I refuse to use the "H" word. If you use a walker we might shorten the 800' to say 25' or so.
     
    BTW, for those interested, you can see our photos of our house, travels and the area at www.georgelesley.smugmug.com. I would make it a link if I was smart enough to do it. I may post future pics there, I know how to do that. May not post tomorrow, we are off to Duluth (125 miles for guess what, a Dr. and OT appointment). Got to leave at 6AM.
     
    Musing for the day: I didn't make the rules for the game of life, nor even ask to play, but since I am here I am playing the cards I have been dealt as best I can, even though some of the hands are not particularly good. The next hand may be better. Keep on keeping on!
  3. GeorgeLesley

    Sad day

    By GeorgeLesley,

    Going to hard to be super motivated today. I just got a call that an aunt of mine died rather unexpectedly. She was about 80, had cardio problems, but all was going very well according to Dr. She got up during the night, fell, hit her head on a table, and because of Cumiden in blood, developed a massive brain bleed and died. Married 64 years. Crap. They have a cabin up here and she and my wife had planned a bread baking party this summer. Not to be. All I can say is live everyday like it might be your last. It just might be. If this doesn't motivate all of us to get on with it, I can't help. Her name is Melba. For those of you that pray, a prayer is appreciated. For those of you who don't, your thoughts are appreciated. Thanks. George
  4. GeorgeLesley

    A New Day

    By GeorgeLesley,

    I start a new day feeling better about the possibilities of life and the future. The arm and shoulder pain have receded. The hand grip strength has dramatically improved in all fingers. Still a long way to go, but much better. I can now make the wife wince when I grip her hand. Before all I got was a smile and "thats good dear". I can now touch all fingers with the thumb, although touching the little pinkie takes a lot of effort. Could not do that two days ago. The Saeboflex is helping. I really squeeze the balls hard now when I move them.
     
    Did the Bowflex and bike again yesterday and the left side spacisity have improved. Definately cancelling the Botox sked for later this month. Have heard it weakens the muscles, sure don't want to do that. Speaking of the Bowflex, sorry guy and gals, but the models with perfect 6 pack abs do not come with it, even as an extra cost option.
     
    It is fun getting up earlier now and watching the sun rise as it now marches to the North a bit more each day. We actually had rain last night, spring is soon coming, got to keep exercising so I can lift the canoe. Assuming I am successful I'll post a picture of me carrying it if I can figure out how to post it. Probably have to ask Jean how to do it, she has been very helpful guiding me thru these computer challenges.
     
    I have a gadget I want to share with you. When I returned from the hosp I could not zip up my jacket. Just couldn't hold the left side to do the zipper. The wife sewed a loop on the bottom of the jacket near the left side of the zipper. This enabled me to put my thumb thru it and hold the jacket tight on the left side so I could zip it up alone. Still was hard, but it worked. Used it for a month or so, now I have enough grip to do it normally. The loop will stay on the jacket as a reminder of where I have come from. Effort pays off eventually. In future entries I want to talk about how to set realistic goals for yourself. More later, time to do the Sudoko puzzle for the day, then morning Saeboflex exercise, then Bowflex, etc. Did I mention breakfast and a second cup of coffee?
  5. GeorgeLesley
    Jean, tried to post reply to your question, not successful, still learning this blog thing. Anyway, an OT will fit you initially, lots of measurements, etc, then will adjust for you upon delivery. The good news is that it works, at least for me. Your results may vary. After two days of use, the hand is much less swollen, can actually see the tendons again. May actually be able to get the ring off again soon. The fingers are straighter than they have been since the stroke. I can hold the hands together as in praying (probably not a bad idea to do more of that) and now the fingers touch, except for the index finger, together all the way. The index finger still has a tiny bit of crook in it but getting better every treatment. It takes a lot of adjustment, good if you or your caregiver are are mechanically inclined. I think the adjustments may be part of the therapy. I have found using a lighter spring is better, 45 minutes of a heavy spring gets tiring quickly. If you can use it at all, this thing will definitely increase your grip strength. I can now do the side to side finger separation, interupted the movie we were watching last night to show the wife the "Mr Spock" of star trek peace sign, gapping the two middle fingers. First time I could do that since the stroke. Not sure the wife was impressed, but I was. Still have a lot to spasity (sp) in the hand and wrist, but less than before. A least the fingers don't look or feel like overstuffed sausages anymore. Reading this forum I have come to realize that I was just a few neurons away from being a lot worse off than I am. Kudos to those fighting tougher battles than I ever could every day. The doctors say my stroke would have been worse except I was in pretty good shape at the time, ate right, cholesterol was good, non-smoker, Normal weight, etc. I really don't believe that. A stroke is what it is. I had no control over which vessels clotted off. I do think that my general condition has helped my recovery though. It sure would be easy to give up and let my caregiver do it all. But yesterday was a busy day, PT in AM then a "I am exhausted nap", then snow blowed the driveway for one hour, then the Bowflex and exercise bike for an hour, shower (need them often, I sweat more now), then the Saeboflex for 45 minutes. Slept well indeed. Will talk more abouit the Bowflex later, great machine, use it everyday. Also have a few more gizmos and gadgets to talk about. More later, time for the AM Saeboflex session.
  6. GeorgeLesley

    Got it!

    By GeorgeLesley,

    Finally got my Saeboflex yesterday. It is quite a fancy gizmo. Lot's of springs, adjustments, etc. The bad news is that it will require much work and effort on my part. This is particularly distressing because I am a pretty lazy person. I can lay down right beside work and not be bothered by it. Now I actually have to do more each day. Ugh! In fact, the OT said that she went to a stroke support meeting to show the device and was not well received. Most there felt it was too complicated and took too much work. Surprise! Everything in rehab is hard work and takes effort. We all wish we could take a pill, go to sleep and wake up tomorrow with everything being OK. My Dr. does not have such a pill. I think we can get into a comfort zone and not want to be disappointed again, so we stay where we are. I tried the mad, sad, why me, woe is me routine, but still felt bad the next day. In fact, I felt worse because I was too upset to sleep. Sorry, but to get better we will all have to keep working at it. Not fair, wish it wasn't so, but that is the way it is. Dr says my days of playing the piano are over (never did anyway), but hopefully I'll be able to build things with my beloved Erector sets again. With just one session I already see a bit of improvement in the left hand. Just having it around has made me focus on using the left hand more. I am now more aware of it. Anyway, I've got to get busy and do my morning session with the Saebo flex, fishing season opens in May, and this is the first day of the rest of my life!
  7. GeorgeLesley

    First post

    By GeorgeLesley,

    I have decided to take admin's suggestion and create a blog. I'll continue to post as GeorgeLesley, but called this blog what I want the focus of the blog to be. I am a former car mechanic and general handyman. I am trying some of the gadgets and things we all hear of, and will post the results here. Hopefully others will post about their experiences as well. First up is the Saeboflex I already posted about. Should receive it and start therapy within a week or so. BTW, the OT is in Duluth, MN, 125 miles away. I drive part of the way, the wife takes over in the city. I also ordered the Neuromove and it is due to be shipped next week. I also tried the Walkaide and posted about it already. Suffice to say, it worked, but too many $$ for now. I have many general musings like we all do, will slip them in as the urge strikes. Hopefully we can all benefit from this, I'll do my best to keep the spelling errors to a minimum. I'll post every few days at first, then as warranted. I'll get to the bio later, can only do so much now. Thanks for reading, GeorgeLesley
  8. GeorgeLesley
    Was going to wait a few days for this, but can't. We are off to Duluth, MN tomorrow AM for the initial fitting for my Saeboflex. Also got approval from ins co for botox treatments, scheduled for sometime later this month (wife does scheduling, I just show up at the appointed time/place). Also got a new gizmo in today, a fingernail clipper with round ends like scissors. I can hold them with my affected hand and actually was able to clip my nails on my good hand with the left (bad) hand. One more job my over-enabling wife will not have to do anymore. Took me awhile, had to nibble my way across each nail but got it done. I want to develop the enabling caregiver thought in another entry later, maybe have some discussion about it then. Early to bed tonight, 5:30 comes early!
  9. GeorgeLesley

    So much to say

    By GeorgeLesley,

    Another good day so far. I'll try to make this short. but I have so much to say. First, anything I do, be careful. Do not do anything that hurts or is unsafe for you. If your Dr or therapist do not agree, DON'T DO IT. If I can be an inspiration to any of you, that's good. If you try to emulate me and hurt yourself, that's bad. Example: my friend Mike, survivor I met in Rehab, still call each other every day. Mike told me he could lift 10lb with his bad hand. I tried it and hurt my shoulder and set myself back a week. The saying "no pain, no gain" is not true for us. If it hurts or is unsafe don't do it. OK enough of the warnings. Now to the latest info. The hand continues to improve. If I hold the hand quiet on a pillow sitting on the couch, it almost feels like a regular hand. Spasisity is much reduced, swelling way down, numbness in fingers reduced. I can hold the fingers straight, grip is improving. Actually using left hand to help type this. I think the Bowflex exercise is also helping this. Really trying to resume normal activities, think that is important. Sleeping in til 9AM, getting up and having breakfast, then exercisng, checking email, watch some TV, eat lunch, nap, exercise, eat supper, watch TV go to bed, that is no life. Got to return to normal. Now getting up at around 6AM, shopping, work outside, housework, read a bit. Do a sudoku puzzle (takes longer now) live normal life. You must, within your safe abilities, challenge yourself. Example: when I got home from hospital in late Dec 06, could not stand on left foot and balance. Tried everyday. Now I can do it for 20 or 30 seconds. Just keep trying. Regaining my balance is essential to do the canoeing I will do next summer. I try this standing by the bed and make sure I fall into it when I lose balance. which I always do. Mike and I have challenged each other to a race down our driveway (800' long) next summer. I will now extend that challenge to any other stroke survivors, if it is safe for you to do so. We have a spare bedroom, the wife is a great cook, the area is beautiful, and the house is now handicap friendly. A word of warning: I don't like to lose so I will train very hard. No cameras allowed as it could be the world's ugliest race ever! A word on spasity. It seems to lessen with exercise. About exercise, I would not wait until Botox wears off before starting. You can do more with less spasity. And for you ladies, I know strength training is not your thing, but to build or regain muscle mass and strength you have no alternative. Treadmills and bikes are good for what they do, but if you want to regain arm and leg strength, you must weight train those limbs. Not fun, but they won't get better just thinking about it. That's why I so love my Bowflex, smooth resistance training, much easier than theraband strechy stuff. I have put all of mine away. I'll talk more about this soon, this entry has gone on long enough. Bye for now, time to run the dog and then AM Saeboflex session.
  10. GeorgeLesley
    Ah, a day of rest, sort of. No Bowflex exercise today. I ususally do three days on one day off. Today is an off day. Yippee! Actually, I enjoy doing the Bowflex, have a hard time doing the exercise bike first, because I really want to do the Bowflex. I think doing it three days in a row is probably a bit much, should probably do every other day, but I really want to get better fast. Once my left arm catches up to the right arm, or at least where the right arm was when I started, I'll back off to every other day. I did back off the resistance a bit on the left arm yesterday, the shoulder told me I was going too fast. No such luck for the right arm or legs yesterday, I increased resistance for both. The reasons I like the Bowflex so much are: no heavy weights to lift, setting up the various exercises is good therapy (isn't everything), I can simulate virtually all exercises PT has given me to do with Theraband with it, and I can set different resistance for each side. They are not cheap, we had ours about six months prior to stroke, and it mostly collected dust. Now it gets regular use.
     
    We got one of the lesser models, you don't need all the bells and whistles, we got the Motivator II model, it may not be in production anymore, but they are still around. Anyway, about the Saeboflex. No day off for it. Insurance is getting their money's worth. Fingers remain straight, and not swollen. 45 minutes twice a day is a lot to do, but so far, worth it. Finger strength and grip are improving. I can now open a ziplock bag, or a string cheese package. You know, the individually wrapped round 6" long cheese strips. It is hard, but I can now do it without using my teeth. Look mom, two hands. Yea Saeboflex. The thumb now moves normally, and the tightness in the palm leading to the thumb is nearly gone. In it's place is a skinny palm. Discouraging how much muscle mass I lost in all members in ony three months of inactivity. The good news is that with what I am doing now, it is coming back sloooooowly. Even the right (good) arm lost much strength. Since I have started my exercise regimen, it has doubled in strength, don't be impressed, it was weak to start, doubling a small number is easy. BTW, a non stroke item, we finally got some snow last week, about one foot of much needed new snow. We now have about two feet of snow cover. Between the daily feedings I give it (that part still works fine, thank you very much, no more Colace for me) and the new snow cover, the septic should not freeze now.
     
    Tomorrow I'll tell you about a new gadget I got the other day. BTW, a gizmo is something like the Saeboflex, or other more involved device, a gadget is something simple, like a shoehorn, etc. (my blog, so my definitions).
  11. GeorgeLesley
    Today is a back to work day. This morning I paid the price for not doing much yesterday. My left arm was tighter than an overstretched rubber band. Think I'll make today a fairly light day, no new records, but a good workout to get the spacisity under control again. The good news, The left hand almost closes into a fist now, and I have some strength returning to the little pinkie finger. Still isn't a great fist, and I won't hurt anybody if I hit them with it (might hurt myself), but it is much better than a week ago. First week Saebo summary: fingers now straight, except index finger still has slight crook in it. I think I might have a tendon that shortened , might have to live with that. Thumb now moves in all directions at will, lower palm tightness to thumb pretty much gone, strength in all fingers improved, especially little pinkie, can now make 3/4 fist, better than 1/3 fist a week ago. Swelling geatly reduced, feeling in fingers more (but not completely) normal now. Tightness in wrist less than before, still there somewhat. Opinion: a lot of work, but it is working. Moving balls back and forth for 45 min twice a day is not exciting, but using the left hand to help type this makes it worth it.
     
    Yesterday I promised a report on a new gadget. Sorry non fishermen, but this is a fishing gadget. It is a fish grabber. Really neat, the wife is happy I got four of them. You slip your hand into it and it grips the fish in a firm but non hurting way, allowing me to remove the hook safely It is called the fish grabber and is available from HyPark Specialty.com Minnetonka, MN. They have some other neat stuff as well. I promise the next gizmo or gadget will apply to more of us.
     
    Should be getting the Neuromove in next week or so and will give reports on it here as well.
     
    Weather wise, we have been sunny and up to 40 during the days, some melting going on, may be able to try and get the canoe up off the ground again soon. Not really an urgent matter, the water is still hard here anyway and will be for the next six weeks or so. and fishing season doesn't open intil mid May.
     
    BTW, the balance is getting better, yesterday did 30 seconds nearly still on the left foot, no support. Two months ago could not do it at all. Keep on keeping on!!
  12. GeorgeLesley
    We just got back from Duluth (250 mile round trip), I drove down, she drove back, wife and I are bushed. Will give a full report tomorrow, lots of really good stuff to report. I think I just got dealt a better hand (really).
  13. GeorgeLesley
    A short entry today. To those who were kind enough to comment on yesterdays marathon story, I answered your comments on that blog. Thank you. Today so far, a good day. Last night Lesley and I booked mom's trip from New Zealand to here in August. She will stay until mid November. I can already taste the bread from the oven and other goodies she always fixes. She will be staying in Los Angles for a few weeks on each end of the trip visiting relatives there.
     
    Today I am off to another lake with a friend. This we hope will be a special day. This lake is not fished apparently at all. To entry point is completely grown over. It has the local reputation of being full of small northern pike and nothing else. The DNR surveys have revealed nothing else. We went there a few weeks ago just to chase small pike and have some fun. To our surprise, my friend lost a huge walleye. It was so large I tried to net it for him (not an easy thing to do from the front of a canoe), and it was too large to fit in his small net and got off. We both were speechless. Shortly thereafter a large one followed my lure right up to the canoe and scared the #@%$# out of me.
     
    Getting into this lake is a challenge. It is all weeds, muck, mud, trees, etc, at the edge. I am taking some plywood scraps along so we can stand on them with a shovel and make our own path in. We plan to do it in another area away from the present landing, so as not to be easily seen by others. We would just as soon keep this one our secret if possible and let all the locals continue to think the lake is full of small pike. Walleyes are a prized fish up here, and if found out, the lake, which is small would see a lot of fishing. My friend and I are sworn to secrecy.
     
    At least today I won't be alone, still no cell phone coverage, (I don't have one anyway, they don't work in most areas here), but my friend will be with me. We plan to fish until dark or after, that is the best time for walleyes, or until we limit out if we are so lucky. We are going in at noon, just to give us time to hack our way in, and once there use my portable depth finder to learn the lake and find the promising spots hopefully.
     
    Well, I promised this would be a short story and so it shall be. Time to get my gear ready, I will be taking a larger net today.
  14. GeorgeLesley
    Just a short entry to catch up on some comments kindly made on previous entries. Fred, that seems a bit high a quote for just a room, but if it is being added on to the outside it would cost more I guess, still seems high to me.
     
    Maria, sounds like your husband and I would get along very well. I can sit right down next to work being done and not be bothered by it. Watching the two lads moving all that material from the garage to the basement last week was a joy to see.
     
    Now lets see, the comet dust questions. I agree with Bstockman, it likely aids gravity in the "sagging" process. I think it weakens the tissue fibers that are supposed to hold things up. As far as overcoming the cumulative effects of gravity, well that will require some more thought.
     
    Dust devils, well it would seem like comet dust probably adds to them. good observation Kathy.....
     
    If we think about it, I am sure there are many things we can attribute to comet dust. If we note when these things occur most often, we can probably determine when we are passing thru some and maybe take shelter in a lead lined room or something.
     
    Soon I will discuss how we can solve some more problems, but enough for now. Time for a mind refreshing thought provoking nap.
     
     
     
     
     
     
  15. GeorgeLesley
    This will be the conclusion of my thoughts on how to achieve the best health we can. The previous entry was to give you the context of how and why I got into the subject in the first place, thus all the personal stuff. This entry will hopefully provide some ideas and at least questions you may wish to ask your doctors in the future.
     
    As I see it there are some roadblocks we all face on the road to good health. First is that doctors are not trained much and do not practice much preventative medicine. The insurance system we have pays them to fix things that have broken, but does not pay much for preventing things not to break. Some examples: we all know about getting our blood glucose level checked. That will likely tell you if you are a diabetic or not or are at least borderline A12 helps do that as well. There is another test however that can often give you a much earlier warning and give you time to possibly avoid becoming a diabetic in the first place. That test is checking your fasting blood insulin level. That tells you how hard the pancreas is working to maintain the correct glucose level. If it is going up over time you can take measures to prevent type 2 diabetes in the first place. I asked our local doc to test Lesley and I both. He told me that before medicare would pay for the test he had to find a medical reason to do the test. I told him my grandmother was a type 1 diabetic. He then tested both of us, as Lesley’s mum was also diabetic. A good healthy range is between 2-5. I was 2.7, Lesley was 2.6. The point is that if this were a usual part of annual physicals, much sickness could be avoided in advance. I asked the doc why this was not routinely done and he said “George if I have 100 patients there would only be 2 or 3 like you that actually want to know these things”. I could give you many other stories like this but I hope you get the idea.
     
    The next roadblock we face are the drug companies. We must remember their primary focus is making a profit. Remember that we as patients want pills that instantly and easily fix our problem. Thus, that is what they try to provide. They make little money telling us to eat better and exercise more. That is one reason we are running out of antibiotics. We only use them for short durations occasionally. The companies would prefer to develop drugs that we will take for the rest of our lives for chronic conditions.
     
    The third roadblock is the food industry. To be fair, the food industry is happy to make whatever food we demand, be it healthy or not. The problem is that we want the lowest price possible and so that is what we get. Mass produced food where quantity is more important than quality. We also want it to taste great and last a long time. No wonder modern food is full of sugar, preservatives, chemical flavorings, cheap substitutes for real food.
     
    The last roadblock is the person we see in the mirror. You may have picked up some of the things from what I have already written, that are self imposed, because that is what we want or are willing to pay for. So what should we do? If having the best health we can is important to us, there are some things we can do. If you are happy as you are about your health, skip this section. If you would like some ideas on how to improve your health, I suggest you have a serious talk with your doctor. There are many books, videos, and courses you can do. Ask the doc for more tests that are forward looking and preventative in nature no just looking for things that are broken or about to break. I suggest a complete lipid test that measures the particle size among other things, blood insulin test, and others as the doc sees fit and ask questions, like what is the optimal range for this test. In our medical system normal only means your level of something is within the range of 95% of the population at large for a given area or state. It even varies by state. So “normal” and healthy are different words with different implications for your health. If you live in an area with high diabetes, having a “normal” glucose level may not mean much. Interestingly more research is coming out all the time proving that more and more health conditions can be mitigated, helped, or sometimes even reversed by just eating healthier food. I could give you many examples including my own battle with colitis, but do your own research as this entry has gone on long enough.
     
    Well that is what I have learned in the past two years, the road took me to places I never knew existed. I hope this has given some the motivation to seek out better food and health care in general. Please note that none of this is intended to apply to anyone in particular or be considered medical advice. As always, get advice and counsel from a doctor before implementing any changes. 
     
    Tea time