Old Friends, Kidney Infection and Anger

Journal

As I pound the keys, I will tell you that I’m in a pissy mood right now. The kids keep talking.. “mama… this”, “mama… that” and Ryan has started his “why” stage late in life. Why did it have to hit NOW! I don’t even know why I feel like this. I want to punch something including my face. 

I started a kidney infection yesterday. It’s just progressively gotten worse. I want to just sleep and run away but NO!!!! We have to go be “cheerful” and social. I was so excited to go see some of our best friends, R_ & R_, but now I just want to be left alone.

Arg.

Dinner was crappy. I just through something together. We had sushi rolls. The rice was crunchy (I don’t know why because last night it was great) and wasn’t even sticky rice. Where is my sticky rice bag? I had bought 2 different brands of seaweed to try which one is the best. Well, I FOUND OUT! The stupid things fell apart. You couldn’t even roll them without tearing! Stupid things!

I am slacking on so many things right now. My calling is slow right now so I think I am letting other things slide. 

My house is a mess. I can’t vacuum or mop or mow the lawn or trim my trees so I just haven’t cleaned the bathrooms or watered my plants or finished my projects or….

I still have my emergency preparedness stuff to do. I haven’t sent my monthly email out and am stressing that we or the ward are not prepared. St. George even had a earthquake a week or so ago.

Oh, the (kidney) pain! Ouch. It’s not horrible but enough that it throbs and it sucks. I had to text Danny to tell her what’s up. Mark doesn’t think I should go but I am determined to go. I missed my workout today but it’s ok, I hope.

Well, we are here. So time to be “chipper”. BITE ME.

[I am so grateful for great friends. I don't know why I was so worried. I love R_ & R_. I ended up having so much fun. I have missed them. It really cheered me up and encouraged me more to keep going. Thanks guys!]

I started antibiotics and was doing well the next day. The pain was better but I was nauseated. I told Danny she might get me to puke after all. LOL However, I won!

FrEaK OuT

So I wasn't REALLY freaking out I just have to completely understand things.… Well, maybe a little panicking.

My email: [I cut out many items… not wanting to share all her paid secrets :oD ]

So I have some (or rather a lot) of questions. I understood the plan and think after I left just spaced it all because of everything that is going on. :o/

First on Supplements. I went to get some and just stared in wonder. :o) soo…

[When I was given the list of supplements we were hesitant. We are not ones to take them; believing that they are not necessary. However, we would do what she told us and would give them a try. I can now testify to the benefits of them. I can tell the difference and enjoy using them…

     They only help the natural development of the body. Just as a multi - vitamin substitutes that which our body, now-a-days, doesn’t get in foods & the environment like it’s suppose to.. So do the other items aid in what our body needs while working and building it’s muscles.]


*Multivitamin
*EFA/Omega
*Glucosamine
*Glutamine
*Calcium
*L-Carnitine
*Protein Powder

[I grew up laughing and making fun of those who drank weight loss shakes to replace a meal. I thought it was pointless and ridiculous. I NEVER wanted to be that person (of course I never wanted to be fat either haha)…. Never say “never”…. Protein shakes are now my BFF! Haha. I will probably have them the rest of my life! They are my dessert when I am craving something sweet in the evenings. Berries (though they are a carb I would treat myself at times) & chocolate protein shake; blending with a little water so they are thick like a sorbet. Yum. When I’m in a hurry or don’t want ‘meat’ I grab a couple scoops in water. Fast and easy protein. They are WONDERFUL!]

[So many various questions on foods that I sounded scared (I will spare you the details). haha. Recently, she told me how she wasn’t sure I would make it 2 weeks… I proved her wrong, but pray I can continue to prove her right… with her faith in me.]

I don't want you to think in terms of "good/bad" food, or things you "can/can't" eat... This is not a diet, I want to teach you how to eat and choose foods properly 

however, the best way in the beginning is to keep it simple and choose to eat relatively similar meals, at least initially (boring I know, but get use to it, and just use more spices) [soo true!]

Can nuts be substituted for proteins at snack time?

We always think we can get away with this but no. Nuts are FATS but can be substituted for other FATS; avocados, olive oil, flax seed, egg yolks, other oils, other nuts, nut butter

Can I eat any whole grain breads or crackers (no sugar), such as homemade bread & wasa crackers, in place of the rice & Ezekiel muffins, oatmeal, etc?

Yes, IF the carbs and calories are equivalent...  

[Also fruit is a carb. I never thought about that before.]

Diet notes:

[sparing you more info thru here]

Last but not least Meal Plan:

[This has been my life saver… because I understood this I do not feel deprived, bored or controlled in what I eat. I feel like I can go out to eat and understand what I can eat.]

Breakfast- Carb, protein, fat

Snack- carb protein

Lunch- carb pro veggie

Snack- carb pro fat

Dinner- pro fat veggie

Snack- carb fat

[Granted this WOULD change]

[This is what is so nice about hiring Danny. If the plan is not working she can change it to what works for YOU!]

[This is one answer I remember almost daily:]

Can I switch meals around like dinner for lunch or vice versa? or snacks for meals? Still eating all the same food in the day but just in a different order. Or do I need to keep it the same because of how they burn through the day and keeping levels consistent?

Learned nutrient timing is key. 

I guess I want to know my options so that I don't get board. Last night I freaked out [so yes I did freak out lol] because I have found I can't handle having plain chicken breast a lot. The Gag reflex kicks in. :o)

[I thought this was great advice for all:]

You are obviously freaking out.. and I don't want you to think you are giving up on life or anything!! 

You need to trust this process, and you will only be "bored" if you choose to be bored...

I eat chicken nearly every day, but I do NOT have it plain.. ever!!

are you kidding me?! anyone would gag on that!!

It doesn't have to be plain.. be creative, use sauces, marinades, vinegar, mustard, salsa...

cook it different..

I grill mine, boil and shred it like taco meat, put in the crock pot with salsa, bake, chop, use ground chicken, brown it in the pan, etc

OR I trade up the chicken and do turkey, or fish, or scallops, or egg...

DO NOT LET THE FEAR GET THE BEST OF YOU

I found today, a friend who will teach me how to do a bunch of marinades and sauces for the chicken, turkey and fish. All with in my realms. She is the Queen of meat & marinades, so I feel like I will survive and not starve. hehe

Ah see, there's some sense!!

Over all, should I be having so many proteins, veggies, fruits, carbs, & fats in the day? What are my options? 

At this point I was stressing her out, I'm sure Lol. I am soo sorry Danny. Many months later she informed me that she wasn't sure I was going to make it 2 weeks with the way I was 'freakin' out. Haha. I don't blame her.

[To EVERYONE OUT THERE.... this is sooooo true!!!!! YOu may have all the knowledge but you MUST DO IT!!!!!]

like learning how to drive, you can ask all the scenarios, how to get from one place to the next, but to get there, you actually need to just get in the car and go.

Trust trust trust... I will not steer you wrong...

If you eat something and aren't sure, ask...

just begin...

YOU WILL NOT GET IT PERFECT this week.. next week... maybe by the time you have it down, I'm going to change it

Just roll with it;)

Scary stuff, I know.

You have done all you can to get yourself in your current situation... I'm going to help you get out, you just need to do what I ask;)

I rambled on enough here so.. I think that is it.

I will see ya later! I am excited. Oh, Mark asked if I'm ready to get my butt kicked? I said, YEP! Can't wait.

You're not going to kill me though, right? :oD jk Bring it on!

I can't promise anything... (though no one has died yet) be careful what you ask for!

Rachel

First Weigh In

So I did my first weigh in and before pictures. Oh boy. I broke down and wore my sports bra and biker shorts. No one will see them except for Danny, me and whom ever I decide. I am just grateful for digital cameras.

Date	7-5-10
Weight	245 lbs.
Neck	15.5
Chest	46.75
Waist	41.5
Hips	50.25
Upper Arm	17
Lower Arm	13
Thigh	30
Calf	18.5
Skinfold
Bicep	29
Tricep	44
Suprailiac	31
Subscap.	23
Body Fat	40.6%

Choosing our Trainer

Mark & I met Danny on Tuesday. This is what I emailed her later that day.....

Rachel June 29 at 6:53pm

So I am way excited about this. Yea! 

I have to tell you that this morning Mark and I talked and, as usual, we decided we would not make a yes or no decision right then but talk about it and get back to you. He is not one to be pressured into things. 

So we walked out of the office and I asked what he thought. He said, "You know how I told you I wouldn't say yes or no in there? Well, I would have said yes in there." He was very impressed with you and your philosophy, as was I. We think along the same lines as you, that it's not a quick fix. It will take time. Even though we will be going to Italy, that is not the reason for getting a trainer; we planned on it anyway. Italy is just an extra time incentive. :o)

Found a Referral

www.dannyjfitness.com

Rachel June 10 at 9:39am

Hey Danny,

I was referred to you by S__ & N__. I'm looking for a personal trainer, obviously :o). But I was also told I need one who is pt cert. Nickie wasn't sure if you are. I recently hurt my back and found out I have a mildly torn and bulging disc. I wouldn't hesitate doing anything before but now I don't dare do much weights because of the risk factor.

If you are not pt cert., Nickie said that you probably know someone who is. Do you mind referring me to that person?

Thank you so much for your time

Rachel

Though she does not have a physical therapy certificate she trains at a physical therapy studio's facility. She recommended we have a consultation with a therapist, before hand. So we agreed and decided to move forward and "interview" her.

The Last Straw.... & Finally Posting my Journals

On Saturday, February 13^th, 2010 I was on my way home from my parents house. Mark and I took separate cars because the kids had stayed the night there and we left them the van. I talked Mark into taking the boys while Emily would stay and help me vacuum a much need van out. I stopped at Ann & Rainbow’s Terrible Herbst’s car wash. 

The car was starting to look new as the vacuum sucked up the last vacation’s mess. My back was starting to tighten up and ache. You know the way it does when  you are bent over for a long period of time loading & organizing the car with luggage for a long trip.

I was more than half way down and was just going to push through it. Then I could sit in the car as it went through the automatic carwash and as we drove home.

With my left foot up on the mud step, I reached in the back with the hose to vacuum under the back seat when I felt a stab of pain in my low back on the right side. The pain was so bad I couldn’t move. I began to cry. Emily, my 9yr old daughter, asked what was wrong. I told her I couldn’t move.

It took everything, to get in the car. No matter what, I didn’t want to be standing outside where others would wonder or worry want was going on. I pulled and scooted and crawled my way into the back captain seat. I don’t know how I did it. I couldn’t lift my left leg even a ⅛ inch off the ground; no matter how hard I tried. I ended up lifting that leg in with my hands.

I tried to relax and feel better on my own but I soon relented and told Emily to get my cell, which was in the driver’s door handle/pocket. We needed to call dad and tell him he needed to come pick us up. I was so worried about calling him while crying because I didn’t want him to think I had been in a car accident. The car was fine. Emily was fine. I wasn’t. I knew something was wrong. 

He was already home, 20min away, and I was concerned that he would think I was being a wimp and would be put out by driving all the way back. I knew when he got home we would just want to stay. I worried for nothing. I should have known better. He is the best. 

He did sound a little frustrated but quickly came. We sat for a few minutes trying to figure out what to do. I knew I needed to see a chiropractor. We called Bill Leavitt, Mark’s old bishop. He didn’t answer. We called Josh Purcell, who’s in our ward. He didn’t answer (they had gone to Utah). We called Dr. Profant, who was who I saw growing up. He didn’t answer. We finally got smart and remembered the Mark’s mom works for a chiropractor’s office. We call her, she called one of the doctors. He couldn’t meet us for about 2hrs so we went home.

There were only a couple of positions I could sit comfortably on the way home. Arg. Once home, I had to put all my weight on Mark just to walk into the house. I couldn’t stand up straight. I was hunched to the front and to the right. My right hip felt soo much higher than it should be. I couldn’t lean forward or backward more than a ¼ inch. It was so horrible. However, like an true girl I still wanted my hair and makeup done before I saw someone new. I felt horrible but didn’t have to look horrible as well. Since I couldn’t walk up the stairs, Mark was kind enough (relenting to my girlish and some what foolish & unnecessary “needs”) to bring me my curling iron and make-up down stairs.

It was finally time to see the chiropractor. We met the doctor, Linda and my parents at the chiropractor’s office. My parents took the kids to get something to eat, while Linda filled out my paperwork and Mark helped me. I couldn’t have done it without them! Thanks! I love you guys so much!  

Side note: Funny enough of all weeks this had to happen this week. Our family was suppose to speak in church the next day. Mark talked about postponing it but I refused. We were suppose to talk a few weeks before but our family got sick and they got another family to fill in. I was not going to copout on this one, the day before. I brought my Crocs along with me to church. After sitting on the stand I changed from my chunky heels to comfy flat black Crocs. I’m sure the bishopric had a good laugh but no one else new. I think the talks went well. I was so proud of our kids. They did so well! Even Ryan wrote his own talk. It was the first time for all of them to give talks in church. (Emily & Trey have borne their testimony but have not given actual talks).

You thought giving talks were bad enough? Nope. I had a scout training meeting on Tuesday which I had to teach to all the stake scout leaders. Haha It went well. I stood most of the time and just leaned on the podium. I probably looked like a dork. My presidency helped so much. They set up everything for me. It was soo hard not to do anything! Thank you girls so much! You’re the best!

I think I had something else this week but don’t remember right now. It was just a crazy week. Ironic. 

Well, long story short… That one visit helped so much. I continued to go to Dr. Leavitt’s everyday for about two weeks. I didn’t dare to drive, so my fabulous mom took me every time for the first week and a half. I love you Mom! One time it was so bad Mark called Leavitt and we went to visit him at his house. Thankfully, Mark is like his son so I feel comfortable enough to call and ask for something like that.

Visits slowly decreased… I was soon going only 3 days a week, then 2 days and now am at only 1 day a week. During those visits an x-ray was ordered. Everything looked great. Dr Leavitt said that though an MRI could show more he really didn’t think anything was very wrong. Insurance wise you need to have six weeks of conservative care (ie. Chiro) before an MRI could be ordered. At the end of those six weeks I was better but still in a fair amount of pain. So we did an MRI.

The MRI report came back 4 or 5 days later. That was a long 4 days. The report read that I had a mild torn bulging disc. I KNEW something was wrong. Dr Leavitt informed me that this "just didn't happen." It was just the last straw of something building....I was glad to finally know for sure and of what we were dealing with. He said that it would never get better but that we could keep it from getting worse. Oh boy. Now what….

Mark & I discussed what we needed/could do to keep it from getting worse. I would continue with the chiropactor on a regular basics. I had to make sure I did my daily stretches. I had to get my extra weight off, which would take A LOT of pressure off my back. But what could I do and not do with a back injury? We needed to hire a personal trainer with a physical therapy certificate.

We found that those at Gold’s Gym did not have a PT certificate so we would have to look else where. Times like these are when social networking rocks! I posted, on my Facebook, needed referrals and got a great response. And so the journey begins….