Reflections of My Life

A friend of mine has been having swollen legs, feet and considerable pain from that recently, which appears to be edema in the lymph system as mentioned in this thread. Her family took her to urgent care, which sent her to a hospital emergency department. She fortunately made it back out alive in one piece and no shots, due to them not having any beds available. In the meantime they did multiple tests of her heart, had no clue what the cause was and sent her back home.

The information on here has been interesting and I have passed it on to her. However, that Fit King Air Massager appears to not massage very well and doesn't last very long, at least according to the Amazon ratings. Some people have reported that regular brushing with a lymphatic brush can be helpful. If so, perhaps rolling the areas in question could be helpful, and definitely getting regular massages.

The only way to completely remedy the condition though is to clean out the lymphatic system.
Emptying the liver bile ducts is one of the most important things that a person can do for their personal health.

The lymph system transfers toxins to the blood stream for elimination, which becomes difficult when the bile ducts are blocked and activities are declining. Removing old gall stones from the liver with periodic liver cleanses <-- can greatly facilitate that process. I have personally done several of these liver cleanses over the last few decades and found them to be quite helpful. They definitely do remove the bulk of old gallstones, as the evidence is quite clear to see, which facilitates the flow of bile and the overall functioning of the lymphatic system.
 

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A friend of mine has been having swollen legs, feet and considerable pain from that recently, which appears to be edema in the lymph system as mentioned in this thread. Her family took her to urgent care, which sent her to a hospital emergency department. She fortunately made it back out, due to them not having any available beds. In the meantime they did multiple tests of her heart, had no clue what the cause was and sent her back home.

The information on here has been interesting and I have passed it on to her. However, that Fit King Air Massager appears to not massage very well and doesn't last very long, at least according to the Amazon ratings. Some people have reported that regular brushing with a lymphatic brush can be helpful. If so, perhaps rolling the areas in question could be helpful, and definitely getting regular massages.

The lymph system depends on movement to transfer toxins to the blood stream for elimination, which becomes more difficult when activities are declining. Removing old gall stones from the liver with periodic liver flushes <-- could greatly facilitate that process. I have personally done several of these over the last few decades and found them to be quite helpful. They definitely do remove the bulk of old gallstones, as the evidence is quite clear to see, which facilitates the flow of bile and the overall functioning of the lymphatic system.
I do what is called "Dry Brushing" before my showers. Then apply magnesium oil to any places of pain (such as my knees and my hand) and of course, my feet, ankles and calves of my legs. I am seeing an improvement since using the leg massager. It is like going to my therapist daily instead of every three months. You have to judge things for yourself when purchasing something and basing it completely on Amazon reviews. I see 63% of the reviews were favorable. Buyers tend to not use things as they were meant to be used. My feet have not been swollen as much as they were before using this so I would judge it by my own results first.

My case is mild and so everything I do is helpful. I follow a Lymphedema therapist on YouTube and she has helped me a lot. Her information is valuable. She also has a discount code for the compression stockings available which I use.

Before my diagnose, I had to have an echocardiogram and the result was that my heart was clear and no issues with it. Following a ketogenic diet also is important for improvement. This does not go away but you learn to live with it. Here is a full, uncut, interview with author Leslyn Keith. In her new book The Lymphatic Code. I also started my walking program at the beginning of January and exercise is very helpful. So all things I can do for it is improving it.
 
It seems to me that as you get older you do make better use of your time. My whole day is spent doing things. Even if they are not considered important. Like coloring or reading. Maybe that is why I don't do naps. Even if I lay down to put my legs up on the wedge, I cannot sleep. I either talk on the phone to Sonny or my friend or I read. Music and/or color is my therapy. I can listen to music and it will change my mood every time. That is why I put music on when I have to do jobs like mopping the floors or cleaning appliances or cupboards in the kitchen.

I am making the effort to work on the story I am writing. It is like an exercise for my mind or brain. It will not be a book just something I like to do. I plan on working on it today.

Moving here has given me the time to do what I want to do. Not so much what I have to do by someone else's time schedule. My own schedule. It is made up of cleaning my apartment, food, taking care of my rabbit, exercising (walking mostly right now), online activities and my choice (whatever I choose to do like reading, videos, friends, writing, etc..
 

Had a thunderstorm last night. I got up and unplugged everything and went to sleep. This morning I had to plug everything in again while waiting for my coffee. I am so thankful I do not have to be so frightened during those storms anymore. It was 54 degrees when I got up today. Wonder if it is time to uncover the air conditioner? Sometimes we have a snowstorms in April so not sure I want to do it yet.

I am making a list of things I want to or need to do this summer. Not my appointments. Things I want to try or make. One is going to be taking the transit bus to Walmart. My friend that I walk with wants to go with me. As soon as the weather is super nice, probably in a month. The other is to get my new caster wheels put on my mobility chair. I bought the new batteries and haven't been able to use it yet. And we had some days even in the winter when I could have used it. I am telling Sonny today if he does not come to do this for me, I am calling the car place down the street and see how much they would charge me for doing it.

I am working on going through my closet and dressers to get rid of whatever I am not using. Including clothing. In a studio apartment space is the most important thing. Especially if you use a walker or a chair. I always liked those type of living room layouts where nothing was up against the walls. Now I have no choice because I need the open floor space. In my previous home, I had no choice either but I didn't care after awhile.
 
Yesterday the Food Bank of Central NY delivered their food to our building. I have a freezer full of food for my son now. I have decided to keep it and give it to him when he needs food later in the month. I will give some to Sonny too. Since the SNAP benefit was cut by a lot, people are hurting. I can't say I am not missing the extra amount, but I know how to cut back. Plus eating only low carbs makes my grocery bill a lot less than most people.

For some reason the day the food bank food is delivered it disrupts the day. Must be on account of the fact that we have to all go downstairs to pick up the boxes. Everyone gets two boxes. Most people use a grocery cart to bring it upstairs to their apartment. I only bring one box since I take out the food that I know I don't want and things that my son or Sonny won't eat. I just bring it on top of my walker seat.

Yesterday had the feeling of spring at last even though it was only fifty something out. I took all the things I had blocking my air conditioner out. Made it brighter in here instantly! Did the same with the stuff blocking the other two windows. Cleaned off the whole windowsill. Opened both of those windows. It was so nice! I even made it through my pile of papers. Still have some things I need to create files for and some files in the file cabinet I can get rid of.

Today I will make the mayonnaise. Probably this morning while having my coffee. It takes about 5-10 minutes. I am so done with buying mayonnaise or salad dressings. Ketchup and barbecue sauce too. When I make it I always tell myself to not buy it again since mine is so much better and healthier. The low carb ones are pretty good, just too expensive for something I need to buy more of every time I shop. Just looking at the ingredient label of any of them makes me appreciate my homemade versions.
 
I wonder if it's the agency that's the problem. Are they witholding or messing up the aides pay?
I was wondering that too.. it just seems soo odd that all the Aides from that same agency are no shows after a day or 2...however on refelction it can't be that, because they never work for more than a day or 2 so they wouldn't even have got to a Pay day..
 
Kat, did the agency ever call you about the aide. Have you asked them what excuses they give for not showing up. I feel so frustrated for you. You shouldn’t have to wait around for them to not show up. Such a disruption to your day.
The agency did not call but the health insurance company, Fidelis Care did. I told them I do not need 15 hours a week and that is why these aides do not want to work for me. I cannot have someone here with me for that many hours a week doing nothing. It would drive me crazy to have someone here all the time. I am going to work on getting my dental work done and get my vision appointment. Then after that I don't care what happens.
 
I wonder if it's the agency that's the problem. Are they witholding or messing up the aides pay?
Well, this is the 2nd agency I have an aide from and they both were like that. I think it has to do with the fact that these are not trained employees. They don't even know them in person. Someone calls and says they want to work for them and they send a form to fill out and that is all they have to do. I worked as an aide and we had in-service training, had to have a background check, take a drug test and have references and a physical. Everyone that has come here complains about all their physical conditions. They ask me how am I and I say great. Never tell anyone I have any physical problems. Of course they see I use a walker.
 
Today I went to the Grand Union on Jazzy! My new tires are so smooth. Didn't feel a bump even when going over the railroad tracks. These tires have tubes and that makes a big difference. The company information says tires with tubes are more stable. I hope so. I am careful to not hit any potholes, bumps or rocks. Do not want to ruin these tires. The new casters wheels (the little ones on the front) are so quiet too! The other ones must have been going bad for a long time.

I was going to buy eggs at Grand Union today. They were $4.75 for a dozen. At Walmart they are $2.27. I will wait for my next trip to Walmart.

My friend from downstairs came for a visit today. I like her. She is a really nice lady. I suppose I will be seeing her more in the park as soon as the weather turns warm. Even though the sun was out it was not that warm today. Sonny said it was cold at the track where he was working today. It should warm up soon.
 
I had a really nice day today. My friend and I walked our 9 laps this morning. After that I watched YouTube videos and made breakfast. Then went outside on Jazzy and sat in the sun in front of our building. So quiet, yet a beautiful sunny day. Hardly anyone out in the parks. Then I read a bit in my new book.

I used to like to watch soap operas and hadn't watched them since 1988 when I had to go to work due to a divorce. I found The Guiding Light episode from 1973 including the commercials. The commercials were so different back then. Much better.

Now getting ready to eat some cheeseburgers for supper.
 
I was so excited about having "Jazzy" back that I went to the Grand Union again yesterday. It gives me such freedom. Too bad the one grocery store that all us low income people can get to on our own has to be the most expensive one of all. I am going to get the bus schedule today and see when I can take a ride to Walmart on it. I know it sounds like such an easy thing, just wait out front at the time it picks up people in front of our building and get on. I need to have them use the ramp for me I think. Don't know if I can climb steps to get on.

As you all know, I left my husband five years ago next month, due to financial reasons. It wasn't just not having money, he received a good check from SS & his IBM pension. He spent it all on credit debt bills. When I left, he was in a bad situation and even used one of the credit help type of companies to help him pay them off. He blamed all of that on our horses, which we had before he started using credit.

So lately, he has been making those YouTube "shorts" showing things he has bought since. I find it hard to believe that he has recovered his credit debt enough to buy more stuff. I know I should not watch those videos but I like catching glimpses of my old home. I also find it interesting that he painted the wall that I sat next to while on my computer purple of all colors! My favorite color not his. His favorite is blue. Sonny thinks he is making those videos for me to watch but I don't think so. But I do watch them. Some are stupid. I hate the shorts.
 
I have not walked the last two days. Yesterday I could not do it. The day before it was my friend who had somewhere to go. I will try today. It is good for me I think. My feet are not swollen as bad as they were before I went to my therapist. She told me I could safely use the compression stockings even if my legs (right below the knee areas) were puffed up where the top of the stocking ends. Since that day, I have been using them every day as well as using the leg massager. So much I have to do to control it but I am doing it.

Normally everyone here gets their name on a list to have their air conditioners installed. Usually in May. They have already started due to the warm temperatures we are having. I never remove my air conditioner so I don't have to mess with the list and waiting for my turn. When I first moved here they made you remove them. So the next year I had to wait my turn to have mine installed and I was so hot. The following fall, they forgot about them so unless you requested it removed it wasn't.

I am making an effort to get outside daily. Yesterday it was just a trip to the dumpster and back. I think I feel better today but will see if I need to use Jazzy instead of the walker. At least sitting in the sun helps even if I don't walk to the park with the walker. If I take Jazzy, I might go to the Dollar store just to see what they have. Everyone here goes there.
 
I received a notice in my basket the day before yesterday. Instead of a new manager, we have an "office assistant" who will be in the office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to noon. She wrote the notice to introduce herself to the tenants and said she looked forward to meeting us. That is the first time we have had someone who started work here do that. I am impressed. I believe they hired a part time office assistant to be in the office daily because that is what we badly needed. I am happy about this (so far).

Today I am feeling better than I did the last few days. Don't know what was wrong with me. So going to do laundry for sure. Sorting my clothing right now and will do it after my morning walk.
 


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