Cooking with Arthritis

Good Afternoon All !

Everytime I feature a new member I am touched by thier story and humbled , this member  is no different. Lisa has helped many through her writings in the short time she has been a member. It truely is a blessing to have her as a part of our healing family. So at tis time I would like to introduce you all to Lisa .

Hi , I am the Local Missions Representative, in our home church, a freelance writer and speaker, as well as being, highly involved with human rights needs. I’ve always aspired to be a published writer. I’ve been published by a few magazines and smaller competitions. I’ve been involved with many local and abroad causes, like a local food bank, which I help with, gaining much needed donations and supplies. I’ve spoken to encourage teens at local high schools, in groups such as; The Christian Athletes Association. I am a 42 year old, happily married, mom of two wonderful sons! (And a lil yorkie)! As the Missions rep in my local church, I am the liaison, between the Missionaries and the local church. I try to show the message of Missions, is one that really involves us all, whether it be locally, or in a more abroad sense of the term! I teach Sunday school for the Teens, and help w/ youth group! I’ve written, since I was a young child.(Under a blanket many times, my folks said, with a flash light, when I should have been fast asleep!) I’ve even been featured, growing up, in my own High Schools Yearbook.

I suffer from a bladder disease with no cure, and like to encourage others, that in adverse situations, YOU CAN MAKE IT...thru what ever! The God of the mountains is still God in our valleys! I love the Lord, and love to share His goodness to all! I was diagnosed approximately 3 years ago, with Interstitial Cystitiis, which I thought to be just ongoing bouts of Urinary Tract Infections. When the infections got to be more frequent, I started seeking out answers to the continual repetition that seemed to be plaguing my physical being. I was referred to a Urologist, who after performing a Cystoscopy in the hospital, diagnosed the disease of IC. There is no yet known cure for this disease. The treatments, are basically, treat the pain type treatments. I have a daily regimen of pills, diet, and such to try my best to keep the pain to at least a minimal. The Specialist told me, after my 2nd Cystoscopy, that my case is a more severe case of the disease. The diagnosis is that the disease progresses, in leaving the person with more frequency of urination, more bladder spasms, more blood in the urine, and in general more daily pain, as the person ages. He’s even spoken to me, that I could in time face more bouts of incontinence, and pain, with the progression. The pill regimen, of Elmiron, (which is a pill specifically for Interstitial Cystitis sufferers, ) is mainly like an analgesic to try to coat the bladder area. I take daily pain medication; I’ve been on Tramadol for over a couple of year’s straight now. I actually started taking tramadol, when I started having recurring bouts of Pancreatitis, actually known, as chronic pancreatitis. A doctor, when removing my gallbladder, a few years ago, dropped stones, blocking my pancreas. This bout, probably would have taken my life, had it not been for a specialist, who was able to diagnose, the sudden weight loss, and extreme sickness, that I was experiencing, after my gallbladder removal! When I’d gone into a full blown bout of Pancreatitis, the specialist said, that this was probably the cause of my Pancreatic symptoms, seeing as how, I do not drink, which is a more known cause of Pancreatic symptoms. I had several surgeries, with this minor physical setback in life, including, duct cleaning, and syphincterotomy of the pancreas. The surgery which is somewhat major is called an ERCP, to clean those ducts. It is performed only by a specialist. It was quite successful, but, however, I’ve found, that several foods, can still really aggravate the pancreas, and set me back in to symptoms of pancreatitis, if I do not watch, what I eat. I was put on Tramadol, as a pain, killer for all the pain I endured, with this whole experience. It was after that all, that the IC, was diagnosed. I’d had many recurring infections, and just chalked them up for normal infections. Thank God a specialist finally saw that there was more there, than met the eye. Along with the regimen of pill therapy, I’ve been treated with what are called DMSO , or actually bladder coating treatments, thru intravenous bladder catheterizations. Their main side affect, is hair loss, and garlic like odor, that accompanies, after the treatment, for a day or two. (Of which my hubby loves garlic, so that was always ok, LOL) The other main side affect, was minor hair loss, of which, it seemed, my tub drain, caught much of this, but it was never severe! Thank God. I’ve always loved to hike, bike, fish, and hunt, play my guitar, and even love to dabble with WV nature photography! (Which I’m trying now to start my own website, where I can highlight and sell my lovely photos!) God has been good to me, in spite of some minor physical tests I’ve endured. I love to take that message to all who will listen, through my written and spoken word! My hope is to manifest life at it's fullest in my writings. May God Bless you as you journey through life, and may we all do something ever day we live, to affect each others lives for the better! If you are interested in my freelance, or some Wild and Wonderful West Virginia outdoors photography, please contact me, I would be more than happy to assist you. I believe all of our lives, intertwine in our meetings and such, and God uses that divinely. I was led to Mel, thru my newer posting on HUBPAGES, where I’m known there as “rickyracer”, if you want to read more of my writings and such there! (My hubby is Rick, I call him rickyracer ` LOL) I’m also starting to post/publish some on Helium online writing community, where my writing name is renewd1966 which I thank God He’s renewd my life, and 1966, is my birth year! I thank God I was led to Mels pages, she is so very talented herself, and I feel it yet another, “divine appointment” in my life! She invited me to her site, to post about dealing with my chronic pain/s. Although I do not have Arthritis, my mother suffers from this debilitating disease, and I know much myself, about chronic type pain. I believe 100% that we can use diet, exercise, and lifestyle to help our illnesses, and our pains. I’m excited about being a part of this…new community of friends, as we all better learn, and encourage each other! Blessings! Lisa N.