I have begun my blog to raise awareness to the chronic disease Endometriosis. I would like my blog to be a source of information on all aspects of this disease - whether that be surgery, treatment or the day-to-day aspects of living with this condition. I have created a Video Blog to work along side this to discuss a whole variety of issues.

Thursday, 31 May 2012

My First Reiki Experience:

This week, I went to go and see a dear friend of mine who performs reiki healing. During this time of my illness and my treatment I am willing to try anything and go into things with a very open mind indeed.
I had never had hands on reiki before – but Kalie had performed distance reiki on me a few months back. And the results of that were quite amazing.

For the distant session I was required to lie down and home and relax and, allow myself to switch off and remain calm and quiet. With Kalie her sending me healing vibes I guess you could call it. Kalie was able to tap into symptoms that I was suffering with that I had not previously told her about. She felt the sickness I was getting, the nausea that was constantly there and also the very specific location of pain I was experiencing on a day to day basis. When the reiki was being performed I could literally sense the healing being sent to me. My sickness that night was totally removed. It was in fact the first time in about 3 months that I had not been sick. This all in all was an astonishing result and to be honest, not one that I was expecting at all.

Based on this and my own need to do all I can to help my own medical condition I agreed to see Kalie one to one for some hands on healing. This, I was very much looking forward to indeed.

Before the session begins, Kalie asks what it was I wanted to get out of the session and what I mainly wanted to achieve – for me it was about relaxation and being able to deal with the pain. If my pain levels were indeed reduced at all that would be a bonus. So, I don’t feel I went into it expecting huge things.

Kalie wanted to focus on my head area and then feel where she was drawn to heal. It is a hand’s on process – and I was fine with this. I do not have an aversion to being touched at all. And if it was to get the results that I experienced last time – then I was definitely game.

The session began with my lying on the treatment bed. Very comfortable I must say! Curtain drawn, soothing music played and incense burnt – the entire scene was set and I was in the correct frame of mind to begin.

The key here is to relax yourself and to let your mind become open – and this is what I did and I am grateful for it – as the experience was second to none.

As Kalie’s hands were placed on my head I could feel the warmth coming through from them. Warmth, that rippled through my body and settled in certain areas. From this point I was totally relaxed and totally engaged in the experience.

Without someone experiencing it for themselves it somewhat hard to describe… but I will try. I felt as if my entire mind was being cleansed. As if my mind was being massaged, washed and totally cleansed. From here my mind was so open that I began to visualise many things. These stemmed from bright colours of yellow, orange and green hues to shapes. Mainly I saw circles, and three dimensional diamonds spinning on an axis. I also envisioned scenes that I have never experienced myself and yet these images were coming to the forefront of my mind. Snap shot images of an elderly woman, a family on the beach – but not seeing the faces just literally the feet running around having fun. The images were serene and relaxing. Every image I saw flowed through from one into another quite naturally and smoothly. My mind almost eager with anticipation as to what I was going to experience next. I put this experience down to the healing and the cleansing that Kalie was able to send through into me.

At times I could sense myself naturally pulling away from the trance like state I was experiencing – and I was alerted to this by my breathing. The moment I became aware of my breathing I had to relax myself again and draw myself back into the healing state.

The heat that I felt from Kalie’s hands was felt in my own hands even though they were not the subject of attention. It was an incredible feeling. The warmth radiated through my head in a soothing way in into my back which is one of my main areas of pain.

When Kalie focused on my stomach area – which is another of my areas mainly affected with the pain – I could sense her drawing the badness and the pain out of my body. It was almost as if she was having a tug of war with my body. My body wanting so much to hold on to the badness and then Kalie literally at the other end of the rope pulling it away. As things progressed I could feel almost a ball in my abdomen that gradually got smaller and smaller as Kalie pulled more out of my body.

At the end of session I felt really enlightened and invigorated from the experience. The main effect that I clearly felt was on my mind – it literally had been washed and dried and was in a new state from whence it started. I felt a renewed focus and a new ability to see things with clarity that over the time I have been dealing with my illness has gotten clouded.

Kalie debriefs after the session and explains things that she felt about me and what feelings and emotions she was able to pick up on… of which were spot on. Feelings that I keep hidden from the populace and yet she was able to see through this and get right to my core and understand me. She is able to give great advice on how to heal yourself from an emotional aspect and how at times you need to focus on yourself. This for me is an aspect I always fall down on… I help others before I help myself. Frome here on in I will ensure that I take the time out for myself and work on my inner self.

The entire time that I was with Kalie and in her presence I did not experience a single hot flush – which considering with my treatment they occur every 10 minutes was a huge difference. What will stay with me long term is the focus that I now have and what I can do to help myself with my illness and how my emotions play a bit part to my coping and dealing. Also the fact that I am able to have such a positive and spiritual experience has shown me that there are avenues out there away from medication to aid in my recovery and help me to deal on a day to day basis.

Reiki with Kalie is now a process that I will continue with – even past my recovery……


Sunday, 29 April 2012

A new motivation...

Well, this weekend I have attended the information event held my the Endometriosis UK charity. And what a weekend it has been. Very tiring. But I have enjoyed every moment of it.

I loved being able to meet so many women going through the similar situations - but different at the same time. All women supporting one another. And the strength of all of them is astounding.

There were different sections on endo, discussing the condition itself. Pain management, surgery and the different treatment options available too. Even being 10 years diagnosed I still found out so much. It really was a someway overwhelming weekend.

I have never been surrounded by so many women suffering with Endo. It was something that held me in awe for a few hours.

I have found a renewed strength and focus on my mission to raise awareness and fundraise and to he both guide as support the ladies out there suffering with this condition.

It was a very humbling weekend. One I would recommend to anyone!!

Xx

Thursday, 26 April 2012

Anxiety:

This week has really been so very full on... that I was hardly surprised that I suffered an anxiety attack. I have not had one for about 6 months... and it was a very bad one indeed. My entire body tensed, I was shaking, I was sick, hot and cold sweats, heart palpatations... the whole show. Followed by not being able to sleep for a very long time after - despite feeling exhausted.

I used to suffer with them an awful lot, and previously have been on Propranolol for them. However, because my Amitriptyline is now such a high dosage and the Propranolol doasge is also high... I cannot take them together... So, I pretty much had to ride out the storm. With cold flannels, ice water and anti semetics... All in all not too bad. I should have listened to the warning sign migraine on Monday - but me being me.. Powers on through as ever.

I awoke this morning feeling really sore and stiff and my muscles were aching terribly, so my resolve today was to remain at home and rest as my body is crying out of it. I havent been particulary over active, i thought. But each day is coming with a task that is somewhat taxing on my body.. hospital appointments, doctors, dentist etc etc... All of thee activities build up.. Until my body just says NO MORE!! And that is what happens yesterday. The rest of my weeks is pretty full on... So today is about me!!

Thursday, 19 April 2012

My Fundraising Page:

Well I have completed my Fundraising page for my mission to Raise money for Endometriosis UK.

It can be found here: http://www.justgiving.com/Andrea-Hearn

Please sponsor me for my first activity which is running the Big Fun Run 5k on 8th September 2012

xx

A little time for me...

Living with Endo... It can actually be very difficult to take time out for yourself... Each day seems to be a routine of medication, physio and countless other tasks... Well this week I have thrown caution to the week and am investing some time in me!! :-) and I can say it is most certainly needed and feels great!!

I have taken a little trip away and am enjoying being somewhat indulgent with my food and with my own pleasures.

I have been enjoying the spa... Am going to have a massage and been eating stunning food!

As ever the pain is there non-stop... But it makes it easier to bare when you take this time out for yourself. I would really really recommend it!!

Sunday, 15 April 2012

Set backs are tough...

Isn't it amazing how used you can get to feeling somewhere to normal... only to be shot right back down again once back into your prime!

I have had two really good weeks. Actually felt like a regular woman again... I was being social, able to see friends and family... managed to venture outside on a little trip once or twice.. but as always once I get used to how things are being - on a nice level - a flare hits and brings you right back down to earth with a bump!!

Maybe it is because during these "good" days I try to do so much with my time - that I bring on the flare - or end up exhausting myself I do not know... but either way - it sucks! big time!

I awoke this morning in agony. The feeling in my toes kept on going - as my trapped nerves were definitely trapped beyond recognition today! I have also been bleeding on and off for 2 weeks now. And today it was accompanied by abdo pain too.

Bleeding whilst on Zoladex is never really a good thing at all... I am wondering now if the treatment is working at all. If it does not work - I do not know what that will mean for my next surgery... I am due to see my gynae at the end of the month - only another 2 weeks to go and I will be there and will be ready to ask all of these questions again. Especially why I am bleeding...

Anxieties are at a somewhat high at present...

Back to the hot water bottle. Hot baths and my cosy bed!

Love to you all
xxxx