Chiari Flies...So Should You!

My latest post from my flying blog....Yes..Chiari Flies..and NO problems with dizziness or headaches!
http://andsosheflies.blogspot.com/2013/07/what-i-learned-on-our-quick-trip-to-new.html

Take control of your health..at LEAST give your body all it needs to fight Chiari.
Ask me about how Juice Plus+ can help you in your recovery, how your children can take it for free and how you can gain supplemental income if you need it.

Visit my websites:

Juice Plus    Tower Garden 

www.theoriginalchiaritarian.wordpress.com 

1/2 ZIPPERVERSARY Reflections

Yesterday marked 6 mths since my Chiari Decompression. 

Wow! --What  a Journey!

What have I learned? 

A LOT! 

I've learned that patience is vital in recovery, patience with yourself, patience with others. 

I've learned that for every person that supports you..two will let you down. 

I've learned that people are afraid of you when you have an illness. 

I've learned that total strangers will show you kindnesses that the closest friends will not. 

I've learned to accept disappointments and grow from them. 

I've learned to truly forgive myself. 

I've learned to truly forgive others. 

I've learned that it's okay to have a limited life in some areas, because it causes you to live an unlimited life in other ways. 

I've learned to face fears with faith and resolve. 

I've learned that hair really does cover the scar...but the scar never leaves any part of your being. 

I've learned that being truly loved, regardless of flaw, blemish or illness IS possible. 

I've learned to get second, third and fourth opinions and to not feel guilty for being my own advocate or for challenging an ALMIGHTY doctor. 

I've learned that there truly are physicians that care. 

I've learned that there truly are physicians that could care less. 

I've learned I am in control of my health and well being, where at one time I felt Chiari was totally in control. 

I've learned to push all the research  into a pile, dive in and pull out what applies to me and to be comfortable with it, regardless of criticism or opinions of others.

I've learned that if I spend too much time thinking and talking about my symptoms I have more of them. 

I've learned that I can treat my body with proper nutrients. 

I've learned that I don't want to be a slave to medications, doctor visits or PT sessions. 

I've learned dry needling is VERY painful, yet VERY beneficial. 

I've learned that some of my best inspiration and support has come from people I've never met face to face..but whom I will never forget. 

I've learned a lot in the past 6 months. 

Thank you for supporting me through it. 

I got married to my best friend during this time.

I've  developed more of a love for writing, I've been taking flying lessons, I've authored three blogs and am almost finished with a book about Chiari. 

I've looked for alternative income and gotten involved with a great company, Juice Plus, that has changed my recovery and has given me a vehicle to help my friends, family and fellow Chiarians.

And offers me unlimited income potential, something I probably would not have done otherwise.

For me, this past 6 months, though sometimes horrible and painful..

Has been a gift. 

I am blessed, forever changed

and excited about what my future holds. 

Happy 1/2 Zipperversary to Me! 

Become a Chiaritarian!

I'm becoming more disgruntled with a society that won't take their health into their own hands.
Why do we complain about doctors that don't listen, but take their little poisonous pills anyway?
Many People totally disregard nutrition in their quest for wellness.

I hate to admit I fell into this trap for a few months. I lived in despair and "Poor Me" mentality.
Thankfully, a month ago today, I took my life back.
I changed my way of eating and got back on Juice Plus+.
Within 2 weeks, I was sleeping all night.
Now, I've gone over 2 weeks with no dizziness.
I can feel my body healing itself.
No more mid-day naps.
I actually crave healthy foods. I crave green veggies and fruits.

Juice Plus+ has made all the difference. I even became a distributor. I want everyone I know to take it, to thrive. Backed by 31 research studies over the past 20 years, Juice Plus+ sets the standard on nutrition and is proven to reduce visits to the doctor. Any company that will allow children to take it's product for free deserves a second look.

Why did I become a distributor? Because I believe it works. I believe as Chiarians we have so many things working against us, we have to fight back with all we can. When I take my capsules or  chewies, I am fighting back...and I am winning.  AND-I'm making money doing it.  Just this week I've earned a nice bonus, and have another looming in the near future.

I think of all of the people I know and I become crazed. People with diabetes, asthma, allergies, high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, children with autism..I wish I could afford to pay for Juice Plus+ for everyone.  My advice, figure it in to your grocery budget..It IS whole foods. 17 servings of fruits, veggies and grains in 2 capsules twice a day. Make a choice. Choose a better life, choose fewer doctor visits, choose to read the research, choose to live life to the Plus+. Become a Chiaritarian and feed your body a healthy food prescription every day! I'm doing it and feeling great!

http:/mcollum.juiceplus.com        www.theoriginalchiaritarian.wordpress.com

Juice Plus fundraiser details:
 I want everyone I know to take Juice Plus..it is so vital to nourishing your body on a cellular level! There is a children's health study that will allow your child to take it for free. Juice Plus Central Texas (my own personal franchise) will donate $5 to the Conquer Chiari Walk for every duo  (orchard/garden blend) or $7 for every Trio (orchard/garden/vineyard) ordered in July if the customer lets me know they are trying it in support of Chiari. Visit my website for more info on Juice Plus and how clinical research proves it benefits the body http://mcollum.juiceplus.com

If you need an excuse to do something healthy for yourself and your family..THIS IS IT!
Just place your order and message me that you did it for Chiari research! mmrobinson68@gmail.com

Conquer Chiari Walk 2013

I just registered for the Conquer Chiari Walk in Dallas/Ft. Worth on Sept. 21. I deliberated for awhile about which walk to participate in and decided to go local. All money raised goes directly to Conquer Chiari, an organization that heads up research. Donations can be made at https://www.conquerchiari.org/ccwaa13/MicheleCollum. 

I will be doing a Juice Plus fundraiser, mainly because I want to encourge all Chiarians to add this to their diet. It is vital that our cells get these nutrients to heal properly. Instead of advocating so much with our doctors, let's take control of our health and not let Chiari be in control so much. Learn more about Juice Plus at http://mcollum.juiceplus.com  Read the clinical research and let me know what you think!

Caution-Adding Heat May Be Hazardous To Your Cranium

I've been told that Chiari and high temperatures don't mix.
In the past, during hot, hot, hot Mississippi summers, I remember feeling like my body was weighted down in the heat, like sand bags were sitting on my shoulders daring me to make a move.
See-I don't know if that was a normal feeling, my normal wasn't everyone else's normal.
I kept hearing people say that heat made them worse, well, I've stayed out of the heat, so I didn't know for sure.
I'm one of those "seeing is believing" people.
You could call me hard-headed, but that would be kind of a joke since my head as a perforation in the back.
I set out to draw my own conclusions about the heat. 
For me--it went like this:

I spent about 30 minutes out in the direct sunlight at a car show with my husband this past weekend.
I was fine, sipping water..no problem.
Suddenly, this pulsating started.
The back of my head, where my zipper is, was pounding.
I could feel every pulsation of CSF coursing through my constricted cranium.
An Olympic-sized Chiari headache ensued..and that is all I could think of. The headache, the pulsing.and a time or two I thought I might pass out.
Not wanting to be a poor sport, I said nothing to my husband.
I smiled, answered his questions and kept my eyes focused directly ahead of me.
I became afraid to turn my head, for fear vertigo may attack me.
I did not complain or even whimper.
After a few minutes, he looked at me and said, "It's time to go, you're fading fast".
I mustered up a little enthusiasm and said, "Oh no, we don't have to. " (all the while saying in my head, "Thank You, Jesus!")
We made our way to our car, got in, turned the A/C on and started to cool off.
Cooling off took a good 30-45 minutes.
Then I noticed a swollen spot on the back of my head, the pulsating was still in place and the swollen spot was super tender.  I kept drinking water and wishing I had a Valium, or a Lortab, or even a razor blade..anything to end the pulsating and the headache.  Then, Bob started asking questions. He needed directions to our next stop. Oh my gosh, really..I'm trying to not freak out here!
As I opened my mouth to speak, I realized it was very difficult to get my words out.
For an hour or two I felt like I was right back at my immediate post-op state.
My words continued to stack on top of each other and I slowly unstacked them and got them out. Why on Earth did the heat make it so difficult to speak?
We made the long trip back home (horrible traffic) and I eventually took some meds and my headache calmed down to a tolerable level.
I've not been pain free since, but I can live with it. As a matter of fact, I don't know the last time, if ever, that I've been 100% pain free. Pain is just a way of life for folks like me.
So..I've now contributed my time, energy and pain for the greater good.
Once and for all I've found the truth.
It is a proven fact: Chiari and heat do NOT mix.
Do not attempt this experiment at home and if it's hotter than 85 degrees, please proceed with caution.

A Word about Nutrition.

My latest efforts in healing my Constricted Cranium have to do with nutrition.
I just don't believe taking a pill does the trick.
I know we have anatomical issues that have to be addressed, no dietary supplement is going to change our anatomy, BUT, once it is changed, Once we are zipperheads, we owe it to our bodies to give it all the ammunition we can to make every cell as healthy as possible-that is my new mission.
I want to be in control of what I can control. I've felt so out of control of my body, I need to regain some power. Kris Carr calls our bodies our "God pods". Let's treat them as such.
I've always believed in the power of nutrition vs. the power of pharmaceuticals.
In the past three weeks, I've gotten really serious about it and jumped back in with both feet.
I got my Juice Plus+ supplements out of the freezer and started taking them again.
I removed soy from my diet
Disposed of gluten.
No casein.
I'm trying to get my 7-13 servings of fruit & veggies a day, but it's difficult. Even if that's all I eat it's difficult, that's where Juice Plus+ is bridging the gap.
Within the first week, I notice and improved amount of energy, then by the end of week two, It's obvious that this is why I'm sleeping better.  I'm totally off of all other medications. I take my Juice Plus+ capsules and sublingual D3 and B12 (just for extra oomph) and I'm sleeping like a baby.
It's so difficult to fit all the right things in everyday.
At the bare minimum I'm eating the following every single day:
1 cup blueberries
1/2 cup lentils
1 cup beans (this week it's pinto beans)

Then I just add in my other fruits and veggies to other meals.
Because I crave fish and I feel my brain needs it, I eat fish about every other day, though actually, I could eat it at every meal. 

I feel better and believe my outlook is better. I want to share my nutritional excitement with everyone, so if I become annoying, just ignore it! Just know I'm sharing because I want you to feel better too..we are all in this Chiari thing together.

I started another blog where I will plan to post recipes, what works or doesn't work, my ups and downs with food, etc. Please visit that site and I'll try to not let too much of it spill over on to this one.

Chiarians should avoid the following: soy, gluten, casein, preservatives, sugar. I avoid red meat and pork. I welcome any response as to what works for you.

My food blog is: www.theoriginalchiarian.wordpress.com  For more info on JuicePlus+ you can visit

http://mc13625.juiceplus.com/.

A popular youtube video tells about the science behind Juice+ AND as an added benefit, your children can take it free for participating in a health study..you just can't beat this product. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bWVLDinsozI

Wishing you a safe and symptom-free holiday weekend! As for me-yesterday's heat reminded me that heat and Chiari don't mix, so I'll be staying in and feeding my brain blueberries and watermelon!

Post of encouragement on chiarisupport.org

I posted my concerns about being 5 mths post op, yet not going back to work yet. I had many responses from people that admittedly had less strenuous jobs than I. I was thankful to get this reply this morning from an RN. I appreciate this anonymous poster sharing her experience.

I am also 5 months post op and an RN. I tried to go back to work at 3 months, knowing that I wasn't 100% but felt pressure to try and quickly realized that it was too soon. I was completely exhausted after a 4 hour shift. After those 4 hour shifts, I would come home and be so weak and fatigued that I would be in bed the rest of the day. I also started having severe neck pain and muscle spasms which I had not been having as bad, plus worse flashes and floaters in my vision which were present before surgery but had lessoned since the surgery.  My surgeon and also my PCP said that it was probably too soon for me to have gone back and my body was letting me know this. I was placed back on medical leave. I started having bad joint pain and a few other symptoms that are making my PCP wonder if I have developed an auto immune disorder which is complicating my recovery. I have a lot of trouble with cognitive issues some which I had prior to surgery, some that i developed after. Things like difficulty focusing, brain fog, short term memory loss, trouble with word finding. These had improved to the point where I felt I was safe to go back to work, but when I tried at that 3 months point, I realized that it was too much for me physically and mentally. I am also a wife and mother to 3 young kids, and now I struggle to get through the demands of just being at home each day. It is so frustrating to realize that I set myself back in my recovery and now I am having a hard time moving forward. My energy level is starting to improve only slightly on good days, but I can not push myself too hard or I pay dearly. I agree with previous posters that it really depends on the type of work that you do. Nursing is a very physically and mentally demanding job. I remind myself that I had a major surgery and that it was not a cure for the Chiari, just a treatment. I am still better than I was prior to surgery! I think we have to learn to give ourselves grace and listen to our bodies. It is so hard to do, but better for us in the long run. Just know you are not alone! Sometimes that helps more than anything. Hang in there!

Once Again, Chiari Messes Up My Plans!

http://andsosheflies.blogspot.com/2013/07/lesson-cancelled-due-to-bad-brain.html