Remember the ice crunching thread we had years ago?

[Camy-7 boybarians 1 lady]

I mention it because of how interesting it is how our bodies react to physiological chemistry imbalance issues, in the case of ice crunching the cause is often anemia.

 

Years ago on the Old Board, many of us realized we were daily ice crunchers. LOL> Some thought they were alone in this habit, yet a variety of ladies (even...gasp...Janie...:o) affirmed their own daily ritual of "testing their dental work" by an urge to chomp on ice.

 

Many returned about a week later to say they were, indeed, anemic after seeking a bloodtest. These ladies were nudged to get tested after the ice cruncher board discussion.

 

I guess what I'm trying to say that I have realized how important it is to take care of the homeschooling mom (and I'm not ruling out dad's here :o). We are the backbone of our households, in many cases.

 

The past year has been a difficult one for me. I found myself easily (okay, "more" easily) distracted, foggy-headed, forgetful, and TIRED. These characteristics are attributed to aging, burnout, and being overwhelmed, so it didn't seem to me that I had any physical issues that would "throw gas on the fire" so to speak. I exercised, ate healthfully, and did what I was supposed to do.

 

My husband mentioned to me that he observed a "non-chalantness" or tendency to ignore my boys and daughter when they were disrespectful or inappropriate. I acknowledged that he was right, yet efforts on my part to improve this didn't seem to help. I thought for sure I was just burned out.

 

Anyway, I did mention last week that I tested for Hashimoto's hypothyroidism and severe anemia, which are consistent with many of the symptoms I was having. Now that I am on medication, it is my hope that the "old momma" will find herself again and get motivated.

 

I guess this is just an admonition to some of you out there who may be struggling, and who may accept their situations as a result of their age or lifestyle (not that these aren't part of the bigger picture). Could there be more to this than what appears on the surface?

 

I just pray that you all will consider your own health and joy in this blessed life. I know that we all struggle every now and then due to some issue or another, but if there were a solution or help you in that area, wouldn't that be awesome? Herbs, homeopathics, allopathic medicine, & Eastern medicine may offer some relief.

 

LOL...now that I am 40 (a youngster to many here, btw, and I sit at their feet for wisdom), "I" think I can hand out advice (grin, sarcasm).

 

C'mon, homeschool moms (and dads, too), you are so important to your family. You really are!

 

Have you had a check up lately?

 

(I know that some of you may not ascribe to medical care, but have you researched your symptoms and sought out wisdom through prayer?)

 

Blessings,

Camy

[Mom to Aly]

I'd like to add my experience to this. About 5 months ago, I went to a new doctor. I had been very tired, not feeling right for a while, which I assumed was anemia, which I've had, borderline, forever, since I was a teenager. I was quite overweight, became that way through years of stress overeating in a bad marriage, the loss of a bad marriage, loss of a child, that type of stuff. You know, it becomes a habit. I had tried forever to lose weight, but it seemed the harder I tried, I mean serious dieting, the more weight I would gain, or just remain the same. I have a twin brother with diabetes, but I didn't have the symptoms, no frequent peeing, which I've had some of before (tiny bladder symptom :), didn't need to drink anymore, etc. My old dr. had gotten really nasty about my weight--she was one of those who never had a prob loosing weight, told me she didn't understand why I didn't just do it. <sigh>

 

Anyway, one day, after my last physical, she told me my sugar was high, I had diabetes, but she wouldn't do anything about it until I lost 20 pounds and showed her I was serious. I had been trying, and thought, what a joke, no dr. would do this, and decided there was no way it was true, she was making it up.

 

When I went to my new dr., she tested me, and, sure enough, I had diabetes, my sugar was nearly 300, and the reason I didn't have any symptoms was my potassium was dangerously low, so low that it could have killed me (it makes you not thirsty and not need to pee often). I also had high cholesterol for the first time in my life (it had been 120 1 & 1/2 years ago, and was now 280)--this runs in my fam, and everyone, except my dad, on both sides has died of heart disease for generations. Diabetes does things like make you hungry all the time, the more you eat, the hungrier you get. No matter how little you eat, you can't lose weight--if your sugar is high, you gain weight, and so much more.

 

This woke me up. I am the sole caregiver for my daughter--my ex husband is permanently out of the picture, although if something happened to me, he would get custody, which would be horrendous. I decided, right then, that I was going to change my life--not go on a diet, but change my life.

 

So, it is five months later. I have lost 57.5 lbs. I eat healthier than I have in my life. I have always been a vegetarian, but I was a vegetarian who had never tried many vegetables (mainly squashes--childhood dislikes). I have learned that squashes are my good friends :). I have given up so many bad foods, like pasta and rice and reg bread, realized I just don't need them, and I really don't miss them. I excersize, well, walk, for now. I had ruptured two discs in my back a while ago, and used to not be able to walk down the block; now, on a good day, I can walk a mile and a half, sometimes more.

 

The main difference is, I can sit on the floor with my daughter. I can play with her more, I can hold her in my lap. I know that I will be there for her as she gets older. I still have at least 70 lbs to go, I'd like it to be 100, but I know I don't have to do it overnight (I lost the first 50 lbs really quickly, I want to keep it all off though, and am being really careful). I feel younger than I have in years. I used to say my body felt like it was 80 years old. For the first time in many, many years, I feel younger than my 42 years, and it feels wonderful :).

[GSMP]

Camy...glad you were able to find out what was going on.....You are old enough to admonish.....I am 44 so admonish away. I am actually the typical mom who takes care of everyone else and I come last......

 

I have been slowly working on that one......;)

 

Mom to Aly.....great job on the weight loss!!! That is fantastic. I am also a diabetic...but not on any meds. I have been controlling it through diet and exercise.....I just fell off the wagon a couple of months ago....so need to get back up there.....

 

Great encouragement Ladies........