Date: 2018-10-09
From: Daleville

To: Daleville
Miles today: 0.0

A good habitual sleep cycle is important in my wellness. A lot goes on in the belly that inhibits sleep and the melatonin that is naturally produced by the body is often inhibited in flare ups such as mine. The fact that I'm getting sleep now is step one in getting thru the fatigue and other symptoms of this flare up. Slowly I am improving and taking care not to be too anxious but to listen and observe my body and try to provide what it needs. Last night before I went to sleep I read a few articles on acupuncture and my disease. When I was first diagnosed my doctor suggested I try it. Most patients use it for pain relief but I specifically looked up my digestive issues and acupuncture. There's a Chinese medicine clinic in Roanoke and after discussing it with Brian this morning I called them today and scheduled an appointment for 5:30. I will try anything to end this suffering and get my body back. I did sleep well last night but the nausea has returned this morning. I ate at 6:30 with my tramily, a bowl of cereal, and after their shuttle left I went back to the room and slept until 9. I then had a slice of toast and enjoyed some fresh air outside in the shade on a bench while watching dark clouds rolling by. It was cooler today and a little breeze was blowing. I'm thinking of my tramily and how much nicer today is for hiking. They have a 19+ mile day today and the lessened humidity and heat will be good for them. A little after noon I walked down to the Kroger and picked up a drink for River and a couple for me. Then I headed over to Bojangles for a lunch consisting of a chicken breast, Mac and cheese and coleslaw as well as a biscuit. I had chocolate milk instead of soda. I ate the coleslaw, Mac and cheese and most of the chicken and I wasn't feeling well. So I sat a few minutes and then tossed the remains and walked towards the motel. I walked into our room and began putting the drinks into the refrigerator when I dropped everything in favor of a position on my knees in front of cold porcelain. It splashed all over my shirt and I thought it would never end. When it finally did I had clean up detail having to wash my shirt I'm the sink and dry it with the blow dryer so I'd have it to wear to my appointment. After laying down a bit I suddenly wished I'd packed out that biscuit! Instead I settled for a handful of raspberries I'd bought at Kroger and took in some water. I sure hope this acupuncture works!I had arranged my shuttle with Pepper jack and as usual he was on time and drove me straight to my appointment. I went inside and asked about how long I'd be and reported it back to him and he drove away. I met Mari, a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and licensed acupuncturist. She was affirming, kind and very knowledgeable on my disease and how she might help me. After a good 20-30 minutes of discussion she brought me to a separate room and made me very comfortable. The diffuser pumped lemongrass into the air and soothing music played softly. I wasn't nervous at all even though I hate needles but I did not look at them. I never saw them in me but I felt them there and she was wonderfully calming while administering my treatment. With needles in place she turned out the lights, placed a blanket over me and a heater at the soles of my feet. For an hour I lay perfectly comfortable and motionless. I'd prayed to God to please lay his healing hands upon me and I feel it was him who brought this treatment to the forefront of my mind and guided me here. Thru Mari I feel God is laying his healing hands upon me. When the treatment was over and needles removed we sat at her desk where she'd been busy developing 3 recipes for herbal compounds that could be made into capsules for me. I'm considering that treatment as well. We'll see where this leads me. I have a 2nd treatment scheduled for Thursday and I'm already looking forward to it. It feels like loving kindness to myself. Pepper jack arrived and whisked me back to the hotel and a quick check of my texts lead me to the Pizza hut right next door instead of to my room. I had 2.5 slices of pizza and a cup of soup followed by a brownie back in our room. It was nice to be together the 4 of us. River goes home tomorrow morning for 6 days and when she returns she'll hike north thru the Smokies first before anything else. I'll miss her. We just got back together a few days ago and I haven't even been able to hike with her. My belly felt good so I brushed my teeth and crawled into bed taking my melatonin and saying goodnight to Brian. I'll have breakfast with everyone downstairs tomorrow and give River a hug goodbye. I have the best tramily. I'm truly blessed to have them and they have never lost faith in my ability to get thru this. Their confidence, concern and care for me has been such an integral part of me staying on trail.