Category: Lupus

Amish Antibiotic Made for the First Time

Posted on by F.Magdalene

I over used Listerine and disrupted the natural balance of bacteria in my body. This caused oral Thrush. Immediately I began my home based care which now includes the Amish Amoxicillin.

So called Amish Amoxicillin is a combination of natural ingredients that I refrigerate upto two weeks. I can, but don’t have, to take up to three tablespoons a day inside food products such as tea and soups. A tablespoon at a time not 3 at one time. So, what’s in it?

Apple cider vinegar, pineapple, whole peeled lemon, garlic and ginger, ceyenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon, black pepper 1/2 teaspoon, yellow turmeric, onion, honey. Below is the recipe.

Just a note. When it comes to peeling veggies, spices, roots, herbs, etc, I’m all for the skin unless it’s going to alter the taste of the dish. Leave the lemon peel off. Benefits don’t justify it’s use. Time doesn’t permit explanation.

I leave the skin on for the ginger. Take it off of the turmeric. I run my garlic through a press and add a tad more apple cider vinegar and honey. After everything has been cut up I put it all in a bullet to blend. There’s no cooking.

This can be used as a tea or in food.

There are many Amish Amoxicillin recipes to choose from. For instance Recipe Realm on Facebook offers a wonderful version. I’m going to give it a try next time.

The good thing about this little antibiotic is that it’s primarily kidney friendly. I say primarily because garlic and turmeric can be an issue for people with type two diabetes who take medicine. High doses of it can interfere with your skilled doctor prescribed medication. This is a helper for the doc not a replacement. It won’t help some.

Be smart

Faith Magdalene’s Sundrip

Basil Tea and Kidney Disease

Posted on by F.Magdalene

My friend in Arizona suggested Basil tea to help with kidney disease so I listened but I thought, will basil tea be tolerable? How do I make basil tea? With these questions in mind I set out to my favorite tea blog. I searched and read about mint, because basil is in that family, but I was unable to find anything about how to make basil tea. The best information about basil tea was Google itself. I began to ask it questions.

What’s the best way to make basil tea taste better? Some Answers are? Use various types of basil such as cinnamon basil, Persian or Blue spice basil.

How do I give it body? Answer: add tea leaves, green or black.

How long should I steep it? 3-7 normal 10-15 long 30 deep

Here’s what my friend and I finally came up with today!

You’re going to hate my measurements but remember it’s my kitchen not a restaurant.

Clean Green Basil – (24oz) 4 large basil leaves rolled, mint, lemongrass, black pepper, gunpowder green tea, honey

Basil Tea Black – (24oz) 4 large basil leaves rolled, mint, ginger, black pepper, black tea, honey

We even added cream for chai which was amazing! We were able to re-steep the leaves of the black twice, the green once. Steep 3-7 minutes being the preferred time. Roll and crumble the basil leaf to let the oils out before the steep. Add pepper, you’ll benefit.

All these teas have been on my radar because they are either anti inflammatory or they support kidney function. Recently my kidneys have given me so much pain I’ve been doubled over. I’ll see the doctor on the 25th. Hopefully progress can be made. I’m in constant pain and I’m tired all the time.

I’m never too tired for a good cup of tea. This is good tea but is basil tea safe? Google says people with bleeding disorders, diabetes and high blood pressure should not regularly consume basil tea. In other words, I personally shouldn’t use basil tea medicinally as intended because I’m on blood thinners.

Thank goodness for no shortage of teas. There are so many beautiful combinations to create that perfect moment in a cup that I can’t be disappointed that there’s one I occasionally have to sit out.

Until soon

Faith Magdalene’s Sundrip

Paranoia, Fear, OCD and Art

Posted on by F.Magdalene

My caregivers take me in the community regularly. They assume their presence is enough to keep me calm and feeling safe and grounded. I’d say the statement is 75% true. My anxiety after being stalked has risen. It wasn’t a joke. It wasn’t a game. It was a lot longer than a year! And it was violent and intense! I’m happy to be safe now.

I’m not paranoid in my new home any more than I’ve ever been paranoid. I don’t think being stalked changed that level. I’m back to my old fears, obsessions and compulsions in the new place. Like always I’ve kicked into my coping skills.

Reality check – Can I validate my fears? Are they in the realm of possibility?

Grounding. Remind myself of who I am and that I’m safe. My name is XYZ. I’m X yrs old. I’m safe now! I have an friends, an apartment and most of all a future!

Stimulation / Distraction. It’s time to switch the channels. I have a small vile with me that has the tiniest little bit of lavender in it. It’s my on the run aromatherapy. I also carry a small scratch pad to sketch in because art works for me. Earthing, sitting by the fan or just going outside can help eleviate stress and get it back down to a manageable level.

I would not normally suggest using a tablet at the table in a restaurant but I do it regularly now. I’ve done it in line at Ross because the line was long. The new Five Bellow needs to open more registers but this entry isn’t about that LOL. I sketch at any time, any place in order to control the anxiety, especially if I’ve already tried lavender.

Usually by this time the CNA has picked up on my sketching and starts to ask questions. She kicks into CNA mode and we move to the side for just a bit.

There are times when I can catch my breath and we can proceed but other times I just want to go home. In the car my pen moves like crazy.

OCD Getting all my teeth pulled was the single best thing I could have done. The tooth brush was simply too much.

Bidet. Yeah, should have done this a long time ago, too. It’s difficult to use the restroom. Difficult to clean up especially if there are issues.

The disorder is not fun. I’m trying to manage. I see the new psychiatrist August. That feels like… is... forever.

Faith Magdalene

Belly

Posted on by F.Magdalene

Is there even a comfortable position for people with inflamed kidneys? I’ve not found it.

Because I am now predibedic, I’m going to ask my doctor for the DEXCOM system. I’m a 7 but it’s still a problem and we want it worked on.

Faith Magdalene

Lupus: Destruction. New Home

Posted on by F.Magdalene

Evevn though I’m not over here actively dying of kidney disease I’m kinda flipping out about it. With Lupus the most precious organs you have are the kidneys, lungs and heart. Lupus is going to attack them!

The only thing wrong with my heart is the right branch bundle block and the left bundle block. No artery disease. No failure.

I have three times tested for difficulties with my liver which means I’ll soon see the specialist.

Things are yucky right now. Day after day of yuck. Lupus rolls through damaging whatever is in its path.

Thursday is the move! The place I’m moving to has an entire care system. They have :

  • Independent Apartment Living (me)
  • Assisted Living
  • Nursing Home

There’s a transition program in between Assisted Living and Nursing Home but I don’t remember what it is.

I llike the idea of being set up with a very nice health system on the side of town where a big part of my support system lives.

I hope things go well here. I’m looking forward to a new home.

Faith Magdalene

The Damage. The Appreciation.

Posted on by F.Magdalene

My kidneys are weak but not dead. That’s great news. I’m drinking 64oz of water a day, doctor’s orders. As long as I add a bit of fruit to the water I really don’t mind at all.

I’m in a decent amount of pain because of the inflammation and the rash associated with kidney disease. Who knew the skin could be affected so negatively when the kidneys go down hilll? My back has a nice rash and my legs get so dry that I flake like Tony the Tiger. It’s not great!

There’s been zero art. I look forward to painting in the new place. The new place will also bring two new caregivers because the one I liked so much wasn’t able to continue. In the new place I’ll have a female in the morning and a male aide in the evening. After him I’ll have a person for five hours until midnight. I have overnight care. They’ll lock the door and return in 9 hours.

All that so I can live independently. I appreciate it.

Now for tea.

Validation. Symptoms. Wording.

Posted on by F.Magdalene

A nurse came out to assess me for continued in home nursing. I asked about the difficulties I have with speech but not with reading. She said my speech and memory issues are related to the stroke.

For example, say I may want a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I’ll get the bread and peanut butter, however I will ask the nurse to get the jelly. I can see the jar in my head but the word won’t come out for anything. But if the jar is turned around with the label facing me then I can read it and say “may I have the jelly please”. Otherwise we could be sitting there for three weeks with me trying to get the word jelly out of my mouth. I can picture the object in my head but it’s as if the word is trapped.

I’m not accustomed to being believed. It was hard to admit how often it happens.

The nurse said this is related to the stroke. I thought I was just growing stupid with age. As it turns out, it’s not stupidity at all, but a symptom of something else.

Sometimes the words used to describe myself are a bit harsh.

When in bed, only in bed, primarily on my right side, heavier at the feet and head, my body jerks really hard, like really hard. Hard enough to wake me. I have a semi electric hospital bed, noise thing. I jerked really hard, slammed on the bed frame and woke the neighbor directly above me. We have paper thin walls, but still. Not sure if the doc is going to take that seriously or if it’s going to get brushed aside like many things appear to. I know when I lie down I’m going to have to deal with the hard jerking around. It seems to have increased lately. Interesting.

Faith

Face It: The Advocate

Posted on by F.Magdalene

Many years ago I painted with a computer program. I painted stroke by stroke instead of with filters, making each line very personal. I printed off postcard art and offered it under my name, Sundrip. It was many years and many experiences ago.

Recently I found a stack of the post cards in an old box and began doodling on them. The Advocate came about, so did the idea to continue to mark up, up cycle and alter my own art piece.

I’ve created a section in my shop called Face It. You’ll find just a few original postcards offered for a short time and the altered Face It pieces. The piece that’s in there now is called The Advocate. It’s different from the original in that the colors are deeper, the walls are fuller and if they could talk, they’d have a lot to say.

Here’s the original postcard art from 2007.

Introducing The Advocate in 2024

The Advocate

A figure stands on a purple platform looking down. Purple is used to advocate for domestic violence, Dementia / Alzheimers, Fibromyalgia, Lupus and other systemic illnesses. The platform symbolizes the person’s difficulties that he or she must face. Who will speak?

The postcard is original art by me but there will be many altered Face It Postcard Series pieces. Each will be a one of a kind.

Etsy is where you’ll find me 🙂

Faith

Out with the Hospital, in with the Clinic

Posted on by F.Magdalene

I made all my appointments at the hospital every six months since 2018 but it was time for a change. I’m seeing the same doctor just at a clinic associated with the hospital. I’m happy I made the change.

People spoke to each other in the clinic and it wasn’t about their fight, it was about the beauty red fox family in one yard, a family of bunnies in another yard and pet frogs at my house.

We talked about birds and insects. I talked about insects with two people I didn’t even know as well as the Merlin app that helps me identify what bird I can hear outside. Most of the time I can’t see it but I can hear it so I look it up and do a bit of reading on it. Anyway, it was nice talking to them.

How’s my body? The heat has my body flush. Using my own topical is more effective than voltaren cream. I can use mine just about anywhere and without a time limit. My vitals are in good shape. My weight loss medication appears to be working.

I was to go to intensive out patient eating disorder treatment for 8 weeks but I was unaware of the distance. I can do virtual therapy with them but not intensive outpatient in person for 8 weeks. The transfer and travel time would be brutal. I’ll talk to my pdoc about it. Also, I’ve not been that far from home on my own, in a wheelchair. I’m afraid.

I’ve yet to travel anywhere alone since being in this wheelchair. I was going to go two blocks down the street not 30 minutes one way. Also, I’ve read the reviews and I don’t need the shame. Instead of flat out no it’ll be “not right now with a heavy chance of no.” They need better reviews for me to put forth the type of effort I’ll need and to endure the physical pain I’ll endure while sitting up through the sessions and traveling.

Faith

Brief Medical Hospital Stay

Posted on by F.Magdalene

I’m home from a brief medical hospital stay but in the entry I’ve lead with emotional issues.

I have to admit I am emotionally excitable and I cry at the drop of a hat. Today I cried my eyes out concerning the CNA who left. I was crying because I hate being left. I hate the way she did it. She just walked out!

You know the company has lied (all the companies lie through their teeth up and down all the time). You mean to tell me they couldn’t find a lie this time so that her two weeks had advance notice? Lying is what they do. They couldn’t come up with something to make that transition easier instead of just boom she doesn’t work here anymore! and then for her to just walk in, I ask for breakfast she becomes irritated, says “don’t start with me. Today is not the day “ and walks out …….. it hurts deeply.

I’m so weepy today and I hate the fact that Mother’s Day is coming up cuz that’s all I’m seeing everywhere is Mother’s Day, Mother’s Day, Mother’s Day! I don’t even celebrate Mother’s Day but seeing it reminds me that my mother was mentally ill, cruel, unloving, and she left me too many times to count (saying it was my fault). My stomach hurts so badly. As heavy as that is, that isn’t why I was in the hospital.

I remembered something that will possibly help me move forward. This very materialistic, appearance conscious person, throws people away like candy wrappers. She can’t stand to be alone any length of time but if she can manipulate the support of others she’ll orchestrate an exit. The many exists she told me about we were while the person wasn’t home. It was planned behind their back. In other words, this is her MO. I’m just another piece of candy she got tired of and threw the wrapper on the ground. This is what she does.

It’s also hard knowing May 7th is the amputation anniversary date.

Hospital. I was in the hospital because of blood clots so painful I was writhing. My stomach turned violently but nothing came out. Violently! My complexion was off.

Of course they did every expensive test in the entire world and filled me with all sorts of stuff. But I come home with valuable information. I now have information that will help keep me out of the hospital so often. Sure wish I had it four months ago.

I was so exhausted when I came home that all I wanted to do was sleep. That did not happen. I had 5 necessary individuals to wait for, open the door and interact with before I could get some sleep. Coming home Friday was a long, long day.

Monday I’ll see my regular doctor. Wednesday I’ll see my Oncologist / Hematologist. I won’t get to talk to Dr D bc of medical appointments.

To keep me going I have the following:

  • Tears – They are cleansing. They are not a sign of weakness. They will help me expel toxins, relieve anxiety and stress.
  • I will have art – Get well cards for people at the Hall, my own artwork, doodling, any art
  • Letter writing – Nursing home individuals, others
  • Scripture, Prayer
  • Friends
  • Journaling – I have my written Journal, Gratitude Journal, Art Therapy Journal.

I will not abuse food or myself. My CNA will help me take all of my medications. She will help me to make sure I am doing all of my ADLs. And I’ll make it. It won’t be that long before I’m back on my feet emotionally and physically.

Thank you for reading.

Little Duck