Omg...i Might Be On To Something

[AndreaB]

I have come to the conclusion that becoming a woman makes you fat! After my periods started, within a year, I went from a size 0 to an 8! Yep, it was all downhill from there.

Yep, I was a toothpick before puberty. I do have a picture from when I was 9 I could put up. Short hair and toothpick, with a friend from Florida.

ok, i'm posting just so you guys can see this one...i dont have many young pics digitally...i'll have to find some. I was about 4 months old here, with my brother.

Such a cute baby! Seems like I see a hint of your famous smile. You have a nice smile.

My black and white baby picture wouldn't scan--this is the best I could do

That's a great picture Patti! Prom must of been with your hubby since you've been married so long.

I liked Dr. S a lot and I believe he really means it when he says he wants to find out why I have all this going on. He said that in people like me (and he thinks I'm pretty toxic apparently, lol) it's usually one of four things: mold, candida, metals or lyme.

I'm glad you liked him. That seems to be half the battle.

I'll be curious how the mold test turns out as well since you've said you have mold at home. I assume it'll be two weeks approximately before you get your test results.

Sounds like a good appointment overall.

Can't wait to see your pic too!

Gotta run and eat as my food is getting cold on the table. I started responding to this stuff 1/2 an hour ago but had to finish getting dinner ready.

[happygirl]

Andrea,

Thanks . I just put another one up.

xoxo to all

[dlp252]

Patti - great pic!!!

Andrea - it will be about 3 weeks before I hear results...that's when my next appointment is.

Okay, I scanned some pictures and put one up, but had to put it on my personal photo cuz for some reason I'm getting errors when I try to change my avatar. I'll try it from work tomorrow.

[NoGluGirl]

Dear Carla,

I had my hair cut in a short hairdo (like Jenna Elfman's on Dharma and Greg) years back, and saved my ponytail. So, I could go to the store and see which color is closest. I know I would need a professional. The good news is, Mom has a great one! She got her hair done in a style similar to how Doris Day wore hers, and frosted it. It looks great! Lisa is terrific!

If you think this shade looks harsh, you should have seen it when I dyed it black the first time. It was a blue/black. It was way more unnatural. I just wonder why people assume if you dye your hair black you are trying to be a punk. I am into some of the punky stuff. It is just that people always assume that. Then of course, they assume you are a devil worshipper or something. That is so absurd!

My mother could cut it in that style. Mom used to be a beautician. She had to quit due to her chemical sensitivities. Perhaps I could look like Jen if I got the highlights and lowlights? I don't know. I still desperately would need a tan. Any recommendations on products? I loved Toma's Tan Perfect, but I do not know if it is gluten-free.

I am so glad you have felt better! That stone massage sounds heavenly! I thought that would be nice! The chef there is going to be on the Food Network? That is so cool! Plus, Jen and Brit stayed there? How awesome can you get?

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[AndreaB]

I had a hot stone massage today for 80 minutes! I took a sauna before, then a shower, then the massage ... he told me to take a sauna or a steam room and a hot shower after to assist in the detox (the hot stone massage is good for detox), so I went to the steam room this time, then another shower ... then I got some sunshine at the pool and yet another shower! All I can say is that I'm very clean! The massage was the best massage I've ever had!

I've been fortunate that I've felt good the whole trip!! I'd say 70% of normal ... that's really good since I was 15% in January! (LLMD always asks how I feel in percentages).

Just wanted to check in and say hi.

Hi Carla!

I guess you're clean! Sounds like a good day though. I'm so glad you're enjoying the trip and have felt good.

[AndreaB]

Okay, I scanned some pictures and put one up, but had to put it on my personal photo cuz for some reason I'm getting errors when I try to change my avatar. I'll try it from work tomorrow.

That's a great pic too! I'm guessing between 7-9? You look like "do I have to have this picture taken?" Apparently not a picture hound like my daughter is. She's loved the camera since she was a baby.

Three weeks! Ok, I'll be anxiously awaiting just like you.

Laura,

I like your family pic too. How much older is your brother?

[AndreaB]

New avatar of me and my Dad with our boat who I named Chrystal. Real original.....I was a Chrysler if I remember correctly.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Dear Alison,

OOPS! I forgot to post to you last time! Lyme brain maybe? That is my story and I am sticking to it! You are like my grandparents. They are like that Hershey commercial "Change is bad!" Remember that?

Actually, I've never seen that commercial. I don't watch a lot of TV.

I don't believe that change is bad. Don't we all constantly strive for improvement in all aspects of our lives, whether it be spiritual, emotional, visual, whatever?

I do think that your natural hair color is far more flattering to your beautiful face than the harsh black, which washes your facial color out, and steals the focus away from those gorgeous eyes.

It's easy, though, when we are dissatisfied with our lives, to get hung up on how we look, especially us girls! I mean, when a guy is having problems in his life (health, family, whatever), he doesn't go out and get a perm. (Usually, they go out and buy a car, which is a different can of worms altogether! )

But think ahead 60 years or so, and imagine you are 84 and looking back on your life. Are you going to say, "Gee, I wish I'd spent more time at the beauty parlor?" Or are you going to say, "Gee, I wish I'd spent more time living my life and making decisions that led me to do something really worthwhile with my life?"

Which isn't to say that you shouldn't consider your looks at all. How we feel about ourselves really does have a lot to do with how we--and others--perceive our appearance. That's just the reality of culture we live in. Besides, sometimes changing our appearance can have VERY strong psychological benefits, and that can kind of give you a jump-start on changing other aspects of your life. (Of course, if you get a burned-frizz-perm, it can be devastating, too!!!)

Heck, look at "What Not to Wear" and see how much confidence these women get from those make-overs. Then again, I always wonder why Nick, the hair stylist, always says to women with long hair, "It's just hanging there, not flattering at all," but Stacy and What's-her'name the gorgeous Makeup Artist have long hair that is just hanging there and they look great!

I wonder, can you post the picture of you with Jennifer Anniston hair? If you like it so much, maybe it would look good on you, just in a different shade?

[Rachel--24]

Wow....I stepped out for a bit...came back and my mom says "You missed the party!! Everyone is putting their pics up!"

She loves it...she wants to pick out pictures for me to put up. She already had her hubby get the boxes out of the garage.

Patti....Great pic!!

Patti...at her prom....I love that. Was your hubby your date?? Is his name Mark...or am I confused with someone elses hubby??

I missed Laura's baby pic...the new one is very cute.

Donna....your next.

My mom is wanting me to put up all kinds of pics...starting from a baby pic and going up.

If I was at home I could put different pics up but I'll probably have to leave up the same pic for a whole week. Dunno if I wanna leave my baby pic up all week.

I saw alot of pics of my mom as a child too! Theres a bunch of older black and whites from her childhood and even from her moms childhood. I've seen the pics before but never knew who was who in any of them.

So my mom was showing me the pics....and I learned something new. My mom was maybe about 4 or 5....modeling for Macy's....it was sooo cute. Little desses and bonnet looking hats.

I never knew my mom did modeling when she was little.

So I'll let my mom pick what goes up....she's already thinking of my First Communion pics....we havent come across them yet though.

Oh...and I just ate a bag of potato chips!!

Ok...gotta go back and actually read the posts now.

[Rachel--24]

Andrea and Donna...too cute.

Andrea....does Talitha look like you did in your new pic at nearly the same age?? We get to see your Dad...what a nice picture of the two of you.

Donna....your pic is so adorable...you look a little scared though.

You've got one of those little white dresses on too!! My mom has so many pictures with the little white dresses....must have been the "thing" back then. My mom is a little older than you though.

[AndreaB]

Donna....your next.

My mom is wanting me to put up all kinds of pics...starting from a baby pic and going up.

If I was at home I could put different pics up but I'll probably have to leave up the same pic for a whole week. Dunno if I wanna leave my baby pic up all week.

Donna put up a photo in personal photo since she couldn't get it to load here.

I have one of me and my horse that is too big for the avatar that I might have to go the same route with. We'll see.

Can't wait to see your pics. It's much more fun going through photos when you have someone to tell you who you're looking at. The one I have up now my mom put in the scrapbook she made for me when I got married.

[AndreaB]

Andrea....does Talitha look like you did in your new pic at nearly the same age??

I'm the wrong person to ask about that.

Talitha and I look alot alike but my mom thinks she takes after her. I'm built like my grandmother. Time will tell whether Talitha takes after me or mom. Her hair is darker than mine and mom kept my hair pretty short until I rebelled in middle 7th grade. We came to a happy medium in high school. As far as features, I was always self concious of my eyes, I was born 8 weeks early and cross eyed and still have a lazy eye. Talitha has pretty eyes and a ready smile (especially for pictures). I like her face shape but we'll see how she matures out.

Now I'm growing my hair out again and she doesn't like it. Talitha also wants to grow it out. 2 times ago when we got our hair cut my mom took Talitha and Micah in and when I caught up to them Talitha's hair was already shorter than I like. Talitha told her she liked it and told me she hated it. She didn't want to make grandma mad. She's now told her she's growing it out.

[Rachel--24]

Talitha does take good pics....she has a nice smile. I have pics of all the kids at home on my fridge.

My mom picked out all the pics she likes...so I'll bring them home and scan them. She picked about 8 pictures so I'll have to use both my avatar and personal pic. While I'm scanning the pics...I'll have to remember to scan Ceasar the cat and Bear (my dog)...so you guys can finally see them.

I know you and Patti have been waiting to see my kitty. He looks really cute and cuddly...but even Bear...who is german shepard size...is scared of Ceasar....so dont be fooled by his cuteness.

[AndreaB]

I know you and Patti have been waiting to see my kitty. He looks really cute and cuddly...but even Bear...who is german shepard size...is scared of Ceasar....so dont be fooled by his cuteness.

Can't wait to see you and your "kids". Bear sounds like a real sensible dog.

[Rachel--24]

Well, I'm interesting.

I'm not boring.

I've got a good sense of humor.

I've got a lot going on.

Just a few of the comments I heard.

Heck...we coulda told you all that for free!!

I liked Dr. S a lot and I believe he really means it when he says he wants to find out why I have all this going on. He said that in people like me (and he thinks I'm pretty toxic apparently, lol) it's usually one of four things: mold, candida, metals or lyme.

Yeah....he's really genuine...he does want his patients to get well...you can tell he means what he says. Was he shaking his head alot or looking kind of frusterated with all you've got going on??

Thats how he seems with me and it always worries me a little....but last visit seemed a little more upbeat....because we've figured out some of the bigger issues. At least he didnt sigh and put his head down on his desk.

For me he had said Lyme, heavy metals, mold and exposure to toxic chemicals....that was based on my chemical sensitivites as well as all the food issues. Chemical sensitivities is what really concerns him with me...I think if someone is reacting to chemicals and not able to take most supplements or meds...its gonna be a challenge from the get go.

He really grilled me about molds...at home, at work...anywhere. Apparantly, molds can cause some serious problems. If you read some of Scotts posts about mold he basically says the same thing...If you're living with mold...you wont get better from Lyme or anything else.

Dr. S. spent alot of time asking me about possible mold exposure...also chemical exposure.

We're testing for all of them. I think he ordered 7 labs! Lyme Western Blots, C.D-57, hair elements, molds, Spectracell 5000 (vitamin panel to see where I stand), thyroid antibodies and something else which I can't remember now...maybe candida?? I can't read the word now, but I'm pretty sure he was testing for everything.

Wow...sorry about the 7 vials!

I'm glad I told you it was gonna be less...sounds like you might've chickened out!

Did you ask him to order the C D -57?? He's never discussed it with me...but I guess this means he has the labslip for it and everything?? I planned on asking him when I see him on Friday.

I had the Spectracell test...its for vitamins and minerals. I was ok for everything except Folate.

I had all my previous labwork...even hair analysis so he didnt order alot for me. He hasnt ordered any tests since my co-infections.

[Rachel--24]

Rachel, I think he knows more about ART now cuz he didn't even blink when I said Scott found lyme during an ART session...he actually asked me what exactly the names where that Scott found!

Cool....I plan on talking to him about my session with Dr. Amy...so at least he'll know what I'm talking about this time!!

I failed the sobriety test. I couldn't walk a straight line to save my soul! Don't know what he was looking for there, but I failed.

Soooo...Donna...have you had any Bumble Bars today???

Drunkeness = happy yeasties

I actually did well on this test.

I remember feeling embarassed cuz I had Dave there watching me....making me laugh. I was feeling shy doing the "sobriety" test in front of my boss.

I think I had to touch my nose too. Yeah...somehow I did it all without tripping or falling down.

He also said that people like me (with my health issues) need to work in a kind of mundane (again, not his word but I can't remember and it was something like this) jobs...kind of even keel type of things. He was concerned that I work in a law office.

Yeah...he was concerned about my job too. Basically working around people isnt good for me at all...cuz they all stink like perfume and cologne.

And then on top of getting exposed to chemicals all day...I'm also in the dairy dept....where its really cold. I dont think he felt my job was suitable for my illness.

I'm thinking my illness is just not suitable for my job....somethings gotta go...I vote for the illness.

Anyway, I'm glad I went in thinking it was only going to be TWO vials of blood, cuz I may not have gone through with it if I thought 7 beforehand, lol. It wasn't bad in the recliners though. There was a girl there getting an IV of something.

Seee....good thing you thought you were gonna get away with giving only two vials.

Its very cozy there though...the nurses are all sweet and make you feel very comfortable. They had a little trouble with my blood draw my first time there...when they were drawing for Igenix. Dave was letting me squeeze his hand and everyone was talking trying to take my focus away from the fact that my blood was only coming out in drips.

Anyways...I like everyone there....they're all very friendly.

I'm glad you posted. When I got home and my mom told me I missed the party and picture changing....the first thing I said was..."But did Donna post about her appt??!!"

[Rachel--24]

Bear sounds like a real sensible dog.

Yeah...but I'm not sure if he's a dog or a chicken???

He is the biggest baby...he will not get near the cat...and the cat knows he's got the power. All he has to do is swat at my dog and my dog is running away to hide.

When I lived in San Jose we had roommates and there were lots of dogs...none of the small dogs were scared of the cat...nope...not even the ferrets or rabbits could be bossed around....its only Bear who is terrified of the cat.

Ceasar will guard the doorway so that Bear cant come into the room ....he wont cross Ceasars path...he'll just cry and cry because he cant come into the room.

Poor Bear...I just love him so much though.

[NoGluGirl]

Dear Alison,

Yeah, I think when things are going badly, we tend to think our looks need to change. However, my main thing is, I am not quite sure what I want to do. I am just bored with things sucking.

I do not want to make a huge mistake on my hair and not be able to fix it. That is the thing.

There are a lot of cool things I can do with my hair now. I am afraid to cut it to shoulder length. Plus, blonde washed out my complexion much worse. In that pic, I had make-up on. You what really irritates me? No matter how dark I get on my face, my neck won't tan! That is so strange!

Why would that be?

I wish I could put that pic up for you to see. I could e-mail it to you if I had your address. It was not good! I was bummed, because I wanted to be able to look like Jen, but need to keep in mind my great-grandmother was not really dark either, and she had nearly black hair naturally. I worry I will hate it. Perhaps this is my true self. Being true to you is the most important thing.

For the record, I have had a perm in the past. It ruined my hair! I will never do that again! It was a complete disaster! It burned my hair up, and much of it had to be cut.

I have seen "What Not To Wear" and sometimes I worry I belong on there. I practically live in sweats now. You know...I have thought about having my best friend nominate me so I could have a shopping spree and trip to NYC! That is like my dream vacation, going to the SOHO district and shopping at Macy's, Bloomingdales, and Saks 5th Avenue!

Dear Andrea,

That is a great pic, too! You were so cute! Your hair was so shiny! I tried to put my great-grandmother on here, but it wouldn't allow me too. It did not accept bmp files and the other one was jif, but it would not allow that one either.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[AndreaB]

Yeah...he was concerned about my job too. Basically working around people isnt good for me at all...cuz they all stink like perfume and cologne.

And then on top of getting exposed to chemicals all day...I'm also in the dairy dept....where its really cold. I dont think he felt my job was suitable for my illness.

I'm thinking my illness is just not suitable for my job....somethings gotta go...I vote for the illness.

I can see his concern for both of you. Working in the cold and with people who smell up the place certainly can't help.

Donna's job in a legal office could be very stressful, but at least she doesn't work in family law. Those poor LA's get bombarded with everything.

Donna,

Why do I think Dr. S would prefer your job over you place of residence if you had to change just one?

[AndreaB]

It did not accept bmp files and the other one was jif, but it would not allow that one either.

Hm, I thought it did accept bmp files. They just have to be tiny. I think it's usually easier to load jpeg's though.

[Rachel--24]

I just noticed the Gluen Busters T-shirts on the top of the page!! I love it!!!

Check em out.

https://www.celiac.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=52

And just what is a Gluten Buster you ask? A Gluten Buster is someone who has experienced far too much celiac disease and gluten-free diet ignorance perhaps directly when dealing with their doctor, with a chef or wait person at a restaurant, or with a relative or acquaintance and these negative encounters have caused them to reach a breaking point a point where they have decided to take action and do something about it. it has made them join our team and become a true superhero a Gluten Buster!

meaning of GLUTEN BUSTER

Pronunciation: 'glootn 'bustur

Definition:

1. [n] A superhero-like person who has dedicated him or herself to wearing clothing that is designed to spark up conversations with total strangers in the hope that, if need be, they can be educated one by one until celiac disease and gluten-free diet ignorance is totally wiped out and eradicated from the planet Earth!

That is sooo hilarious!!

I wonder if Scott came up with that??

[Fiddle-Faddle]

I do not want to make a huge mistake on my hair and not be able to fix it. That is the thing.

There are a lot of cool things I can do with my hair now. I am afraid to cut it to shoulder length. Plus, blonde washed out my complexion much worse.

What if you get the Jennifer Anniston cut that you like so much, go with a meduim brunette color, and have highlights and lowlights, which would make it look a lot more natural? THe overall effect will be darker than JA's, but would go nicely with your skin tone.

And you mentioned that guys are attracted to your raven locks--but are they the kind of guys that you want?

In my experience, most of the men who are attracted to the "un-natural" look (obviously dyed hair, breast implants, etc.) have no substance themselves.

This doesn't mean don't use make-up or don't enhance your looks! Just make sure that you are happy with yourself in your own skin before you enhance, and you are more likely to attract the kind of man who loves you for you, not for the mask you put on.

Just a bit of grandmotherly advice!!!!

[jerseyangel]

Carla--

Good to hear from you and that you're having a nice time.

Rachel--

Can't wait to see what your mom comes up with (Hi Cheryl ). Yes--I'd just love to see your kitty.

Jin--

Stick to your guns if that's what makes you feel good about yourself. When you feel confident, that is what you transmit outward to the world. I also have very light skin and naturally very dark brown hair. (the natural color is in the prom pic). I went lighter with highlights for a while, but I felt it clashed with my natural coloring.

Maybe it really didn't, but that's how I percieved it. I wasn't comfortable, so I went back to darker. I now use a shade that I really like--it's a bronzed brown. Dark but with a little spark! I just made that one up.

Donna-- Your picture is adorable!

Andrea--

I think you look just like Talitha in your picture. I noticed the resemblence right away!

Judy--

Hope you can get one of your old pictures up.

I didn't go to the prom with Mark--I met him about 2 months after it. We were engaged on Halloween and married the following April. He and I graduated from the same high school, but he's 4 years older than I, so I never met him until a chance meeting that summer.

[dlp252]

Rachel, I hadn't read this yet...I just ate about 4 potato chips! They have free snacks here and there was a bag of Lay's so I opened it and had a few...I'm still craving chips.

That's a great pic too! I'm guessing between 7-9? You look like "do I have to have this picture taken?" Apparently not a picture hound like my daughter is. She's loved the camera since she was a baby.

I think I was around 4 in that pic. I just tried from work and can't load an avatar here either wonder what's up with that, lol. I have a couple of other photos I'll post one of them later.

Donna....your pic is so adorable...you look a little scared though.

You've got one of those little white dresses on too!! My mom has so many pictures with the little white dresses....must have been the "thing" back then. My mom is a little older than you though.

Yeah, I'm not sure what was going on there, lol...I was in my Aunt's house in Nebraska at the time, that in itself is scary. My mom loved dressing me up, lol. I blame her for my shopping addition. You also won't see ANY of my school pictures up...in fact I think I've destroyed most of them, lol...in almost every one of them, my hair was stupid. My mom like to tease and spray my hair into all sorts of hairstyles popular in the 60s. My hair may be messy most of the time, but it's not stupid. What 5 year old has a bouffant hairdo.

Was he shaking his head alot or looking kind of frusterated with all you've got going on??

Yep, lots of head shaking. He has a dry sense of humor though, so I did catch that he wasn't all serious...but yeah, lots of head shaking and then a comment about my sense of humor. He said he liked my energy, and I replied, yeah, but I'd much rather be home on my couch. I fight everyday to make it through work. He also put his head down once or twice.

Did you ask him to order the C D -57?? He's never discussed it with me...but I guess this means he has the labslip for it and everything?? I planned on asking him when I see him on Friday.

Nope, he just ordered it...I didn't have to ask. I was going to, but I saw it on his list, so didn't. I think it was because I showed him the latest labs for my bloodwork and made a point to mention the low lymphocytes??? maybe???

I had all my previous labwork...even hair analysis so he didnt order alot for me. He hasnt ordered any tests since my co-infections.

See me too, I had all that stuff, but no one has ever wanted to do hair analysis or metals testing or anything. I'm glad he's going to.

Soooo...Donna...have you had any Bumble Bars today???

Drunkeness = happy yeasties

No, but DID have a gluco spice bar (from HN). I had it in pieces throughout the day though. I was really feeling awful yesterday though...my brain was feeling disconnected and floaty again...like it was a few months ago. Anyway, the gluco bar is supposed to be low glycemic and I figure if I eat it 1/8th or 1/4th at a time with other food it wouldn't be too bad. Maybe not.

I actually did well on this test.

I remember feeling embarassed cuz I had Dave there watching me....making me laugh. I was feeling shy doing the "sobriety" test in front of my boss.

I think I had to touch my nose too. Yeah...somehow I did it all without tripping or falling down.

Having TheDave in the room might have made me nervous too. I did pretty well in the touching of the nose thing...my right hand got right on...my left hand was about an inch too high, lol.

Yeah...he was concerned about my job too. Basically working around people isnt good for me at all...cuz they all stink like perfume and cologne.

And then on top of getting exposed to chemicals all day...I'm also in the dairy dept....where its really cold. I dont think he felt my job was suitable for my illness.

Yeah, he was very concerned about work and home, but I told him I work in a fairly new building, so no mold and I work in a room away from everyone else except my co-worker who is in worse shape than I am, lol. He had to put his head down slightly for that one, lol.

Donna's job in a legal office could be very stressful, but at least she doesn't work in family law. Those poor LA's get bombarded with everything.

...

Why do I think Dr. S would prefer your job over you place of residence if you had to change just one?

I think you're right. He just looked so sad when I said I probably have mold at home. I guess maybe I'll need to get a new heater too...I haven't used my heater in years...it's broken and I've never bothered to fix it cuz I don't use it, but maybe if cold is a problem I should fix it before winter.

[dlp252]

Okay I put up a picture from when I was 18 or so...it's in my personal pic though.

More on my appointment (still remembering things in bits and pieces, lol):

He said that the chlorella could very well be what's causing my D. He wants me to experiment a bit and cut it out for a few days. I only took half a teaspoon this morning instead of a whole teaspoon, and so far no D! So now I'm pretty sure that's it...I ran out last week and didn't have D and didn't take as much today and no D. As soon as this bottle is used up (it's expensive and only lasts 7 days opened) I'll stop it all together for a week or so.

He is going to leave my other supplements alone for the time being until he sees my results.

He also asked if anyone had ever diagnosed me with fibromyalgia and I said no, I can't even get THAT, lol. So I think he is going to officially "diagnose" that. He understands it's not a true diagnosis, but at least it's a label (and I think the insurance companies seem to like it), lol. He is still planning on finding out WHY I have fibromyalgia though. I did tell him I was diagnosed with IBS but that no one tried to find out why I have it.

He said it was important for me to stay away from wheat, dairy and sugar, which I'm already doing so that's good. He said my diet will be extremely important in gaining my health back because I think he is reluctant to give me antibiotics since I have such a long history of them and steroids.

He was pleased that I am seeing Anna, and sees it as very important in recovery. He didn't put his head down on the counter, but my reports did get some head shaking from him.

If I'm repeating myself please forgive me, cuz my friend called as soon as I stepped in the door yesterday wanting to know all about the appointment--she's the one who has actually been pushing for me to get tested for lyme! Anyway, I know I told her a bunch more than I posted here, but can't exactly remember what I left out here, lol.