We have recently celebrated the Thanksgiving Holiday here in Canada which is a time to reflect on the things we are thankful for.  While I wasn't able to cook the traditional Thanksgiving Dinner for my family (which consists of turkey, stuffing, potatoes, gravy and pumpkin pies), I was thankful we were able to go out together as a family to a restaurant.  I also took some time to reflect on other things I am grateful for. 

Here is my list of things I am thankful for:

1)  For an early diagnosis.  It only 10 months. In the world of M.E., this is a very quick diagnosis as many go years or decades, unable to receive any diagnosis.   

2)    To receive a diagnosis.   At the time, I didn't think expecting a doctor to offer a diagnosis was expecting too much.  One gets sick, they go to the Dr. and the Dr. tells them what is wrong with them.  That's not the case with M.E. though.  Many times, people actually go backwards as their doctors don't even believe they are sick.  They are told it's all in their heads and then given advice to do things which will not help them and quite often make them more ill. Hearing these reports, as well as my own experiences with doctors since my initial diagnosis,  I now realize receiving a diagnosis is a major accomplishment.

3) For a Dr. who believed M.E. is a real illness, had extensive knowledge about it but also be one of the top M.E. specialists in our country. He not only got it, believed in it but has written about it.

4)  To live in Canada where universal healthcare enabled me to visit so many doctors, specialists and have so many tests done, all at no cost to me and no 'questions' or disputes from insurance companies on whether these tests and/or specialists were necessary.  When one doctor needed a test completed or for me to see a certain specialist a requisition was all I needed and off I went.

5) My on-line M.E. groups and friends who, unfortunately, also suffer from this dreadful disease.  They willingly share info, what has worked for them, what hasn't and have suggestions of things to try.  Sharing this info is nice of anyone, but when one has the debilitating fatigue and other issues of M.E., using your already limited energies to help others is exceptional.

6)  The friendships I've made.

7)  Dr. Sarah Myhill, her work with M.E., the M.E. community and the info she shares on her site.  When I fist became ill with M.E./CFS, an on-line acquaintance pointed me in the direction of Dr. Myhill's site and it was invaluable.  Her information and suggestions were a large contribution to the improvements I have made over my journey.

8) A supportive family.  Without my husband and children believing in me, supporting me and generally picking up the slack, I would not have been able to make the improvements I have.  They gave me the time to rest, to research and implement various things.  They supported me through the things that didn't work and rejoiced at the ones that did -- no matter how small the improvement.  

9)  The improvements I have made.  I am at 50 - 60% of my pre-illness state but considering I was at around 2% when M.E. first hit, I've made considerable improvement.

10)  The other positive life-style changes I've had to make. 

      It is easy to focus on all this illness takes from us -- and lets' be crystal clear, it does rob us of a lot -- however shifting our focus can be very helpful.     

​         What are some things you are thankful for?

                         Shifting focus to remain

                                    Balanced....despite the chaos!
​

                I was going to entitle this post "The Dangers of Aspartame" but changed it to include all artificial sweeteners.  I know aspartame is classified as safe under the FDA, but truly there have been so many things over the years labelled safe initially, only to be found extremely dangerous down the road. Thalidomide and asbestos come to mind but there are many, many more.        

      As I mentioned in a previous post, I used to use aspartame in my coffee. As well, whenever I could, I opted for the "sugar free" variety of everything. After all, reducing sugar was the goal and aspartame was "safe" so it was a win win situation. Right?  

     Wrong.  

      I wish I knew then what I know now, without having had to learn it first- hand at the expense of my health.  Very expensive lesson (and I'm not talking expensive as in monetary value here).

   My own personal experience using this FDA "approved" substance together with the many other "approved-today-oops-dangerous-after-all-tomorrow" things, have left me extremely skeptical, especially of all sweeteners. I hear sweetener "A" has been tested and is safe or Sweetener XYZ is a natural substance and therefore safe and my radar goes off.  To me, it's just not worth the risk of consuming it only to find out later on it's caused me another health issue.     There are so many "things" in our foods these days, sometimes lurking under another, unrecognizable name, that I try to eat a whole foods only diet (well as whole as one can get these days).
​  
    When I started to look further into the whole aspartame thing,  I was shocked at the sheer number of products we consume which contain aspartame or other artificial sweetener. 

   Items like (but not limited to):

•  diet soda
•  flavoured waters
•  drink powders
• anything marked "sugar-free" It has to get its sweetness from somewhere and if it isn't from sugar, it's more often than not, something artificial.  
• sugar-free candies
• chewable vitamins (children's vitamins!)
• chewing gum (sugar free)
• some over-the-counter medicines (like cough drops, cough syrups)
• some prescription medicines (I was shocked to see my husband's migraine medication contained it, especially when headaches are a known side-effect of aspartame)
• frozen desserts
• some yogurt 
• some puddings
• some condiments and sauces

    
     The list goes of products goes on and on (One list indicated it's in as many as SIX THOUSAND different products!).  The take away thought here is, we MUST become label readers.  Better yet, buying things that don't require a label are even better.  

      Even though the FDA itself lists 92 known side effects of aspartame ingestion, it's still on the market today.  

     Sweet Misery A Poisoned World (found here) is an EXCELLENT, must-see, documentary about aspartame. It provides an in-depth look into many aspects of Aspartame, starting from its very beginnings.  Many experts, such as Drs., Specialists and Attorneys as well as a former FDA Investigator are interviewed.  Each one of them gives an amazing, many times shocking, account of all that went into getting Aspartame approved and on the market. It's quite disturbing actually.  There's also interviews with aspartame victims and what they went through.  Together, they all uncover so much and it was a real, eye-opener for me.  

      Yes, it was an expensive lesson for me to learn and it is my hope to keep as many people as possible from going through it too. 

                        Balance.....despite the chaos!
      

     Nothing says serenity quite like the gentle ocean waves washing over the last bit of slushy iceberg. Even better when it's centre stage, illuminated in the soft glow of morning sun as it rises up over the ocean's edge, beginning it's daily journey.

     A new day is dawning.

     These things together with the salt air and the peacefulness of the early morning give vivid definition to serenity.  ​

      (This is previously posted here on the serenity page of my blog, but bears repeating as it's been *that* kind of day.  )

            Refusing to give up so I can have, 

                                  Balance....despite the chaos!
           

     It's been grey, foggy day where I live today.  Actually, it's been grey and foggy for a few days now.  Even though it is, I try to see the beauty in it and also remember the fog will eventually lift.

​
From my deck a couple of mornings ago.  There *is* an ocean underneath that sun.  ​

     Meanwhile, while we're waiting for the fog to lift, why not enjoy the sunrises and nature as it appears around me.   Here are links to my photos found elsewhere on this blog (and once there, you can click on the thumbnails to enlarge them):