Ah, it’s turkey time in the more northern part of North America. As I was telling Charlie, we here in Canada have the good sense to keep Thanksgiving far enough away from Christmas so that we really enjoy both turkey dinners!
But even more important, this weekend gives me time to go over the past year and put my focus on what I have to be grateful for. Sometimes this can be challenging, particularly as life does have a habit of throwing curve balls when you least expect them. But I’m going to do my best for the next couple of days to look with eyes that are prejudiced toward the good.
So, I’m going to focus on one part of what I’m grateful for about in this protocol. Strangely, it’s not the actual remission or absence of psoriasis that is the most wonderful–although it sure is sweet. BUT it’s the realization that even when little spots reappear I can bump up the protocol (increase the dosage of the supplements….use the mag more often) and that’s all I have to do.
In the past, when the spots increased, I knew where it was heading. It was always in the same direction–it kept getting worse until I had a nasty flare…which lead to the visit to the regular doctor who then sent the referral to the office of the dermatologist who then called with an appointment three months down the line and I had to beg, beg, beg to get in sooner because the itching was starting to drive me crazy. I know you know what I’m talking about.
And then it’s the visit to the dermatologist who checks me over for skin cancer because that’s one of the side affects of UVB. And if that all looks fine, I’m in. And then starts the three times a week, riding my bike (impossible to park around the hospital) rain or shine…often rain, waiting my turn, undressing, covering my face with a towel, slowly turning in order not to burn (I can now stand with eyes closed and spin on a dime without getting dizzy–rah), then getting dressed again…back on the bike. Well, you get my drift. And after a few months, things are back to tolerable and on and on it goes.
Or at least WENT. Because for the first time I feel like I have some control. I can see exactly when a new spot or two appears. I don’t have to wait for doctors and referrals–I can start right now…before the psoriasis has a chance to get momentum on it’s side. A psoriasis flare needs to be stopped quickly. And just that feeling, which is so powerful after years of feeling powerless…THAT’S what I’m really grateful for today.
And to Charlie, who brought Magnesium Chloride to my attention…and to the attention of many others. And for being the first person I really talked with about all the different aspects of this disease. And who completely got it!
