This post is long overdue. It hasn’t been written before now because the topic is huge … almost every paragraph could be turned into a post on it’s own. For today, I’ll do my best to give you the super-condensed version, of how $20 changed my life.
You see, I’ve struggled with chronic pain for the better part of 2 decades. A car wreck on March 31, 1994 left me with whiplash, and injured shoulder, and torn jaw joints. Minor injuries in the eyes the law, in the eyes of most people. The woman who hit me was charged with improper driving. I was left with injuries which turned into chronic, debilitating pain.
The car wreck left me with headaches … every day.
Fighting pain and trauma over a long period of time caused weaknesses in my whole body. I still don’t know the extent of it … but do understand that a heightened sensitivity to a variety of things was awakened. I became highly sensitive to wheat, corn, ink, sound, and light, to name a few. Over time I became more and more reactive to many things in my environment.
The sensitivities and the pain progressed, hand-in-hand, and the visits began. You know the routine, the rounds and rounds of visits to every doctor and therapist imaginable. I learned to sit the right way, lay the right way, wear this bite plate or that, take frequent breaks, and not lift over … 10 pounds, really? MRI’s, stretches 3x/day, anti-inflammatories, Flexeril … which made me feel like I was somewhere in the vicinity of Mars.
The pain spread throughout my body. Chronic, sleep-depriving, mind-numbing, depressing pain.
But I’m a pretty strong person. I was devoted to my son, and squeaking out every happiness I could from this life. I did my best to keep pain from interfering. I was determined to put it behind me.
I began to question everything I came into contact with … and in the process became quite a good detective.
I eliminated foods from my diet. I moved all the Sharpies off of my desk. I stopped wearing any fragrances, and switched to mineral makeup and crystal deodorant. I tried a variety of natural shampoos, and even tried making my own (all kinda’ gross, actually). I had my work station evaluated for ergonomic correctness, and got rid of all of my high-heeled shoes. I had therapies ranging from elbow in the back massage, to trigger point injections in my neck and armpit … and no, that wasn’t fun … at all!
For the most part, I developed relationships with some amazing doctors … amazing people. They were kind, compassionate, and loving. They did what they could, and they did it well. I am grateful for each of them. While each experience expanded my awareness, and did help me feel better. The relief didn’t last. They weren’t the end-all solution.
For 13 years I took Advil several times a day, almost every day.
I spent incredible amounts of time and money on doctors, therapists, and chiropractors. I worried that I had a tumor or a blood clot. I worried that one of my vertebrae was out of place, and might paralyze me at any moment. We moved on to blood tests, and I’d pray that the tests would show that I had something … anything that we could identify and treat! Hundreds of dollars a month on co-pays and prescriptions to try to get rid of this unexplainable pain.
A time came when I was unwilling to continue with the Advil. Not long after that, I became unwilling to continue with any prescriptions. I took myself off of everything, and decided I’d only go back on what I absolutely had to have. Rather than continue chasing this pain around my body, I knew that I needed to feel it fully in order to pinpoint it.
Sometimes at night I’d just cry. I was exhausted, and I’d cry at the thought of having headaches every day for the rest of my life. I feared being old, and unable to communicate my pain, and asked my husband to promise, that when I’m old, that he would give me Advil every day. He knew this was a desperate cry … it broke his heart … but he promised.
I knew there had to be an answer … and I had to find it.
I did everything I could possibly think of to get rid of my headaches.
I worked with a fabulous nutritionist at Duke Integrative Medicine, keeping a food journal. I detailed everything that I ate, and when, and how I felt at various times during the day. I was excited when we discovered that I was allergic to corn, and soon realized that corn is everywhere! All I needed to do was eliminate the corn, and I’d be home free. Corn was huge, and I was grateful for heightened awareness! When I ate corn starch, corn syrup, corn chips … and this list goes on … I could, and can still feel its effects right away! Eliminating it was quite a challenge, but I was steadfast … in the end, it wasn’t all of the answer. Nope … not that easy!
I worked with Dr. Ken Moorhead at Oriental Health Solutions. Together, we were able to further reduce the inflammation in my body with proper nutrition and elimination of dairy and most grain products. Over time, with a good diet, and regular exercise, I found relief from most of my pain … but the headaches persisted.
Still I searched. There was a missing piece. I knew that the piece was something that I was being exposed to. I knew that my body wasn’t just in pain for no reason … I kept going back to the shampoo. There had been times when I could actually feel my scalp tighten, feel my throat constrict when I shampoo’d my hair. I tried many … many shampoos, some made it worse, but none seemed to make it better.
Then sometime during 2010 I met Susan Loughrin online. She’s a singer, an educator, a blogger, and a wonderfully creative and caring woman. She also represents Miessence, a line of organic personal care products from Australia.
Susan offered to send me some free samples of the products. Nice … some hand cream, some face wash … and some shampoo. My gut told me that this could be it.
On the day my free samples arrived, I washed my hair with pure gold. I waited for the reaction … and waited … and went on with my day … and then, I went on with my life. I didn’t have a headache. My life was changed.
In October of 2010, I ordered a bottle for $20. I pray that Miessence stays in business for the rest of my life!
I don’t have many headaches, and when I do I really don’t like it. When I lived with them every day, that’s the way life was. Now I know that my life doesn’t have to be painful, so headaches kind-of piss me off.
Also, with my new shampoo, I have more hair, and healthier hair than I can ever remember having in my life! I don’t even have to wash it every day, unless I want to. The picture at the top of this post was taken after 2 days, we were on a mini-vacation … at the river, where I was playing, laughing, and relaxing with my family. It wasn’t a ‘good hair’ day … but it was a great day!
I have rules, and they must be followed. If I get into corn-stuff, the wrong grains, too much sugar, smelly inks or perfumes … my headache is more than happy to come for a visit … even happier to take an extended vacation at my expense.
… but if I follow the rules, and use “my” shampoo, I’m okay … really okay.
Sometimes when I recommend this product to people who are ill, they lose interest when they find out the price. I understand that those are the people who aren’t desperate, aren’t in enough pain.
But those who stick around long enough to hear my story understand. Our bodies are incredibly, perfectly crafted. They know how to be healthy … they know how. We just have to get out of the way. We have to stop filling them with toxic stuff. My body was sensitive enough to let me know that the chemicals in shampoos were hurting me. I believe they’re hurting us … even those of us who aren’t super-sensitive are still soaking up the chemicals every day.
My shampoo costs $20 a bottle. A bottle lasts me about 2 months. Much cheaper than daily headaches, tears, frustration, and doctor co-pays several times a week.
With gold prices today, I’d say $20 for my 8 ounce bottle of pure gold is quite a bargain!
*If you have unexplainable pain, headaches, or another condition that has people baffled, maybe I can help. I’ve been through alot, and would be glad to hear your story and see if I have any experience to offer that might bring relief. And by the way, I’ve seen the look on people’s faces … nothing will sound crazy to me … I promise! I can’t swear that I have everything in this post in exactly the right order … some years are just kind-of a blur. It has been a long road. I’ve learned alot, and am happy to help if I can. You can leave a comment or email me at teenytinypieces@gmail.com. If you’re still reading … I’m guessing that you’re either in pain, or know someone who is. Know that I’m sending you love and compassion.
**This isn’t a sales promotion. Susan didn’t ask me to promote her line of products, nor does she even know that I’m writing this post. I am, incredibly grateful that our paths crossed, and that I know Susan as a friend and as a Miessence representative. Here’s her contact information … I’d be super-pleased if you’d drop her a line. (… and thank you Susan … this post could just as easily have been titled “How Susan Loughrin Changed My Life” … hugs to you!!)
Email Susan at: organicsmi@hotmail.com
Find Miessence products at: http://organicsyes.mionegroup.com/
Also, check the toxicity of your products at http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/
♥ One final note ~ this will likely be my last post for a while. I will spend the month of July on my Healing Touch practice. I am super-excited about the amazing group of guest writers I have lined up for July, and part of August, so don’t miss the goodness! Please subscribe if you haven’t already.
Take good care everyone,
Love,
Jane, that’s quite a story. I had no idea. I know what an effect the food we eat and products we use can have on us. I’m going to take a look at her web site. Thank you so much for sharing about your journey. Love, Nancy
So glad you stopped by, Nancy ~ food has the potential to make us entirely healthy, or entirely sick. The nice thing is that we get to choose what we put into our body and on our skin.
🙂
Jane Rochelle recently posted..How $20 Changed My Life
Oh I was going to add, your “bad” hair day is 10 times better than any of my hair days:)
Ha … this reminds me of a precious, late friend who was coming back from chemo. She just called them “hair days” … and was so grateful for each and every one of them! 🙂
Take good care, dear Nancy!
Love you!
Jane Rochelle recently posted..How $20 Changed My Life
((( Jane ))) I will miss you while you’re away 🙂 Have a wonderful ‘holiday’!!
For a very short while back in 2005 or so, I was a MiEssence rep. The products are wonderful. Unfortunately, I’m highly sensitive to certain botanticals – rose, orange, grapefruit (the ‘acidity’ ones) – and so I had to stop using them. These allergies make finding a good organic/natural product difficult 🙁 but like you, I’m tenacious and will keep trying!
I simply cannot image living with chronic pain like you describe. Why is it that so many of our HEALERS are (or have been Wounded??? Perhaps that is where so much of your compassion, insight and empathy comes from? Two very necessary qualities in a Healer/Teacher. You exemplify ALL of them in spades.
Love you. Will look forward to your return! xoxo
Grace recently posted..Heart Shaped Moments
Thank you Grace … I can’t say … only that I’m grateful for this space in my journey, and the many things I’ve learned … the many amazing and beautiful people I’ve met along the way. Some of my doctors are my greatest inspiration. Memories of my most painful days keep me in line at times when I might otherwise jump on the corn wagon and go for a ride!
From hard places we learn and grow … keep visualizing, Grace, and call for the goodness you desire. I will do the same, deal? 🙂
xo
Jane
Jane Rochelle recently posted..How $20 Changed My Life
That is an incredible story. I don’t know how you kept going, except that you have an undyingly buoyant spirit. I really commend you for not giving up and for being very systematic in your finding relief. Wonderful.
Diana recently posted..the sacredness of the everyday
Hi Diana! It’s great to see you! Funny you should use the word buoyant … sometimes I’d tell my husband that I just wanted to float in water … somehow that free and effortless image brought hope of relief. The relief came, along with lots of lessons on self care. I became very systematic when I felt the complete loss of control of my body and my situation. When everything felt dizzying, I could return to the list of things I’d tried … sometimes multiple times … and eliminate, adjust, try different combinations.
Thanks so much for stopping by, and for taking a moment to leave a note.
Take good care ~ ciao!
Jane
Jane Rochelle recently posted..How $20 Changed My Life
And all the time I thought it was your new garden with the healing power. I think the trip to Montana last year helped a little also.
Love you
Well, like I said … I had to super-condense the whole thing, so probably, it was the garden, and definitely Montana! I take care of the garden, and the garden takes care of me. What do you think would happen if I’d mix some of that gold shampoo with water and sprinkle it on my garden … it makes things grow ~ How about if you use some of Mom’s to wash your hair, and see what happens! (:o
Love you dad!!
me
Jane Rochelle recently posted..How $20 Changed My Life
Hi..
It’s a real nice story. Thanks for sharing this great story.
Andrew Walker recently posted..Registry Mechanic Coupon
Janey…I am so overjoyed that you have finally found relief, but even I was unaware of just how much you were suffering. You have so much to share and I believe you are on the verge of some very awesome things in this life. Don’t EVER stop learning and growing because we will all be the worse for it if you do. Thanks for sharing your story, I am sorry I was so blind…you are a trooper!
I’m sending lots of hugs your way, oh, and some for hubby too for being so good to you.
I love you, Jill
Hey there Jilly ~ I’m always so glad to see you here! Thanks for all of your sweet words, they really mean so much to me.
No worries about not knowing the details of all of this … part of the journey has been moving forward as much as possible, no matter what I was going through. There actually came a time when just talking about it heightened my awareness, and had a tendency to make me feel worse. I chose to not talk about it, and concentrate on what I needed to do to get better. Law of attraction, before I’d ever even heard of such a thing, I suppose 🙂
Thanks for the hugs ~ see you soon!!
Love you!
Jane Rochelle recently posted..How $20 Changed My Life
Jane, you sheer tenacious spirit leaps out from this post. I can’t ever imagine in a thousand years what you’ve been through but your amazing expression of emotions has helped us all sense the depth of feelings you’ve had to experience from physical to emotional. But you’ve also proved how, when we hang in there, fight, believe, stay strong, and hope, that one day light does show at the end of the tunnel. I hope and fondly wish that your light will now become even brighter and the tunnel some day soon long behind you. Be blessed Jane in every way.
John Sherry recently posted..Where Do You Most Waste Your Time?
Yes, John, there was always a light at the end of the tunnel … no matter how dim it became at times, it was always there. I am fortunate, and grateful to have been afforded the journey. I realize that there are many others who don’t have the resources to explore as I have, and resort to hopeless suffering. It’s my hope that I can share what I’ve learned with any who are led across my path. I’ve learned much about myself and about the presence of God through it all. It has drawn me to learn about the things that bring me so much joy now, and to this path of healing and wholeness. Thank you, John, for your every kindness ~
Jane
Jane Rochelle recently posted..How $20 Changed My Life
Jane,
I am blown away by your story and your strength. Thank you for sharing your story. It says something about your amazing spirit. I bless, honor and appreciate you. I’m grateful that we’re friends. xoxo
Tess The Bold Life recently posted..We Need Your Help
Thank you Tess ~ for the blessings, and for your sweet words. Thank you for your friendship. My wish is that I can share my story with others who might benefit, that I may be of service. xo Jane
Jane Rochelle recently posted..How $20 Changed My Life
Jane,
This is a really informative post. I too suffer from food allergies that create tons of inflammation in my body. I can eat corn though – but not gluten or soy products. As soon as I took the gluten and soy out of my diet the arthritis I had in my joints went away – completely. Now when I do slip up – I feel it immediately and know what to attribute it too.
I’d like to try this shampoo of yours too. More hair sounds great!
I’m so glad you’re feeling better though – this is the most important part of your post. You have great things ahead of you that you’re going to accomplish so you need to feel your best.
xoxo,
Angela
Angela Artemis/Poweredbyintuition recently posted..Intuition Development is Speeding Up: 5 Steps You Need to Take Now
We can feel really empowered once we’re able to remove the mystery behind our inflammation. Not knowing what we’re reacting to is very frustrating, and I remember at times, feeling like a paranoid hypochondriac! I knew in my heart that it wasn’t true, but saying over and over, to one doctor after another, that maybe I was allergic to this or that (and generally getting a blankly polite smile from the docs) … made me eventually feel like it was all in my head.
So glad you’re aware, and can control the gluten! Great for you! One thing to remember is that when we have reactions that we can feel on the outside, our insides have likely been suffering even more severely. The external is a flag to let us know that there’s something going on internally. That the gluten, or corn, or whatever, is making our insides pretty sick.
Take good care, Angela!
Love,
Jane
Jane Rochelle recently posted..How $20 Changed My Life
Jane, what a wonderful story of perseverance, courage and bravery!
Thanks for sharing – and I wish you all the best for your journey.
Now, I am just off to shampoo my hair:-)
Arvind Devalia recently posted..How to Create Your Own Luck Everyday: 5 Tips