UPDATES! RSD/CRPS Bill to be Voted on!

"It's clear blue skies flying 30,000 feet above."

Good morning! I just received an e-mail from Senator Kyrillos' office updating me on the status of my RSD/CRPS Bill. It is to be voted on in the Senate in two days, 9/30! If you are just tuning in, please check out this guest post I wrote for crazysexylife.com explaining my meeting with Senator Kyrillos.

If you know anything about legislation, it's that it's quite a lengthy, exhaustive process to have it move through the government. It has to be approved by both the Senate and the House of Representatives, so we are on our way! YIPEE!

I have to say that I had accomplished more "sick" than I had ever accomplished in my younger, "healthy" days. I say this in the past tense because I am no longer sick :-) I am in the process of recovery.

I'll be at my field placement until after 9PM this evening. I'm facilitating my first group therapy of the semester, so send me prayers for a happy, healthy, pain-free day and evening.  

HAPPY Healing!!!!!!!


P.S. Don't forget to check out my formspring page. There may be answers to questions you have already posted. If not, ask away!

XOXOXO

Put Your Brave Face On

Hi, healers! I had quite a busy weekend compared to the weekends of the last six, sick years. I did a lot of work for field, assessments, process recordings, etc., spent some time with friends and family, and attended little Addie's second birthday party. Needless to say, I am quite exhausted today, but I am spending it resting and doing more grad work.

Addie dancing with Elmo:

Look at that smile!

Shorter and I picked out our first pumpkin of the year at the farm next to my home. We also purchased some delicious, local fruits and veggies. A vegan's dream!

Check out the new juicer my mom and dad surpised me with last week after a long night of class! Lucky me!!

Addie on her new bike:

Back to my studies.

Happy Healing!

Thoughts on Death and Dying and Health Updates

Hi, healers! I have been super busy, especially now that the orientation of my hospice/hospital field placement is over, and I am acquiring my independent case load. My first written up and completed psychosocial assessment at the agency was called "beautiful," so I think I am starting off strong this school year :-) So far, my tasks are psychosocial assessments, support and counseling for families and patients in the home setting, inpatient setting, and oncology unit, and the facilitating of therapy groups, particularly children's bereavement at the moment. I am learning so much from my supervisor, who is compassionate with a brilliant mind, and the other social workers on the unit. It is a really an incredible team to be a part of, making the work environment ideal.

Each time I explain to someone that I am working in a hospice/hospital setting, I get the same reaction, which is, "That must be so depressing. I couldn't do that," when in fact, it is the total opposite. Through disease, I have learned so much about myself in the past six years, and now through death, I am learning so much about life.

To be sitting next to someone who is actively dying and who knows he/she is actively dying (They may have 6 months or two weeks to live.) is a deeply profound and spiritual experience for me. It is where I feel the transitory nature of life and recognize that our bodies are only places to house the soul for a short time. We are not our physical bodies.

Through death, life has become MORE precious and beautiful to me. At 25 years old, through illness, I have been forced to examine aspects of myself, life, and my relation to others, the world around me, and beyond, which most people never do in several lifetimes. Facing death and terminal disease at my placement has allowed me to go deeper into these examinations, creating even more love and appreciation for my time on this earth in THIS body.

As I mentioned above, working in this agency is a deeply profound experience for me, and it has only been a month. I feel my growth will know no bounds by the time I am done next summer. I sense many spiritual awakenings coming, so stay tuned and keep up with my journey. I think you each will benefit from my experiences in your own ways.

As for my physical health, I am doing SO well. Better than I ever imagined. Still not 100%, but I am able to function at the level I need to right now without any pain medications. To give you an idea of where I am, I still can't "exercise," but I can perform my daily duties without being in excruciating pain or taking any opiates. My field days are extremely demanding (hospitals are HUGE. lots of walking and a long commute), but I continue to defy the odds. You know me! At this rate, I will be in full remission in no time!

I am sending prayers out to all of my healing friends xoxo

Happy Healing!

A Reason, a Season, a Lifetime

Hi, healers! I wanted to write about the very important lesson I have learned at a deep, spiritual level of understanding and knowing lately in my personal life out of experience, but I believe this text does a better job of explaining it than my grad school saturated brain can right now. Pertaining to my lesson, pay attention to the "reason" paragraph and enjoy!

A Reason, A Season, A Lifetime

"People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong -doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway); and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant. Thank you for being a part of my life."

© BRIAN ANDREW "DREW" CHALKER

Happy Healing!

Adorable Pictures

Hi, healers! I'm taking advantage of the beautiful Septemeber weather, and inbetween treatments, classes, school work, and my field placement, I've been having some fun with "the babies" outside.

Sunday, I attended the lovely and beautiful Lauren's baby shower. She looked radiant, the vegan food was amazing, and her loved ones were so welcoming.

Check out these adorable pictures!

I promise to write a thorough update on my condition and some VERY important lessons I have learned recently very soon, but I had to share these adorable pictures with you. Off to do some school work!

Happy Healing!

Updates: Ketamine, Grad School, Field Placement, Etc. + Cute Pictures

Hi, healers! I am so sorry I haven't updated recently (Although, I try to keep updating on facebook, so if we aren't friends, please friend me there.) or read and commented on your blogs. I started my last year of graduate school, classes and a hospice field placement located in a hospital, and I had my latest two ketamine boosters this past Monday and Tuesday in Philly with Dr. Schwartzmann. They went well, my pain is good, and I recovered quickly. It has been a challenge trying to find what works for me to stay off pain medication, stay in active treatment (physical, emotional, spiritual, etc.), and complete my requirements for my Master's degree, which are very demanding for RSD/CRPS. I will write about this quest to find balance in more detail ASAP along with my current and future treatment plans.

Here are some pictures of Shorter and me cheering for the University of Miami this past weekend. Doesn't he look handsome? His mom is a PROUD alumni, so he has to dress appropriately :-)

Look at the love and hugs!

A Shorter puppy picture just for fun :-)

Stay tuned for some big updates!

Happy Healing!

Raw Foods, Graduate School, Shorter, Horses, Baby, OH MY!

Hi, healers! I hope you all are enjoying the long holiday weekend. I started my last year of graduate school last week, and on Tuesday, I start my hospice placement. Soon, I will have a Master's Degree!

In the past, I've been asked how I stay raw and vegan when I am out of the house all day. For example, this is what I packed with me on Wednesday for lunch.

A tomato, carrot, pepper, hemp seed, and flax oil and vinegar salad:

And a Raw Revolution bar:

Easy to tote around, and it just takes a moment to prepare before I leave the house. Very simple.

Last week, I also took my first attempt at making a raw nut/seed patte. I used raw sunflower seeds and some raw cashews. I added lemon juice, a little water, and garlic. It was good! I even reused the empty raw cashew container instead of throwing it out :-)

Here it is on some peppers:

Look at these HUGE, beautiful horses we just saw at the park across the street from my house! I was able to spend some time with them. The owners were so generous and kind with their time and amazing animals:

Shorter getting to know one:

I can't leave you without some adorable baby pictures from the last week:

Being a young lady:

Eating ice cream in her tutu:

Representing the U!

More updates coming soon!

Happy Healing!

GREAT News!

**For those of you who aren't friends with me on facebook, please friend me if you want some GREAT, inspirational quotes from spiritual texts my talented spiritual advisor, Lynn, provides me with: facebook.com/prefontaine44

"If you seek health for health

alone, if you seek material gain and that alone, if you seek any one

thing for that thing alone, it shall elude you; but seek the Truth and

you will find everything. When you have Perfect Faith and belief in

God and yourself, then you receive fully; you become one with the

Divine Love, Wisdom and Power. It is the most wonderful and most

glorious of all teachings. It is the unwritten word of the Masters."

- MURDO MACDONALD-BAYNE

Hi, healers! My last year of graduate school begins today, and it is going to be a busy, challenging, and rewarding time as I try to heal myself and others. Please, send me your prayers for strength, wisdom, power, and healing.

My great news is that I received my latest saliva test back on Monday, which tests the levels of cortisol your adrenals are producing throughout the day. Remember, I am being treated for adrenal fatigue, amongst other conditions, as I try to repair my entire body and not just manage symptoms while diseases progress. Eight months ago, my first saliva test came back with negligable amounts of cortisol, the lowest my VERY experienced practitioner has EVER seen in any patient of any age (I'm only a mature 25 years old.). Monday, my test results showed I am producing MY OWN cortisol!!!!!! Can you believe it?!?! I AM HEALING! It's not perfect, but at this rate, my adrenals will be healed in no time!

Stuart Watkins wrote a great guest blog post for crazysexylife.com on adrenal fatigue, and I think it is IMPERATIVE that anyone with a chronic illness read his account of this looked over condition, especially if you suffer from Fibro, CFS, RSD/CRPS, etc. At some point when one experiences chronic disease, the adrenals will be affected.

Happy Healing!