More Graduation Photos

Hi, healers! Here are some of the professional photos taken at the graduation ceremony.

Happy Healing!

I'm Feeling Better!

Hi, healers! Thank you all so much for your kind words concerning my graduation from my master's program a week ago. Right now, I'm working on finishing up my clinical hours at the hospice and studying for my professional licensure exam, which I will be sitting for in approximately one month. Eeek! I'm not the greatest at standardized exams. Pray for me!

You are all aware that I had been struggling with a relapse of my debilitating pain starting at the end of December 2010. Well, I am so pleased to say that I am feeling better! I have found a good combination of medications (non-narcotic) that have enabled me to be more active with less pain, including working on building up my strength and flexibility again with yoga (a treatment in and of itself). The new medication I am on has reduced my inflammation dramatically, but my doctor and I are still working on the dosage. I'll let you know more as the results reveal themselves. Of course, sticking strictly to the raw vegan diet and using lots of anti-inflammatory super foods like blue-green algae and straight chlorophyll have been miracle workers. Raw really is the way to go. I was eating way too many cooked foods over the winter, including too much sugar and caffeine. Bad, bad, bad, but consistent with the life of a graduate student.

Anyway, I just wanted to give you a quick update.

I wrote a piece for crazysexylife.com on hospice that should be published soon, so stay tuned!

Happy Healing! 

Graduation and Hooding Ceremony Pictures

Hi, healers! I promised more pictures, so here they are!

Happy Healing!

I Did It! I have a Master's Degree! Pictures!

Hi, healers! Yours truly graduated last night with a Master's of Social Work (M.S.W.)! I want to share some pictures with you that I took on my phone. My dad has a bunch of beautiful pictures on his camera that I'll share with you ASAP. Enjoy!

Dad, Me, Mom:

Mom and Me

Dad and Me

The Happy Graduate!

Pat and Me

And I cannot leave out Shorter! He helped me get ready :-)

Happy Healing!

DONE!

Hi, healers! Guess what! I'm DONE with graduate school!!!!! I submitted my last assignment a few days ago, and the graduation and hooding ceremony is this coming Saturday. Can you believe it?! Right now, I'm just finishing up my clinical hours at the hospice and studying for my professional licensing exam... and focusing on decompressing and healing, of course :-)

I'm still trying out a new treatment and focusing on my yoga (gentle, of course) and meditation practices. Daily stretching is SO important with RSD/CRPS. I cannot stress that enough. I know how absolutely horrific I felt when I slacked on my stretching routine for a few months. A plant-based diet, good mental health, a strong support system (including God/Source/Spirit/Creator), and daily gentle stretching are what keep me going despite having this illness in my life for the past six years. It takes a village and a lot of hard work and dedication.

I'm off to have a green juice and do some gentle yoga/meditate this morning.

Happy Healing!

When Will We Learn?

"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."

On a more celebratory note, I finished my last assignment of graduate school EVER, and my last classes are this Thursday! GO ME! The graduation and hooding ceremony is on May 14th.

I'm off to do some stretching, have some green juices, and meditate before heading off to visit some patients and run a support group this evening.

Happy Healing (and Loving)!