Breakthrough!

That's what Joshua said .... "Today was a  huge breakthrough!" It was an encouraging word I needed to hear. There's more about that later in the post.

To this point, I have not made public on social media some of my physical issues/diagnoses, so many of my friends and acquaintances may not yet know. I am deciding whether to post this link on Facebook, so, if I do, and you're just tuning in, here's what's going on:

I have Parkinson's Disease, along with several other physical issues, one of which is extreme, chronic, and long-standing lymphedema in my feet and legs. The lymphedema is spreading now to my upper arms, hands, stomach, and neck, and has become rather alarming, and no one seems to know what to do about it.

A few weeks ago at my Parkinson's exercise class, The Climb, one of the helpers from another location came to help in our class just for that one particular day. She asked me if I had lymphedema, and if I had ever been to a lymphedema drainage specialist. Not only have I never been to a drainage specialist, I did not even know there was such a thing! How have I seen all these doctors for all these years and no one ever told me there might be help?

Anyway, she gave me a phone number and names...Yolanda and Joshua. Since then, the Life Wellness Center on the north side of Indianapolis has been my connection to hope. They are leading me step-by-step through a protocol of cleansing diet, exercise, supplements, and the power of prayer, positive words, and uplifting thoughts.

We would all be happy if we were successful in simply reducing my swelling, but, knowing that the lymphatic system is the "soap" of your body, I am secretly hoping we might see improvement in my Parkinson's Disease, once my body is detoxed and clean. (Okay, so maybe it's not so secret now that it's in my blog for the whole world to see!)

So, back to the breakthrough. It seems the protocol of low-acid foods has broken up the crystallized acidic lymph, making my leg supple instead of tight. Joshua was able to move the lymph up and out so it could drain. This was the first time he was able to accomplish this and his excitement was encouraging and contagious! Good thing, because the protocol is becoming more difficult all the time. A side benefit, however, is that both Mike and I have lost between 10 and 15 pounds, and most of the puffiness in my face has disappeared. No noticeable improvement in my Parkinson's, but I'm willing to wait. I don't have a lot of choice about that, I guess.

Yolanda, Joshua, Mike, and I are on this journey together, at least for a while. When it gets long and hard, it's heart-warming to know I have company along the way, and I'm glad God sent them for a time, to encourage me and offer hope and healing.