Contributed on: January 12, 2009
Contributed by: Sharon Baker
Many years ago, at the age of 25, I experienced extreme fatigue, thirst and rapid weight loss. As I went upstairs and looked into my full length mirror, I was horrified- in a 2 week period, I had suddenly appeared lifeless and emaciated. I had not changed my normal eating habits (which, by the way were healthy) and could not identify what was happening to me. The immediate trip to my Doctor’s office revealed Type 1 Diabetes – my blood sugar was very high – over 600 and if left unchecked I would slip into a coma. I was literally starving to death. With no family history and not fitting any stereotype pattern, such as obesity or sedentary life style, it came as a complete shock. Others my age were vibrant and healthy at that youthful time in their lives and I was now incurable, entering a rigid world of monitored food, specific exercise and insulin injections 4 times a day. Type 1 was a different animal than type 2, which most Americans are familiar with. Added stress or lack of sleep could mean dangerous shifts in blood sugars for me. My prognosis was probable eye, kidney and vascular disease which could lead to amputation of a limb. I was at greater risk for cancer and heart attacks. Adding to anxiety, "I was a nurse and viewed these night mares regularly at my work place!" The images didn’t go away!
My initial reactions were heart wrenching tears, loss of control, overwhelming defeat and grieving for a once perfectly healthy body. This picture was adding to dysfunction and pain. To save my own life, it was mandatory to develop a holistic plan for things I did have control over. First, I absolutely had to have strong boundaries with stressful, negative people and situations. (I had way too many of them) I cleared my space and chose to surround myself with more positive, upbeat people and inspirational places. Next, I took “Therapeutic Touch,” an energy modality for nurses, and began to do TT on myself. Within a month, I was able to reduce my insulin dose by 25%. Then, I took a liquid B complex and an essential fatty acid daily. This controlled the tingling and discomfort in my hands and feet (diabetic neuropathy) and helped to reduce my leg pains. I spent extra time with my animals and boarded a second horse. I loved to groom and handle them-it increased serotonin and heightened feelings of well being, I saw food as medicine and ate a wholesome, low fat, low sugar diet. I included a variety of colors (rainbow plate) which increased the nutrients quality. I had to make eating fun. I went for a 3 mile walk 4-5 times a week, even in winter. It was not drudgery because it increased my circulation and gave me more energy. I felt the benefit. Last, I became a home health nurse in my county and spent time teaching new diabetics how to cope with their disorders, offering hope and solutions. Helping others gave meaning to my own condition.
I have now lived 32 years with Type 1 Diabetes. I am in a 4% category of wellness- a miraculous percent who remain free of progressive diabetic side effects. My body is strong and healthy; my family doctor is amazed at my condition and has just thanked me for being such a good role model. I have never missed a day’s work because of Diabetes and it has not stopped me from skiing, hiking or traveling wherever I want to go for book signings.
Yes, I said "book signings." I was especially impressed by the powerful part Therapeutic Touch played in my health. I continued to take many more energy modalities such as Reiki, Polarity, Craniosacral, Quantum Touch and Esoteric Healing, they were. the oldest, most revered forms of healing known to human kind. Certain it could help others; I began a private practice 10 years ago in a peaceful, wooded setting. As my clients got better, despite grim diagnosis, I knew I had to write about them. My book explains energy therapy in easy, everyday terms in hopes readers will embrace these modalities and include them in their own lives. I wrote about real healing sessions, the core of illness and how my clients got better….in the eyes of general medicine "against all odds". I wanted readers to feel self empowered and become responsible for their health… for I had successfully lived what I wrote about.
I hope you will read and be inspired by my book, Healing With Hands, Miracles, Inspiration and Science: Reiki and Related Energy Therapies, and expand your horizons. www.healingwith-hands.com.
Leave a comment or question below by signing into your Google account, or just post as a guest without signing in.