Oh, Haaaiii... I'm an Acupuncturist Now

Guess what?! Well, I've been busy these last almost 5 years. :o) I decided to do my Masters in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, and I finished the extremely intensive, fairly stressful, totally life-consuming program in December of 2019. 

I started studying for California Licensing Exam in January, but felt an incredible pull to visit friends back home in Canada before I passed and started my business here. I went into full study-mode when I got back, often questioning if I really should have left for the two weeks, instead of staying here to study.

I can now say with conviction, that I'm so glad I traveled then. Two months after I got back, just before I was scheduled to take my exam, COVID-19 hit North America hard. 

My exam was delayed, and then delayed again, and again, and even one or two more times after that. There was so much uncertainty, and then the testing sites opened up again. This time I was really going to do it! And I did. And I passed. And I eventually got the hard copy of my license. 

So now I am treating patients! My specialties are Facial or Cosmetic acupuncture and pain. (I'll tell you all about that soon.)  If you're looking for an acupuncture, gua sha, LED, or moxa treatment in the San Fernando Valley: Lake Balboa, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Reseda kind of area - hit me up! 

www.LuminousAcupuncture.com

Worm Flu - It's Real

It's been weeks of 💩 and nausea. I was feeling better for a bit in between but it's hit me again. 

I have spent the last 3 days bedridden. Dehydrated. Only eating when my stomach forced me to nibble on something. It's been horrible. No energy - for obvious reasons. And a sore bum from all of the pooping. 

I've obviously improved, otherwise I wouldn't even be writing this. Tomorrow the medicine will arrive. Something stronger than Imodium or Benadryl. 

In my phone call with Garin, he put it out there that maybe the initial dosing was too strong and we'll have to kill these ones off and try a lower dose. I hope the medicine works and that these last few weeks haven't been wasted. Okay, not wasted, because it provides valuable information, but still. 

Ugh.

Sore bum

I have had so much diarrhea in the last 24 hours that my bum is sore. 

At least 3 times in the night, 3 times today and once before I went to bed. *sigh*

Worms - 4 weeks in

I hadn't fell well all day. I was worried it was because of the naproxen I've been taking the last couple of nights, since my arthritis has been so bad that it's been hard to walk, move, and do anything really. Naproxen usually upsets my stomach after a day or two of taking it, and the symptoms are often like I feel really full or have heartburn, which is how I'd been feeling. 

We still went out for Happy Hour. I ordered two drinks, drank one, loads of water and had a few sips of the second. 

I at almost half of my meal, but by that point felt so overfull, it was gross. 

When we got home, I was lying on the couch feeling disgusting, and at the point where I wanted to barf, if it would make me feel better. I clued in that it was probably heartburn, and took some Tums and a prescription tablet - for long-term relief. It seemed to help a bit, but I was definitely worried about managing sleep!

As I was brushing my teeth, the dry heaves started and I barf in the sink a few times. Should have tried for the toilet, the drainage on the sink sucks. But, the seat was down, and I didn't want to have to clean the bathroom again today. 😸

I feel better. Still a bit queasy, but I think it was my pet worms, as I've had a lot of poops today, and none of them solid. 

Yesterday, I'd been so excited for my first solid poop in ages. Now, I'm just glad I have a clean nightie. 

Worms Day 11

Yesterday evening, the inoculation site started to get itchy and bumpy again. Not sure what's caused it, but I think tonight I might have to take some Benadryl. 

Otherwise, I was very sore yesterday, and was having trouble walking, so I guess I haven't reached the benefits stage yet. 

Worms - Into Week 2

The poop situation has 'tightened up' a bit, which is good news. I still get hella exhausted (like can't stay awake) in the early afternoon, which is leading to having trouble falling asleep. Hopefully that will sort out once we're home again. 

I haven't had crazy cramping, and the itching on my arm is basically gone. I still have mornings of nausea - and when I'm hungry, I want to vom. Eating seems to shut the worms up, so I can work with that. :o)

Worms Day 6

This morning I woke up feeling nauseated. Not sure if it's from the worms, or the 2 Naproxen I took last night because my body was vibrating with pain & discomfort. 

Really hoping to not vom, as I don't want to lose my new friends. 

Worms Day 5

I am pretty f'ing tired today. But, the worms have likely made it to my intestines at this point and are trying to get all comfy. 

On Friday or Saturday I had some phlegm when I woke up (not unusual) and I coughed and spat it out. It was kind of pink, but I didn't think that the worms would have made it to my lungs by that point. Next time, get a detailed timeline so there's no worm-spitting. 

Anyway, I'm hoping that my level of fatigue indicates that I did not spit up all of the worms. 

My arm is just a bit spotty, and kind of bruised looking. No itching today. So far. 

Day 2 - Evening

Tonight it kinda looks like a bruise with a rash on top. 

Worm Therapy Begins

Yesterday, G and I drove down to Tijuana so that I could get infected with worms. 

Yeah, worms. On purpose. I paid for this. 

After a consultation with the doctor, we decided 25 hook worms would be a good start. We went to a different room and he put some on a bandaid, and then put the bandaid on my arm. 

There was some heat after a few minutes, followed by some pin-prick feelings, and then some itching. The itching died down, I finished the wait of an hour, and with a sometimes itchy arm, we left.

I have directions on how to care for my worms, what to expect side-effect wise, and some medication on how to get rid of them, if I choose.

On the way home I started to work on a migraine. Not sure if it was a side-effect of the worms, or my lack of sleep and improper eating while on the road. I got a massage and took some Tylenol to help with the migraine, and before bed, took some Benadryl before sleep last night, as I couldn't bare to have another crappy sleep. 

Sort of hive-looking itchy bumps where the worms have burrowed: 

I woke up this morning and while a bit stiff from my Psoriatic Arthritis, I felt fine. My migraine is gone, and my arm is only itchy off and on. It's really not so bad.

Rash that looks like an itchy patch of eczema or jelly fish stings:

My Homeless Boyfriend

No, not that one, the other one. 

Today I was riding my bike along Walnut, going to the library after my pedicure, when I heard some shouting. I knew who it was, partly because I heard something about an ass, which is my homeless boyfriend's obsession with me. And fair enough, I have one, and it's quite noticeable, and that's just the way it is. 

Anyway, I was obviously hoping that I had actually misheard, or that I would out-ride him, or get to the bib before he caught up to me, but that didn't happen. I was just about to turn, when who rolls up? Peddling as fast as he could, with a sign, and quite possibly all of his worldly possessions, still hollering, it's him - the Predident of the Big Booty Fan Club. 

I decided to yell back (from the other side of the road, as is reached my destination, that he wouldn't talk to his mother like that, and that he needs to leave me alone. He promptly wiped-out, possibly tore his arm up (I'm not sure). I asked him if he was alright, he said he was, got back on his bike, and zoomed (sort of) off. 

This is either a cliffhanger or part one of a long series. 

TSA Inspection

G brought me a couple of sexual items.

Ouch

Lately (the past two days) a section of my face had been hurting as I was it. I'm not sure if it's eczema/psoriasis or that I cut my face and didn't notice.

The books are done!

Another successful day of unpacking. 

Luckily, I was strong enough to resist the temptation of the Pinit Grig my lovely downstairs neighbours were drinking pool-side when I got home. I did eat my dinner down there, but only had some water. I know - I'm very strong! I also got to meet Their lovely ginger cat who immediately gave me kisses. 

Anyway - the bikes now fit in cupboard. Not much else does, but whatevs. Next: finish kitchen. Tomorrow, obviously!

For the bonus points, I've also got two boxes of books to donate/sell.

For even more bonus points, I found my nemesis, Box 35. G kept saying that every single thing I asked about was in Box 35. I seriously moved every fricking box of books and other lead-like objects from the closet to check the numbers on all of the boxes. Then I looked in the storage in the garage. Then I looked in the closet again. The f'ing thing was also labeled 'Books Box 8'!

This evening ends as a success. 

This is it

Well, it's a big day at the Hoefer Gainford house, and I am pumped. It's our for-real last go, and it starts now (actually in 3 hours).

We've gone all out for the final try, so if it's meant to be, then it will happen. We're doing laser acupuncture before and after the transfer, I've been doing twice-weekly acupuncture for ages, I've done hypnotherapy, and have been removing stress.

After today, we start the two-week wait. This is always the hardest part; you can't help putting the stroller before the baby. You try to remain just hopeful and optimistic, but ever little thing is a sign that you are or aren't pregnant. It's truly an emotional roller coaster.

If you've got a moment around 11.30 today, feel free to send on some positive vibes.

grrr

Just because you have a child doesn't mean that your time is any more valuable than mine. So 'parent time' does not exist on a 3:1 ratio. I'm busy too.

Overwhelmed

Does anyone else feel overwhelmed and under impressed by the state of the world, including their bodies?

Here's a list: Humans are destroying the planet, assholes are harming animals, government is controlling women's bodies (to the point of murder) and I need to work on a smaller ass, sort out the Celiac bullshit, and get a decent fucking period.

Yeah, I'm feeling it today. *sigh*

Ambition

As soon as I placed the waxing strip against my skin, I began to wonder if I hadn't been overly ambitious when I decided to wax my bikini line myself this morning. I thought we would be going somewhere with a pool, so it was, clearly, a necessary chore. As I reminded myself that the end sometimes justifies the means, I recalled that the last time I did this, and the only successful time I'd done it myself in over twenty years of 'management', I only used half of a strip. But it was too late for that, now. Much much too late.

In the end, not a horrible effort. I did do both sides this time. (The first time I tried to do it myself, out of girlish embarrassment, I only got halfway through the process. Well, I'll round-up to half-way.) There is some very minor bruising, and a tiny bit of tenderness where some skin came off. I didn't go for a pre-pubescent look, so normal activities can continue... you know, like wearing clothes, and such.

All told: Success!

Cough cough, sniff sniff

I'm still sick. It's the third weekend in a row that I've been sick. It sucks.

The first one, was not like this at all. But I'll post about that soon. This time I've got a sinus thing and chest thing going on. Usually I'm cured in a week. Not this time.

But! Never fear! It's not going to stop me from making jam today. 1. Because I'm not so sick that I'll be coughing or sniffling into the jam. 2. I'm splitting a bucket - a big bucket - of pre-cut & hulled strawberries with Tou Tou. It's basically going to be the easiest frickin' jam session ever.

I'd better get those jars out of the garage now. I want to be prepared as possible to get going once our house showing is over.

Yoga

Did my first yoga class in ages tonight. I've been sticking to Pilates the last couple of years, but decided to return to my roots. :o)

1. Easiest yoga class ever.

2. Don't wear a regular bra to yoga, even if it's an easy class. Under wires have no place at yoga, and just bruise your boobies. Nobody wants bruised boobies.