Sews2Reap

This week we are tackling all the toxins in our household products. A quick note. I will be using "toxins" instead of "chemicals" when discussing the bad things in our environment. Everything God made contains the elements from the Periodic Table of chemical elements. All natural things can be broken down or discussed in elemental form or as elemental compounds. The problem is not the chemical constituents in natural items, The problem is with synthetic toxins.  Giving up Bath & Bodyworks Japanese Cherry Blossom may seem cruel. It is your signature scent. Everyone knows you are in the room because of it. Many know you are there because they get an instant headache and their sinuses stuff up. That is what happens  when our bodies are subjected to synthetic scents.   Here is a blog I did in the past with lots of info on the dangers of synthetic toxins . I won't repeat everything here but check it out!  For our family, bec...

Learn a little about Parry Rhomberg Syndrome by clicking the Wellness tab or the picture below. 

My son is going to his first sleep over in over a year.  Since his pain has grown and become unpredictable and his nights have been some of his worst times, sleepovers have been impossible.  I am excited, and so is he, for this simple childhood event to be back in his life! This is a trial run.  He will only be a few miles away and with people we trust completely.  It's not so simple though.  Not only do we pack his clothes but also his medications.  Each dose in its own baggie with instructions.   This is just to get him through the night.  So here is the biggest challenge for me.  It isn't letting him go - I so want him to have every "normal" good childhood experience he can.  It is trying not to overwhelm the family in whose care he will be. Not sending pages of detailed instructions with a timeline and explanations for each medication.  I know they will call if there is any question about anything.  I keep telling m...

When diagnosed with a syndrome, you quickly learn it a a big umbrella with lots of conditions under it. This is how it looks for my son.  We have found excellent care, and a good mix of prescriptions and essential oils to keep him happy and healthy.  He has more issues on the inside where they can't be seen. His external scars are minimal compared to what is going on inside physically. Currently, our favorite essential oil is Cedarwood . It helps him with pain, mood, and sleep. We often combine it with Vetiver , especially during school, when he has trouble concentrating through the pain. Another oil we use daily is Clove . It helps with the neuralgia electric shock pain because of its wonderful natural numbing effect. Parry Romberg kids are some of the toughest you will meet!  They have known chronic pain way too early in life. 

This is how we do it every morning. I will add our night-time protocol later. Nights are just difficult.  Since doing the 'happy oils' my son copes better with the pain.  He says he even when he still hurts it doesn't bother him as much. He can play, do school, and be a goof.  I'm not a doctor. DO NOT stop medications with out your doctors help. Always check for drug interactions. This helped our family, maybe it will help yours. 

So much has happened since I posted over 2 years ago. My youngest child, now 11, has been actively battling with a rare health condition.  He was diagnosed when 5, but we knew something was up by 2 1/2.  It just took over 2 years to find a doctor who knew what his condition was.   If you meet us, most people would never know anything was going on.  I'm thankful for that and have been pretty quiet about his condition because I don't want him treated differently or stigmatized in some way. However, our last doctors appointment gave me much to think about.  One of the specialists who sees our son recommended I "put myself out there." So what is his condition? Parry Romberg Syndrome.  He won't die from it, but he does have to learn to live with it. Every person with PRS has a different  story.  Some have seizures, others only facial atrophy.  Most will have headaches of some degree and may develop anxiety, or depression.  A ...