Okay, the long and short of it is this...I went to the camp with Mike and almost as soon as we got there we had to go to the ER because I had a fever that was about 104 without fever-reducer and 101 with it, well, as we all know, that's not good when you're on immuno-suppressant drugs, I was hospitalized with pneumonia, the pulmonary doc on duty the next day scheduled a broncho-scope and then he decided after looking at everything that he wanted to do a tissue biopsy and that's when PF was Dxed...so this last week, we went back to the camp so that we could travel back and forth to Shreveport to see my doctors, as it's half the distance from home and I really NEEDED to get away...so as I'm sitting there being taught how to use all of my new breathing/oxygen treatment machines and how to take all of the now 21 different medications every day, in a way that they won't contradict one another and inadvertantly kill me and that's when it hit me....before I started taking all of these medications, I hurt like hell, yes, very true but I felt a hell of a lot better than I have in these past 5 years or so!!! One thought ran through my mine, "heal thyself!!!" I don't know who's thought it was but it landed in my mind...So, I went back to the camp and really THOUGHT about my ENTIRE medical situation and how it's just shredding my life and the meds are I'm sure taking their toll, as my liver enzymes have been off the chart for nearly two years now, I decided, NO MORE!!! ...I've made a plan...I decided to stop being angry at everything that ISN'T really the root source of my anger and turn that anger towards what's really eating at me inside....MY AS MONSTER!!! It's throwing everything it's got at me, trying to take me down.... and I'm throwing it right back!!!! I've done away HALF of my meds already, I've been living a more disciplined lifestyle while I've been at the camp....while I'm there, no phones, no television, no internet... just me, the dogs and Mother Nature for most of the day...I'm doing the NSD, practicing YOGA in the morning and then following up with some core strengthening exercises, military type for proper posture, no jerky or sudden movements, nice and steady, slow and easy, breathing properly, increasing very slowly and taking time to rest in between sets, nurturing my spirituality, meditating...every 2 hours, stretch and then walk Chelsea and Beaux on a fully extended, slightly tight lead, so that they are giving me a little resistance, it stretches my entire ribcage and spine gently and gives me relief at my points of entheses, of course it returns but I'm able to get little bits of relief from my pain and that helps me cope.... I'm going to continue my regiment until I beat this thing back into submission....I AM RESOLUTE, I WILL NOT SURRENDER!!!! I've decided to take another path, I want to get back to the business of enjoying my life on the waters of my beautiful Louisiana, it's what I do, a part of who I am and it's good for my soul... unfortunately though, the internet is not yet available out there on the Gulf of Mexico, nor on the bayous that carry me out to it... ...so, I'll miss you, my friends...it's been great and I wish the very best for all of you, I really do, thank you for all the support, encouragement, laughter and friendship over these last several years...big hugs & much love...always!!!

Way. To. Go. !!!!!!!!!!

Sounds like a wonderful plan Michelle. Except maybe throwing your meds away. Are you sure you won't need them in the future? I mean just in case?

I love the journey you are embarking on. Go for it. Enjoy. Thrive.

When my ripped up back heals a little, I'll do my own victory pose in your honor (referencing your avatar). In the meantime, I'm giving you two thumbs up - since my thumbs, big toes and left ear are all that dont hurt right now) and a big shout out: go for it!

Michelle, I applaude you though I will be missing you terribly, I do understand your endever. You will be in my prayers everyday. The six weeks we stayed in the motor home down south last year did just that for me, though temporary now that we have been back for 5 months.
All you have been through lately would have crumbled most, your strength is amazing my dear.
Cindy

I have had moments that I felt like this too. In my case I'm trying to focus on what works and reject what makes me feel terrible, but this all still pretty new to me. Good luck!!!!!

You are amazing, Michelle! GO Michelle GO! I know you can bring about a change in your health with this kind of determination..

The very best of luck with it (and stay in touch)

Hey.. The human mind is a powerful thing.

Prayers and best wishes coming your way from here.

Gotta love the attitude

Be well. It sounds like your heart is 100% in this plan and sometimes that's as important as anything. I never took the biologics, because a lot of damage had been done by the time they were available ,b ut mainly my heart was never in it.

I can't imagine much more healing a place than anywhere on the Gulf. Enjoy

Michelle, this is good news! Be sure to check in once in a while and let us know how you are doing. Sounds like you are on the right track.

Do I understand that you are staying at your camp?

Michelle

I hope you have found your path. I expect there may be a few stumbles along the way but do not let that deter you for your ultimate goal of feeling better and living life to it's fullest. You are a strong and determined person, I am sure you will find happiness.

Until we meet again!!!

Take care! But check in occasionally so we know how you are doing.

Stay on your chosen path to succeed at your goal. Takes determination which I feel you have. As the others have said, do not be a stranger!

Hey Michelle,

Best wishes with the discipline. Hope you can put a beat down on the AS.

Tim

Michelle - Absolutely salute you in your endeavour. You go gal - but not to 'go' away from KA, check back once in a while? Sooooo agree about the drugs - they can be a killer. Know that for myself I can hardly touch any meds due to reactions, am glad for that as very possibly has saved me from just what you - and many others - go through with them. (My liver enzymes push through the creek at a nod!)

May your new path prove the best one ever.

Bless you for all the fun and help that you have given us here over the years. Sure will miss your bright, shining enthusiasm, strength and endeavours - and the life stories from the best ever cockle shell heroine

Luv ya gal - go well

Michelle, it sounds like you have a wonderful plan. Your camp sounds wonderful. I wish I had somewhere that I could go to get away from it all and get in touch with nature, myself and God.

We will be thinking about you and wondering how you are doing, so be sure to pop in every chance you get and let us know how you are doing.

Good for you Michelle.
Keep doing what you enjoy, I sure you will start feeling better.

Good plan Michelle

God is with you...

Ray:)

This sure sounds like a healing path, Michelle. Surrounding myself in Mother Nature always works wonders for me and I hope it will do you a world of good to be in your favourite place, out enjoying the waters and away from it all.

I am sorry that you've had such a hard time with your health and everything else and that your emotional well-being has been teetering but it sounds like you've found new hope, direction and determination to get well again. I wish you the best as well, that there'll be much better and more peaceful days ahead for you.

Take good care!
mig

You go girl,fight the good fight,my thoughts her with you.

Tommy P.

Good luck Michelle. It sounds like a very positive change and I know it will do wonders for you.

Warm hugs,

Hi Yall!!! I'm back on land for a couple of days, so I thought I'd drop in and say hi, I've missed everyone so much...thanks so much for all the good wishes, they are very much appreciated!!! ...it's such a good feeling to be back on the water, the bayous are simply gorgeous this time of year, the beauty literally takes my breath away!!! I've come in for the weekend to monitor the flooding situation, they'll begin opening the Morganza Spillway today, in an effort to divert the water away from New Orleans and our state capitol, Baton Rouge...I was sitting by the pool, this morning drinking my coffee, when I noticed that I had company...I had a little friend sitting on a branch about a foot away, quietly watching me, so I snapped a pic of him and then a few minutes later, I went around the side of the pool house and found another little guy, preparing his breakfast, since I already had the camera handy, I snapped a shot of him too.. (photos below)...it's been great being back on the water but I miss this place when I'm away...I'll be heading back out in a couple of days, for another month or so...I'll check back in with yall when I come in, until then...big hugs & much love...

You have strange taste in friends! Ha ha ha!
Good to hear from you. Take care.

I read that a lot of snakes were moving to escape the floods. I guess that is a problem for all of the creatures in that area.

I'm glad to hear that you are doing well. Take care.

Stay on the boat for a bit-- there is a LOT of fresh wet snow in the Colorado High Country, and it has to melt sometime soon. I'm concerned a bit that all y'all in the Midwest and Down South ain't seen nothin' yet.

Heck, I may buy a boat soon!

As for your taste in friends? Tastes like chicken. Really. It does.

Shalom,

John

Bah-ha-haha!!!

Hi Donna!! it's not uncommon to see them here around the property...they don't bother us & we don't bother them...I don't recall having to kill more than a handful, or so, of venemous snakes here in the last 20 years or better...luckily, we have a king snake on the property and they keep away all venemous snakes, so, I don't really worry...I've noticed all the wildlife is acting squirrely...(no pun intended :grin2)

Really, you think snake tastes like chicken? Alligator tastes like chicken to me... I hear what you're saying about me staying out awhile longer but we had to come in, they opened the Morganza Spillway to let all the flood waters through, so all that water is going into the Atchafalaya Basin, it began this afternoon...unfortunately, that's my specific fishing territory, during inland shrimp season my region is the Atchafalaya River Basin...so, we're stuck sitting it out until the water goes down...but I hear you about getting yourself a boat, looks like everyone could use one this year!

Lovely creatures! By the look of the head: body ratio they are some kind of python, I assume?

I would rather have a dozen pythons than one King Brown in my garden any day!

(so says the girl who grew up in the arid outback, where we had frequent visitations to our yard from Blacks, King Browns and Death Adders! )

Oh - I nearly forgot to say - I hope you're feeling the benefit of your new direction starting to kick in. May the bayou air and serenity and the ditching of some meds and starches be the answer you have been hoping for!

Hi Louise, I don't know what actual snake family they belong to, I'm sure it's not their real name but we call them rat snakes here because when they are full grown, they feed on the nutria rats in the bayous...Nutria are sort of like a beaver and about the same size, I would say...how wonderful it must've been to grow up in the outback!!! I bet it was amazing!! But yes, I'm sure your snakes there are much more dangerous than ours...everthing is working out fine with the new program I'm on, I'm even sleeping much better...and I'm like a kid in a candy store being back out there, I'm loving it!!! Thanks for asking...

Hey Michelle it's great to hear from you. I must say there is 2 reasons for me to stay away from Louisiana. I have a snake phobia. It's really the only fear I have, can't shake it. Glad you are enjoying yourself.
Cindy

I think I know that guy. Looks distinctly like the DA who tried to convict one of my clients last month.

On second hand also reminds me of the guy who denied one of my other clients claims for disability payments.

Can't place his face but strikingly familiar dude.

Oh Cindy...if you come to Louisiana, I PROMISE to keep all the snakes away from you...it would be worth it to see your shining face!!! I really am enjoying myself...thanks!!

Bah-ha-haha!!! ..."Strikingly familiar" ...

Hi Michelle!

I was just checking in on you. Sounds like you are progressing! Better sleep is a goooooooood sign!

I am off all my meds now and back on a better diet. Hubs and I started the Paleo/Primal Blueprint diet today. It is basically NSD with a fancy name. I was sweeping tonight and found a hot tamale candy. It took great restraint not to pick it up, dust it off and eat it. I may need counseling.

Take Care,
Donette

Thanks Donette, I really appreciate that... It's great that you & the hubs are doing the diet together...and good job on resisting the hot tamale!! ...that's funny stuff!!!

Awesome video!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_HeUT8hs_c

Oops..sorry, I just realized that I didn't post the whole link, but this video is just awesome...hundreds of alligators in one small bayou cut...it's nothing short of phenomonal... I'm heading back out in the morning, I expect to be out there at least 3 weeks, the weather is perfect, the winds have finally shifted...they're coming out of the south now...that means it's time to round up some shrimp, the KAlypso is ready to roll...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_HeUT8hs_c&feature=fvst

Have a good time catching all that shrimp. That sounds so yummy.

Michelle is there room for one more on the Kalypso,i can be there in about 18 hours.

Tommy

Thanks Donna... BTW...I absolutely love your mantra...

C'mon Sha!!! Whatch yall waitin' on?! I promise you the ride of your life!!! Last time I was out, I saw the pink dolphin again, she and her pod followed us alongside the KAlypso all the way through the Calcasieu River and the Intercoastal Canal...all the way out to the Gulf of Mexico...Gorgeous!!!