Mindfulness – Page 2 – Chronically Grateful Me by Deborah L. Andio

Awareness, Coping with Stress, Drugs and Alcohol Abuse, Life, Energy, Faith, Life, Meditation, Mindfulness, Opinions, Pain, Positivity, Support Group, Hope, Uncategorized

Excuse Me Are You Drunk or High…

Posted on December 8, 2017December 14, 2017 by ChronicallyGratefulDebla

It saddens me to see men and women young and old become addicted to drugs and alcohol

I have lost so many friends because of both.

They went from smart individuals with great paying jobs to being homeless , liars and thieves and how terrible it usually ends in jail or worse death .

With all the information online and the news about drug addiction, overdoses, people having damage to their hearts brains memories because of drugs not just heroin but crack, coke, crystal meth, speed, downers pain pills, valuim, xanax, and yes I am including alcohol and weed.

How can smart people choose to go down such a dark black path that leads to destruction of their lives? And the lives of their family’s?

Do they not understand or care that it rips families apart.

I’m sorry I’ve had my share of pain both physical and emotional and heartache as well as loss , loss of both parents, loss of friends due to death due to disease or overdose or suicide, and I’m here to tell you you need to learn how to cope with life or your going to end up dead.

I’m lucky I guess I always knew how to cope sure not always productive but never destructive.

I see old friends who last year were making 80-100,000 a year now homeless and ruined by cocaine , alcohol and heroin.

Their families destroyed, all because they couldn’t cope with something or someone and started to use drugs or alcohol to bury their feelings and pain……

I’ve attended funerals of friends who died from eating to many somas or xanax that they went to sleep and never woke up.

Or an old classmate overdosed on heroin

Or was killed in a car accident because they were drunk.

Or ended up in jail because they couldn’t hold a damn job any longer and resorted to theft and some prostitution.

Or they are on disability because they fucked up their heart because of cocaine and or crack.

I’ve had friends die from suicide because they were so fucked up they had no idea that the problems they had were just temporary and chose to kill them self.

GET A GRIP PEOPLE!!

I mean we preach to our kids not to do this and yet adults feel they are above this. Wake up call…. YOUR NOT

And kids well kids and young adults have that not me and no fear attitude until the shit hits the fan… and it will sooner or later it will ….

And what about kids today. How can they even start on this shit? They hang out with losers ruining their lives before they even have a chance to live it.

Why do people feel the need to “party and or get high”?

Can’t you have fun with out it?

From what I see you still look fucking miserable and lost. And you sure look like hell so where’s the fun?

Grow up and wake the fuck up people

Drugs and Alcohol KILLS if you don’t think it will You your living a lie.

As holidays are here seems like everyone feels the need to celebrate something and that’s ok if you are a responsible. You don’t drink and drive. You. Know when to stop but some will overindulge with alcohol drugs or both and wind up with DUIs , Go to court and lose your drivers license, pay court costs, insurance rates skyrocket,attorneys fees possible jail time and let’s not forget possible death to you or someone else.

Plus you can and eventually will be come addicted either physically or mentally or both.

So be smart don’t drink and do drugs and for god sake don’t drive under the influence!!

Globally, alcohol misuse was the fifth leading risk factor for premature death and disability in 2010. Among people between the ages of 15 and 49, it is the first. .

In the age group 20–39 years, approximately 25 percent of the total deaths are alcohol attributable

So imagine if your in a room with 100 people 25% is 25 people that could die from alcohol.

Alarming!!

And stats are just as bad across the board when people use drugs!

And who the hell wants to willingly take Molly? Are people that stupid it’s called the date rape drug for a reason!

People will slip you this in your drink or lie and tell you it’s something else…

I’m just shocked at how dumb people are…..

if you think it can’t happen to you…it probably will …

Do why chance becoming and alcoholic or addicted to drugs?

Or killing you or done innocent person in a crash because you want to get high and try to escape reality….hopefully you know that drinking and drugs don’t make your problems go away….if anything they will make them worse…..

So all you adults and kids

Grow the fuck up get a grip! And get some help. Before you end up in jail or dead!!!

Detoxing from what I have seen others go through is a version of hell….

If your reading this and in recovery please share your words of wisdom in comments please. We need to save some lives!!

I see what it’s doing to your wife, or your husband or your parents or your old friends who are truly worried about you!!

Stories

For grown individuals

https://www.bible-knowledge.com/testimony-drugs-and-demons/

If your a teen or young adult your I don’t give a fuck attitude will get you killed or a life of pain and addiction which will lead to death.

http://www.couragetospeak.org/aboutus/couragetospeakstories.aspx

Maybe I just had more experience dealing with heartache and pain early in life and learned to cope better.

Just to name a few tragedies in my life

I remember watching my dad so many times as a young child age 8 having heart attacks open heart surgery nearing death. Fighting to live he didn’t drink he didn’t use drugs but his drug was cigarettes I remember being scared that my dad was going to die.

I saw him try so many times to get back to work but his heart wouldn’t allow it

He had his his 1st heart attack at age 39 and he didn’t use drugs he just had a bum ticker he sadly died at age 56 I was 25.

I watched my mother die at age 65

I had no brothers and sisters so I basically was now an orphan….

I was physically attacked in hs Thank God a friend saw it and saved me or I would have been raped.

I had an abusive first marriage I suffered joblessness homelessness and I never reached for drugs or alcohol to cope.

I smoked weed in hs for a brief moment I dreamt when I was older but I never abused it.

I stopped before I got in to deep.

I remember being in pain from a car accident in 2000 and all the doctors wanted to do was medicate me. At first I did what they said but I saw what it was doing to me… I was becoming depressed so I said screw them fired them .

I’m not against people in pain getting help I am against drug and alcohol abuse of any kind ……

Are we that lost and weak or ungrounded that we have to use substances just to cope?

Or is that your excuse!!!

I will pray for you to wise up !

Please call and talk to someone get help before it’s to late!!

How would you feel if you watched your friends head down the wrong path …would you watch them die? Or try to help them get help !!!

Bone Health, Happiness, Life, Mindfulness

You Matter

Posted on November 28, 2017November 29, 2017 by ChronicallyGratefulDebla

Let’s face in a perfect world, nothing would ever go wrong. No one would hurt another person. No one would say ridiculous comments. No one would get bullied. No one would be harassed. No one would feel lonely or lost.No one would have to suffer in any way. We’d never become sick . We would always do the right thing. We would never fail. Things would fall perfectly into place all through our lives.

But that’s not how the world works we’re all sinners and we’re certainly not perfect. I mean we are human. And with that being said we will face success and failure, loss , shame , embarrassment and sometimes alone even in a crowded room.

Yet many of us expect and seek perfection. We can only strive to do our very best, but if we aim to be perfect in every area of our life we will fail or have a melt down from the pressure.

We try to be the perfect husband or wife or perfect parent or perfect student or perfect son or daughter or perfect employee the perfect person. Or all the above.

I mean wow …. just wow.

We have to stop that. Because that puts excessive stress and anxiety on us. In an already stressed out world.

I’m not suggesting you skate your way through life either. Because then we will never know or appreciate our full capabilities.

Life has a way of creating anxious moments. It might be waiting for the results of a medical test or a school exam. It might come from rumors of layoffs at work. It could be as simple as your pay check will not get you through the month and then your car breaks down .

You can find relief from the anxiety that controls you. It may not be easy to see right now, but anxiety does not need to rule your life.

My husband and I brought our fears and concerns to God many times like when we both faced layoffs at the same time, several years ago and between us losing 30,000 income. That caused us to lose our house. Talk about stress and anxiety. I felt like I was drowning. The bank didn’t care the just wanted that adjusted mortgage that doubled. Again we felt like we didn’t matter.

Try finding a place to live when people find out that you lost your house , they are afraid to rent to you. It’s not that we couldn’t pay the bills. It’s that unemployment took 6 to 8 weeks to get approved and by then we were behind on everything because we lived pay to pay we were house poor and that one was the final straw .

We actually had to stay in a hotel for a few weeks…. which was more costly than renting a place.

There went the credit cards…more debit. More stress and no one seemed to care. I will say the hotel was very kind and accommodating.

I felt like I was stressed beyond my limits. Deep down I knew we’d get through it but the process had me doubting everything from my luck, to God to my marriage.

I had no peace. Because I chose to focus on the stress vs the solution.

Once I started focusing on the solution I felt more peaceful a little more everyday.

Jesus Christ gave us peace.

In the Bible, the Apostle Peter gives those of us who battle anxiety great hope. He tells us “Cast your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter5:7)

I read this daily , many times a day. I memorized it and why I felt that anxiety build up I said it . And I learned to breath to release stress.

Another one I read and memorized was

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

This kept me grounded. Often when stressed we either forget God or turn to him .

We chose to turn to him.

And it got me through, it got us through.

We gave all our problems to god and went on with our life.

You see you can’t give your problems to god and continue to stress over it.

Learn to breathe to release stress.

4-4-4

Breathe in for a count of four

Hold for a count of four

Release for a count of four

After a few times you can feel the calm set in.

I remember feeling judged, feeling like a failure and insignificant when we lost our house.

Nearly everyone feels insignificant at one time or another.

You may be great on the baseball field and terrible in a chemistry lab. It’s ok

You could move to a new city and feel lost.

Or start a new chapter in your life only to feel lost .

But that’s all temporary. Learn good coping skills and it will be less stressful.

Holidays seem to magnify sadness and depression especially if we lost loved ones and friends. Or family lives miles and miles away. This still is hard for me. Both my parents are gone. I’m an only child and my daughter and family live several hundred miles away. So whennits just my husband and I I sometimes become sad. I allow myself to be sad for no more than a day. Because that shit will grip you and suck you into depression.

It’s just about coping.

But learning to cope will help you get through many difficulties in life you will face and honestly no one gets through life without being hurt or sad or even questioning their purpose at least once or several times.

Maybe you are the star of the show with one group and totally ignored in another.

Insignificance has more to do with how we feel about ourselves than our real value as people.

Feelings versus Fact

It is easy to feel totally worthless when people ignore us. It’s hard to stand up and be counted when we feel alone against the crowd. So, where can you discover your true value?

Feeling insignificant really hurts but regardless of our feelings, we do have real value. We are made in God’s image; created for great things! Life chips away at our souls, but God sees us as priceless.

How God Sees You

Jesus Christ sees you as an incredibly valuable person. He sees past all your hurt and pain and recognizes that you have real worth.

Better still, He is ready to take away the mess your life has become and offer you healing and forgiveness for whatever wrong things you have done. Instead of feeling insignificant, you can feel treasured by God.

Never allow what happened to impact, or sabotage your inner peace and your life.

Sometimes I took one day at a time, sometimes I took one hour at a a time.

You will get through it. Because you are important,loved and you matter.

You can know the joy of belonging.

When we receive God’s gift of forgiveness, we discover that we were chosen, hand selected by God for a relationship with Jesus Christ that will never end. It leads us to a whole new way of living where we are valued and value others. Instead of feeling invisible in the crowd, we understand that God sees us and our needs every moment of every day.

What to Do Now

If you are tired of feeling insignificant, if you are tired of feeling invisible in a crowd, it is time to receive Jesus’ offer of new life.

It begins with a simple prayer like this:

“Dear Jesus, I am sorry for the wrong things I have done. I am tired of feeling insignificant. I want to have a relationship with you. Please become the Lord of my life. Thank you for seeing the value in me and help me to see myself through Your eyes. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen!”

Try to getinvolved nona group or church group.If your still struggling try to call a Christian counselor.

But never give up! Never allow the shit life throws at you to question your worth.

Your priceless

Your worth it.

You matter

Check out this cool video…. deep

Ahlbacks Disease, Arthritis, AtomicBlonde, Avascular Necrosis, Awareness, Blessed, Bone Health, Chronic Pain, Disclaimer, Eat Healthy, Factor V Leiden, Food, Food Is Thy Medicine, Foodie, Hypothyroidism, Inflammation, Life, Mindfulness, osteoarthritis, Osteonecrosis, Pain, SPONK, StopTheClot, Thyroid

Pain Chronic Pain

Posted on November 26, 2017November 26, 2017 by ChronicallyGratefulDebla

Once we accept the reality of the current moment (no matter how unpleasant it may be) for what it is, and not what we wish it were, we can turn our attention to ways to improve it. This I find true in any situation.

Living with chronic pain can throw your life upside down.

It’s hard to believe that I can and have managed my rare disease Osteonecrosis (knee) pain. And my Osteoarthritis pain.

But the pain of spondylolisthesis somedays is truly unbearable. It can just take a fabulous day day and screw it all up.

Today is one of those days.

I try to stay busy , and positive when I really would like to go somewhere and just scream at the top of my lungs.

I don’t think my neighbors would appreciate it. So I bang away at the keyboard.

Since the weather in NE Ohio has changed I am having more and more days in pain.

And in the days when all the above hurt I’m down right miserable. Thank Hod that hasn’t happened yet , but then fall and winter have only begun….

I’m grateful today it’s just my back although it feels as if I have been kicked in my L5S1 several times.

Besides having spondylolisthesis I also for the past decade or longer been dealing with osteoarthritis and osteonecrosis since 2014.

If you don’t know what they are I will explain below.

Osteoarthritis

Sometimes called degenerative joint disease or degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic condition of the joints, affecting approximately 27 million Americans. OA can affect any joint, but it occurs most often in knees, hips, lower back and neck, small joints of the fingers and the bases of the thumb and big toe.

In normal joints, a firm, rubbery material called cartilage covers the end of each bone. Cartilage provides a smooth, gliding surface for joint motion and acts as a cushion between the bones. In OA, the cartilage breaks down, causing pain, swelling and problems moving the joint. As OA worsens over time, bones may break down and develop growths called spurs. Bits of bone or cartilage may chip off and float around in the joint. In the body, an inflammatory process occurs and cytokines (proteins) and enzymes develop that further damage the cartilage. In the final stages of OA, the cartilage wears away and bone rubs against bone leading to joint damage and more pain.

Who’s Affected?

Although OA occurs in people of all ages, osteoarthritis is most common in people older than 65. Common risk factors include increasing age, obesity, previous joint injury, overuse of the joint, weak thigh muscles, and genes.

One in two adults will develop symptoms of knee OA during their lives.

One in four adults will development symptoms of hip OA by age 85. Lucky me I developed Osteoarthritis at age 45.

One in 12 people 60 years or older have hand OA.

Osteonecrosis What it is….

Osteonecrosis of the Knee. Osteonecrosis of the knee (also known as avascular necrosis) and if in the knee from a meniscus tear also called Ahlbacks Disease is a painful condition that occurs when the blood supply to a section of bone in the femur (thighbone) or tibia (shinbone) is disrupted.

I have Osteonecrosis of the medial femoral condyle due to a meniscus tear in 2014. Strange no one wanted to fix it or have any treatment plan.

This pain is like no other. Your area of Osteonecrosis is ice cold yet it often can feel like it was hit by a lightening bolt.

Weather plays a huge factor for me and my pain. I used to love winter now I can barely tolerate a cool fall day. I dread winter.

I get sick of being in pain. If it’s not the knees it’s back or hands it’s just enough to jack up my day or make things more difficult than they already are.

I have found that plant based lifestyle has helped my osteoarthritis and osteonecrosis a lot. I can’t understand why I haven’t lost a ton of weight though. I mean I don’t eat half the unhealthy calories I used to . But hey the doctors says it’s a slow thyroid.

I just wish these 40 lbs would come off it would also help my bones.

But maybe that will just take time.

If you haven’t tried a plant based lifestyle I would highly recommend it.

My cholesterol numbers are fantastic and all my doctors are impressed especially since I rarely need pain medication vs taking 2 a day like I did 3 years ago.

I truly believe that food can be your medicine or your poison.

The choice is yours.

I will be posting a lot of info and recipes

I don’t always eat perfect but life is about compromise and I follow a 90 / 10 rule.

It’s ok to have a cookie or small cupcake just make sure you eat as best as you can most of the time .

Living food is the way to go.

It may not take away all your pain but wouldn’t it be a benefit if it took away a lot of it ? And made it more managed?

Absolutely!!!

Ahlbacks Disease, Arthritis, Avascular Necrosis, Awareness, Bone Health, Chronic Pain, Disclaimer, Eat Healthy, exercise, Factor V Leiden, Food Is Thy Medicine, Inflammation, Mindfulness, osteoarthritis, Pain, Positivity, Uncategorized, Weather, Winter

Knee Pain In The Winter

Posted on November 21, 2017November 21, 2017 by ChronicallyGratefulDebla

Knees not feeling great this time of year?
Do you need a thermometer to let you know when the temperatures change outside?
Or do your joints painfully serve as your weather forecast? Unfortunately, for many who suffer from osteoarthritis or other inflammatory conditions, cold weather can cause havoc on already vulnerable parts of your body.
What causes the pain?
The Barometric pressure drops in winter. Researchers believe that when this happens, inflamed areas of our bodies (knees, hips, hands, elbows, and shoulders) swell. Swelling can irritate nerves, which results in increased pain.

Also low vitamin D levels add to pain

You may need more of the sunshine vitamin, suggests new research from the Clinical Journal of Pain.

Compared to those osteoarthritis sufferers with adequate vitamin D levels, those short on D reported significantly more knee pain and loss of function, according to the study data. Those results held regardless of a person’s weight, although the obese study participants were more likely to suffer from a vitamin D deficiency.

There are several different ways low D might mess with your knees, roughly 42% of Americans are dangerously low when it comes to vitamin D. You get most of your D from sun exposure.

A simple blood test from your doctor can determine whether you’re low in the vitamin, If you’re deficient, taking a vitamin D supplement for several months can help you raise your levels. While it’s difficult to get too much D, the amount you need depends on your weight and body composition. Your body stores vitamin D in the fat cells, meaning those with greater amounts of body fat require more of the vitamin to limit pain and loss of function.

Another good reason to keep vitamin D levels in good range is low D doubles your risk for dementia.

Ways to Keep knees warm and ease pain this winter
Thermacare heat wraps
I love these they help pain and keep my joints warm which allows me to move easier

Eat a balanced diet I have personally had great pain relief since changing to mostly plant based diet.

Follow a healthy diet by including seasonal fruits, vegetables, nuts grains,seeds .

It is essential for people who are already suffering from joint and knee pain to include foods rich in Vitamin K, D and C (like oranges, spinach, cabbage and tomatoes) into their diet; as they play an important role in the production of cartilage and helps the body absorb calcium thus strengthening the bones.

I also have learned hydration is also important for pain relief. Try to drink plenty of water or herbal teas, like nettle tea , chamomile ,ginger tea as our dehydration reduces flexibility, which can increase the chances of injury. Supplements with vitamin D or fish oil is recommended as it is rich in omega 3 which helps decrease inflammation. Stay away from unhealthy drinks. Alcohol, tea, coffee, and other aerated drinks reduce the amount of calcium you absorb, and weaken bones.

Swap your caffeine-fuelled drinks with water and fresh juices.

Stay Active
Exercise regularly. It not only helps you lose weight but also increases flexibility and strengthens the muscles that support the knee ( walking, swimming or cycling). Your knees experience about three to four times your body weight when you walk, so lose weight to help your knees.
Always check with your Doctor before starting any new exercise.

Fun Fact :

Keep your feet warm. Your big toe is your body’s thermostat, so keep it warm and your whole body will be warm.

Bone Health, Chronic Pain, Delicious, Eat Healthy, Food, Foodie, Inflammation, Life, Mindfulness, OA, osteoarthritis, Osteonecrosis, Pain, Positivity, Recipes, Uncategorized, Vegetables

Vegetable Sushi

Posted on October 23, 2017 by ChronicallyGratefulDebla

This recipe is very versatile as you can use any ingredients you like. Sushi is very good for you and is absolutely delicious as well as being easy and enjoyable to make!

Ingredients

For the rice:

2 cups short-grain Japanese rice, rinsed

1/4 cup rice vinegar

1 tablespoons sugar

For the rolls:

10 nori sheets (dried seaweed), halved

Sesame seeds, for sprinkling

1 cucumber

1 avocado

1 plum tomato, seeded

1 small red onion

20 asparagus spears, trimmed and blanched

Wasabi paste, for spreading and serving

1 romaine lettuce heart

Pickled ginger, for serving

Directions

Make the rice. Combine the rice and 2 cups water in a rice cooker and cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A rice cooker is the best way to get perfect sticky-firm rice, but if you don’t have one, just use a saucepan.

Fold in the vinegar. Combine the vinegar, sugar and 1 teaspoon salt in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Transfer the cooked rice to a large wooden bowl (traditionally, a wooden tub). Drizzle a quarter of the vinegar mixture over a wooden spoon or spatula onto the rice. Fold the rice gently with the spoon to cool it and break up any clumps; be careful not to smash the grains. Fold in the remaining vinegar mixture and let the rice sit 5 minutes. Spread the rice.

Cover a bamboo sushi mat with plastic wrap. Place a half nori sheet rough-side up on the mat. Moisten your hands and scoop a handful of rice, slightly larger than a lemon, onto the nori. Press the rice to spread it evenly up to the edges of the nori, moistening your fingers as you go. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Prepare the vegetables. Peel the cucumber and slice into matchsticks. (Morimoto cuts the entire cucumber into a paper-thin sheet, then quickly slices it into strips-but he’s had some practice.) Thinly slice the avocado, tomato and red onion; peel the tough ends of the asparagus. Add the filling. Carefully flip over the nori so it’s rice-side down on the mat with the short end facing you. Spread a bit of wasabi paste in a line about one-third of the way up the nori-it’s spicy, so use it sparingly.

Arrange a few pieces each of lettuce, cucumber, avocado, tomato and onion in a tight pile in the lower third of the sheet. It’s OK if the vegetables hang over the edges of the nori. Roll the sushi. Roll the sushi away from you with your hands, tucking in the vegetables as you go. Remove the mat from under the roll and place it on top.

Press the roll into a compact rectangular log, using the mat to help you. Slice the roll. Cut the sushi roll into 4 to 6 pieces. Repeat with the remaining nori, rice and vegetables. Serve with pickled ginger and more wasabi.

Ahlbacks Disease, Ancestry, Arthritis, AtomicBlonde, Avascular Necrosis, Awareness, Blessed, Bone Health, BreakThroughCrew, Chronic Pain, Clinical Trials, Diagnosed, Eat Healthy, Factor V Leiden, Food, Happiness, History, Inflammation, Life, Mindfulness, OA, osteoarthritis, Osteonecrosis, Osteoporosis, Pain, SONK, SPONK, Stem Cell, StopTheClot, Uncategorized, WegoHealth

Bone & Joint Action Week October 12-20

Posted on October 14, 2017October 14, 2017 by ChronicallyGratefulDebla

Bone and Joint Action Week is held annually October 12-20 with activities focused on disorders including arthritis, back pain, Osteonecrosis,Osteoarthritis trauma, pediatric conditions, and osteoporosis. The themes and their related activities are designed to raise awareness worldwide about prevention, disease management and treatment.

Statistics on Avascular Necrosis (AVN, Osteonecrosis, Aseptic Necrosis, Ischaemic Necrosis, Femoral Head Necrosis)

Frequency depends on the site involved. The most common site is the hip; other locations include the carpals, talus, and humerus. In most countries, exact figures on incidence and prevalence are unknown.

One Japanese survey estimated that 2500-3300 cases of AVN of the hip occur each year; of which, 34.7% were a result of corticosteroid abuse, 21.8% to alcohol abuse, and 37.1% to idiopathic mechanisms. A French study reported AVN in 4.3% of allogenic bone marrow transplant recipients.

Race: No racial predilection exists except for AVN associated with sickle cell disease and hemoglobin S and SC disease, which predominantly are diagnosed in people of African and Mediteranean descent.

Sex: The male-to-female ratio depends on the underlying cause, although primary AVN is more prevalent in men. The overall male-to-female ratio is 8:1.

Age: Age at onset depends on the underlying cause. Primary AVN most often occurs during the fourth or fifth decade and is bilateral in 40-80% of cases. On average, women present almost 10 years later than men.

Risk Factors for Avascular Necrosis (AVN, Osteonecrosis, Aseptic Necrosis, Ischaemic Necrosis, Femoral Head Necrosis)

Avascular necrosis has several causes. Loss of blood supply to the bone can be caused by an injury (trauma-related avascular necrosis or joint dislocation) or by certain risk factors (nontraumatic avascular necrosis), such as some medications (usually steroid basesd), steroid abuse in general, blood coagulation disorders like sickle cell, Factor V, FactorViii, MTHFR, eNOS and more, chemo and radiation infections in the Bone vascular issues such as vascularitis or alcohol abuse. Increased pressure within the bone also is associated with avascular necrosis. The pressure within the bone causes the blood vessels to narrow, making it hard for the vessels to deliver enough blood to the bone cells.Many deep sea divers get Avascular Necrosis from a condition known as the bends. Gaucher disease.

Progression of Avascular Necrosis (AVN, Osteonecrosis, Aseptic Necrosis, Ischaemic Necrosis, Femoral Head Necrosis)

Hip Stages of avn-on

1-4

The natural history of osteonecrosis is directly linked to the size and level of the necrosis. Very small lesions (involvement of less than 15% of the femoral head) may resolve without any further treatment. Conversly, lesions involving greater than 50% of the femoral head progress to collapse, and ultimately require in total hip arthroplasty.

Symptoms of Avascular Necrosis (AVN, Osteonecrosis, Aseptic Necrosis, Ischaemic Necrosis, Femoral Head Necrosis)

In the early stages of avascular necrosis, patients may be asymptomatic. However, as the disease progresses most patients will begin to experience joint pain; at first, only when putting weight on the affected joint, and eventually even when resting. Pain usually develops gradually and may be mild or severe.

If the level of necrosis progresses further and the bone and surrounding joint surface collapse, pain may develop or dramatically increase.

The pain may be severe enough to limit the patient’s range of motion in the affected joint.

In some cases, particularly those involving the hip, disabling osteoarthritis may develop.

The period of time between the first symptoms and loss of joint function is different for each patient, ranging from several months to more than a year.

How is Avascular Necrosis (AVN, Osteonecrosis, Aseptic Necrosis, Ischaemic Necrosis, Femoral Head Necrosis) Diagnosed?

In the earliest stages of Avascular necrosis plain x-rays are often normal. A magnetic resonance image (MRI) is the key that allows us to detect AVN at its earliest stage.

Osteonecrosis develops when the blood supply to a segment of bone is disrupted. Without adequate nourishment, the affected portion of bone dies and gradually collapses. As a result, the articular cartilage covering the bone also collapses, leading to disabling arthritis.

Osteonecrosis of the knee can affect anyone, but is more common in people over the age of 60. Woman are three times more likely than men to develop the condition.

Risk Factors

It is not always known what causes the lack of blood supply, but doctors have identified a number of risk factors that make someone more likely to develop osteonecrosis.

Injury. A knee injury—such as a stress fracture or dislocation, meniscus tear, bruised patella or combined with some type of trauma to the knee, can damage blood vessels and reduce blood flow to the affected bone.

Oral corticosteroid medications.

Many diseases, such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, are treated with oral steroid medications.

Although it is not known exactly why these medications can lead to osteonecrosis, research shows that there is a connection between the disease and long-term steroid use. Steroid-induced osteonecrosis frequently affects multiple joints in the body.

Medical conditions.

Osteonecrosis of the knee is associated with medical conditions, such as obesity, sickle cell anemia, and lupus.

Transplants. Organ transplantation, especially kidney transplant, is associated with osteonecrosis.

Excessive alcohol use.

Overconsumption of alcohol over time can cause fatty deposits to form in the blood vessels as well as elevated cortisone levels, resulting in a decreased blood supply to the bone.

Chemo therapy and radiation Non-traumatic osteonecrosis of bone is recognized as a potential complication in solid-tumour cancer patients receiving treatment with cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Regardless of the cause, if osteonecrosis is not identified and treated early, it can develop into severe osteoarthritis. And for some with osteoarthritis before avn the disease is even more painful.

Knee stages of avn-on

1-4

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Together we can make a difference and help so many Men ,Women and Children.

Have a blessed and Pain-free Day.

Awareness, Happiness, Meditation, Mindfulness, Opinions, Positivity, Women

Women Wage Peace October 8, 2017

Posted on October 7, 2017October 7, 2017 by ChronicallyGratefulDebla

The most important thing is that everyone is aware of the day being a World Meditation Day with people meditating all around the world at this day. Be it at the same global time, or different times during the 24 hour period. If you don’t sit in meditation you can spend the time sending love and positive feelings to your surroundings.

You can use the guided audio meditation if you like.

when

Anytime during the Sunday is fine. This means we will be meditating on different times during that day, but we will create a ‘meditation wave’ where one timezone takes over for the next. 24 hours of meditation! Every Sunday!

where

Your home, outside, your office, a church, a mosque, a classroom, wherever you are.

with

Your group, your Self, friends, family, collegues, anyone.

how

By positively visualize and meditate upon a world of sharing and caring, with conscious and compassionate people. By beaming our Love into the world.

Sit in meditation for 30 minutes or more, or as much as you have time for.

You can even meditate the whole day by being mindful about everything you do and aware of the joy in your heart and beam this joy into the world.

Blessed, Bone Health, Chronic Pain, Faith, Happiness, History, Meditation, Mindfulness, Uncategorized

Posted on September 13, 2017 by ChronicallyGratefulDebla

If you’re certain you won’t be able to sleep tonight, why not spend that time with God? Or just spend time with him before bed.

Here are a few Psalms or Scriptures to pray over and encourage and calm you.

One of my favorite times of the day are the few minutes of quiet right before I fall asleep for the night. The house is sill and I have some time to process my thoughts and feelings in the cool dark of my bedroom and sometimes in the living room .

I wait for all my my muscles to just relax as I drift into dreamland, and then some nights I don’t. The mind wonders .

So I turn to my favorite Psalms

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. – Psalm 4:8 NIV

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. – Psalm 91:1,5,11

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
~Psalm 121:1-4

When we cry out to the Lord – He hears and He sustains us.

I cried aloud to the Lord,
and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah
I lay down and slept;
I woke again, for the Lordsustained me.
~Psalm 3:4-5

Jesus commands that we do not worry about tomorrow. We need to obey this.

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
~Matthew 6:34

Avascular Necrosis, Awareness, Blessed, Bone Health, Eat Healthy, Eye Exam, Factor V Leiden, Faith, family, Family Tree, Geneology, God, Happiness, History, Inflammation, Life, Meditation, Mindfulness, osteoarthritis, Osteonecrosis, Pain, Positivity, Support Group, Hope, Uncategorized, Vision, WegoHealth

Life

Posted on September 6, 2017September 6, 2017 by ChronicallyGratefulDebla

Life doesn’t always introduce you to the people you want to meet.

Sometimes life puts you in touch with the people you need to meet ,to help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you, and to gradually strengthen you into the person you were meant to become.

Say to yourself, regardless of whatever it is that you are facing, I will be all right.

Create an atmosphere of good positive that is about peace, healing and hope around yourself.

Get rid of people who bring you down, want to see you fail, or make you question your beliefs.

Whatever it is you are facing unexpected challenges, health problems, loss of a loved one, anxiety and stress, say to yourself.

I am going to be ok. Calm your mind, speak to your body, rest your spirit and relax you mind.

God will not allow you to fail.

Arthritis, AtomicBlonde, Avascular Necrosis, Awareness, Blessed, Bone Health, BreakThroughCrew, Chronic Pain, Inflammation, Life, Mindfulness, osteoarthritis, Osteonecrosis, Pain, Positivity, StopTheClot, Vision, WegoHealth

The Beauty And Pain Of Autumn

Posted on September 5, 2017September 5, 2017 by ChronicallyGratefulDebla

Autumn (British English) or fall (American English) is one of the four temperate seasons. Autumn marks the transition from summer to winter, in September (Northern Hemisphere) or March (Southern Hemisphere), when the duration of daylight becomes noticeably shorter and the temperature cools down considerably.

Fall is a season for balancing light and dark, letting go, and accepting the impermanence of things.

My body seems to know that bad weather season is coming, with summer on the way out and fall on the way in the bone pain goes crazy from mild to intense to unbearable all in a 24/48 hrs time frame.

I was hoping to live in Florida by now.

But with one set back after another since December 2016 husbands heart attack and stents.

2017 my stress test, echo , Mri’s and umbilical hernia surgery I wonder will we ever get to Florida.

Seems like there is always something and I’m not talking small somethings, they are always big intense stressful something’s.

I miss my family , I am so tired also of the pain that will come daily from mid fall until mid spring. I am sick of pain, I’m not ready for it again.

It hurts the soul always being in pain. Day in and day out pain. It’s overwhelming sometimes. It’s depressing some days.

So I have my granddaughters bedroom a mess it’s loaded with boxes.

Donate

Keep

Purge

Why do we really keep papers,paystubs etc 7-10 years? It’s crazy. Hopefully my husband gets a move on before I do it haha.

What’s bothering me is that little movement causes painful stiffness and just overall poor mind body health. I like to move about. No I can’t hike like I used to. Maybe some day.

Big movements are good, like walking in the sunshine ,or a stroll in the park to sorting through a pile of books (as long as they aren’t too heavy.) And the problem is that I just don’t have enough of these big movements to keep my joints happy. I’m home a lot these days, the colder it gets the more I’m stuck in doors, meaning the more pain I have.

I can ride my recumbent bike and do some small chores staying useful without using up too many of my spoons.

Typing on the computer or reading or watching tv isn’t my thing especially when that’s all there will be to do.

So good luck during the changing of the seasons

At least it’s pretty.

Arthritis, Avascular Necrosis, Awareness, Blessed, Bone Health, BreakThroughCrew, Clinical Trials, Diagnosed, Eat Healthy, Eye Exam, Factor V Leiden, Flush not Blush, Inflammation, Life, Meditation, Mindfulness, osteoarthritis, Osteonecrosis, Recipes, Stem Cell, StopTheClot, Uncategorized, Vision, WegoHealth, WEGOHealthAwards

Would appreciate your vote.

Posted on August 29, 2017August 30, 2017 by ChronicallyGratefulDebla

Just 2 days left to cast your vote , you can vote for each category I was nominated for. I would appreciate it very much.

Please take a moment to vote for me.

Link to vote.

WEGOHealthAwards

Blog

https://chronicallygratefuldebla.com/2017/08/20/2002/

Arthritis, AtomicBlonde, Avascular Necrosis, Awareness, Bone Health, Chronic Pain, Disclaimer, Eat Healthy, Factor V Leiden, Flush not Blush, Happiness, Mindfulness, osteoarthritis, Osteonecrosis, StopTheClot, Uncategorized, WegoHealth

Walk To Be Spontaneously Happy

Posted on August 26, 2017August 26, 2017 by ChronicallyGratefulDebla

Walking is an ideal daily exercise for a wide variety of reasons – including its beneficial impact on body, mind and spirit!

Walking as a way to get daily exercise, it can help strengthen major organs in the body, promote bone density , boost the immune system, lead to a more positive outlook and more.

If your new to exercise always clear it with your doctor. Don’t over do it. Gradually build up to it.

I gave bone problems Osteonecrosis,Osteoarthritis and Spondylolisthesis. I was told to limit my weight bearing but just standing is weight bearing, and then one doctor told me exercise all I want it will help your knee collapse faster !! WTH needless to say he was fired.

But I do need to move.

I started out with 10 minutes after a couple weeks 15 minutes snd so on.

Some days I can walk 40 minutes other days 15 depends on pain level.

When I’m in a lot of pain which usually comes with winter and cold months.

I ride my recumbent bike at least 15-30 minutes a day.

But walking clears the head, gets us in touch with nature it gets me from a funk to happiness

Spontaneously Happy

I used to love winter now because of my bones I really dread it.

If you can’t walk , if in a wheelchair or scooter getting out in nature is still good for the soul.

Photos and Video I took in Millcreek Park in various locations of park .

I really miss hiking : but for now walking will do.

Arthritis, Avascular Necrosis, Awareness, Blessed, Bone Health, Cardiovascular, Chronic Pain, Diagnosed, Disclaimer, Eat Healthy, Factor V Leiden, Flush not Blush, Food, Homemade Syrups,Tinctures,Rubs, Inflammation, Life, Meditation, Mindfulness, OA, osteoarthritis, Osteonecrosis, Pain, Positivity, Rosacea, Stem Cell, StopTheClot, Support Group, Hope, Uncategorized, Vegetables, Vision, WegoHealth

I Am A Patient Leader to Help and Empower Others ~ WEGOHealth Awards 2017

Posted on August 20, 2017August 23, 2017 by ChronicallyGratefulDebla

I would really appreciate your vote. Please read my story and why I became a patient leader and advocate. ThankYou.

I am so excited to announce that I have been nominated for several of the WEGO Health Awards in the

6th

Annual WEGO Health Awards.

WEGO Health is a mission driven company connecting healthcare with the experience, skills, and insights of patient leaders. They are the world’s largest network of patient leaders, working across virtually all health conditions and topics.

Click link below to learn more about their

Patient Leader Network.

https://awards.wegohealth.com/nominees/12801

The WEGO Health Awards were created to celebrate those who tirelessly support the mission of WEGO Health: to empower the patient voice.

With 16 award categories, the WEGO Health Awards are the only awards across all conditions and platforms, that recognize the over 100,000 yep one hundred thousand inspiring Patient Leaders who raise awareness, share information, and support their communities but often without recognition.

I was diagnosed with osteonecrosis also known as avascular necrosis in late 2014. I was told it was due to the trauma I suffered to my knee(medial meniscus tear)

I remember how I felt, I remember how afraid I was and also a feeling of hopelessness.

If doctors couldn’t help or fix me or even try what was I to do.

I never want anyone to feel that way starving for answers to questions about a new diagnosis and no place to go and no one willing to take the time to explain your new diagnosis. I new others had to be feeling the same way as I was and what an awful feeling that was . Sure I have support from my family but they don’t really understand the pain no one can unless you have it.

So I started the support group Avascular Necrosis/Osteonecrosis Support Int’l to be a safe haven if you will, for anyone that suffers from the disease. On occasion we also allow a family member in the group if the member is comfortable with that so they can also see how this disease/disorder effects people, so they can learn from awareness and education, to have an idea just the type of pain their family member has.

The physical and psychological effects can be debilitating and isolating. Especially when you have what I refer to as a flare up of pain. You can’t plan to go to that wedding next month, you don’t know how you’ll feel in an hour.

The pain can be constant day and night pain or come at any time out of nowhere or in waves and they’re quite perturbing. It’s like a hot lightning bolt and a sledge hammer hitting you at the same time and it can be shocking to those around you,because you end up maybe screaming or yelling,sometimes swearing or just overall mood change because the pain is so intense words truly cannot describe. Some words are hot stabbing shooting debilitating and yet frozen , tourniquet like cutting off your blood supply cold pain that’s what we feel.

Its not just the pain that affects us , but also the sadness or depression that can often come with it. When we think about the future and pain gets in the way of all our plans expectations, it’s a bit shattering.

Everything seems to sort of fall apart and right now you can see only the broken image of the new you .

It’s like looking in a shattered mirror all these different fragments that no longer make you whole.

My life became very fragmented and it was a moment to moment thing because I didn’t know how I would make it through that particular day or make it through what’s going to happen tomorrow. When I was first diagnosed my mind was all over the place.

I’m not terminal but I felt like I was , because my life as I once knew it was done…over.

No doctor I saw had any plan of action to help me in fact I was told we will wait until the joint collapses then replace the knee . Talk about mind blowing!

Osteonecrosis took my career in optical which I loved. It took my hiking in the woods away which I enjoyed. It limits me which I hate. But it’s also given me a new purpose and that is spreading awareness, discussing new treatments, the chance to educate , and reaching out to others. I am a patient leader and activist. Making the invisible, visible

If you allow it, the pain and mental shit you go through when you live in pain and with a rare disorder to boot whether it’s constant or sporadic it can be toxic to the mind and soul sucking.

God forbid don’t ask for pain meds.

When I was first diagnosed my first Ortho said the pain will get intense as if it wasn’t already but I don’t give pain meds. I wondered how bad will it get? I’m already in such pain I can barely stand it. Thankfully my family doctor gave me some pain medicine.

It helped but I don’t want to take it. I’d much rather find out how to fix me.

I’m not some junkie looking for a fix, hell I don’t even want to be at a doctors office.

I would much rather be working or frankly doing anything but sitting in a doctors office.

There is so much stigma that goes along with having chronic pain .

The generalization that everyone is claiming they are in pain just to get drugs is unfair and incorrect, and I think we have to be very careful because pain for most of us is invisible,to others.

When we are out of balance mind ,body , and spirit it makes it so hard to focus.

It makes anything and everything worse.

So we have to change our mind set,respect and do what we can to help our body,and interact with others.

Usually I think people will find that in a support group even if they don’t talk they can listen to people who have the similar experiences, frustrations , challenges,pain, treatments or lack of treatment availability or just simple acknowledgement of I know what your going through, many days is a great help.

And it’s very hard to find that outside a support group.

I never insist a new member speak unless they want to. Some are just so devastated by the diagnosis that they have no words. When I see a new member especially a newly diagnosed one, my heart just knows how much fear they have and how afraid they are. I always let them know that can say anything here and it will remain here. But if they are not ready that’s fine to.

I also offer to send them a copy of a booklet I wrote about avn/on.

I know later their words will come. Right now they need to know they are not alone.

I also raise awareness by several

FB pages

Instagram

Twitter

Personal Blog on word press and blogger

Chronicallygratefuldebla.com

That’s why I am a patient leader and activist.

Here is the link to my WegoHealth profile.

I would appreciate your vote.

You can vote daily up until September 1, 2017.