Embrace the Journey: Acupuncture Works

Anticipating the Facial Rejuvenation Treatment

Have you tried acupuncture? I’ve written about it before because I’ve had good results. It’s not scary. I admit to being concerned about the needles that first time, but they don’t hurt. In fact after the initial prick, it's nothing. It’s not at all like taking a shot.

Acupuncture works for me, but I can’t say specifically why. I can tell when I need another treatment. I can also state several specific improvements in daily life because of it. Does that make sense?

Embrace the Journey: This is Your Life

Connie, Penni and me ending a special weekend

This is your life, Judy Groff. See, it’s not so bad! You do fun stuff and look fairly independent. Looks like you’ve embraced MS. We acknowledge that you have noticeable issues but, you are functioning at a high level. I’m proud of you.

Yeah, but it’s taken over twenty years to figure out how best to keep functioning well. Just when I think I’ve got things where I want them, wham, I fall or something happens to throw me back. Who are you anyway? Why am I even talking to you?

Carrying on, trying to be independent

Good question! I’m the you that lurks deep in your mind and reminds you where you came from and who you are. It’s my job to give you tough love talks when you get down on yourself. You were a mess in the beginning.You felt bad and moved poorly. We had some serious talks back then.

Those early years were hard. Actually, learning to fill the syringe and give myself the shot got me going. That gave me control so I felt empowered. My turnaround started there. I need to feel in control and independent.

You are in a good place now. What do you think happened? You tried a lot of different things and never gave up trying. 

Meditation using singing bowl

I always thought I could improve my walking. I remember getting very frustrated and angry. I’d try something then vigilantly track improvement in how I moved or felt. I experimented with alternative therapies like meditation, massage, yoga, and gym exercise. I had fun with bike riding, until I had a bad fall. It must have been you I would talk to. You always remind me that I’m the one with the power to fix me. 

What fears and hopes were driving you during that time? 

I worried most about losing ability to exercise at all. I couldn’t run anymore and swimming had to be different. Tennis and biking required too much balance and coordination. Almost everything I did had to be modified. Walking has been the one exercise I am doing better now than in the beginning.

Hot yoga in our bathroom studio

What happened to prompt this change?

Several things started coming together. Bikram Hot Yoga was the catalyst that introduced me to new therapies like acupuncture and massage. 

Then I got adventurous and tried “juicing” and bone broth. I went all in at the gym and secured a physical trainer. To challenge my mind, I joined Toastmasters, started taking piano lessons and learning French on Duolingo. 

I started feeling better physically and had more energy. Slowly my walking has improved. With the guidance of my Physical Therapist, I am learning now to walk again (second go round).

Doing Job #1 prepares me to have fun

Sounds to me like you invest a lot in yourself. Do you ever feel guilty?

I do not. Taking care of me is Job #1. Mama had a plaque hanging in the  kitchen that said, “When Mama’s not happy, nobody’s happy.” When I’m tired or feel out of sorts, I’m grumpy. Family and friends want me to feel good. In fact, my favorite quote is, “When you look good, you feel good. When you feel good, you do good.” Yes, I give myself permission to invest in me.  

This is my life! I’m beginning to write the memoir about my journey. The blog posts will be incorporated. This is a story about my struggles and joys. It’s a story about making the best possible life with life as I know it. And finally, it about all the things I can still do albeit with help along the way. 

Readers, you inspire me and keep me going. Give me some feedback. Thank-you.

Embrace the Journey: Take more Lessons

Caribbean Cruise - St. Kitts

Mind to Body 

Are you listening to me? You have compelled me to take drastic action. You are tentative, discombobulated and totally uncooperative on this walking thing. You know how encumbered I feel being tethered to Donnie. I hate it, but I had to on the ship so I wouldn’t fall and create a scene. Now, I’ve had enough! What do you have to say for yourselves?”

Body

We had lots of extenuating circumstances on the ship. We’ll start with the narrow track. It was a nice track with a smooth surface, but it was tacky. Feet were prone to catch on the toe-up motion. It was wide enough for two people, walking side by side, hand in hand on most of the track. It was the narrow, curvy places that really put us on edge. 

The biggest problem was all the people! Walkers and some runners, all going faster than we can go. We must complain too about the gale force winds that kicked up several mornings. There, that’s most of our issues that hindered performance.

Wide, straight stretch of track

Mind
Those were really bad issues, but I still don’t like it. You wouldn’t relax. Why can’t you relax and stay that way?. I tried to do my part keeping you focused using a mantra I thought you liked. You persisted in tripping me up. When we got home, I expected you to improve. You didn’t, so we are going back to the experts. This is a courtesy notice. We are going back to “walking school”.

Body

No, not walking school! We thought we were done with that years ago. 

Mind

Think of it as a refresher course. After just one lesson, you are already improving. We all want the same thing and we’ve come a long way since we started. We started this journey at least eight years ago. You surprised me a couple years ago when you began moving fluidly. That’s why I’m sure we can do better. 

Working out on the ship

Those falls we took several times in early 2023 created mind issues.  Fear got into our psyche. That’s the enemy. It makes us hesitant, cautious, and generally unstable. Also, we have  all gotten a bit lazy. Yes, it’s hard work but the alternative is unthinkable.

Body

Alright, we admit to getting distracted easily. We noticed your new pre-walk drills. We cooperate at the gym. We will do our part, but we need you to keep us focused. We’re all in. Just tell us what you want us to do.

Sunset and cocktails 

Mind
Your mechanics are good. Do you realize that walking requires connected movement of every bone and joint from the feet and ankle, up through the lower leg and knee to the hip and then up through the trunk and shoulders. Feet, you need arms to relax to swing and move the shoulders. That’s what causes toes to kick up. Think of a marionette stick figure with me pulling your strings to get the motion started. When it works, it flows easily. Right?

Body

That definitely sounds right. So your job is to get our motion started? 

Mind

Well, I’ve only had one lesson, but theoretically you are correct. Starting the motion seems to be the hardest part of my job. We need lots more lessons because everything still feels awkward. I can feel when you are moving in a relaxed fluid motion. I am easily distracted too and forget to concentrate. I am hoping we will all learn to walk without thinking.

Another thing, since I’m in charge, I’ve decided to ramp up massage and acupuncture treatments for several months. Let’s just see if these therapies do what I think they do. I don’t see a down side. We’ve got this! Right?

Relaxing time before dinner

Body
Right!

Another factor we have to consider is aging. My neurologist suggested that some decline may be attributed to the type of MS I have - Primary Progressive. She prescribed focusing Physical Therapy totally on balance and stability while walking. You’ve already noticed the drills he has me doing. I think they are working.

Regardless, we’ve come a long way. Keeping everything in perspective, since we are expected to be declining, we are doing well to hold steady. It all takes a long time and we work on it everyday. I’m confident his strategies will strengthen the mind, body connection.

  

Embrace Your Destiny: Find Your Mantra

Relaxing after a big walk

 “You’ve Got This!” I had picked up a small interesting looking book on the counter of Elements Spa in Brevard and it flipped open to this mantra. I was struck by its clear message. I thought, “Wonder if I was meant to see this? Why did it open at this page? Wonder what other mantras are in this little book? Maybe I’ll buy it.” I didn’t have time to peruse it further but noted the title was Mantras for Strong Women.

I tucked this mantra away in my mind as I melted into the pleasure of the warm massaging migun bed. The spa music and whimsical ceiling lights were relaxing and intoxicating. “You’ve got this,” kept coursing through my mind attaching to images and possibilities in this phrase. When Sarah started taking my pulses and talking, clarity struck me. The mish-mash of disconnected ideas had taken shape.  “I need to write about this experience.”

Embrace Your Destiny: Try The Hard Stuff

We just finished getting both vaccine shots

This year seems to be a test. Can I pass Caregiver 101? I already know I’m no good with tending to sensitive family issues and feelings. First, I don’t notice when anyone is having a problem and second, I’m usually at a loss for what to do. 

Donnie is no good with "feeling" issues either, but he does know what to do in a "needs based" situation. He is a "take charge" partner. We muddle through family things equally bad. We try to set low expectations.

Embrace Your Destiny: Time Travel Back

Taken in 2019 in Arizona

I thought it would be fun to travel back in time to talk with young me. Here is some of our  conversation:

“Hey young Judy, do you recognize me? You will be me in twenty years. Sorry about this diagnosis of MS you just received. I remember feeling sad and like my life was over. It’s not! Would you be interested in a few take aways from my experience managing the disease?
 

Acceptance is really hard. My number one take away is: come to grips with the new you. You are the same, but different. You have an insidious, debilitating disease, but that doesn’t change who you are. You are the same person who has a few limitations. It’s like an “Identity Crisis”. I call this part of the my journey the “Self Discovery” period. Does that make sense?”

Embrace Your Destiny: Manage Yourself

In the Arizona desert, October 2019

January  marks twenty years I have been managing Multiple Sclerosis. The first fourteen years I was adjusting to this new me. I learned what to expect from the disease physically, mentally, emotionally and physiologically. It’s a very complex disease. I have the Primary Progressive type of MS.

My biggest issues have always been physical with spasticity, balance and irregular gait being most troublesome. The mental issues are not as obvious. Reflecting back, I had them. I had plenty of physiological issues too. All the symptoms are insidious in that they creep up from nowhere. For example, in the past three years, I noticed that my core has been slowly going to mush.

Toastmasters is part of my cognitive therapy. I’ve competed in the International Speech Contest several times. After much deliberation I decided to compete again. I have something to say about living with and managing a chronic illness. I can use this platform to communicate that you can manage MS and enjoy doing it. In the past five years, slowly but surely, I am improving. First I had to get out of my comfort zone. I tried new therapies and I continued to work hard. 

Embrace Your Destiny: Try an Acupuncture Facial

Chinese Elements

The Chinese have been doing face reading and healing for over 3000 years. The elements of wood, fire, air, metal and water  are linked to various personality traits, and overall health. Experts say that face reading is an excellent diagnostic tool to use for prevention of disease.  Each part of the face corresponds to a specific part of the body. For example, the cheeks are linked to the lungs, the brows to the liver and the lips to the digestive. When I have an ulcer or cold sore on my lip, I usually have some digestive issue. Acupuncturists have to have very advanced training to qualify for doing an acupuncture facial. My acupuncturist, Sarah Fields of Natural Pathways is certified. 

Embrace Your Destiny: Try Acupuncture

Me and Sarah at the Asheville clinic entry

I decided on a whim to get a facial in late August 2016 from Sarah Fields. Sarah is lovable and was getting established as an acupuncturist in Brevard, NC. I had no notion of what to expect, but thought, "what could it hurt".  Let me tell you, it was amazing. What I didn't expect was the impact it had on my entire body. She did a series of treatments to improve the skin and appearance of my face. It also gave my walking a boost after about a week.