In April 2018 my life changed in a big way. After over a decade of dealing with illness after illness (Lyme, mold, food allergies/sensitivities, chemical sensitivities, neurological problems) I began the Dynamic Neural Retraining Systems program (DNRS) to help alleviate specifically my Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). Within a short amount of time, I was noticing huge changes with my tolerance to chemicals, and within a month and a half of consistent daily brain retraining, I was back to eating every single food I had lost over the years. Continue reading “Living The Life I Brushed Off As Impossible (Thanks to DNRS!)”
Ever since I was young I loved filming and editing videos. Documenting my life was an outlet for me, as a teen dealing with Lyme disease. It helped me express myself. It was my constant. No matter what was going on, no matter how sick I was, I always had my video camera with me. I wanted to be on camera so much, that I quickly learned I would do nearly anything if I could get it on film. On days when I couldn’t get myself to take my mounds of pills anymore, I would turn the camera on and film myself taking them. When I did a month-long treatment where I had to take these vile tasting meds each day, I filmed every single dose, because chronicling my experience made it more bearable.
As I’ve grown older, my love for documenting my life has grown with me. And with the new age of smart phones, filming has never been easier, or better quality! Continue reading “Documenting My Life, One Second At A Time”
When I was 13 years old I became bedridden from Lyme disease. Excruciating pain in my knees and back forced me to use a wheelchair, where I would remain until just before my 17th birthday. I couldn’t go to school, or even homeschool due to the severity and nature of my symptoms. I was in constant pain. Constant unknown. With fear and lack of hope that I would ever recover to enjoy a meaningful life. Continue reading “Learning To Edit Videos: A Game Changer Growing Up With Lyme Disease”
One day last April, as I left the elementary school where I work, I suddenly couldn’t breathe. I ripped my purse open and grabbed my mask, clutching it to my face as I made my way towards the exit in a panic. As I turned the corner, I saw the janitor cleaning the floors.
She wasn’t supposed to be there right then. I knew her schedule, because I planned my life around it. My ability to breathe depended on her being nowhere near me. I was furious! Why was she there in that hallway when she wasn’t supposed to be? Why did she use chemicals so harsh that it made it impossible for me to breathe? Why did no one else care that this was happening? Why was I the only one impacted so severely? What made me different from my co-workers, who walked by those chemicals without reacting?
Continue reading “Dynamic Neural Retraining Systems: My 6-Month Update”
This past year I have been more quiet with sharing my health journey. This was because for so long, I didn’t have the words to describe what was happening to me. No doctors knew what to do, and I just kept getting worse, with the most bizarre symptoms imaginable. I didn’t want to write about how bad everything was, so I chose to stay silent. Then I found a chiropractic neurologist, and with his help, I began the adventure of regaining my life back. Now I am ready to share my amazing experience.
Below you will find my interview with Dr. Russell Teames, my chiropractic neurologist.
To learn more about Dr. Teames and functional neurology, click here
To see more of my day to day life, follow me on Instagram!
Every once in a while my husband and I would talk about how we should go on a vacation. Just a short weekend trip. I’d get excited, and we’d start talking about the places we would go. Things we wanted to check off our bucket lists. But then, inevitably, we would start to talk logistics. How could we possibly go anywhere without a kitchen? How would I eat? I have a very restrictive, very specific diet, and it’s not in any way flexible. There is no such thing as a “cheat day” for me.
Then we would talk hotels—what if we got all the way to our destination and it had mold? Or awful chemicals that set me off? How could we even take that chance? At this point in the conversation, we would lose interest. Traveling is just too hard—and up until now we always gave up on the idea of vacations. Too many factors—let’s stay home. But finally we decided to just take a leap of faith and hope that everything worked out…and it actually did. Continue reading “Vacationing with me IS possible!”
You know how everyone always says “I’m fine” when asked how they are doing, because it’s just easier than telling the truth? Well, that’s been my go-to phrase this past year. The absolute most insane health challenges have happened to me in 2017, but due to the intricacies and very odd nature of what I’ve had to deal with, it’s been easier to just not talk about it. I kept telling myself, “I’ll wait until it gets better—then I’ll explain it all.” But it’s a year later, and I’m not there yet. I keep getting asked by fellow Lyme and mold patients, “how are you doing now?” And so far I haven’t wanted to address that question, because I didn’t like the answer. But I’m done waiting. Here’s an update: Continue reading “I’m done waiting. Here’s an update.”
I enjoy sharing my journey with Lyme disease because it’s something that has become an important part of who I am. But something that is just as important, that I often overlook, is my journey TO Lyme. Continue reading “Journey To Lyme”
Recently I had the opportunity to sit down and interview one of the important members of my medical team here in Arizona. Dr. Alan Barnes is a NUCCA certified Chiropractor and he’s been a vital part to my continued recovery this past year.
I have seen many chiropractors throughout my health journey, and NUCCA is my favorite by far due to it being only a light touch on the body, and not a forceful jerk. Because NUCCA has been so beneficial to me, I wanted to help others learn about this amazing gentle form of chiropractic work.
You can see the video with Dr. Barnes here.
Resiliently Rachel 