DAY 39: EASTER CEMETARY WALK

April 17, 2022 ~ Sunday

Refeeding Update: Day 6 of 14.

Daily refeeding numbers: Weight-178.8 Weight loss since adopting diet-56.2 BP-119/79 Heart rate-73 Oxygen level-98 Temperature-97.7 Glucose-121 (after bowl of fruit) Sleep-4.5 One minute pulse rate-steady 78. Muscle pain level-0 (scale 1-10) Energy level-9 (scale 1-10).

Phase 2: Day 3 – Raw – fruits (no citrus), juicy vegetables, lettuce, greens, cucumber, tomato, celery, jicama, sprouts, etc.

My Comments: Today was Easter and I was not home for it. Elisabeth sent pictures of Riah, which always make me smile. That kid knows what to do when a camera is pointed at her. Later in the evening Elisabeth, Danielle, and Riah did Face Time with me. Wayne emailed me and said “The boys told me to tell you to come home.” So, Wayne is missing me. I am pretty sure the dogs have forgotten about me until they see me again! I will be home on the 27th! He will pick me up at the airport.

I am in a place of complete rest with no stress but to care for my own health. Part of me does not want to leave that. But I am missing home and will make some changes to reduce stress. You do not know just how much there is until it is all gone. That is when you notice the little things that cause stress. I have made friends which is easy to do as we all have a common bond, that of fasting for extended periods of time. Most fasts here are 7-10 days, some 21 days, then the 28 and 40 days. But will the connection to the new friendships be lasting? The memories surely will. We exchange emails and contact info. TrueNorth does not really provide a way for patients to connect later. They should. Private TrueNorth message boards might help. My exit comments will be extensive and more than rating things on a 1-10 scale!

I have had 7 suite mates so far. Four women and 3 men. Right now, my suite mates are male. The three of us went for a walk to the very old cemetery that is right next to the center. It has a Spanish feel too it and the type of trees that are there lend to that feel. It just needs some Spanish moss hanging from the trees to complete the picture!

Male or female we all have a common reference point, fasting and how we feel. And for the most part we are open in talking about the issues that brought us to TrueNorth. Still we do break into male/female groupings out in the courtyard for conversation. It is not strange or uncomfortable at all but then I have been fortunate in having the best types to share the suite. Just in case anyone is concerned, I have a bedroom with a door that locks but I am not concerned. 🙂 TrueNorth does warn you that suites are mixed genders.

I am feeling pretty good and by the time I leave I will be able to travel back home on my own but I am having issues with both my feet being cold and numb. The whole foot. I am not, nor have I ever been, dizzy or lightheaded. When fasting I would “list” as I put it meaning I would lean one way or the other but that was about it. So I reported this new symptom since I suspect it is affecting the placement of my feet when walking. Dr. Streutker will be by in the morning. Another “healing crisis”? Maybe! Will let you know what he thinks.

My gut is doing much better today. The constipation has resolved and I still have access to stewed prunes. My new palate has declared them to be delicious. I find that I can’t eat a whole apple because it is too sweet. I have to eat half of it now and save the other half later. This is a high class problem! I have to be able to hold onto this dynamic. If I cheat with candy, my palate will revert and quickly. I am learning how to eat again and the glucose in my system will eventually balance out once the refeed is done. They promise it will. This does NOT mean I can come home and eat only fruits. My diet should be beans, grains, vegetables, spices and lastly fruits. But I have also learned how to do that. You would be surprised the dishes you can make with these food items. Chef Bravo proves everyday at the buffet and in his online cooking courses that being “whole plant base SOS* free” does not have to be boring!

*SOS = no added salt, oil, or sugar. Plants naturally have salt, oil, and sugars in them. How you prepare and cook them to bring out those flavors is the trick.

This is what the juices look like.