Melissa Jones

Pneumonia isn't something you get over in a day, or a week, but I am feeling almost normal again. My lungs sound clear to my doctor, and I haven't come down with anything new for two weeks. I think something I'm doing is helping.

My doctor did allergy scratch tests on me, and didn't turn up anything major that has to be treated, but I do have the option of starting homeopathic allergy drops. I think I may, just to lighten the allergy load on my immune system. I am slightly allergic to western trees (juniper, olive, ponderosa pine), cats and dogs. My food allergies were interesting when compared to the results from a different clinic a few years ago. Back then I was mildly allergic to wheat and soy, but nothing showed up for anything else. This time a corn allergy showed up fairly moderately, wheat showed up about the same, soy not at all, and peanuts showed up mildly. They didn't test for horses, pistachios or rosemary, my other known allergies.

I'm thinking the corn fraction, or serum, or whatever they use to do the test, actually included the parts of corn I react to, whereas last time it didn't. In any case, corn is not an allergy I want to develop any further...corn is hidden in so many things that I really don't want to deal with a serious corn allergy. It is best to avoid it very strictly, rather than risk it worsening to the point that a drop of natural flavoring could require an epi-pen. Same goes for peanuts, though they were a very mild reaction. It was interesting to see changes, but food allergies can and do easily change.

He ran some tests to screen for vitamin deficiencies and general health. I think just avoiding milk, intolerances, allergens, avoids and toxins, is doing me very well now. The supplements and vitamins I'm taking are also being quite helpful. I need better sleep and less stress, and I think things will continue looking up around here. I made it to taekwondo again, thanks to some help from my husband, today, and that felt good. It's a great way to manage stress, socialize, and express myself.

My main issue is eating enough. I only want healthy foods, but I don't eat enough of them lately. My appetite just isn't what it used to me. I probably need to make myself a chart and check off my fruits, veggies, proteins, good fats, etc. throughout the day. I made a nice veggie/turkey chili tonight, and that was good.