Unseen illness isn't always easy to diagnose and I haven't had a lot of luck with traditonal western medicine though in the spring of 2015 I felt like I got another chance at life when I did get help from a doctor.

The doctor wasn't able to diagnose me specifically unless I wanted a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia because my numbers to confirm a more serious illness, Lupus, was off by three points of a diagnosis. He did confirm I have Arthritis and an auto-immune disorder which flares up and down so some days are good and some days are not. I was in severe nerve pain off and on for two years prior and spent many days in bed. The pain travels wherever and whenever it wants and stress makes it worse.

I was given a choice to try some medication that might take the nerve pain away and I did and thankfully it worked. When I was able to move around again I didn't want to waste time on any more days in bed so I got my backpack and tent and headed for the West Coast where I lived before for 15 years.

The fresh ocean air and the extra oxygen in the forest and friends always lift my spirits.

After a couple of months I had to return home to Alberta but I was thankful for the time I had there and worked part time. It felt really good to not be stuck inside in bed in silence with only a few freinds and family knowing what I was going through.

This past spring in 2016 I had another opportunity to return to the West Coast and I stayed with friends up and down the island. I worked a litte part time to earn enough money to eat and get from A to B and somehow I kept going until I had to come back to Alberta to help my mother. I sold and gave away most of my belongings because I needed money to live and I clearly need to travel light, some days I am not as strong as others.  

The thing is I used up most of the money just living day to day for the past eight weeks and need some help now to get back to my family and friends on the West Coast and to the forests and the ocean where I find it easiest to breathe and where my health seems to be much better and I have more access to alternative healers and medicines and things that uplift my spirit.

Every litle bit helps and if you can chip in anything it will be greatly appreciated. I am thankful for this journey.

Deanna