Blog Archives

Reiki and MS

2/19/2016

Modern living can leave us feeling separate. From others. From ourselves. Sometimes from life as a whole. We get so lost that we forget ourselves, our true nature. We lose track of why we are here and why we do the things that we do. But tucked within us is the knowledge, the spark, that there is something more. If we can tune into this whisper, a boundless world opens up. Exactly one year ago, Reiki was this spark for me.

Reiki translates as “universal life-force energy.” That vital force that is life, that allows us to breath and move. That runs through our bodies in meridians and baths every one of our cells. Prana. Chi. Qi. All of it is Reiki. All matter is energy, everything is fluid, nothing in the universe is fixed.

So when we “perform” Reiki, there is nothing to the procedure. We lay our hands on a recipient, or we allow our hands to hover over their body, or we just have the intention of healing and we offer a service to those who are miles away! If Reiki sounds a little hard to pin down, you are trying too hard. As soon as you try to put parameters around Reiki in a way that makes sense to your current brain, the concept wriggles away from you and you are left dumbfounded by another inexplicable Reiki encounter.

So just relax and breathe into what it has to offer you. Open to the unknown possibilities. Entertain the idea that there is no self. That nothing separates you from another. That nothing separates you from the eternal flow of energy that is always running through and around you. Become one with everything so that there is no you and Reiki, no you and the recipient of Reiki. We are all just one, exchanging our good vibes back and forth freely through time and space.

Is this far out? Yes. But is it possible? When we question our perceptions, the universe bursts forth into limitless wonder. Modern science is chiming in with the proven effectiveness of positive thinking and of prayer. The brain, once thought immobile and set by a certain age, is now commonly accepted as ever-changing, if we think the thoughts and believe the believes that make us conducive to change.

The Power of Positive Thinking
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/allinthemind/the-scientific-evidence-for-positive-thinking/6553614
Reshaping Your Reality with Belief
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104310443

Now this may all seem a too conveniently crafted analysis of the powers of Reiki. Take it or leave it. Or take some and leave the rest. I have always found that it is more dangerous to accept the status quo than it is to accept something that others may deem “too crazy.” The biggest teacher of universal love is Reiki itself. Book an appointment with a reputable practitioner and try it for yourself. Do a little research on Reiki trainings and find a good fit for you to begin your journey learning it. Once you become certified in Reiki I, practice it on yourself every day. Every. Day. Let the flow of this energy become a normal and natural part of your life. Literally get into the flow.

As someone who has tried various healing modalities over the course of decades, I can say that out of all of them, Reiki has made the most consistent positive impact on my life. It is not an exaggeration to say that I am a better person because of Reiki. I love myself more. I give more freely. I am forgiving. I am gentle. I practice Reiki on myself every day. I send distance Reiki to others every day. I volunteer for hands-on Reiki healing once a week at Brigham & Women’s hospital. I offer Reiki to any friends and loved ones who will accept it from me. And I am fortunate to have clients who trust me enough to do this energy work with them.

Reiki is not a cure for all that ails us. It is our entry into the limitless compassion and love that heals us at our very core. Once we acknowledge our right to feel better and our power to be able to provide that relief for ourselves, there is no stopping us.

Be love and Be loved,
Preet

0 Comments

MS & How To Borrow Adaptive Equipment

2/17/2016

0 Comments

If you read any of my blogs then you know that I am pretty keen on passing along resources that might be helpful to you or someone you know. Recently, I was being measured for a new wheelchair and got to chatting with the physical therapist about what to do with some adaptive items that I no longer use. It's always nice to see these things being recycled. Especially because adaptive items can be so expensive!

Much to my surprise, there is a website where you can borrow or donate items such as wheelchairs, medical beds, adaptive strollers, and all sorts of other things. If you are in the market for some new adaptive item but aren't sure if you want to make a purchase, you may want to borrow it first to see if you like it.

The link is:
http://dmerequipment.org/search.php

On a closing node, the winter is almost over!

Limitless Lizzie

0 Comments

With MS There Is Always An Issue

2/8/2016

0 Comments

Hello fellow New Englanders. I know this time of years can be a challenge with ice and snow. So far though, we have nothing to complain about. For some, winter is a time that many of us either hanker in until spring or try and travel to warmer climates.

In my case, it's the latter. As a medical professional, I thought I knew the ins and out of how to cut through insurance red tape and vendor issues. However, I couldn't be more wrong. This past year, my mobility and balance have deteriorated and as a nurse, I proactively began the process of obtaining a portable scooter for assistance.

I began the process in July of last year. I made it very clear it needed to break down and be able to fit into my car. I would not be using this every day in my home. First step, I checked out my insurance coverage and talked with my MD. So far so good. I then went for a PT evaluation with a scooter company. They measured me, asked all my specifics and took all pertinent info. They informed me it took three months to order scooter and process all the necessary paperwork for insurance to approve. Ok, so I wasn't planning on traveling till February. Great, I had checked all my I 's and crossed my T's.

Wrong again. Christmas rolls around. Still no scooter. Phone call after phone call. Company says I have no coverage I need to pay 10k dollars. Well to make a long story short, I must pretend I am the provider (a lie of course) to bothe the mobility company and the insurance company. After four hours and fifteen different calls, I finally straighten it out. My last calls were to tell the senior managers about the lying that was necessary to correct all the red tape. So now you think I'm a happy patient right?

My scooter was delivered two weeks ago. Wow, it's the Cadillac version. Yup it breaks down in three pieces. Great, but each piece is so big and heavy there is no way I could lift them. The man who delivered it can bearly do it alone. Oh so that's not all. Can't store it in extreme temperatures. Umm its 20 degrees in my garage. So off to buy a heater for my new Cadillac. Lastly, you should run the battery down weekly. Hmm. Anyone want to snow mobile with me?

What's my point in all of this? As patients we run into so many issues. Don't despair. There is always someone to help. Reach out.

I rented a scooter for vacation, my neighbor will house sit the Cadillac and keep it warm, and as for the battery, I'm hoping it starts when I need it. Stay warm everyone.

Susan

0 Comments

If you would like to become a blogger, please contact us and let us know!

CLICK ON THE RSS FEED ICON BELOW TO GET A LIST OF ALL OUR PATIENT BLOGS

RSS Feed

Categories

Important Safety Information

Before beginning treatment, you should discuss the potential benefits and risks associated with Rebif with your healthcare provider.

Rebif can cause serious side effects. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the symptoms listed below while taking Rebif.

Behavioral health problems, including depression and suicidal thoughts. You may have mood problems including depression (feeling hopeless or feeling bad about yourself), and thoughts of hurting yourself or suicide
Liver problems or worsening of liver problems, including liver failure. Symptoms may include nausea, loss of appetite, tiredness, dark colored urine and pale stools, yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eye, bleeding more easily than normal, confusion, and sleepiness. During your treatment with Rebif you will need to see your healthcare provider regularly and have regular blood tests to check for side effects
Serious allergic and skin reactions. Symptoms may include itching, swelling of your face, eyes, lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing, anxiousness, feeling faint, skin rash, hives, sores in your mouth, or skin blisters and peels
Injection site problems. Symptoms at the injection site may include redness, pain, swelling, color changes (blue or black), and drainage of fluid
Blood problems. Rebif can affect your bone marrow and cause low red and white blood cell and platelet counts. In some people, these blood cell counts may fall to dangerously low levels. If your blood cell counts become very low, you can get infections and problems with bleeding and bruising. Your healthcare provider may ask you to have regular blood tests to check for blood problems
Seizures. Some people have had seizures while taking Rebif

Rebif will not cure your MS but may decrease the number of flare-ups of the disease and slow the occurrence of some of the physical disability that is common in people with MS.

Do not take Rebif if you are allergic to interferon beta, human albumin, or any of the ingredients in Rebif.

Before you take Rebif, tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any of the following conditions:

mental illness, including depression and suicidal behavior
liver problems, bleeding problems or blood clots, low blood cell counts, seizures (epilepsy), or thyroid problems
you drink alcohol
you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Rebif will harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant during your treatment with Rebif
you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Rebif passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will use Rebif or breastfeed. You should not do both

Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.

The most common side effects of Rebif include:

flu-like symptoms. You may have flu-like symptoms when you first start taking Rebif. You may be able to manage these flu-like symptoms by taking over-the-counter pain and fever reducers. For many people, these symptoms lessen or go away over time. Symptoms may include muscle aches, fever, tiredness, and chills
stomach pain
change in liver blood tests

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of Rebif. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Indication

Rebif is used to treat relapsing forms of MS to decrease the frequency of relapses and delay the occurrence of some of the physical disability that is common in people with MS.

US-INF-0814-0017A
RBU680907-01