Re: Dear, wise Rogene,

[Guest guest]

Audrey,

First I need to tell you that I had silicone gel

implants for 16 years. . . Silicone gel implants leak

from day one! . . . There is a definite

exposure/illness relationship with gel implants. Women

who've had them over 12-13 years are often told they

won't get any better.

So, that's why I'm thrilled to be doing well. Being

" careful " means that I have to eat right. . . I'm not

strict with my diet, but, if I go out of bounds, my

body tells me quickly! . . . I must get enough sleep.

I've never been one to need much sleep. But, after

getting implants, I found I couldn't sleep.

Fibromalgia and a sleep disorder go together. I must

get a moderate amount of exercise. . . Too little and

I get stiff and hurt, to much and I hurt and get

overly tired. Also, I must manage anger and stress.

I see my health as a balance beam. As long as I keep

everything in balance, I do well. But, if I violate

any single part of my " program " I fall off the beam.

Sometimes I fall so hard, it's really difficult

climbing back up! My goal is to keep my balance beam

as wide and as low as possible!

Many of us old-timers are like this . . . but I'm

seeing young women who are experiencing the same

" fragile " good health. There is no way of knowing if

you'll be one of the lucky ones who bounce back, or if

it will be a slow uphill climb!

There is a self test you can do for systemic

fungal/yeast/candida problems . . . The first thing in

the morning, before putting anything in your mouth,

spit in a glass of water. Let it sit for 15 minutes

before checking. If there's a milky blob floating with

tendrils hanging down, if there are floating chunks,

or if there's a milky blob at the bottom of the glass,

it indicates a problem. . . . This test isn't

scientific, but it tracks very well with how well one

manages an anti-fungal diet and supplements.

The problem with these organisms is that everyone has

them! . . . That's part of the normal flora of ones

body. . . I'm thinking there are over 300 different

organisms normally found in the body. Where the

problem comes in is when one has been chronically ill,

taking antibiotics, or steroids. Then the beneficial

organisms are killed off. Unfortunately, the negative

organisms come back with a vengence . . . That's when

problems start. If you don't have a problem, consider

yourself very fortunate! . . . Being on a healthy diet

makes a huge difference, so you very well could be OK!

.. . . Women who have a problem have cravings for

sweets that just won't quit!

When you make a decision, don't wait to long to find a

doctor and schedule surgery. Depending on the doctor,

you may have to wait for a couple months!

BTW, what kind of art are you into? . . . I'm a potter

myself.

Hugs,

Rogene

[Guest guest]

Dear Rogene,

I typed you a mail and than my browser quite all of a sudden – byebye

reply.

I am sad to hear that you're expectations on getting totally better

again look dim considering the silicone implant/illness relationship

for women who've had them over 12-13 years.

I can totally relate to the things you refer to in your `balance

beam'; I have a hard time accepting and trying to balance the things I

do. I feel really awful when I promised people I'd do something for

them, or be at a party and then I overdo myself and have to pay the

price too.

I am going to do the `spit test' even though docs said I don't have

Candida (I suspect I don't, my mom has it, sometimes very severe

outbreaks in her mouth, especially after eating sugar of mushrooms,

which she tries to avoid but sometimes still eats because she craves

them). I'll let you know the results later.

I am happy that you are feeling much better and sure hope that you'll

experience more and more good days and less lesser days! Thank you for

your advice again.

Best,

Ellis

Oh, I am an art historian, not an artist (although I'd love to take a

wheel throwing class if I have more energy), did research but could

not sit anymore for long periods of time in climatologically

controlled rooms. I specialized in so called Northern Renaissance Art.

I LOVE all kind of art, and even though I will never be able to teach

art history anymore, I still dream about opening my own gallery some

day: Providing affordable art for everybody – and if my body allows

me to do so, I definitely will.