Category: Health

Cramped Foot

As I was heading out to a scheduled chiropractic appointment for my shoulder and my calf, the top of my foot began to cramp, the third time in 2 days.

I had scheduled the appointment a week prior preceding any issue with my foot and the cramping happening on the way to the appointment was a blessing because I was able to address it along with the nerves in my shoulder and muscles in my calf that needed treating.

When have you had a scheduled doctor’s visit and an additional concern came up before you arrived and you were grateful that you were able to bring it up while seeing the doctor versus it happening after leaving the office?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Baked Squash

A short time before my daughter’s friends were coming over to bake cookies, I had removed a baking stone from the kitchen counter and placed it in the oven only to discover that baked squash I had made for dinner a few nights ago was still there. I had completely forgotten about it. I didn’t even have an inkling or a thought at all reminding me that there was anything left behind that needed to be either eaten or refrigerated for later.

I was able to take care of it, unfortunately, dumping it in the trash. It was a bummer as I would have liked to have eaten it at another time, however, I’m grateful I found it before the girls did. Had they opened the oven to see it there first, it just may have altered their appetite. It didn’t look that bad, nonetheless, the thought of food being left behind and forgotten for days is gross.

When have you been grateful when you found something unappealing while cleaning, saw it first and took care of it before your guests arrived?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Blood Pressure

It is not a hard thing for me to become stressed and feel anxious. I strive daily to maintain a relaxed composure and utilize techniques and skills to calm my nerves when I get uptight, nervous, scared, etc.

Recently, I had an annual doctor’s visit and recalling last year‘s stressful visit, due in part to meeting a new doctor in a new practice, I did not want a repeat, most specifically,  a less than desired blood pressure reading. This time around, conditions were different and I was not experiencing the same kind of stresses, however, my recollection hiked up my anxiety.

Prior to leaving for the appointment, I did things that would help calm my nerves from breathing—deep breathes in and deep breathes out, focusing on my happy place— the celestial room inside of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple, reading inspiring stories in a Latter-day Saints church magazine—the Ensign, listening to a song and a personal experience shared by an artist on “Hi Five Live -Facebook”, and I prayed for a miracle that all of the above would calm me and I would be able to stay focused on pleasant, happy things so my blood pressure would be good.

I have not had what I would consider a good blood pressure reading in I don’t know how long because I’m constantly experiencing and dealing with stress and anxiety. It was a tender mercy the calming techniques and my focus paid off and with Heavenly Father‘s help, my blood pressure was excellent!

When have you worked really hard to achieve a healthy state and you were successful?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

A Loofah

For weeks my skin had been a disaster. It felt soft, yet there were areas of flakiness. And on my arms, I could roll and pull off the skin like dead skin after a sunburn, however, I did not have a sunburn and not being able to remove it all sufficiently was ever so frustrating. Even while showering and trying to remove the flakes, the problem remained. No matter the amount of lotion I applied, it did not smooth out or prevent the unwanted flakiness.

It had been a while since I had tried using a loofah which at the time didn’t seem to work so I resorted to using the palm of my hand to attempt to remove and rub off the flakes as I showered. I was not successful at all with that approach. It was really bothering me and one day the thought came to my mind to use a loofah. For whatever reason, this time, on this particular day, it worked. The flakes were practically gone and my skin was smooth. It felt and looked great.

I don’t know what made the difference. Was it that I did not lather the loofah with body wash or apply body wash to the skin first? This time I used only water with the loofah and then washed with body wash following. Was it seasonal? I’ve used the loofah in the winter time before when it didn’t work and now it’s summer. I don’t know if that plays into it, but all I know is I am grateful the loofah removed the unwanted skin and I was left with smooth soft skin.

When have you reached a point of frustration with your skin and a thought came to your mind to try something you had used before and when you did, it worked?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Olive Oil and Garlic Oil

One evening, while tucking one of my children in bed, they casually and gently mentioned their ear was hurting. I had not noticed their disposition and behavior during the day being different than usual and no complaints were heard. I imagine their being absorbed in various activities preoccupied their attention that they didn’t notice the discomfort until settling into bed for the night.

As I looked at the ear, I supposed that maybe they had rested their hand on it supporting their head while sitting in a chair watching television or they had laid on it to take a brief nap resulting in it feeling tender and sore.  As I shared with them this possibility, I asked them to keep me posted on how their ear was feeling in the morning.

All the while we were dialoguing and even after learning of their achy ear, I was still able to maintain speaking with them with my same sweet mom voice so as not to worry them, although inside I was concerned if something more was going on and if I should frequently check on them throughout the night.  I left the room telling myself that I should not get myself worked up and all will be fine. I was confident I would be alerted somehow if I was to be more highly concerned. The next morning no updates were shared, and frankly I forgot. I was grateful as a natural “worry wart” that during the night my mind was not consumed with worry and I was able to sleep.

While tucking them in bed the next night, once again, a casual and gentle mention of the ear hurting was spoken, to which I asked more questions and with no visible sign of a fever or any apparent physical or other concerns, I felt that what may help was an olive/garlic oil solution (better if at room temperature), 1/4 tsp each mixed together, and poured slowly into the ear canal. They agreed. The next day, I followed up and they said the pain had decreased and was minimal to that of the night before. By evening of that night all the pain was gone.

I learned about this home remedy when my older kids were young.  I am so grateful I had this knowledge from so many years ago come to mind and that I had the ingredients on hand which provided comfort and relief during a time of need that helped soothe and heal a tender, sore ear.

When have you been able to apply your education and knowledge to bless and help someone in need, particularly a health remedy, that provided soothing comfort and relief as well as healing?

tendermercym♥ments~jld