Studio FUN !?!?!

It's been three years since I've been able to do "hybrid" scrap-booking (that's what digi-scrapbookers call the "hands-on" scrapping that's been going on for decades). My severe NRLA (natural rubber latex allergy) put a halt to rubberstamping and the severity of my MCS (multiple chemical sensitivities) prevented me from continuing to scrap even using the latex-free materials. That's 'cuz of all the chemicals involved... from adhesives to paints to inks to papers, embellishments & more!

♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥

Thanks to a long road of nutritional supplements & homeopathic remedies, my immune system has gotten stronger. I still have to be extremely careful, even though I've been able to add some latex-cross-reactive foods back onto my 'ok' list... even though I've been able to resume "some" hands-on scrapping & other projects in the last 2-3 months, I still have to be extremely careful (repeat intentional). Because although most exposures come from known sources, there are still MANY surprise ones out there... including what caught me unawares a few days ago and rendered me a "couch YAM" for the last couple days (yams are "sweet" potatoes... and because regular potatoes are strong enemies of mine (HUGE latex-cross-reactive for me), I wanted to come up with a different term. My best friend, Melissa, helped me out with that... she knows how much I enjoy eating yams (raw, baked, roasted, chips, etc). Anyway, I had been sorting thru some supplies to set up to make some cards... had just completed a digi-LO for ClubScrap's PSL challenge and my blog post when I got hit... hard and fast... required 2 doses of epinephrine to stop, benadryl and several homeopathics (primarily anti-histamine, but also for gut & inflammatory pain symptoms that accompanied this particular anaphylaxis episode). I'm still not positive what caused this crash, but the couple suspicions came on top of a system that was already engaged in a defensive battle. Over the last couple of weeks I'd been exposed to: hotel fragrances, people fragrances & cigarette smoke, travel stuff (vehicle exhaust, latex-contaminated-road-dust, etc), farming chemicals several times (exhaust, insecticides, fertilizers, etc - we live right next door to a farm that has been SUPER busy this last month in their efforts to rescue & replant crops following the damaging wind/hail storm that hit our area). It's no wonder then, that the scales were tipped and I got hit so hard & fast... the final straw was either (or both!) a new olive leaf supplement (had been confirmed by manufacturer to be latex-safe) that I tried that morning and/or a malfunctioning air purifier that overheated, putting a burnt oil/rubber smell into the air. It is now in the repair shop for warranty service (problem still unknown)... and the new supplement is now on the "do not use" list!!

♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥

Even keeping a daily log doesn't always help identify the source of the exposure that causes a life-threatening allergic reaction. I've been keeping a daily log since 2007 (wow! that's 5 yrs!!) which has helped me identify many, many triggers. By identifying them, I'm then able to avoid them... which is the ONLY treatment for NRLA and the 1st/best treatment for MCS. It's fairly easy to identify the triggers for immediate reactions, but harder for delayed ones. I believe my system was already on overload with 'recovering' from all the recent chemical exposures and that contributed to my needing more meds to stop the anaphylaxis and longer recovery time from this episode (hence the 'couch-yam' dressed in robe & pj's!). 

 ♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥

Life is always an adventure living with NRLA "and" MCS, that's for sure.

♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥

If you arrived at the post doing an internet search for info on latex allergy or mulitple chemical sensitivities, there are a few resource/educational links in my blog footer (you can get there quickly by pressing control-end).

 ♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥

Here's my studio - this photo shows my map-fold books in progress :-)

 ♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥

And here's a panoramic view - photo taken with my Sony Cybershot

I've used U-HAUL mattress bags, cut to fit, to cover my bookcases (scrap-booking supplies, photo albums, books and more) -- this blocks/minimizes exposures to any chemicals off-gassing from the various items. I either push them to the side or roll them up depending whether I'm reaching for something specific or "browsing". I also store scrap-booking & craft supplies in the metal filing & storage cabinets.

♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥ 

For now, the card project is on hold ... we'll have to wait & see what next week brings. Meanwhile, getting all my other air purifiers checked out (1 at a time) to make sure whatever happened with the one the other day doesn't happen with the others (our home is "fragrance-free" and "latex-safe"... we have 4 air purifiers in our home... to keep up with carpet off-gassing, neighborhood chemicals, vehicle/lawn-mower/farm machine exhaust, ETC!).

<'///>< 

Isaiah 40:31

Grandsons & Traveling Hardships

Holidays 2009

Babes 2009

 credits: Jack build-a-kit by MagsGraphics, fonts - SBC Preschool & CK True Type

Mags has several packs/sets of papers, frames, ribbons & hold-em-ups to choose from. It really is a fun "build-a-kit". She also has one called "Luke" and another "Madeline". You can see them all here in her store.

♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥

One of the hardest things about living so far from family, is not getting to spend time with our grandsons. Family viisits are rare because it's so difficult to travel that far because of my severe NRLA (natural rubber latex allergy) & MCS (multiple chemical sensitivities). There are many things I have to remain ever watchful for... avoidance is the ONLY treatment for latex allergy as it gets worse with EACH exposure. Traveling has all kinds of dangers... both chemical and latex (road dust, exhaust, road construction, fresh asphalt, industry waste that's airborne (ie refineries & power plants), gas stations, latex glove use &/or cleaning chemicals in public bathrooms, latex glove use in restaurants, PEOPLE in all these places with all the chemicals & fragrances they have on their person & in their clothing, the "unexpected" surprises (car or house fire along the freeway, blown tires on the road, etc).

♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥ 

Because of the latex contamination of food & drink (thru use of latex gloves in the restaurant &/or the food manufacturers facility), we have to prepare and bring travel food with us AND enough food for me for the duration of our stay. Then, where are we going? where will we stay? who will be coming to see us? and there's a whole 'nother round of preparations... sometimes so very overwhelming that it's just easier (and of course, MUCH SAFER) to just stay home (especially if encountered "major" exposures/reactions during the last trip)!

♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥

In addition to restaurants & food manufacturers, HOTELS are notorious for using latex gloves. Mostly, because they don't know anything about latex allergy and their suppliers promote the latex gloves (they've lost business as the hospitals are going latex-free and are pushing their gloves into every mode of business). NIOSH issued an alert way back in 1997 -- 13 years ago!! -- that to avoid latex allergy in the workplace, to use NON-LATEX gloves for routine cleaning, housekeeping, food service, hair/beauty salons, etc. Yet, SO MANY BUSINESSES are still using latex gloves... and we, the consumer pay the heavy price -- ANYone at ANYtime can become latex allergic... you don't have to be in the medical profession! it's everywhere -- we've been exposed with the food we eat, the places we shop, the places we eat, the places we sleep!! -- the danger is that not everyone who is latex allergic "knows" they are... and therefore they're not avoiding it and are getting worse with every exposure... AVOIDANCE IS THE ONLY TREATMENT!!

♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥ 

Then, who are we going to see? I can't go into their homes, so they have to come see us (whether we stay in a hotel or room at my parents that has been made relatively safe)... this means advance preps on their part -- special steps in laundering their clothing, avoiding use of all fragrances & chemicals, making sure airborne latex isn't piggy-backing into our 'safe zone' with them (latex gloves &/or balloons will contaminate their clothing, hair, skin, house, car, etc -- they pick it up in the stores, restaurants, workplace, etc), no elastic in their clothing, etc. -- the list goes on & on & on.... it's practically impossible to have a completely safe environment under those conditions. We've found that family & friend visits are MUCH SAFER when they travel to come see us in our home... because "we" can control what comes in... houseguests (family AND friends) coming to see us go thru a strict regime when they arrive -- strip out of travel clothes & bag them in plastic, shower (with soaps & shampoos that we provide) & put on 100% cotton clothing (scrubs or other) that is both latex-free and has never come in contact with fabric softener or other laundry chemicals (we now have all sizes on hand for them);  thoroughly dry & cover any hair that has been treated with chemicals (ie perm, coloring, etc).

♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥ 

Then there's the matter of the water.... chlorine is a killer! I have to take with us enough filtered & boiled water for me to drink for the travel days and the time we're away from home. If where we stay has chlorinated water? it is airborne every time it's turned on or a toilet flushes... this affects me in 2 ways... immediate respiratory distress AND the multiple body systems affected because of my MCS. 

♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥

Life-threatening & disabling latex allergy & multiple chemical sensitivities bring with it an isolation that most people just don't comprehend. Some who may be reading this and have NRLA themselves might be thinking, "i'm not that bad", "my latex allergy is very mild", etc. Well, so was mine at one time. Latex allergy is PROGRESSIVE. It gets worse with EACH exposure. The ONLY treatment is AVOIDANCE.

♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥ 

Please see www.latexallergyresources.org for more information on latex allergy. And www.mcs-america.org for more info on multiple chemical sensitivities.

<'///>< 

Isaiah 40:31

SLOWLY Recovering!!

I certainly didn't think I'd be down for the count for this long! While in "recovery" from the exposure/systemic reaction (2/5), we had an incident with our microwave that had long-lasting and devastating effects. I accidentally added time to a "defrost" because the power level button didn't register... resulting in a frozen leftover of rice cooking on high and burning to a crisp. The unfortunate result also included a GLAD plastic food storage container (proclaimed to be "safe" for food, "microwave, dishwasher & freezer safe") melting & burning right along with the rice.

♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥
This was the start of 8 horrific days of recurrent anaphylaxis -- my husband thought he was going to lose me twice -- I thought I was going to die -- then I thought I'd have permanent brain damage. It was a nightmare!! Fortunately, we discovered the cause quite timely when I called our insurance company during off-hours. The gentlemen I spoke to knew immediately what had occurred as soon as I mentioned the plastic container. He used to work at a plastics company! There was a plant fire and now he is latex-sensitive!!
♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥
Plastic, when it melts, emits not only the toxic plastic chemicals, but also LATEX!! God put that man in the right place at the right time... because this immediately changed the safety of our house and how it would have to be cleaned!! This is HORRIBLE!! The public has a right to know this kind of information!!!! How many others have been affected by the microwave "accidents" that occur so commonly. This particular type plastic emitted non-permeable latex, meaning it would settle as dust. Other plastics can release permeable latex when melted. This was all confirmed by an industrial hygentist that the cleaning company had consulted with.
♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥
We tried to clean the house ourselves (with our neighbor couple), but as I continued to have anaphylaxis events... and my brain turned to mush... couldn't talk... couldn't think... could barely walk... couldn't remember one word to the next... couldn't breathe... -- we realized we had to get out & do so quickly. BUT, we had no "safe" place to go -- latex & chemicals everywhere -- and because I can't eat in restaurants, we needed a place with a kitchen. We finally found a hotel that was able to prepare a "green" room (chemical-free)... but it wasn't.... it had a fireplace... that leaked!! Even though DH tried to seal it off, I continued having anaphylaxis... the reactions were decreasing in frequency, but increasing in severity -- it was a very scary time!! My hubby sat down with the hotel manager & engineer and they came up with a plan... and were able to get us transferred (after 4 days) into a "true" chemical-safe & latex-safe room. From that point on, I gradually began to recover.

♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥

It's now been one full month since this "further" life-changing event -- "disabled" now has a whole new meaning for me -- and life is even more restrictive now. We're still at the hotel -- the 1st cleaning company called us the day we were to sign the contract and backed out of the job. We were able to find another company, more qualified to deal with our situation (an environmental cleaning company vs just fire restoration)... another miracle! After a few more delays, they were able to start working on our house this Tuesday -- YIPEE! A scientific group will be collecting samples next week for lab testing for latex (air, porous & solid surfaces). If they're negative, we get to try to return home. If it's positive, then more work will have to be done before we can depart this one room studio at the hotel.

♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥

A great plus at the hotel is the capability of having 2-3 "steamy" baths per day (#1 treatment for a toxic reaction for MCS'ers is Sauna Therapy)... the bathtub is the closest to a sauna I can get... and with how small the bathroom is (only toilet & tub/shower), I'm able to get it really steamy for a good hot soak with baking soda & colloidal oats. I've also been able to connect with a couple of alternative medicine professionals (one local to the hotel and another out-of-state) and have begun some homeopathic remedies and nutrient therapies. I've learned to like YAMS which are filled with nutrition and have greatly helped my extremely limited diet. There are SO many foods that are cross-reactives to latex (or cross-reactive to a cross-reactive of latex), OR contaminated with latex proteins from latex glove use in food manufacturing, packaging, distributors & resalers (including restaurants, delis, grocery stores, etc), OR filled with chemicals, dyes, preservatives. I was already attempting to eat more organic and now that's almost all I can do. Unfortunately, we live in a very COLD state... no farmer markets in winter... no organic coops nearby -- natural food stores are loaded with "natural" items -- natural is not synonomous with safe for me. So, we're limited to what is at our local grocers. Fortunately, we found another store here by the hotel that also has another location a bit closer to us (within 30 minutes). So, I'll be sending my sweety there at least once a month to shop (might have to be once a payday, cuz there organic yams are the best around!!).

♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥

One thing that stayed with me during those 8 horrific days... when living from reaction to reaction... not knowing which end was up or down... no matter how mushy my brain got (it was "stop & eject!" - think of a tape in a VCR), my Lord was with me and sustained me with this recurring thought -- that in spite of the condition of my brain, was as clear as could be and did not waver! -- "only what's done for Christ will last". My God intervened, protected & sustained me. No matter what I've lost in the past... favorite things to do... foods... church... friends... ability to travel to visit family (3 married sons, 1 grandson (almost 2yo!), parents)... I can survive because of my Saviour. And when it comes time to leave this earth to join Him in heaven, I can only pray that the words He will say will be, "well done, thou good & faithful servant".

♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥

So, -- what now? For starters, we'll be "downgrading" drastically -- symplifying our home & belongings -- doing whatever is in our power to make our home "safer" -- bumping up priority of some projects that were waiting to "fit in the budget". Things that "have" to be done in order for me to be safe at home and not face further exposures. Carpets that always off-gas chemicals are going out the door. But, it's not an easy task to find replacement flooring that will be "chemical-safe" and "latex-free". So, we're in the research phase right now. Meanwhile, I have a new motto -- in 2007, my motto was "if in doubt, throw it out" when we were busy de-rubberizing our house -- now, the new one... "better to be alive & in debt, than debt-free and dead". So, even in this falling economy... we'll be making businesses happy. We had to replace the natural gas applicances last Fall, install a whole house water filtration system the year before, purchased a new "natural rubber & latex-FREE" vacuum cleaner (SEBO HepaVacuum -- http://www.allvacs.com/product_info.php?products_id=80&osCsid=fc89ebc2553464dc67ad1eee0030f384 -- at a wonderful shop in Rochester MN), more online shopping here at hotel (replacing cordless phones (EMF's bad for me!) with corded, finally got my new flour mill, etc.), and now we get to remove the carpeting (possibly just sealing some with AFM Safecoat Sealers -- http://www.afmsafecoat.com/ -- have products safe for the chemically sensitive), flooring... etc), and who knows what else...

♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥

We're going to be selling our cars (don't need 2 because it's no longer safe for me to drive alone) & getting either a truck or larger SUV, capable of pulling a small RV (only way I'm going to be able to travel to visit family). One of our kids is planning on buying our 2003 Mazda Tribute (wonderful vehicle!! love it!) and then we need to sell the 2005 Mitsubishi Gallant. Not the best time to be selling a car -- but some great deals out there for buying new -- just waiting on word from the car manufacturer about the natural rubber & NR latex content in their vehicle before we can move ahead.

♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥

So, in today's economy and WITHOUT any government interference or incentives, we are "increasing" our spending!! Of course, we'd much rather be able to save and to be debt-free... but that's just not possible in our lives right now. We just need to step out in faith, complete the projects needed to make our home a "safe haven" and place where I can continue to recover... and trust in the Lord to provide for the financial needs that are in our path. Ideally would be to move to a house that's been built "chemically-safe" and "latex-free" from the bottom up (especially with the corn field behind our house -- BEAUTIFUL scenery during the changing seasons -- but a very strong allergen for me), but it's such a tough time to sell a house right now... and with decreasing home values (for those of us who maintain our mortgages) because of those who default (whether because of income lost or getting in over their heads), it's hard to think of pouring more money into it -- but it seems to be our best option, just to have a safe zone that's latex-free, latex-safe and chemically-safe.

♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥

Many times in our lives, when going through the valleys... not knowing what was around the next bend... we can hear God's gentle voice through it all... "do you trust Me?" Well, this is about the darkest challenge we've ever faced -- "do you trust Me?" -- "yes, Father God, we trust you and will continue to love & follow You, Lord -- with all our heart, soul, mind & strength -- no matter how strong or frail, no matter how rich or poor, no matter what our health, no matter how isolated we become, no matter what else falls our way -- this is it -- our love will never change, except to grow stronger -- because You, our God, our Saviour, are the same yesterday, today & tomorrow... always & forever! -- always in control... in the precious name of Jesus, amen."

♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥

I hope to be able to upload the layouts I had completed the week the "MW meltdown" happened. I really like how they turned out -- our wedding and celebrating 30 years!! The Chocolate Cherry Collab provided the "perfect" ingredients for the 2-page digi-spread. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did putting them together and seeing them now. Digi-Scrapping will NOT be included in the downgrades!! This is one creative outlet I hope to continue to participate in & enjoy -- to leave a pictorial legacy of our faith & family.

in Him,

janie
<'///><>

Introducing "Janie in MN"—My . . .

BLESSINGS
my Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ... wonderful hubby... 3 sons who have grown into wonderful men of God, who gave me 3 beautiful daughters, and are planning on giving us precious & unique grandbabies!!... our grandson, Ethan... great neighbors... awesome support group... new online buddies!!
♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥
HARDSHIPS
living with "severe" life-threatening & disabling NRLA (natural rubber latex allergy) and MCS (multiple chemical sensitivities) has been a life-changing/altering event... had to quit work (teaching rubberstamping techniques, piano instruction & admin assist.)... change what can wear (only 100% cotton)... adjusting to food restrictions is ongoing (there are MANY latex-cross-reactive foods!! can no longer eat my favorites—Mexican & Italian)... loss of activities (can no longer rubberstamp, go biking, dine out, shop or spend time with friends, no grocery shopping (DH does ALL of it!)-- any other shopping is severely limited due to use of latex balloons & gloves in stores (latex proteins get airborne), dust from people/store traffic (rubber-soled shoes, tires, etc.), hazards of being out of house (fragrances, latex-cross-reactive pollens, other chemicals..), etc.
♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥
FUN TIME - HOBBIES
reading, cooking/baking, collecting (ie, fonts, DIGI-SB FREEBIES!!, bears, lighthouses, etc.), internet research, fishing, nature walks & scenic drives, DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY, viewing wildlife in their natural habitats, bird-watching (especially along the Mississippi River & the rivers in this area... Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, Great White Pelicans, Great White Egrets... all the birds are big and have "great" in their name!), flowers, TALKING ON PHONE WITH MY MOM & KIDS!! web-caming with family!!... shopping online... emailing family & friends... learning new things (ie PSE 5, digital scrapping!...
♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥
TALENTS / GIFTS
organization, advanced pianist & vocalist, jewelry design, watercolor artist (beginner), scrapbooking, computer "stuff"!, and "professional puttzser!"
♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥
FAVORITES
colors—Autumn, especially forest/hunter green, shades of gold, orange & red, deep rich mauves, blues...
graphics—hearts, snowmen, bears
food—organic when can—garlic! blueberries, baked oatmeal with dried cranberries, brownies with dried cranberries & toasted pecans...
restaurant—Pei Wei (usually have to do take out), it's the casual version of PF Chang's... Red Lobster & Olive Garden... Oma's Pizza in Saratoga Springs NY (where we lived when we 1st got married—2 sons born here—this was over 25 years ago & we still compare all pizza to Oma's!). . .

<'///><
Isaiah 40:31