Adventures in Paint & Pastel
Posted on 1/16/2017 6:57:13 PM
By Sharon Will
37 Comments
I am writing about my journey because I know there are so many people suffering from chronic Lyme Disease, Borrelia Burgdorferi. It is an epidemic. The symptoms imitate so many other diseases; arthritis, fibromyalgia, MS, the list is endless, and symptoms vary for each person. It can be physically and mentally debilitating, with irreversible damage, and it's all over the globe, leaving no one exempt. People are not being correctly diagnosed, treated, or even taken seriously by doctors, let alone friends and family for that matter. And if you find a doctor willing to treat you, the standard protocol is 2 - 4 weeks of antibiotics.....period. Many don't even consider chronic Lyme to exist, or want to deal with it.
Hooray!!! My 11 year battle with Lyme has ended (13 years infected) and I want others to know there is hope to be healed and not just having to live with it or have it control you! For me, my healing breakthrough came through prayer and alternative therapies, involving Bio Resonance or Frequency Medicine.
Initially I was infected while vacationing in Tennessee. My husband pulled a tick off my neck. At that time, we had never seen a tick in real life or even heard of Lyme - it was totally off our radar. With no immediate visible symptoms, I ignored it and went on with life. Fast forward 2 years and I'm experiencing serious fatigue, which I just figured my hormones were off again. My Doctor, which amazingly is one of the rare Lyme-literate doctors around, did a Western Blot Test and it came back positive.
Over the next 8 years we did pulsing of various antibiotics along with a holistic approach of getting rid all obstacles that stand in the way of the body healing itself. I did chelation to get rid of the heavy metals, kept my hormones in balance with bio-identical hormones, worked on balancing my thyroid, getting rid of Candida, testing for food allergies, and supplying supplements of vitamins and minerals I was low in. In addition I used Artemisinin, Cats Claw, Samento and other herbs I don't even remember now. These approaches worked to a certain level. Eventually, the pain and swelling in my joints went away, but my top issues of extreme fatigue and heavy brain fog never really left. I'd need about 12 hours sleep at night, and then need another 2-5 during the day, depending on my activity level. To function, I'd sleep in between every activity. I actually looked forward to each time we'd start up the antibiotics, as it would take the edge off these symptoms, but never eliminated them. During this time, I also got re-infected while plein air painting in Michigan, which meant stepping up the antibiotics for a while.
At the end of the 8 years (10 years of being infected) my Adrenals now became exhausted (added stress I'm sure was an element here) and now I'm even more fatigued. I was put on Pregnenolone to feed the adrenals.
The Turning Point!
At this time, my Doctor started working with a Naturopath Doctor (ND) and sending "problem" patients to him. I admire my Dr. for thinking outside the box, but I remember rolling my eyes when he said something about the ND working with "frequencies"..... so I went reluctantly with skepticism. But the visit confirmed a previous unknown element, the co-infection Babesia, as well as confirming Lyme. Right now, traditional blood tests for Lyme only tests for the "antibodies" your body produces, not the bacteria itself, let alone any of the serious Lyme Co-infections, Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, etc. Which is why so many Lyme tests are likely to test negative, when it's really positive. I stopped all antibiotics and tried this alternative method.
1st Alternative Approach - Bio Resonance Medicine
This resonance medicine is a form of homeopathy. It's based on the principle that the whole universe is made up of energy, and all "things" have a specific frequency. If you're not familiar with frequencies like I wasn't, I like the example of the wine glass shattering in the presence of a specific high note or frequency. Only there's no sound with these frequencies. A simplified explanation of the process is: while holding 2 electrodes, this QEST 4 System sends a current (no pain) through the body. As the computer scans your body, it identifies any imbalances, stresses, deficiencies, bacteria/viral/fungus, etc. that are in your system. It's sensitive enough to pick up slight imbalances in the body before they would even show up on standard testing. Specific "frequencies" for your situation are then infused in a liquid and then the liquid is taken orally by drops on the tongue. My ND even goes a step beyond most, and scans all supplements you take to make sure they are in "balance" with your system. It's amazing technology!
2nd Alternative Approach - Rife
Right after starting the first therapy, I ran into a friend who had just invested in another type of computerized frequency machine: A True Rife F-117 Machine. The original Rife was invented by Royal Rife in the 1930's which successfully cured some terminal cancer patients. Later in the 1980's, Doug MacLean began experimenting successfully with electromagnetic frequencies for Lyme. True Rife F-117 emits frequencies from which you can generate a program custom to your body and condition. In my case, it was the specific frequencies of Lyme in all its stages, and co-infections. Neither system of administering specific frequencies are painful in anyway.
Rife machines are not FDA approved, so you're not going to hear about it from any traditional health practitioner. My Lyme-literate Doctor would not even talk about it until I brought the topic up. So you're pretty much on your own. Rife machines can be purchased on line, but they're marketed without any health claims, for FDA adherence. Some people make homemade Rifes. The frequencies have to be manually entered and it doesn't scan/diagnose like the True Rife F-117.
I was blessed to have access to these two frequency technologies. In the beginning I used both, and then alternated between the two. I did not have them both attacking the Lyme at the same time, as that would have been too strong for my body to deal with. I'd do a Rife treatment about every week - 10 days. In the beginning with the Rife, the Herxheimer reactions were very severe, so my ND with the Qest 4 System kept my kidney, liver and lymphatic system from over loading and kept the toxins moving out of my system. After that, I'd alter between the 2 therapies. The Rife gave what felt like a stronger treatment. But the beauty of using the ND's remedy is I could regulate number of drops or quantity, if I was herxing too strong. That way I could be more functional while still attacking the Lyme. If I hadn't taken such long breaks in between sessions, it would probably have taken just 2 years instead of 3 to beat the Lyme. The last few years using frequencies did more than the previous 8 years with traditional antibiotics.
I know now that I would have never been cured from Chronic Lyme by staying on the conventional method, even with all the other holistic approaches. The Lyme spirochete changes its shape into 3 different shaped cells - a kind of "shape shifter." When Lyme enters the inside of a cell, antibiotics are not able to penetrate the cell wall, so the Lyme can never be reached. Along with its shape shifting characteristics, there's also the problem of Biofim, which also becomes a barrier to antibiotics, as well as the fact that the body doesn't always recognize Lyme, so it won't even fight against it. But frequencies do successfully penetrate the cell wall, and kill all three cell forms, as well as the Lyme in any of its egg to adult stages. For antibiotics to be truly successful with Lyme, they need to be taken right away, personally I'd say within the first 2 weeks of being bitten.
Can You Know If You're Ever Lyme Free?
Yes! In the beginning with the True Rife F-117 machine, a scan was run and a specific set of Lyme "hits" recorded that showed up in my system that identified Lyme in various stages, as well as the co-infections. So I had a "print out" of a starting reference point to compare to. At the end, as well as every few months to see progress, I was scanned and treated until ZERO Lyme hits showed up. No Lyme or Co-infections! The Qest 4 System also confirmed me Lyme-free. There are no tests in traditional medicine to diagnose that accurately. Doctors will say when you feel better, or your particular symptoms are gone, you're better. But with Lyme, you can't trust how you "feel". It's a slow growing bacteria that buries itself deep with in the tissue and can stay dormant for a very long time and then resurface, acting like a virus.
So after 13 years, I've been Lyme-free since May 2016! I've now been building back my immunity, specifically raising back my Natural Killer Cell count, which I believe were the effects of so many years of Lyme. Also trusting to gain back what feels like a bit slower memory and brain function :). I'm also involved with Prolotherapy and PRP treatments to rebuild the tendon and ligament degeneration in my joints. I continue to see my ND with the Qest 4 for ongoing health and maintenance, along with my Lyme-literate Dr as needed.
Prevention is the Best Medicine
Having protection is the best thing to do. Cover all limbs with light colored clothing to see ticks better. Permethrin is the best tick killer/deterrent, more effective than Deet. Spray Permethrin on your clothes first, letting it dry thoroughly before putting on. Never spray it on your skin as its too toxic. As a plein air painter, I'm out in a field for a 2-3 hours at a time. So to be honest, I really watch and limit where I go now, even with the Permethrin on.
Finding a Practitioner that uses Bio Resonance
There are other systems out there, but Qest 4 is just my experience, as it's what my ND used.
To find a practitioner ( all may not be ND's) trained in the Qest4 in North America and Europe,
go to: www.qest4.co.uk/find-a-practitioner.
Other Resources
Facebook: "Lyme Success Stories"
"True Rife Successes" and "True Rife Healing"
Find a Lyme Literate Doctor in your area:
Send a tick for testing: www.TickReport.com
www.TickCheck.com / 1-866-713-tick
Find a practitioner in the USA and Canada and Europe trained in Qest 4 Bioenergetic Medicine.
www.ILAD.org International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society.
The documentary "Under our Skin" - Gets into the severity of Lyme and the politics surrounding it.
www.myDoterra.com/1340 - My contact that is very educated in Essential Oils. EO can be successfully
used in conjunction with other treatments.
A few Lyme authors/doctors to Google are: Greg Lee @ www.LymeResearchCenter.com
Dr Joseph J. Burrascano Jr.
Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt
Dr. Richard Horowitz
Dr. Kevin Conners
Bryan Rosner
Connie Strasheim
Posted on 1/3/2017 3:18:53 PM
By Sharon Will
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Drawing of sculpture by Antoine-Louis Barye 1831
As artists, we thrive on inspiration. Often my painting buddies and I will take a trip to our area art museum, which is for me The Detroit Institute of Arts to see a new exhibit, draw and learn something new. Part of the joy for me is visiting favorites paintings. It's like spending time with an old "friend" I haven't seen in a while. My recent trip to the DIA was with my husband. Many decades ago it was one of our first dates, so we enjoy doing that together when we can, and it's always followed by lunch in famous Greek Town!
So the following are just a few of my favorite "friends" at the DIA....for today. I'm sure on future visits I'll have some new favorites.
One of my all time favorites: "Chevy" 1868 by Edwin Henry Landseer, English, 1802-73. This is a large painting. I love the composition here, how everything is framing the two animals, even the birds in the background leading their way to the foreground. If I stop and think about the painting really just being about a dead animal, it actually would be a turn off, as I'm not so much into the "dead" part! But instead, I see beauty! Beautifully designed shapes and painted so simply, without fuss. Below is the close up of dog. Now that is one fine painted dog - it's a must see in person!
"Scene at Giverny", 1890 by Theadore
Robinson, American, 1852-96
Love the mood and subtle grays/violets.
"Unfolding Buds," 1909 by Willard Metcalf
American, 1858-1925. The feel of bright sunlight on
the landscape could not be handled more perfectly!
"The Four-Leaf Clover", 1873 by Winslow
Homer, American, 1836-1910
I enjoy the airy dappled foliage and the subtle
value difference between the pane of glass and
the space behind it.
"Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris" 1888 by
Childe Hassam, American 1859-1935
The looseness and understated treatment of how the
figures, cathedral and smoke are painted, just makes
me say, "Man, I wish I painted that!
"The Blue Pool" about 1922-23 by William Victor Higgins
American, 1884-1949. I appreciate the stylized shapes in this
painting, so representative of the whole Art Deco era. But if
truth be told, I do like Art Nouveau a bit more.
"Madam Paul Poirson," 1885
by John Singer Sargent, 1856-1925
Sargent-a master and favorite to us all. What
looks like detail from a distance, Sargent
masterly does it with a single brush stroke
when revealed up close.
And his use of "edges" are exquisite!
Jan Baptist Weenix, Dutch, 1621-59
More dead animals! Beautifully done and the radiating light reminds me of Rembrandt. I have
painted several small studies of dead birds and
find this large scale painting very inspirational.
My dead bird paintings will be a whole
other blog! And I feel validated when a
1600's artist also finds it a challenge to come up
with a creative painting title :)
"Noah's Ark: Genesis", 1984 by Charles McGee, American, 1924-
It's true that much of my personal inspiration for painting comes from painters
from the 19th century period. But painting is first about the idea or concept, and then how
you break that into shapes, value, color, texture, edges, etc. I've always admired
Charles McGee's creative designs and rich layered textures.
"Come Fill the Cup", about 1906 by
Frank Brangwyn, English, 1867-1956
The bold colors, thick paint and strong design
always draws me in from across the room.
"Annunciatory Angel" about 1450-55 by
Fra Angelico, Italian, about 1395/1400-1455
For me it's taken some understanding of art history
to appreciate painting of this period. Rich in symbolism
and stylized figures, rather than the natural realism that
came later, and the rich graphic quality that gold leaf brings.
I also enjoy how the frame is the extension of the image
here.
"Tiger Devouring a Gavail" 1831 by Antoine-Louis Barye, French, 1796-1875
My sketch of this large sculpture doesn't even begin to capture the detail!
Sketch of clay sculpture by J. Michallon the
Younger, French, 1810-40
These Caricatures always make me smile.
"Genius of the Dance" 1872 "The Hammerman" 1886
by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux by Constantin Emile Meunier, Belgian, 1831-1905
These last four are pencil sketches I did from sculpture at the DIA. I believe growing as an artist is
in the "doing;" drawing, painting and sculpting from direct observation/life. But looking at, and studying great art
that inspires us, also plays a huge role in our maturing and evolving as an artist. Surrounding ourselves with
great art will always find its way "through" us, and into our own work.
Hope you enjoyed visiting my museum with me. Now, surround yourself with great Art and go visit your local musuem
and find your inspiration!
