Photo from http://brokeasstuart.com
Y’all know I’ve been sick as three dogs since the Friday before last, right? I gave it to Baby Girl. She gave it to Daddy.
But there’s been some bad juju happening in my house and I just got to the bottom of it a few days ago.
You see, nobody else got as sick as I did…it was weird.
I was feeling like a sickbed wuss, wondering why everyone else had the Iron Man immune system and I was the Big Flu Loser, with a bug that went on and on like a bad movie. (You know, you ponder weird stuff when you have a fever. Don’t judge me.)
The last thing I did before I got sick was go to the accupuncturist. We’ve been working on my arm (this is the one I haven’t been able to raise above the shoulder for almost two years). Thanks to Dr. Shu (and giving up gluten) I now have full rotation in both my arms, so he’s a rockstar in my book.
Anyway, this last Friday when I went back for my weekly visit, we had the following conversation [He’s Chinese, so keep that in mind when reading below.]:
Doc: How did diet go? (referring to the low-carb diet he gave me the week prior)
Me: There was no diet. I got sick as a dog about 3 hours after I left your office. There was no way I was doing meat and veggies on that throat. It’s been more like yogurt and juice and soup for the last week.
Doc: A-ha! Detox working. You should have done diet.
Me: What do you mean, “detox?” I brought the flu home from Texas. You know, everything’s bigger there.
Doc: Maybe some Texas too. But sweating and mucous are from detox. We do more.
Me: [Say WHAT?! I don’t WANT any more sweating and mucous.] Maybe you could just work on my neck. I have kind of a headache.
Doc: *happy smile* We do that too! This week you drink more water. And exercise…more sweating is better. Work out toxins. And do the diet. Next week, we start on hormones.
Good Lord.
I’ll admit it, I was a little scared when I laid down on the table for the torture treatment. Don’t get me wrong, I love this doctor. He’s resetting all of the things that have been wrong with me the last few years. All of my aches and pains are melting away.
But I HATE being sick.
My girlfriend, Marie, gave me a reality check and said, “This is the difference between Eastern and Western medicine. Eastern medicine has you go through the symptoms and Western medicine masks the symptoms. You’ll feel amazing at the other end of this.”
All I have to say is, I’d BETTER feel amazing on the other side of this! I’ve been sweating for days.
In the meantime, here’s my ROW80 update:
I’m taking on two writing challenges in June, and I’m equal parts excited and scared. Several of us are getting ready for Fast Draft, just in time for JuNoWriMo. Here’s what I know:
- Our Fast Draft will run June 7th-21st
Definitely on board are Ingrid Schaffenburg, Jess Witkins and myself. Karen McFarland and Kathy Owen are making noises about joining us. If you are in, let me know by sending me an email at jennyhansensmail (at) aol (dot) com. Hint: If I love it, I’m continuing a few days longer, and I’ll keep our gathering spot open, whether it be Yahoo loop or Facebook group. - I’m prepping my blogs ahead, including one announcing the results of the Dirty Fighting Contest. (Was that a collective cheer I just heard?!)
- I’m working on my scene list for my memoir so that when Fast Draft starts, I can hit the ground running.
- I’m meal planning like a demon. My favorite thing to do by far when I’m in a writing challenge is to stock up on Dream Dinners. My hubby actually LIKES making them. 🙂
- I’m calling the cleaning team. $75 is worth my peace of mind to have a clean house this month.
All that and having the whole family sick is taking up most of my time. If you’d like to go encourage any other members of ROW80, click here.
How did your week go? Are you participating in JuNoWriMo? Have you ever done Fast Draft, or are you planning to attend Candace Havens’ class on July 7th? Are there any tips you’d like to share? Enquiring minds LOVE to know these things here at More Cowbell!
Have a great week…
Jenny
Jenny Hansen's Blog 
Hi Jenny. I hope you feel better soon. I am doing junowrimo. Three days in and having a blast. What is a Fast Draft? You need any translating help with your Chinese doctor, let me know. 🙂
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Sydney, several of us took Candace Havens’ Fast Draft class at the DFW Conference and got really inspired. You need at least three people because you must be accountable and you write 20 pages a day for 14 days. Just keep going – no excuses and no exceptions. There’s a link in the post to tell you all about it. 🙂
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Hey Sis,
It sucks being sick and tired of being sick and tired. Im so sorry you and the fam feel crummy. I’ve had a similar experiences to yours with Chinese medicine treatments. When I get my acupuncture and take whatever concoction she prescribes I know things will come raging up and then pass on quickly, I hate the process sometimes but MAN I feel better the next day. The eastern med docs have such a different perspective on illness and imbalances but they get amazing results. I hope you feel better soon.
Hugs.
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I feel much better than I did. I can just tell I’m still detoxing. Everytime I do anything even remotely strenuous (you know like giving Baby Girl a bath for crying out loud), I get a fever sweat.
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Hi Jenny! So sorry everybody was down for the count. Sounds like your brain was still chugging along. The HARDEST I’ve had to do while planning for this bar mitzvah is just say no. To a lot of things. It’s in 20 days, and then I think I will have a little time to recover and get back to my best writing. Because – honestly – it has suffered. What you are doing this month for JuNoWriMo, I’ve been doing for far too long. I’m exhausted. Glad my school is finally over and now We can focus on getting Tech through his finals and to the finish line. Something tells me I’m going to get really sick after this: that’s usually the way it goes for me. May need your Chinese doc. Will he come to Rochester?
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You are exempted, Renee, due to Bar Mitzvah Magic. I’m totally proud of you that you’ve pulled this off! I’m sure there is a Dr. Shu in Rochester somewhere. Go to a Chinese grocery store and ask. Someone will know. My guy was a referral from a friend, and he’s amazing. 🙂
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Fingers crossed this is all detox related and you’ll resurface better than ever. I’ve got the ROW80 pompoms at the ready!
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You’re so sweet, Patricia! We love the way you shake your pompoms. 🙂
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More than noises, Jenny; I AM IN! Talked with hubs already, and will talk with kids today (they get out of school half-way through FD – ouch!). I’m meal-planning and grocery shopping, cleaning out the gerbil cage (cause she’s way overdue and can’t wait another two weeks, poor critter). Yesterday, I scraped out and re-caulked the bathtub ALL DAY, cause it was gross and couldn’t wait another two weeks, either. And laundry? Every scrap I can wash, dry, sort, and fold is getting taken care of before Thursday. After that, the family is on their own, LOL.
I just hope I don’t have 280 pgs of unfixable crap when I’m done with this, LOL. 😀
Bring it!
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You will NOT have 280 pages of unfixable crap, Missy! You will have magnificence that will be ready to be edited in July. Also 20 pages at a time. 🙂 What…I didn’t tell you about that part??! LOL…
We’re happy to have you, Kathy!
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Sorry you weren’t feeling so well =( Hope you get better and better!
I also signed up for JuNoWriMo but haven’t been to do much with it yet.
Hum, I might go for Fast Draft if I can find a new school for my daughter before the 7th … Let’s see.
Have a great week! And good luck with JuNo!
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I am getting better and better, Juliana. Just let me know on the 7th…good luck on the school. I completely know how that goes.
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As much as I LOVE the idea of a Fast Draft challenge, currently a story isn’t there for the working and that is right at the start of the wee beasties summer break. Can we say craziness? However, I can’t wait to hear how it goes and am wishing you luck!
I hope all this sick is detox related. I have to agree with your friend Marie about the differences between Eastern and Western medicine. I worry that Western medicine is going to bite us in the butt sooner or later. I hope you feel better soon!!
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It’s all detox related, I promise. Remember, I’m the girl who had to inject medicine in the stomach for a full year before all this. I’m not surprised that my body rebelled. The gluten intolerance was the biggest thing, and I never would have even considered it if not for Kristen Lamb and Kait Nolan. Thank heavens for my online community!
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Glad to hear the acupuncture’s helping! I’ve considered trying it for my chronic headaches, but massage therapy helps (and is much cheaper), so sticking with that for now.
Candy’s classes are great – you’ll get tons done and are sure to win JuNoWriMo. I’m not going to make it into this one, but hopefully by the August bootcamp I’ll have my planning done and family vacations out of the way. Good luck with yours, and hope you continue to get better, health-wise too!
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Jen, I’m noticing that the gluten has been one of the biggest factors in my headaches and I never knew. (I’ve had them since I was 5.) You might take yourself down to a hunter/gatherer diet (meat, fruit, veggies) and add things back in slowly to see if you have a food allergy. I’ve been astonished.
I can’t wait to do this. We loved her class – we’re all fired up and excited about it. I can’t wait to take one of her online classes in addition.
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Hey, I think you are on to something. If you live that is. 🙂
Don’t give up, there is something to be said about eastern medicine. Just ask your arm.
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LOL, Emaginette. I’m stubborn so I’ll definitely live through it. But you’re right…whenever I get tired of sweating, I just swing my arms up into the air and smile. 🙂
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Covert detox, OMG Jenny!! I’m sorry you feel bad, but you made me giggle. I believe you will feel fantastic when it’s all done, so hang in there. Looking forward to reading about how your fast draft goes. Not sure I could do it, although hiring cleaners would be a fab incentive for me, lol
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The whole point was to make y’all giggle, Sidney! I’m glad someone got the memo. 🙂 I’m equal parts scared and excited about Fast Draft so I’ll keep y’all posted.
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Sorry you’re feeling bad. Passing it along to others is a family tradition. An occasional detox is good for everyone, just to keep ahead of those little buggers that sneak in and lay us low. Go to RoadkillTshirts.com They’ve got a More Cowbell tshirt.
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Oooooh, More Cowbell t-shirts! I’m going to have to buy at least two – one for me and one for a giveaway. 🙂
Everybody says that nobody gives you more germs than a baby in pre-school. I just feel bad because it wasn’t her fault this time. It was MINE.
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I’ve thought about acupuncture, but now I don’t know after your post. ;/ I’v been through rounds of chiropractic visits, medical visits, drugs, and physical therapy. I don’t want mucous and sweating. Hope you get better soon.
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Brinda, you don’t get the mucous and sweating unless they use the detox medicine with the needle in a certain spot (it’s on the front of the calf and, I think, in the hands and feet). Apparently, I respond well to it. Mixed blessing!
He fixed the shoulder separately and there was no sweating involved. But I did stop eating all gluten products (except for what people sneak in without telling you) back in February. The sheer amount of inflammation it created in my joints was incredible.
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Sometimes (sometimes) it’s easier to feel like crap when you know it’s because you’re getting healthier — I was never sicker than when I quit smoking! Eye on the prize Jenny. I did Fast Draft a few years ago — it was inspiring to say the least!
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I got your email, Amy…you’re in, girlfriend. Can’t wait!
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Being sick stinks! 😦 Hang in there… I’ll bet you feel great in no time.. and I 100% agree with your idea of paying for the cleaning!! Some things are so worth peace of mind and zero stress..
good luck with your goals.. you kick arse, girl!
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Thanks, Darlene! And there is nothing in this world like getting the house cleaned, rather than having to do it yourself, at least as far as I’m concerned.
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First of all, I have been doing chinese medicine for decades and detox is my middle name! Hang in there, it really works! Headaches are liver heat rising. If you remember the principle, cold falls and heat rises, it makes perfect sense. So toxins are overloading your liver as your body dumps them. That causes liver heat (chinese), inflamation (western). Vitamin C actually cools the liver and green tea disperses the heat out of the liver. (When I do this my headache will go away. I haven’t taken anything else for a headache for years.) Drink lot’s of water (kidneys) and green tea (liver).
Secondly, I want Dr. Shu’s number. Since moving back here from Phoenix, I haven’t been able to find a good chinese medicine/acupuncturist!
Next thing to learn is Kinesiology and you’ll be singing like a Rockstar!
Okay, now about this Fast Draft Jenny. I am starting to hyperventilate over here! It just hit me…Two weeks? It took me four months to put down my last first draft. I’m not knowing if I can seriously do this. You’re writing non-fiction. That’s a whole different animal. I’m about halfway through plotting my current project. Uh, can you say chicken? LOL!
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You’re a rugged gal if detox is your middle name, Karen (because it SUCKS).
Here’s information for Dr. Shu – 714-973-1778
He’s on Fruit Street across from Western Medical Center – 55 Fwy North to Irvine/4th Exit, go left, then right on Tustin Avenue.
On Fast Draft: I’m doing it in June to finish my non-fiction and in July to knock out Book 1 in my fiction series. Here’s the thing – the goal is 20 pages/day, but if you only make 10 or 12, who cares? The only thing that is unacceptable is ZERO pages a day. Everything else goes. I think you should do what I’m doing and try to surprise yourself.
Am I terrified? Yes.
Am I doing it anyway?? YES.
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I’ve never thought of myself as rugged Jenny, but perhaps I’m tougher than I thought. It seems I’m always detoxing. Err! I’m older than you and I think I’m getting rid of layers/years of gunk from all the crap I’ve been exposed to. Remember, I’m the one that’s allergic to fragrances. Really, it’s petroleum and it’s in everything. Some day, if I don’t die first (LOL!), I’m going to be so healthy, it will be awesome!
Okay, about Fast Track. Surprise myself?!?! Oh, you’d be surprised how I’ve surprised myself. I’m writing and that’s a big surprise to me and everyone else that knows me. Who knew I had this in me? It’s craziness! I am inspired my you all. Is there a method for this Fast Track madness? You took this author’s class at the conference, I didn’t. Do share the inside scoop so I can breathe here Jenny! 🙂
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Okay, you two, you’ve convinced me that Chinese medicine is in my future, and I mean this sincerely. Think I’ve done as much as I can on my own and now need some guidance. Truly, I thank you both. Perhaps Chinese medicine will get me to First Drafts some day.
Karen
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Karen, I’ve become a huge believer as I’ve gone from 2 years of not being able to raise my arm, to having full motion. It still hurts but I have it back. A huge part of that was gluten intolerance but a large part was also the Chinese magic man. 🙂
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that detox thing on a less major level happens to me every time I start working out on the mini-tramp after a long hiatus. hang in there it passes.
i’d never heard of JuNoWriMo so I followed your link to look into it and am thinking about it even tho I’m also doing Camp NaNoWriMo in conjunction with ROW80. what’s one more challenge? as long as i don’t have to have two separate WIP.
o to be able to call in the housecleaning service! Especially as my husband will have been batching it for five weeks by the time I get home next week. I’ll also be moving from balmy 70s to steamy 90s with no air conditioner.
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WOW, Joy! I think you’ll love all of the writing challenges. It’s the support, and not wanting to let down my team that gets me by. 🙂
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Toxins are bad, sweating them out is good. Do cowbells sweat?
Anyway, great prep plan. I’m taking Candace’s class in July and on the fence about the upcoming one – still debating scheduling and I’m not as prepared on the blog front (was a busy May). I’ll make the final choice on it later today and drop you an email.
Either way, all the best for the upcoming mega-writing run, surviving the flu and the host of other things I know you have on your plate 🙂
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Thanks, Gene!!! I have no idea if Cowbells sweat, but this Princess of Cowbell certainly does. It’s been like a hot flash every day but worth it as I am FINALLY losing weight and getting movement back.
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Ok, I can’t lift my arm and was referred to an acupuncturist. I totally get the whole body processing thing, but seriously, my book just launched and I fear even a sniffle might cause every ball suspended up there between juggles with come crashing down. Dare I try or do you think I should wait?
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Kasey, the only reason I’m getting the detox is that he specifically did it. They can just treat your shoulder with NO detox (and with a book launch, that’s what I’d do). No worries!!
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Phew! I’m going to do it then! Preemie facts coming your way!
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Get well soon, Jenny. I hope the detox helps you feel better too.
And good luck with the Fast Draft! You’re really well prepared with planning meals, doing blog posts in advance and hiring the cleaner.
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I’m getting better daily, Reetta. I promise. 🙂
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Ah, bless your heart! I hate hearing that your time in Texas left you feeling all sick. We don’t usually have that effect on people. 😦 Hope you feel better very soon!
I have thought long and hard about Fast Draft, and I can’t do it this time around. Maybe in the fall. I need to focus on other things for a while. Best wishes with it! I’ll cheer y’all on from the sidelines.
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Thanks, Julie! Them Texas germs are impressive but I’m on the mend. 🙂
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Wow. I wrote about this very thing last year in regards to my Reiki practice. Reiki, when “applied” to deep-seated and/or long-term ailments, can result in exaggerated symptoms before all symptoms are radically reduced or eliminated. I love the Eastern approach, because it delves to the root.
I hope you’re feeling much better soon. Do drink as much water as you can to help the process.
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I am feeling better, and water is a constant challenge for me.
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Wait, I’m lost … you said your fast draft starts on June 7th, but on her website it’s July 7th … am I missing something?
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We’re doing our own inpromptu Fast Draft – if you want in, send me an email to jennyhansensmail@aol.com. I’ve got to train up to survive the July class, plus we didn’t want to wait. 🙂
We’re doing 2 weeks now, then several of us are taking the July 1 month class.
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Wow! Hope you feel better now.
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