Believe me, I am not advising that anyone stop seeing their doctors or stop taking their medications. My doctors literally saved my life. But what I do advise (and strongly) is that anyone who read the above paragraph and felt it all too familiar, might want to do what I did--SLOW DOWN. BREATHE. REGROUP. TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE AND YOUR HEALTH. I decided to see less of the stoic specialists and more of the two doctors I liked and trusted. Together we agreed on what medications I would take and which I could do without. I also decided that I would add some holistic treatments to enhance my medical care. Now I sit out in the sun for 15 minutes every morning listening to Pachabel's Canon in D. I go for short walks with my husband--holding hands. I prayed for the first time in ages. I lit aromatherapy candles and enveloped by the delicate scent, I closed my eyes and for the first time in a long time, really smiled. In this new frame of mind, I found gemstone candles and began to research the stones embedded within. A true believer that Mother Earth has given us all we need if we just look for it, I realized that I felt better, actually felt better simply by holding a particular stone in my hand! (For me it was Carnelian, for you ... who knows! But wouldn't it be fun to find out?)

There you have it. My path to rediscovery. I still see two of my doctors regularly and am on very helpful medication; but I also have scented candles burning in the background, a gorgeous gemstone bracelet on my wrist (and yes, when I made it, I put in Carnelian), soft music playing instead of the TV, and an entirely new hobby of bird-watching that has gotten me outside filling up birdbaths and feeders--walking, moving, living--things I never thought I'd be able to do again.