Tired!

I'm tired! Not like I need a nap, but just tired....

Wondering, will there ever be a time where I'm not slathering my girls with lotions and remedies, and bandaging their spots, or giving them supplements at every meal, or washing laundry all day? Will there ever be a time where we can use a towel more than once before it goes in the laundry, or clothes can be worn a second day or jammies a second night? A day where they can play dress up without the entire dress up box full of clothes having to be washed? Will there be a day like this?

A day when I can let the girls play in the woods without knowing that we will have to go home for a breathing treatment and Benedryl? A day where they can go to their friends houses that have pets and play while being able to breath at the same time? Will there be a day when they can eat what everyone else eats without itching and pain and rashes? A day where we can attend a Christmas party and not cringe when we see the bowl full of nuts on the food table? Will there be a day like this?

Will there be a day where eczema, allergies, asthma, and MRSA are not on our minds and in our actions? A day they can go to the pool and not be embarrassed by the many scars on their legs from their affliction? A day where they can go to bed WITHOUT a shower...where I can just say "girls, get ready for bed" and they don't require mom's eye and help for draining, band-aids, lotions and medicines? Will there be a day like this?

Honestly, I don't know if there will be.... I have to preach the truth to myself. I don't know how long these struggles will go on. I DO know that there will always be something. We will always have some struggle, some challenge in our lives. We live in a fallen world and it makes me long for heaven! I am so grateful that it's not a fatal illness or accident that we are having to live through. Grateful that we don't live in a 3rd world country where we wouldn't have access to healthcare. I am grateful that despite these obstacles, I have happy little ladies that love life and give me much joy. It's become normal for them, they know nothing different. I am grateful that one day, I will see my Savior face to face, and he will wipe away all the tears and pain and sadness and we will never again go through struggles and challenges, but will be filled with joy we can't even imagine! Most of all, I am grateful that he changed my heart to see the truth. That I once looked upon Him as a story and mocked him, but now I know He is so much more, and i am grateful that I am going through this knowing Him, because I don't know how we'd get through it without Him.

You Tube Manuka Honey Clip

Here is a very informational video from You Tube on Manuka Honey. Looks like (perhaps?) it's from a company that sells Manuka Honey, so keep that in mind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1U0JG9xvsY&feature=related

Another Manuka Honey Story...

Prevention and Treatment of MRSA with Manuka Honey
By Frank Buonanotte, published Sep 04, 2008

MRSA related Staph infections are the cause of concern in many hospitals across the world. It is not an uncommon occurrence that a patient is admitted into a hospital with one ailment and leaves with a Staph infection. Although, hospital patients aren't the only ones concerned about MRSA. Doctors and other medical professionals have grown increasingly more fearful that they may be exposed to this deadly bacteria.

MRSA is a mutated form of bacteria that has developed a resistance to antibiotics. If gone untreated, a MRSA-Staph infection can be fatal. Amidst all the hysteria, scientists are beginning to recognize that a particular type of honey, known as Manuka Honey, is actually effective against this notoriously resilient superbug.

Researchers have examined MRSA that has come in contact with Manuka Honey and have determined that MRSA cannot survive in the healing environment created by Manuka Honey. MRSA is a bacterium that grows and divides into 2 similar cells every half hour. It divides by forming a wall across the middle of the cell, which then splits in half to create 2 new cells. Studies have shown that Manuka Honey interferes with the cell cycle of MRSA by affecting the separation of new cells, so that cells unable to complete division are disabled at that point in the cell cycle.

All types of honey contain hydrogen peroxide which is a known antiseptic and disinfectant. However, scientists have discovered that there is an additional antibacterial component in Manuka Honey, making it much more effective for therapeutic use. This additional component, known as UMF, is unaffected by enzymes that dilutes the effectiveness of regular honey. It remains active when used as a wound dressing and diffuses deeper into skin tissues.

In addition to its unparalleled antibacterial properties, Manuka Honey is also considered to be antimicrobial and, therefore, capable of treating both bacterial and fungal infections. Another advantage to utilizing Manuka Honey for medical purposes is that its anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce pain in damaged tissue.

Manuka Honey is made by bees that use the nectar from the flower that grows on the Manuka bush, which is indigenous to New Zealand. It's this unique nectar that provides Manuka Honey with it's impressive healing qualities. Since Manuka Honey comes from New Zealand, it can be somewhat hard to come by. However, a New York-based manufacturer of skin care products called Honeymark has developed a line of Manuka Honey products that is available in the U.S.

"Manuka Honey is natures best kept secret," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "Although, its ability to conquer the battle against MRSA superbugs is projecting Manuka Honey into the lime light." Unlike some traditional forms of medicine, Manuka Honey has been found to have no negative side effects when used for medical purposes.

Other Manuka Honey Evidence

Early study touts honey as antibiotics substitute
Wed Sep 24, 2:04 PM

OTTAWA (AFP) - Honey, used in tea or hot water in Canada for generations to soothe sore throats, could soon be substituted for antibiotics in fighting stubborn ear, nose and throat infections, according to a new study.

Ottawa University doctors found in tests that ordinary honey kills bacteria that cause sinus infections, and does it better in most cases than antibiotics.

"It's astonishing," researcher Joseph Marson said of bees' unexplained ability to combine the nectar of flowers into a seemingly potent medicine.

The preliminary tests were conducted in laboratory dishes, not in live patients, but included the "superbug" methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA, which is highly resistant to antibiotics.

In upcoming human trials, a "honey rinse" would be used to "flush out the goo from sinus cavities," said Marson in an interview with AFP.

The researchers have so far tested manuka honey from New Zealand, and sidr honey from Yemen.

The two killed all floating bacteria in liquid, and 63-91 percent of biofilms -- microorganisms that sometimes form a protective layer in sinus cavities, urinary tracts, catheters, and heart valves, protecting bacteria from normal drug treatments and often leading to chronic infections.

The most effective antibiotic, rifampin, killed just 18 percent of the biofilm samples in the tests.

"As of today, nobody is sure what in the honey kills the bacteria," Marson said, noting that "not all honeys have the same potency" and calling for more research to determine the mechanism behind the healing.

Canada's clover and buckwheat honey did not work at all.

Previous studies have shown honey's healing properties on infected wounds.

The results of the study were presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, in Chicago.

Clinical Studies Show Honey Kills MRSA

I was just looking online the other night for MRSA help and found some information on Manuka. Apparently this is a tree from New Zealand...similar to tea tree, but better!

Then today, I checked my comments and "Judy" sent me a link to the following article. Sounds like it's had even better results in treating MRSA, AND it is good for eczema. The downside to Tea Tree is that it is drying. My girls skin can't handle too much tea tree, especially in sensitive areas. We have had an anaphylactic reaction to honey, but it was raw and not manuka...so I'll have to check into that. I think I might try this one out..although it is more expensive! I'll keep you posted.

Clinical Studies Show Honey Kills MRSA
Many Clinical Studies Suggest that MRSA Can Easily Be Controlled - Without Antibiotics
By Emily Patterson, published Feb 28, 2008

I was doing research on another topic and found human studies that show that honey has been shown to kill MRSA. One of the studies relates to an immunosuppressed individual who made a full recovery after contracting the MRSA bacteria when it was treated with honey. Another study refers to seven children treated with honey and all seven children were successfully cured of the MRSA bacteria. I have provided links to the source studies, which are located on the National Library of Medicine web site.

It has been repeatedly proven that antibiotic therapy only helps to make MRSA stronger. This information has been wide-spread in public media outlets. MRSA does continue to get stronger, but we can quite likely get rid of it a way that does not require antibiotics.

MRSA has been with us for quite some time. However, it is important to know that the MRSA strains of today are different from the strains in the 1970's. In an article published on the WLWT Cincinnati OH web site quotes Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Lisa Haglund, "although staph infections and even MRSA is nothing new, the latest strain of the infection is different than previously seen versions.

"This particular MRSA strain behaves differently than the hospital MRSA strain we've had experience with since the 70's. It's behaving different also in the laboratory. You can see it has different elements," she said."[1]

The powerful antibiotics that must be prescribed to 'control' MRSA are often ineffective. When antibiotics fail to control MRSA, the result is death. The new strains are changing the landscape for the most susceptible people. It's no longer a condition associated with a hospital stay for the young and old with weaker immune systems. It is striking in communities, and it is different and more antibiotic resistant the ever before. These new strains have killed many healthy teenaged kids who have never even been in a hospital.

In many clinical settings, Manuka honey has been shown eradicate MRSA bacteria when used in wound dressings. Here are only a few of the available studies that show the effectiveness of Manuka honey in the treatment of MRSA.

This study, "Effect of medical honey on wounds colonised or infected with MRSA." from the Children's Hospital Medical Centre, University of Bonn, Germany states, "Full healing was achieved in seven consecutive patients whose wounds were either infected or colonised with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Antiseptics and antibiotics had previously failed to irradicate the clinical signs of infection."[2]

A study by the Maxillofacial Unit, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford Surrey, UK shows that this information has been widely recognized for a long time and is available as an option for the treatment of many bacterial wound infections. The study, "Manuka honey dressing: An effective treatment for chronic wound infections." states that, "Manuka honey dressing has long been available as a non-antibiotic treatment in the management of chronic wound infections."[3]

A study from the Wound Healing Research Unit, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK involved an immunosuppressed patient who made a full recovery from an MRSA infection with the use of Manuka Honey. Healing of an MRSA-colonized, hydroxyurea-induced leg ulcer with honey. "RESULTS: MRSA was eradicated from the ulcer and rapid healing was successfully achieved. CONCLUSION: Honey is recognized to have antibacterial properties, and can also promote effective wound healing. A traditional therapy, therefore, appears to have enormous potential in solving new problems."[4]

Manuka honey can control MRSA when used as a wound dressing. All of the studies I could find show an incredible success rate. There is no reason that anyone should ever die from this easily killed bacterial infection. This should be the first option, not the forgotten option.

Resources:

1. WLWT Cincinnati OH, http://www.wlwt.com/health/14415521/detail.html

2. Children's Hospital Medical Centre, University of Bonn, Germany, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17927079?ordinalpos=5&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

3. Maxillofacial Unit, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford Surrey, UK, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17113690?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlusDrugs1

4. Wound Healing Research Unit, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12171686?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlusDrugs


This article was found here: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/629879/clinical_studies_show_honey_kills_mrsa.html?page=2&cat=5

Back from vacation....lots to share

First of all, thank you guys for reading and commenting. It really is encouraging to hear from others and know others are praying for us.

We've had an interesting couple of weeks. Both girls' skin has gotten really bad with eczema over the last month or so. I tried parasite syrup since in the past that is what caused a bad flare up, but it didn't help. I took them to our Doc that practices homeopathy / NAET allergy treatments / kinesthesiology. He diagnosed them both with candida, an overgrowth of yeast in the digestive tract.

I was aware of this since I have friend that struggled with being very ill for a couple months and doctors couldn't figure out what was going on. (Antibiotic use is a major risk factor since it kills the bacteria that keeps the yeast under control.) Finally, she went to see our doc and he diagnosed her with it. It's been two months now and she is feeling much, much better...although it is a long road to recovery.

The treatment for this is to starve the yeast (which feeds on sugar) and take an anti-fungal to help kill the yeast. Well, we were leaving for vacation in a few days, so we started the anti-fungal and eliminated the obvious sugars, but we haven't started the candida diet yet. I didn't see a way to do it on vacation in a house full of other people eating things they couldn't have with only a few days to get recipes and research and shop. It's seems nearly impossible to me to start it at home now that we are back! No sugar, no yeast, no wheat, no artificial sugars, nearly no fruit. And the information varies with what you can and can't have. My girls live on fruit!

We are now home and I'm trying to find info on what they can eat and recipes I can make to help them get in better balance. My 8yo is not showing symptoms besides her eczema flaring up. The doc said she just has a little overgrowth, so I think between eliminating obvious sugars and making sure she is getting pro-biotics and anti-fungal, she will be within normal soon, maybe even now.

My 4yo has much more yeast overgrowth. She is showing symptoms. Her tummy hurts a lot, she complains of not feeling good and asks me to take her to the doctor. She is also hungry all the time...even just after eating.

Now for MRSA update: Still no antibiotics! However, we did have some MRSA show itself. Before leaving for vacation I felt a little sensitive spot on my leg. The next morning it was MRSA. I had taken my turmeric with me and decided to try it. I took 6 pills morning and night, and I think it really helped. It was completely gone within 3 days after being about 6" in diameter (the redness part). I was glad to try the turmeric on myself since it's hard to tell with kids. I did notice a considerable difference. It still drained a little, but not as much as most and the drainage was different, more clear liquid came out. I could also tell a difference if I hadn't taken the turmeric. I noticed the pain subside after taking it, but it would start getting painful again when it was time for my next dosage. We are all taking it right now. It's so cheap, and has other health benefits.

Since both girls eczema was bad, vacation was not too relaxing. We went to the beach and both of them had rashy areas from head to toe, literally. Of course the sand and salt water made them sting. Then some of these places started getting infected with MRSA. I was glad to get home and back on a routine. Both of them are looking good now, with just a few small places on my 8yo that are now drying up. We did use Hibiclens on spots though. It was getting so bad, we had no other choice that I hadn't tried yet.

I'm sure there is something I'm leaving out....I'll write more later. Thanks for all your suggestions...I may try a bleach bath with the girls instead of hibiclens this week.

Progress....

Although I was really thinking we may have to use oral antibiotics, we didn't!!! Whoo Hoo! We just used Hibiclens, but only on spots, not all over like in the past. We also used the Turmeric. Can't say for sure if that helped, but we will use it again if needed (although it's possible there won't be a next time, I still have hope!) I ended up giving my 8yo 6 capsules at a time. it did seem to help with inflammation, so we'll see.

Thanks StingRay for your prayers. They mean a lot to me! I have friends here that are very supportive and pray for us, but no one can really understand unless they've been there, so your prayers are very meaningful!

My 4yo's eczema seems to be a little worse lately, although we haven't been to our alternative Doc for a while, just so busy. I'm hoping to get them in soon so we can continue the progress we have seen.

More later....