Recovering from the Sonoma Fires

Watching and Waiting

Recovering from the Sonoma Fires

This last week has been one of the most intense and crazy times most of us who live in Sonoma County and Napa County have ever experienced. The loss and devastation are beyond belief. My heart goes out to those who have lost their homes. Many are still in a place of uncertainty as to what is next. That is most likely going to be “the new normal” for awhile.

I hope that YOU are in a safe and comfortable place wherever you might be.

I’m one of the lucky ones

my home is intact. In fact, the evacuation has been lifted and I returned today to see my home for the first time since Monday the 9^th at 1:00 am when I raced away from our neighborhood. If you’ve been reading my Facebook posts, you know that my kids, Nicole and Chris, have been on the property on fire watch – keeping the buildings and gardens wet and putting out grass fires in the subdivision, along with other neighbors who were doing the same. Over the last few days, they have had to chase off looters who are cruising the areas affected by the fire. How sad that there are people who are hurting rather than helping their community.

I’ve been staying safe with friends in Petaluma. They managed to make me laugh when there was so much to be sad about. Since I work out of my home, I haven’t been able to see clients there. But a friend offered an extra room in her massage studio in Cotati, which has been working out beautifully. I’m expecting to be back in my home treatment room space by next Monday.

Being able to “do my work” with my clients has been my saving grace. Please reach out to me and let me know how you are doing. And, if you or someone you know has lost their home, I’m offering complimentary acupressure/Jin Shin Jyutsu sessions.

As you know, an acupressure session can relieve stress and effects of trauma, help with respiratory issues, correct digestive discomfort and relieve pain and discomfort. Please let me know if I may be of assistance.

I’d like to give you some ways to help your body let go of the build-up of stress.

Healing and Breathing

Easy Self-Help Acupressure Tips from Deborah

As the body experiences balance and harmony, you can relieve anxiety, let go of the pressure and stress, achieve calm, strengthen your immune system, promote healing, relieve pain (chronic or acute).

And super important right now – doing self-help acupressure can help with all breathing issues, including filtering the smoke from your system and relieving cough and sore throat.

Get LOTS of recovery tips in my Seasonal Allergy Guide, free for you to download when you add your email to our list. In addition, you will get the full 9-step Daily Clean Your House Flow.

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Here are a few of the tips:

To open the breath and calm the whole system:

Hold thumbs with opposite hands
Hold index fingers with opposite hands
Fold arms across chest and hold opposite upper arms

To relieve respiratory distress, such as holding breath or coughing:

Hold right base of rib cage with right fingers
Hold right chest below clavicle with left fingers
Switch and hold opposite sides

To release jaw, mouth or throat tension, such as clenching or holding breath:

Cup sternum directly below clavicle with right hand
Place left fingertips in a vertical pattern below the navel

I hope that you make use of these suggestions! They can really make a difference!

Additional Energy and Recovery Tips

How you can speed up recovering from the Sonoma Fires:

Please wear your masks when you go outside. The air quality is poor after the fire.
Stay hydrated.
Get electrolytes into your system (coconut water is a great source, Smart Water, as well as electrolyte powders).
Take your EFA’s (essential fatty acids) — omegas are a natural anti-inflammatory.
Consider taking a supplement that will help your respiratory system get clear and stay clear (the ones I like are Dr. Michael Murray’s Lung, Bronchial & Sinus Health and Clear Lungs by Ridgecrest).
Drink Throat Coat tea.
Get enough sleep.

It is important to keep your stress level down and your immune system strong right now.

Back in the Saddle

Back in the Saddle — at Last

Time has floated right on by me. I thought I would be back in the saddle about six-weeks post-op with rest and rehabilitation. I can’t believe that it has been six months since my neck surgery. Life did indeed throw me a curve ball when surgery was the way to take care of the flare-ups and pain I was experiencing from the October 2015 car accident. When we get out of our way, it can be pretty amazing what can take place.

Surgery went smoothly, and so has my recovery. My surgeon is pleased with the results. My whole healthcare team is in full agreement that I am doing well. Flexibility and mobility are improving daily. Physical therapy can bring up discomfort as the muscle groups figure out new ways of engagement and movement. Doing my energy work before and after PT and my home exercises allow my body to do more with less reaction. So that is helping the healing process. I’m also discovering how doing Jin Shin Jyutsu and physical therapy can bring back a voice. (Yep — lost my voice for a while.)

Learn more about the procedure: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion and also here.

The Big Surprise

What took me by surprise was how long it took me to regain clarity and focus. I had full belief and expectation that by the sixth week after surgery I would be getting to my extensive list of writing projects, office clean up and organizing projects. Well, dream on! At this point, I’m still in the space of “getting it together.” Clarity is back, but I’m finding that my body is asking for more rest and downtime. At first, I thought I was experiencing a loss of motivation which was freaking me out! I realized that I need to look at my calendar and avoid teaching multiple classes and presentations in a row. I’m listening to the messages from my body. I’m not packing as much into my days. Go figure! I’m spending lots of time each day doing my energy work, along with physical therapy and voice exercises.

Autumn is Upon Us

This is one of the hardest realizations I had over the last few months: I couldn’t do all my gardening and yard work that I typically pack into spring, summer, and fall. Thank goodness I have had great help, but for those of us who love getting dirty in our gardens, it’s not quite the same. I’m harvesting my basil and tomatoes and enjoying the dahlias. And, of course, I love these autumn days that are pleasantly warm and have gentle cooling breezes.

What’s Next

I’ve learned so much about healing from major surgery, being patient, and respecting my body’s timeline. Stay tuned for my insights as I share my journey of recovery.