Archive for the ‘My Journey’ Category

What is Art Therapy?

How can it help?

Art comes in many forms.

• Painting

• Drawing

• Art & Craft

• Music

• Drama

In Art therapy it is used to express any emotions most of us keep hidden from the world, and those around us, in fear of being judged by these feelings.

Expressing these emotions through art can create some magnificent pieces. By transferring these emotions into an art form leaves your mind, body and spirit free to be more positive, calm and relax in your everyday life. If these feelings are suppressed, over a long period of time, it will require constant work at this therapy to gradually release this build up.

Art therapy  can be used in any industry including, Aged Care, Child Care, Community Service, Counselling, Hospitals, Rehabilitation, Schools and many more as well as in your own personal life.

When people see Therapy  in the title they automatically assume is only for those with serious mental health issues, but in fact it can help everyone. If you  are looking to improve your physical, mental and emotional well-being why not consider Art Therapy.  You don’t need to be talented to be able to use Art Therapy. Its an expression of your emotions that are released into an art form. Eg. sad could be expressed in a colour -blue, uncertain could be expressed a spinning motion in a dance movement, etc.

 ”The Journey” ~ By Tollarne Graham

(This is an original entry created and based on my own experiences. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to use the contact form. Any feedback is highly regarded. )

Hi everyone,  I hope your all having a lovely day and Welcome to those new to my site. If you have any questions, suggestions for new content, any concerns, comments etc, do not hesitate to contact me via the contact page, GuestBook, or on Facebook / Twitter. Please browse the pages at your leisure and enjoy Toll-Art Therapy.

Ok now here’s a brief update on my progress. (Please refer to previous posts for further background knowledge and information) . I had my most recent visit with the endocrinologist. I attended the appointment on my own, with excellent news. All my results are normal (for the first time in many years)  with the exception of the Prolactin levels dropping by 200, but still out of the normal range but stable. I have lost 2 kg, which is a little concerning but its because of my stress and anxiety. The endocrinologists solution ( i’m not to pleased with) is to gain 5-10kg to have a better chance at fertility (although a child can risk my health) and being healthier with my hormone levels. Grrrrr……..so frustrating when she doesn’t listen when I have told her several times I do not ever want to have kids!!!!!!! Also to try and reduce the anxiety and stress , which has increased over the past few months, is to get some counselling,  or as a second option is to go on anxiety medication (which can elivate my hormone levels). I will have a think about both options and continue to use Rescue Remedy.

Another positive is my next appointment will be in 6 months and no MRI every 12 months, instead will be in 18months time!!! Yay!

That’s it from me for now. Will update you again soon.

I wish you all Peace, Hope, Happiness and Good Health.

 I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and celebrated the new year with new beginnings.

I had a wonderful Christmas with my family and a friends.  Filled with yummy food and lots of fun and laughs. Also working in retail was a busy time for me.

Its been a busy start to the year with my job and being on placement in Community Service taking up most of my time. But I still managed to try to catch up with family and friends (even if I don’t see in person Facebook is excellent for this. )

An update on my health. First I want to mention that its coming up to 5 years on 25 January since I had the Pituitary Macroadenoma removed via Transsphenoidal Surgery!  Wow the time has surly flown with a few ups and downs. Coming up on February  12 is my 6 monthly checkup with the endocrinologist. I will schedule a boodtest in the next week or 2 with a visit to the local doctor for my results. My anxiety has been really bad but I try to keep that under control with Rescue Remedy and Exercise. Although my weight , as mentioned in my previous post, has dropped to 43.5 kg. I think because I have a few things on and no time to rest. Apart from the anxiety, I have been a tired, low blood preassure and feeling dizzy or confused sometimes. I think this is mostly symptoms of the anxiety but I will surely mention this to the endocrinologist on my next visit.

On a happy note. Coming up in February I will be also be turning 30 and  have a small celebration with my family .  I’m really looking forward to having a girls night out filled with fun and laughs.This will also be 10 years with my bf and 4 years of sharing my life with my cat. They are my best friends, and i’m so grateful to have had by my side to love, care, support and relax with anytime I need that pick me up and comfort.

I’m very thankful to have love, comfort and support from my family and friends throughout my journey and lifes ups and downs. I hope you all have the support and love from similar people in your life.

That’s it from me for now. I hope you are all traveling well on your journey. Thinking of you always. Sending Peace, Hope and Harmony to you all. Will update again soon.

How are you going with your journeys?  Lots has happened over the past few months. I finished the Community Service course, and i’m doing placement  2 days a week at a Community Support Centre. I also had quite a few interviews and job opportunities, with 3 job offers for over Christmas. My Anxiety has been extreme with lots of stress over the past few months, but it has eased a little. Although from the start of November I have had 2 days placement and 4 days of training in my new job.

Last week I started my new job in sales and being quite a busy time of year for retail I have been taking 2 rescue remedy pastels a day, 2 cups of Camomile Tea, 3 cans of Peps Max Cans, and back on having chocolate everyday (I gave up for 3 months but too much stress in my life I needed sugar and caffeine to calm the nerves, although it causes more anxiety).

I’m feeling quite healthy but I don’t think my specialist will be too impressed that I have lost 2kg since I saw her in August. (Currently 43.4kg) I’m at my weight I was at in year 7 but I haven’t lost weight intentionally. I have just been eating at odd times and exercising the same. I guess because i’m busy with lots going on I don’t really have much time to sit down, and i’m eating junk food and healthy.

I have quite a lot on my plate at the moment so I will see how my results are when I see the Endocrinologist in February.

Well that’s it from me for new. I hope you all have a lovely Christmas with your friends and family. I’ll update you soon on any new progress.

Good morning. Birds chirping,  9 degrees and the sun is trying to peer out from the clouds on this overcast day in Australia. Going to be a good day

I hope your all going well on your journey. Stay strong and just know that there is always support from Toll-Art Therapy.

Here’s an update on my journey. I had my routine visit / check-up with my endocrinologist. I took my mum with me for support, as I never go to these appointments on my on because I don’t know what to expect.

My results are reasonably good. MRI scan showed no changes to the Pituitary Gland apart from the abnormality from surgery / tumor removal, which is normal.

Now for the blood test results. ~ Thyroid – good, Growth Hormone – good , Cortisol – levels have reduced from 681 nmol/L to  573 nmol/L, Prolactin – level up again (range 0-500) from 1226 miU/L to 1319 miU/L 

The endocrinologist isn’t to concerned to much as levels have only changed slightly. Still not good but will keep monitoring and any new symptoms or increase in current symptoms to notify the endocrinologist to discuss medication.

Also doing the routine check of my blood pressure which is normal.  The endocrinologist is a little concerned because when I stepped on the scales my weight has reduced from 47.5kg to 44.5kg (2 Kilos is not healthy for my frame. ) I don’t mind because its easy to find clothes that fit but its not intentional. I exercise for at least an hour daily, drink 3-4 cups of herbal tea, eat regular meals with the occasional splurge in chocolate / sugar etc. depending on the cravings.

Although my frame of mind is not good at the moment. My anxiety is really bad sometimes and Rescue Remedy Drops and Pastels help when its hard to cope but I think I might look into some relaxation methods including possible yoga or meditation classes.

At the moment I have taken on 2 courses of study being Community Service and Counselling. I’m enjoying learning new skills including trying to help yourself so as you can assist others in crisis, but the Anxiety has increased with this extra pressure. I need to get the Anxiety under better control.

Well that’s it from me for now. Better get back to my studies. I hope for some positive results in a few months. My next endocrinologist appointment is scheduled for February. I’ll keep you updated on any other changes.

I hope you all are going well on your journey. Also hope I am helping people further by telling my story. Any feedback or comments regarding my content is always welcome. Feel free to visit my Facebook and Twitter fan pages.

Peace, Love, Harmony and Hope to you all.

I hope you are all going well on your journey of health. I have had a busy week. I  visited my local doctor regarding a few health concerns.

Anxiety has been under control with Rescue Remedy, relaxation, meditation and looking into Yoga. Although some days are worse than others.

Yesterday I had my yearly MRI appointment ( 3 months earlier because of my not so good previous results.) My Mum came with me to have the scan as I don’t look forward to having them after a previous bad experience. This MRI scan was different from my last year scan. I’m usually quite relaxed, but from the beginning of the scan, as I laid down on the bed before I entered the tunnel, I had really bad anxiety and throughout the entire scan. I’m so glad that’s over for another year I hope. I’m staying positive for great results next month with my specialist.

I also saw the Physiotherapist today. My TOS (Thoracic Outlet Syndrome) is playing up, causing muscle spasms and nerve issues in my neck, shoulders and back. The Physiotherapist I usually see is on holidays so it was a fill in Physio with a different approach to my health concern. Although her approach was quite thorough, and i’m in quite excruciating pain in my neck, shoulders and down my whole back, I feel that with resting at home this weekend, pain medicine (Nurophen Zavance), Bath Muscle Relaxant Salts, and no housework I will be feeling better in a few days until my next physio session.

Apart from a few other health concerns I have been feeling tired, forgetful and a little dizzy some days. I have also lost 2 kilos (Currently at  44.5kg) since my previous visit.  Not sure if this has anything to do with the Pituitary but I will certainly mention this to the specialist on my next visit.

On the plus side I have decided to enroll in a couple of courses as well as looking for some part time employment, to build up my confidence, keep my mind focused on other things, to eliminate feeling depressed and anxious all the time, and encourage more positive social skills.

Well that’s it from me for now. I hope I haven’t bored anyone with this long post.

I hope you all have a great weekend. Will write more again soon.

PEACE, HOPE & HARMONY to you all.

Hi Everyone, Well lots has been happening since my last post.

2010 ended with a great Christmas gift. I found employment a week before Christmas working in the health industry. A huge relief after a long couple of years unemployed

My health seems to be on track and going well. Although I have been getting anxiety,  a few headaches, a little dizzy and tired  lately. I’m due to see the endocrinologist in April so will see how I go when I have another blood-test.

I had my eyes tested at the optometrists yesterday, with a slight change in my vision but the pressure test is all good so nothing to worry about there. I will be get my new glasses next week and wear them on more regular occasions if required.

I also celebrated my 29th Birthday this week. Although there was a delay with celebrations due to floods in my area and road closures in and out of my town. I had the best lunch out with family over the weekend (once the roads and the water  had cleared). I also really enjoyed a lovely dinner with my partner on Tuesday night.

I’ll update you on any new progress soon. Have a lovely weekend and I will be in touch again.  Harmony and Hope to you all.

PEACE, HARMONY AND HOPE TO YOU ALL

OVER THE CHRISTMAS SEASON.

I got a few complains from Specialists and other doctors saying that their patients are reading the content off Toll-Art Therapy and going in saying they read it on Toll-Art Therapy instead of going to a medical website.  I have removed some content and one of the pages containing the specialists contact details because they don’t want to be disclosed on here. I’m simply telling my personal story and experiences, so please see your doctor if you have any health concerns.
Toll-Art Therapy is here to help others dealing with the same health concerns as I have been through and are still going through by telling my story. Toll-art Therapy allows people to follow my journey and sympathize with others dealing with the same health concerns with the Pituitary.
Sorry for any inconvenience for those looking for certain content on Toll-Art Therapy that has been removed.
I hope you continue to follow my journey. Peace, Hope and Harmony to you all.

To all my Toll-Art Therapy fans and Toll-Art Therapy followers of my journey, also dealing with similar health issues, having a tough time or your feeling a little down here’s a song to help uplift your spirits and continue on your journey. This song helps me. I’ll update my journey again soon. Harmony and Hope to you all.