Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

This is such a busy time of year for all. Its been a couple of months since my last post and quite a lot has happened. Where do I start?  My Community Project is well on it way to being completed for the Guinness World Record attempt. Also looking for employment and studying. Unfortunately some of my schedule has been put on hold and I need to focus more on my health, as my stress levels and anxiety has been quite extreme to the point where I need to ask for assistant and seek treatment. The increase of my stress and anxiety has been caused due to an unexpected event in my life. The death of my father on November 7th at age 61 has had a huge impact on my family and I’m using Art Therapy to help me through this time. I make my own Christmas decorations for the Christmas tree every year and give out as a small thoughtful gift hand-made to everyone, which they thoroughly enjoy. This year I’m making decorations using right-handed techniques, (as I’m left-handed) this is a small challenge but the results have exceeded my expectations and others who have received these decorations. Wow I think i’m ambidextrous with my artwork, as a few years ago I couldn’t use my left hand for nearly 12 months and I was able to still do my artwork and completing some paintings with my right hand and my journey series with both my left and right hand. I guess it shows an example to others that no matter your restrictions you are still capable of anything you can imagine as being possible instead of impossible with slight alterations.

My studies are progressing with not many modules to complete, but with my stress and anxiety levels it has been recommended that I take a break over Christmas, as a stressed Counsellor can’t help others unless they are in the right frame of mind to be able to do so.  February I will resume with the case studies, seminars and placement etc and be officially qualified to help others in more depth.

Also i’m getting organized for Christmas with quite a lot of reminders of my Dad is a little difficult but I need to have my health as #1 priority as I’m due to see the specialist early February and I’m a little concerned this stress and anxiety may have an impact on my results. I’m looking forward to spending Christmas Day and Boxing Day with family and enjoying  no fighting.  Life’s to short to hold grudges, anger and past issues that should be left in the past, move on and enjoy your family while they are alive rather than arguing, not talking to each other and making your life miserable with no resolution and awkward encounters when you need to come together as a family.

That’s it for me for now.  Toll-Art Therapy would like to wish you all good health and hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with your family, friends and loved ones filled with joy, laughter, gifts and eat, drink and be merry.

Well its coming up to 5 and a half years since my surgery and i’m feeling like things are improving. In 2 months i’m scheduled for my next appointment to the  endocrinologist. I’ll have my blood-test at the end of next month and fingers crossed my levels are keeping under control. I’m keeping positive as I think it helps in some way for positive results. I hope!  At the moment everything is going well for me. I’m keeping busy. I’m working in retail and doing art projects with the local community.  I’m also studying Counselling, looking to be running creative classes in the local community and planning to progress with my new career path.  The next few months ahead will be keeping me busy, with no time to stress about my upcoming appointment. Although with lots going on i’m still trying to keep my anxiety under control by eating reasonably healthy, taking vitamins and rescue remedy. Also I’m trying to keep my stress and anxiety under control by  listening to some tunes to relax, chatting to friends and family and those with similar health issues, and doing creative projects. I’ll write more again soon. I’m sending you all peace, hope, harmony and good health for the coming months.

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. )

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.

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.