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. )

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Well I went for my regular 6 monthly check-up with the endocrinologist on Friday. A little nervous as always before I receive my blood test results. But before they were revealed to me the endocrinologist checks my blood pressure ( low range – quite normal for me) and I also got on the scales to find out that I have lost 5 kilos (last check-up I weighed 52.5kg, now down to 47.5kg) . I was quite surprised as  it was not intentional. I still eat and exercise regular, but the only changes I made over the past few months was giving up chocolate and eating less to nil gluten free / wheat free/ sugar free / dairy free products.

The endocrinologist was a little concerned with my weight so I hope it stays steady as I can’t really afford to be losing weight.

Then she asked about my general health and well-being. Well my Anxiety hasn’t been good lately so i’m trying Rescue Remedy drops and lollies. They seem to be helping quite a bit. I would certainly recommend to everyone.

Now for the blood test results. ~ Thyroid – good, Growth Hormone – good , Cortisol – at the highest end (range 138-690) my levels are: 681 nmol/L, Prolactin – up again (range 0-500) my levels are: 1226 miU/L

Although the Prolactin levels have doubled, the specialist said there is nothing to worry about yet as the last few times my prolactin levels have gone up ~ down ~ up. Also my menstrual cycle is regular so my reproductive hormones are functioning normally.

The endocrinologist wants to wait for the next blood test results and another MRI in 3 months ( a bit closer to check-ups due to the increase of my levels. ) then go from there whether to discuss options for medication or continue without. Fingers crossed for no HRT or the pill, as the side-effects are not pleasant, and a family member got cancer from several years on the pill.

Well that’s it from me for now. I hope for some positive results in a few months. My MRI is scheduled for June and my next endocrinologist appointment is scheduled for August. 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 all have a lovely weekend with your children.

We should cherish every moment with our mothers as some are no longer with us, for some people its not possible to even bear a child due to hormonal issue, and others who choose the path not to be mothers and have animals as children instead.

Share this weekend with your mothers and show how truly special, kind, caring and wonderful they are to us all.

No matter what size gift, bunch of flowers etc, Mothers appreciate simply the joy of having you apart of their lives and sharing this special day and everyday with their children.

Be thankful of your mothers as if it wasn’t for them you would no be apart of this world and develop and grow into the person you are today.

I would like to wish you all a Happy Mothers Day.
Peace, Love and Harmony to you all.

Well I worked for 3 months (on trial) at a new job but unfortunately things didn’t work out and I have been unemployed for just over a month. That’s all good though as it has given me a bit of time to get back on my healthy journey. The job was causing me a great deal of anxiety for 3 months so I have been trying to get that under control naturally.

I did my Certificate in Reiki 1 and I will concentrate on doing Reiki 2 at the end of the year to help with my healing. Also i’m going to be learning more website designing /marketing techniques  as well as job hunting once again.

Its about that time for my next visit to the endocrinologist tomorrow for my 6 month check-up. (Although I have reschedule to end of May due to a few other issues in my life well out of my control) I still had my bloodtest on the weekend and will probably need another one again before my next appointment with the endocrinologist. Anxiety not good so i’m trying Rescue Remedy drops and lollies.

I had a visit with my local doctor yesterday for some prescription medication, and I also got a copy of my recent bloodtest. “Thyroid – good, Growth Hormone – good , Cortisol – at the highest end (range 138-690) my levels are: 681 nmol/L, Prolactin – up again (range 0-500) my levels are: 1226 miU/L

Nothing to worry about I don’t think.Will contact the endocrinologist and see if I need an earlier appointment before May. Will keep you updated on my progress.

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.

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.