I have returned from my long vacation. I was pretty good about resting the entire time, at least from my job. I did ship a couple packages and answer a few messages, but I also extended the closure of my shop for five days. All Atelier Mandaline shops are open and my eBay and Etsy shops are on sale. You can link to all my shops from the Home page.

As far as updating you on my health, I am afraid I don't have much to report. Other than the vitamin deficiency and slight anemia caused by blood loss the doctor found nothing. A battery of tests and an ultrasound didn't reveal anything. I can't help feeling like this is because the attitude from the moment I walked in that this is "normal" kept them from really searching to find anything. So, I am still bleeding quite heavily at times. I did find a doctor who offers online treatment of Hashimoto's, which is what I am pretty sure I have, and started his treatment. I also adjusted my essential oils which contain bio-identical hormones, and I am already much less tired. The rash on my face is gone, and I succeeded in stopping the bleeding and slowing it down for a few days. I feel once I have been on the Hashimoto's treatment a bit longer and get the dosages of my oils correct I will be back to normal. My son who works in a lab as a geneticist ordered some more tests for me that he felt the doctor neglected to do and I am waiting for those results.

Today I woke up a few hours earlier than normal, went shopping, did some housework, and then worked in the yard for an hour. It's a big change, as since January just shipping my orders was enough to fatigue me to the point I needed a four-hour nap. Earlier this week I drove my kids to see my parents and to the beach for a day. So, I am hopeful I will soon be better. I am beyond disgusted with women's health care in this country. Almost every woman I have talked to since this began is experiencing similar issues and is being told it's normal and it's just because of her age. I was 24 when this first started for me, triggered by pregnancy, and I was never able to get a solution until I did it myself. Why are we all putting up with this? If this were happening to most men it wouldn't be happening! Thank goodness for the Internet putting testing and treatment into our own hands!

This is a hard post to write. I will be closing my stores temporarily from April 13 to at least the 19th. These dates are subject to change depending on medical tests I'm undergoing next week. In the meantime, please enjoy my Easter sale going on now in my eBay and Etsy shops. You can link to all my shops from the Home page.

As you know, at least if you follow my social media, we have been having a streak of bad luck with our plumbing, our son's health, my husband's car, etc, so it's not a great time for me to close my stores. It's the reason I never fully closed when I had COVID. Even when I claimed to be closing for vacation a couple months ago I didn't really close. I just extended my handling time and still answered messages. This time I will actually be closing. You will be able to purchase only from my eBay store or my Shop page. You will receive downloads instantly of course, but no physical items will be shipped and I will not be responding to messages until I return. I will not be taking any new doll hospital patients.

So, here's the situation. I have not ever fully recovered from COVID and it seems to have reactivated a mystery illness I have been struggling with for more than 20 years. As you can see, I have a rash all over my face. The little white flecks are flakes of skin that's so dry it's peeling off. The rash is itchy and painful and I have some acne thrown in, despite the fact I'll be 48 in a few weeks. Fun times! This is not the main problem, however. The main problem is uncontrolled bleeding. I have lost so much blood in recent weeks I have a vitamin B12 deficiency and possible anemia, both of which are very hard to develop on a near-carnivore diet like mine! This exact illness, right down to the rash, popped up during my pregnancy with my oldest son and raged on undiagnosed and untreated for 15 years (despite me seeing legions of different doctors and undergoing a plethora of tests) before I was able to get it in remission myself with diet, essential oils, and supplements. Unfortunately, none of my home remedies are working now, so I went to see a new doctor. 

The new doctor promptly told me this is "normal" for a woman my age, which is the exact same thing I've been hearing since I was 24 (and the reason I rarely visit doctors anymore)! She did, however, order some tests. I have at least one more test next week. So far, other than the vitamin deficiency almost certainly caused by blood loss, they are all normal. I'm sure the new doctor thinks I'm crazy, as I was crying in her office. The last eight years, having this issue under control. have been amazing and I just can't stand being back in this dark place after so many years.

Personally, I think I have Hashimoto's disease. My home treatment was based on that and has been working well for almost a decade. I really hope I am able to get it back on track. At the moment I am exhausted. I am in pain and experiencing crushing fatigue and I need to focus as much as possible on myself right now. It's hard when you're  mom; it seems like you never can be fully selfish. At least I can't.

So anyway, I am closing my stores and doll hospital until the 19th at least. I may close my shops early if my condition changes or I need surgery, which I should know sometime next week. I am very sorry for any inconvenience and I appreciate any positive vibes you can send my way.