blog - Chantal Cain

Adrenal testing

2/13/2021

Today is the day, I've been waiting for this test since learning about adrenal function last summer when I was taking the International Fibromyalgia Coaching Institute's Fibromyalgia Advisor program. I was doing some research and I came across this article about adrenal fatigue and I believe that I have issues with adrenal function, not necessarily fatigue but they are not functioning properly.

Exhausted? 10 ways to know if you have adrenal fatigue, and what to do about it by Margaret Floyd Barry

You’re a “night person” (you have trouble getting up in the morning and you have trouble falling asleep at night, even when you’re exhausted) ✓
Your blood pressure is either above 120/80 or below 105/70 ✓
You get a headache after exercising ✓
You clench or grind your teeth
You get dizzy when you stand up quickly ✓
You crave salty foods ✓
You perspire easily, regardless of the temperature
You’re always tired ✓
You need to wear sunglasses outside during the day ✓
You don’t stay asleep at night ✓

I got 8/10 in that questionnaire. According to the article: "If two or more of these describe you, you most likely have some degree of adrenal dysregulation."

I spoke to my new naturopathic doctor about my issues and she agreed that we should get the tests done. I had to pay out of payment for this testing, but I believe that it will be worth knowing if I have issues with adrenal functions and steer my treatments and dietary changes to meet any of those needs from the adrenals working overtime. Next up in my testing is a new set of blood work and looking at factors that were overlooked when I was working with GP. I am still without a family physician and I hope that I can see the college clinic doctor for things that can be covered by OHIP and be easy on my pocket book. I am grateful I can put some money towards naturopathic treatments.

If you suspect that you may have issues with adrenal functions, please get in touch with your general practioner for a discussion and possible testing.

My favorite products

1/21/2021

I wanted to share my favorite products I use on a daily bases for my self-care and products that ease my pain during recovery from a flare or daily pains.

Daily routineS

Last summer while I was working with my own fibromyalgia coach, she recommended that I add a night time routine to help ease myself into a better sleeping habit. Part of my night routine was to wash my face and put on my favorite face cream Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask from Youth to the People. In December, I added a morning routine to help prepare me for my college class(es). I would wash my face and put on Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream. For Christmas, I got the eye creams to add to my routines. For daytime, I have Tatcha The Silk Peony Melting Eye Cream and Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line Reducing & Dark Circle-Diminishing Vitamin C Eye Serum. For nighttime, I have Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye.

Flare
Survival Kit

When I was enrolled in IFIC's Fibromyalgia Advisor program last summer, we had to prepare a "Flare Survival Kit", to be honest, I struggled with this assignment because I didn't have "pain relief" medicines or really knew which topical creams were available. It surprises most people when I tell them I do not take a prescription for pain; I was never offered pain relief from my GP and she retired her practice in the fall of 2019. I was temporarily seen by another GP, he didn't "believe in fibromyalgia" and wasn't helpful to my wellness, he also closed his practice in the spring of 2020. I have been without a physician in my medical team for a year.
Last week was my intake appointment with the naturopathic clinic. I look forward to working with a doctor who cares and knows how to care for a fibromyalgia patient.

Every night before I fall asleep, I use Yves Rocher Anti-Fatigue/Anti-Tiredness Foot Soothing Iced Gel & Yves Rocher Light Legs Fresh Gel. I just discovered these Yves Rocher products this month and I love them very much, I don't hurt as much in the morning.
My favorite pain relief topical cream is by Mind Body Matrix. I was gifted a sample size bottle last summer when I joined the International Fibromyalgia Coaching Institute. I was so pleased that I felt immediate relief in my back, neck, and shoulders (or wherever else, I had applied it for pain relief). It is a pricey item, but I believe it is worth the cost, for it's an alternative to prescription medication that I don't have access to.
I use an essential oil called Worry Not, I apply it at bedtime on my wrists, breathe in the aroma and peacefully fall asleep.
If I have a headache, I use a frozen eye pillow created by KrumaCreations, either on the back of my neck or over my eyes.

Best Nine, 2020 edition

12/29/2020

I did this two years ago when I started blogging and I decided to write it again today, a reflection of my year. There's a lot of negativity about 2020, it being the worst year ever, but it's all perspective. I had some difficult moments and some hard days, but nothing worse than I've experienced in the past five years.

Photo 1, my birthday photoshoot

For my 40th birthday, my daughter, Sarah, did my hair and makeup and we went to my old middle school to take a few photos. I love the dress I wore, I broke my favorite shoes (must replace them in 2021), and I adore the photos Sarah captured, I used them often for profile pictures and my blog's bio.

Photo 2, my camera

I've been dreaming and wishing for this camera for a few years and Kirk got it for me in May. It is a beautiful pink Fujifilm X-A5 Mirrorless Camera Kit with XC 15-45mm Lens.

Photo 3, my desk on May 17

It's a reminder to me that I was overwhelmed and I didn't reach out for help. I felt the world was ending (in my personal world) and I did not handle the situation properly and I suffered because of it. I had support afterwards as I was working with my fibromyalgia coach and taking the Fibromyalgia Advisor program. I put my focus onto myself. Things didn't seem so dark afterwards.

Photo 4, 5, 6, Graduation

My three children graduated from high school, middle school, and elementary school (respectively).

Photo 7, Kirk + CeCe

I fell in love with him, again. I don't know how it's even possible but I loved him even more this year. It was amazing that we were able to take a few days in August for an anniversary road trip around southern Ontario. That's when I fell in love, again.

He's such an awesome, understanding partner. He believes in me even when I can't find the light in my darkest times.

Photo 8, CeCe & Kate

Probably the biggest highlight of the year for me, was that I was able to hug my best friend, Kate, for the first time in over 10 years. I missed her so badly and I am grateful that we were able to reunited for an afternoon. Anxious for vaccines to roll out and COVID restrictions to be lifted so I can travel to see her again.

Photo 9, IFCI Grad

It's now hanging on my office wall, my International Fibromyalgia Coaching Institute Fibromyalgia Advisor certificate. Around the time I earned my certification, I started mapping my plan and goals for the next few years to achieve my dream job. It's a longer road but I know it all will be worth the hard work when I am able to display my certifications and diplomas on my wall.

Gratitude

10/12/2020

I am so grateful for my educational opportunities. I am happy, I was brave enough to start college at 39 years old (September 2019). I am grateful for the students I worked with last year and the teachers who were super supportive of my limitations. I worked as hard as I could and I am proud of those grades. I became overwhelm when COVID-19 restrictions come into place while I was trying to earn my diploma and homeschool my children. I had the right support team in my husband, my mom, my children, and my fibromyalgia coach. Sad I didn't graduate with the lovely ladies I got to know in OAD 2019-2020, something better came from this, it became the time to focus on my health and growth plan. I graduated my three month program to become a certified fibromyalgia advisor. Now to focus on the next goal IWAP, class of 2022!

my bio & on pinterest

8/30/2020

Hair & Photography by Sarah C C Lashbrook

My bio from the IFCI graduation page

Chantal was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in November 2018. The following spring and summer, she experienced exceptionally low lows and needed to change her life.

Chantal became motivated to attend college, for the first time, in the fall 2019. Around this time, Chantal discovered the Fibromyalgia Podcast and found inspiration.

This fall, Chantal will be returning to college. She will be taking Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Prevention. Her goal is to become a Fibromyalgia Coach who specializes in addiction and abuse prevention for all women, within her community.

I'm Pinterest Famous

Tami added the graduates on facebook & pinterest.

Graduation

8/29/2020

Today was the IFCI virtual graduation ceremony. I was so excited, I logged on at 3:20 when I needed to log in at 3:30. My excitement turned into anxiety and fear, by the time it was my turn for my interview, I was a little lost in my mind and I couldn't express myself and say what I had intended to share with the attendees. My prep notes are available here.

IFCI Graduation

8/20/2020

our wedding anniversary

8/5/2020

We love to say we grew our own wedding party.

Kirk and I started dating in September 1998, broke up for about five months, and got together again on March 6th (which we call kiss-aversary). We were engaged in the fall of 1999, but every time we started to plan our wedding, life would get in the way and we would put our plans aside. We had our first born daughter in 2002 and our only son born in 2006; in early 2008, we decided it would be our wedding year, no matter what challenges came at us.

We had invited our friends and family who lived in our town, and had our ceremony on Tuesday, August 5th, 2008. We planned to be married by Lake Nipissing, it was a stormy day, and kind strangers invited us in their home so our guests and us would be dryer and not get electrocuted.

This year for our anniversary, Kirk offered to take me for a weekend away together. I joked about a road trip that we could do this summer because of quarantine and covid restrictions. He loved the idea and wanted to travel it this summer.

We've been together for 22 years (married for 12 years).

Kirk has been super supportive during the last few years: when my health was bad and through the doctors' appointments, medical tests, blood work, visits to specialists, x-rays, ultrasounds, CT scan, MRI... speaking up for my health when I didn't have the words or the strength to express myself. I know it's been hard for him to see me at my worse, all he wants to do is "fix it" but he can't, and that's his greatest struggle.

He was encouraging when it was decided that I wanted to attend college and work on my future. He was supportive when it was time to step aside from my spring semester; he understood the stresses involved that lead me to put aside my dream to make sure our family would be able to cope with their new lifestyle during the pandemic. Kirk was understanding when it was time for me to focus on my healing and begin my journey IFCI: I started working with a fibromyalgia coach and I was accepted in the Certified Advisor program with IFCI. He is happy that I have a plan to return to school in the fall to continue my education.

I am grateful for our relationship, Kirk is my best friend & my support team when I need him most.

Class of 2020!

7/29/2020

Tonight, I found out my final exam marks were entered and I passed the Fibromyalgia Advisor Program with 96. 3%! The path I started on last summer is not exactly how my goal ended this school year. I am so proud of the decisions I had to make to get me here today. Graduation ceremony will be announced later on, I will share the link once available.

National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day

5/12/2020

Today is National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day and today, I started the Fibromyalgia Advisor program through The International Fibromyalgia Coaching Institute.

I had my admissions interview with Tami Stacklehouse on May 1st and I was a little star struck. I did get over the awe and talking with her was like talking to an old friend and the conversation was wonderful. I discovered Tami through her amazing podcast last summer, when I was somewhere in my lowest moments: Tami's cheerful, encouraging, and inspiring podcasts helped me start believing in myself and big changes happened last August.

After my interview, I felt so positive and ready to celebrate my next achievement: we got Twiggs for dinner and enjoyed our patio and delicious foods.

Twiggs Cobb Salad & London Fog

I like to remember my timeline: that I had my admission interview on Friday, May 1, accepted and paid my tuition on May 4th, and started my program on Fibromyalgia Awareness Day. All (or most) milestone days in May!