master cleanse ~ day nine

me today, canon digital rebel xt

Ohhhh...today was a toughy but I've survived. One more day to go. I almost caved today not because I miss food and would like to start chewing again, although that does sound mighty good. I almost caved because I've been feeling so sick. Yesterday I wrote that I was feeling better, although, as the day progressed, this "bronchitisy~pneumonia-like" feeling came over me again pretty hard. The massage, as good as it felt in the moment, sort of moved things around in my lungs, which is probably good but not so fun. It's really hard to lay down flat because my lungs feel full of fluid. My poor husband...I kept him awake last night coughing. I don't quite feel as achy all over as I did on Saturday but I definitely don't feel like myself and have zero energy.

So last night my husband and I wondered if I was indeed sick rather than detoxing and discussed whether or not we should quit. It sounded so absurd to quit on day nine but I was worried about making myself worse.

I then talked to my Master Cleanse angel, Thea and she did some research for me. She didn't feel this sick while on the cleanse, so she was just as perplexed. She found this article which basically confirmed that what is going on with me is a major detox and that this cleanse is doing its job. Yeah me.

I learned that if I was indeed sick, being on this cleanse would not make it worse. Many people with major illnesses are put on this cleanse for detox because it provides you with all the vitamins and minerals one would need for the body to heal itself.

Apparently, this cleanse can also bring up the symptoms of past illnesses if it never quite left your system. This makes perfect sense. I have had a history of lung issues. Meaning, I was born with asthma and when I was young, I had a serious lung infection where one of my lungs collapsed and since then, have had some crazy things go on. I was diagnosed once with Legionaries Pneumonia when I was in my early twenties and was in intensive care for a long time. No one in the hospital could figure out why meds weren't helping me. The docs didn't test me for Legionaries at first because typically that comes with many people being infected (hence the name "Legion") in a surrounding area. No one at my college or work had it, so they passed on this test (which takes five days for the results). Finally, after my parents were told to "be prepared for the worst", someone decided to test me and there the positive result was! It baffled everyone that there were no other reports of this illness but me. So they gave me the right meds and I immediately improved. That was the most sick I have ever been. I remember laying there in the hospital in so much pain and in a daze that I was unable to move. Hours and days passed without me realizing it. SO WEIRD. Anyways, since then, whenever I catch a cold, it goes straight to my chest and I bring my inhaler with me everywhere I go. My lungs have never felt super healthy.

It makes perfect sense that I might still be holding some bacteria in my lungs and that this cleanse is doing its magic to help it pass through my body. I don't ever want to get that ill again. I am hoping this cleanse will increase my chances of steering clear of it.

So...I am pressing on thru today and tomorrow.

I feel bad that I don't have anything really positive and inspiring to share today. I made a promise to myself and to you that I would be completely honest and raw about this experience. I do not at all regret being on this and I would suggest it to anyone interested. As sick as I have felt the last few days, I do see other goodness. My skin is really soft and clear. The whites of my eyes are so WHITE and I have dropped weight that has been tough to come off due to depression over the last few years. I also feel inspired to eat more raw foods when this is over and exercise regularly. I have been craving exercise but have felt too weak to do it.

So, don't let this scare you away. For anyone who does this, I would like to return the favor to support you, as my Master Cleanse angel has supported me.

ps. i know you're probably tired of this mirror...but it is the only full length one we have in the house right now! ; ) oh and yes...i practically wear these baggy green draw string hemp pants every day. time to get another color, eh?