Another Health Update...

Well I've been to the specialist twice since my last health update and I'll be going again in June.

What can I say...I'm quite frustrated with my health. it's been over 1 year since my body started behaving strangely and I still don't have any clear answers as to why.

The specialist in Perth was 100% sure I had an adrenal issues, he thought I had cushing syndrome, in fact he told me at my first appointment with him after reviewing my file that I have cushing syndrome. He said we'll do some more tests and then surgery and all should be well.

After many, many more tests, the specialist doesn't believe this is what I have and isn't really sure why I have certain symptoms. 
He was able to witness an attack were my heart rate went up to about 130 while I was just sitting opposite him in a chair, he witnessed a few of my other symptoms but seems a bit baffled by it all.

I am now having more tests and been given some hormonal replacement tablets. The specialist is hoping it's some type of hormone imbalance and he's actually now looking at premature menopause, He isn't convinced, I'm not convinced but who knows?

A positive is that at my first visit to the specialist he advised me to stop taking propranolol, I was glad for this. I feel so much better off this medication. They were making me feel as though I never had enough sleep, no matter how much sleep I had and gave me numerous other side effects. These side effects cleared up once they were out of my system, so I'm so glad I could stop taking them (although my blood pressure seems higher now that I'm off these, but we'll keep an eye on that).

I've adjusted to many of my symptoms and mostly know how to handle them. My heart randomly racing is probably the most horrible symptom coupled with anxiety, however, I've learnt to try to relax, breath deeply, drink icy water, get to a cool place, I have been known to stick my head in the freezer and breath  deeply, Haha, and put my feet up etc...One symptom that I haven't dealt with well is my weight going up and down dramatically. 
Well when my weight goes down dramatically, I don't mind so much, HAHA, but when it goes up, it's horrible and it makes me feel even more unhealthy. My jeans have gone up 2 sizes since December, so I haven't been feeling to good about that.
Since this all started, I kind of developed a fear of making my heart rate go up on purpose, I was afraid it wouldn't go back down ( I started the gym in Cloncurry and it freaked me out after a month of going to the gym my heart rate wasn't cooperating and I stopped going). So I have avoided too much exercise in fear that my heart rate will stay up and not come back down, I still walk and swim though which is good.

I'm a bit braver these days though and I got the go ahead from the doctor to start the gym, as long as I don't allow my heart rate to go to high (good luck with that one I said to him, haha).
Well Shane and I have been hitting the gym for about 1 month and its mostly going well. My heart rate seems to stay higher than what it should be, however, I'm just pushing through and seeing how it goes...my life and things I want to do with it can't just stop because I have some health issues. Nope, that's just not how I roll.

I know it's been a long post I'll finish up in a moment...
We've decided (Shane and I), that I'm just going to get on with it, I'll have these last few tests the doctor wants me to have but after that I'm going to let it go. If need be I'll see the specialist again in 6 to 12 months but then get on with what I want to do. Not that my health issues where holding me back from everything, but are few things were put on the back burner till we knew what was going on with me.

Life is good and I'm going to keep living it...hopefully FULL of Fun and Adventure. I think I'm a little addicted to those things, I seriously don't want to live a mundane life. Fun and Adventure all the way please GOD, with a few extras along the way, haha!

If you could please pray for my health that would be wonderful. Myself and Shane cover ourselves and our girls in prayer and we are trusting in God regarding my health and regarding our journey. So the more prayer the better.
Thank You in advance for praying for us it is very much appreciated xo

My update and rant is now over 😊
Hope all you lovely people are enjoying life and hopefully you have a clear blue sky and beautiful sunshine as I do here in Perth 😉

Take Care,
Love Dimi xo

Kingdomcity Church...

Well we've been attending and been part of Kingdomcity Church in Perth for quite a few months now. 
Elissa attends youth group every Friday night and Serena attends kids church every Sunday and attends young leaders group every second Friday night. At young leaders group they train the grades 5 and 6's to grow to be young, influential leaders.
The girls are doing great at church, making friends and growing in there relationship with God.
Elissa recently got baptised and the very Sunday after, Elissa attended a FAITH EXPLAINED class that goes for about 6 weeks, how great is that?!
We've also enjoyed attending the once a month prayer night, they are awesome and powerful and the worship time is BEAUTIFUL!

This AMAZING Church has something for everyone, so many classes to grow and learn about this Church and grow in Christ, so many areas you can serve in, so many areas to connect with people. The worship is wonderful, Gods presence here is powerful, people are relational, and everyone works as a family team, I Love It! 
This Church is a family, run by many great leaders. Kingdomcity Church is raising great godly people who are community minded leaders, that love people and God, I LOVE It! 
This church is impacting Western Australia and the world and I believe this Church will continue to impact Australia and the world for God in a VERY HUGE way.

I LOVE being part of the Kingdomcity Family.
If you are ever in the area, you should really check out this Church, you will LOVE IT!

Take Care,
Love Dimi

Living In Perth, Western Australia..Update...

The last month we've as always enjoyed the Western Australian beaches. Mullaloo beach, Scarsborough beach, Alkimos beach, Yanchep lagoon beach, and Cottesloe beach have been this months pick. They all have there own beauty, and we'll visit each of them again, and again for sure.
Above is the Yellagonga regional park. We enjoyed exploring the ruins and going for a long walk to the lake.

We also explored  the cute town of Guildford, taken the dogs for a run by the swan river and enjoyed meeting and watching the locals fish.

Shane wanted to fit in with the majority of W.A male residence, so he got the local favourite haircut...HAHAHA, THE UGLY MULLET, AARRGGGHHHHH!

 JUST KIDDING...He did this for a laugh before shaving all his hair off, Hahaha!

 I've been teaching the girls to cook quite a few different dishes. We've made corn/veggie fritters, a few different Greek sweets, scones, Spanakopita (feta and Spinach pie), milo and peanut butter and condensed milk cookies, and Elissa made us a condensed milk and butter cake for us on her own, delicious.

We've enjoyed a picnic or two in the park by the beach,  a few night trips to the beach for a walk, a few different restaurants/cafes for lunch and dinner. We've enjoyed a day at Mandurah. The girls joined other children in Mandurah who were jumping off a pier/balcony about 10 or so meters high, they had a heap of fun. We grabbed some delicious simmos ice cream from Mandurah (it's our fav Perth ice cream) they have the best flavours, you should try it.

Our Doggies of course love a life of swimming and running around at the beach, walks in the park and sleeping!

Me and the love of my life are enjoying doing life together. It sure is different living here in Perth, for so many different reasons, some good, some we need time to adjust to, but we are doing it together and we always have each others back... I love doing life with my main man...My SPUNK Shane!

A Dogs Life!

We grew crocodile tails, Hahaha!

Do not disturb the Princess while she's relaxing, Hahaha!

Elissa's yummy cake...

The Yellagonga Ruins...

 Yanchep lagoon is also a beautiful beach, we've enjoyed exploring it and will wait until summer again to enjoy snorkeling at Yanchep lagoon.

Alkimos beach is a lovely beach, we've enjoyed walking along it. The newish shore cafe at Alkimos beach is one of our favourites to visit for a delish lunch and espresso ice coffee.

We've explored so many different places, and enjoyed so many day trips out and about. The weather is still swimming weather, hot almost always, blue skies almost always. We are enjoying exploring Western Australia!

Hoping everyone is well.
Take Care,
Dimi xo

Baking With This Lot...Greek Food, YUMMM!

Shane, the girls and I spent a couple of days baking some Greek treats for Easter. Honey syrup cookies (melomakarona) are our family favourites. Melomakarona are traditionally baked at Christmas time, however, our family bakes them any time of the year, they are to good to wait until Christmas to enjoy them.
The other cookies are called koulourakia, they are an Easter cookies, lovely eaten washed down with a tea or coffee.
We also boiled and dyed eggs which is part of our Greek Easter tradition.

Delicious Melomakarona...

Koulourakia...

We celebrated Good Friday with church and baking, and Easter Sunday at church. I then cooked us a huge Greek Easter dinner to celebrate Easter and Elissa's baptism (the girls were hanging for a Greek Easter traditional meal).

I Love passing on our family traditions to the Girls. Before they get married and move out of my home, they will know how to bake these sweets inside out.

Hope everyone had a GREAT one!
Love,
Dimi xo