I experienced an absolutely wonderful weekend as we went to visit Allan's parents this weekend past. I have not always seen the strong woman who head's the Banack household as a friend, but it was only in the beginning when I didn't understand her. The more I grow to know her, the more I treasure up the wisdom she bestows upon me in my heart. Her frank nature sits well with me now as we are very similar in personality. When I was young and foolish (which I can easily say I still am at times now), I saw her as an adversary rather than a friend simply because I didn't understand her. How far I have come! My husband is sometimes embarrassed by the topics of our conversations (which are not discussed with him present, but as my life-mate he knows all). I truly cannot wait until our return closer to her and my own mother... to both grow closer to my mother-in-law and in regaining the rapport I had with my mother before my move here.

Well it is official, we are moving! Allan (my husband) has recieved a job transfer to the "Edmonton area", location not quite finalized yet, towards the end of May. I have been working non-stop the past two weeks in preparing our house for market and it has been wonderful seeing it come together and be so clean. Our basement will actually have a working bathroom early next week and Eric (our oldest son who resides across the hall from proposed bathroom) can't wait. I hope he enjoys the six weeks he can call it his.

The sign went up today and it is bittersweet to see it announcing to the world our impending departure. I can't say I loved Lloydminster, I have certainly learned a lot about trust and lack thereof while being here, but I have indeed made some great friends. I will certainly miss them and this beautiful home where our precious daughter was born in our kitchen. Now the impatience of waiting to find out where we will be "landing" in six short weeks is upon me as I stand at the ready and keep our house spotless (no easy feat with four kids) for viewings by prospective buyers.

Traditional vs allopathic medicine

Eric, our twelve year old son, had an ear infection last week. In my continued studies of homeopathy, he and I decided to treat it homeopathically combined with fresh breastmilk in his outer ear and a massage technique which drains the eustachian tubes. Homeopathy is a complex science, but the core of it's methodology is to enhance the signal to the body which triggers the body into a higher immune level, thus enhancing the bodies ability to fight off the infection. Breastmilk is a proven antibacterial and works well against infection. We had always used it for previous ear infections. The combined therapies were working well, though his body was taking it's time with the healing process. Yet my husband felt that this wasn't working quickly enough and feeling strongly that an ear infection would lead to permanent damage (very rare). I explained to him that regardless of the treatment it will take time to heal. Even if we chose to go to an allopathic doctor and used antibiotics, it would not speed the healing any more. But he would not hear of it so we went to the emergency department as there were no doctors available in any of the clinics for days. Four hours later we met a very tired and overworked Dr. Ryan who was very understanding, said that his infection was indeed minor and provided us with a prescription if we needed it. Eric decided to take it so we filled the prescription and he took the medicine faithfully along with acidophilus to counteract the negative side-effects antibiotics has. Indeed it was much better (no pain and only fluid related complaints) the next day, but he continued with the antibiotics as an uncompleted round of antibiotics is worse than none at all.

I find it frustrating that even my husband, who has learned along with me the risks of allopathic medicine and the benefits of traditional medicines, could so easily be scared into the belief that medicine is somehow superior. If he is, no wonder most people go to a doctor for every sneeze and sniffle, despite the growing trends of traditional methodology's. Personally, the only reason I would go to a doctor today is if I needed sutures or surgery. Ironically it is allopathic prophilactic measures and misdiagnosis that caused my four major surgeries (three cesareans and one gall-bladder-ectomy) and the only reasons I have ever been admitted to a hospital. But that is another rant for another day.