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Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!

Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!

Ever flown in an airplane? At the beginning of the flight, the flight attendants review what to do in an emergency, and they always stress that if the oxygen masks come down, you should put your own mask on before helping anyone else.

I always nod wisely when they say that, because of course, if you don’t have oxygen, you won’t be able to help anyone else. But… as a mother? I’ll put everyone else first until I am, quite literally, without air.

Call it an epiphany, but about two weeks ago I “got” it: My kids will take whatever I’m willing to give! They never, ever say to me: Mama, we’ve got this. Really, take some time for yourself, we’ll play without you and refrain from killing each other so you can meditate, exercise, and have some coherent thoughts.

Forget being available, if I’m present, they want a piece of me. My son even wants to come with me when I organize the basement! Truly, even the toilet isn’t sacred. Nor is the shower, the dinner table, or bed. They simply believe that I’m just… available! All. The. Time.

With my husband working 12 hour shifts four days a week, it means I am on deck alone with the kids a lot, and have found that it’s extremely difficult to strike a balance between caring for them, and making sure I don’t turn into a raving lunatic.

It had gotten to the point that while I made sure I exercised on certain days, I was cutting my workouts short. Or, would not sit down to meditate until 10 pm, and truthfully, by 10 pm, I’m COOKED.

So let’s go back to a few weeks ago. Nothing happened, really. It wasn’t even a particularly bad day, but it suddenly struck me that if I don’t carve out time to take care of myself, it is NOT going to happen. I had all these concerns… could the kids get their homework done? What if they were tired and wanted to go to bed before I was available? Would I be holding people up too much if I exercised for a full hour? Would I be inconveniencing my husband?

Noise, all of it. And stupid noise, to boot! Somehow, in that moment of lucidity, I got the ridiculousness of my noisy thoughts.

So that night I got the “littles” (the two youngest children) to bed, and told the “bigs” that I was going to meditate, and they needed to manage themselves until I was done.

And they did. My husband came home while I was meditating, and I overheard my daughter tell my husband, “Mama is meditating, I think she really needed it!”

I sat the entire time, and since that day a few weeks ago, have been working to ensure that I get my full workouts in, my quiet time scheduled, and taking every opportunity to take care of myself that I can find.

It’s been extremely freeing. I went to kung fu at night for the first time in months, and it happened to overlap with my husband’s workout. He went when I got home. And you know what? It all worked out.

So if you are struggling with balancing it all (and really, what woman doesn’t?), I invite you to take the airline’s advice.

PUT YOUR OWN OXYGEN MASK ON BEFORE HELPING OTHERS!

You won’t regret it.

Got a topic you’d like me to address? Email me directly at [email protected].

Originally published by Huffington Post.

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Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

Genova’s SIBO Profiles are non-invasive breath tests which capture exhaled hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4) gases following patient ingestion of a lactulose solution to evaluate bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Breath

COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS

COST

$85-$225 depending on insurance coverage. 

Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the presence of harmful mycotoxins (toxins produced by molds).

LOCATION PERFORMED

At Home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Urine

COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Glutathione for 1 week, then bath or sauna.

COST

$699

INSURANCE

Fully covered by Medicare. Repeat test prices $249

Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the genetic profile for multiple health indicators. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Blood Spot

COST

$319

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted

COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS

Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This company can test for lyme, babesia, bartonella and additional tick-borne illnesses. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

In office

SPECIMEN TYPE

Blood

COST

around $1600 (depends on panel selected)

INSURANCE

Fully covered by Medicare. May be reimbursed with PPO plans.
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the presence of harmful mycotoxins (toxins produced by molds).

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Urine

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Glutathione for 1 week, then bath or sauna.

COST

$299

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates a wide range of environmental toxins that may be leading to harmful health effects.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Urine

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Glutathione for 1 week, then bath or sauna.

COST

$199

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted $30 discount given if done with mycotoxins.
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

Blood work for blood count, urinalysis and vitamin levels.

LOCATION PERFORMED

BLOOD FLUID

Blood

NOTES

You often have to fast for these tests-please check your providers notes.

COST

Depending on the test, deductible or copay may apply.

INSURANCE

Depends on insurance coverage, deductible or copay may apply.
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

Glyphosate (“Round Up”) is a pesticide that is widely used and this test indicates the body’s levels.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Urine

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Glutathione for 1 week, then bath or sauna.

COST

$99 ($69 if performed with mycotoxins or environmental toxins).

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted $30 discount given if done with mycotoxins or GPL Tox.
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates many measures including micronutrients, antioxidants, minerals, detox, overview of gut function, omegas and toxic exposure. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home.

SPECIMEN TYPE

Urine

COST

$150 – $329

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage. Fully covered by Medicare.

INSTRUCTIONS

Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the gut function and indicates microbiome balance, overgrowth, infection, inflammation, parasites and digestive efficacy. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Stool

COST

$179-$439 depending on insurance coverage.

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage. Fully covered by Medicare.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

No probiotics for one week.

VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS

Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the full menstrual cycle, female hormones, and adrenal profile.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Urine

COST

$160-$329

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage. Fully covered by Medicare.

NOTES

Must be off hormones in order to do the testing.
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test is specifically for a tick-borne illness called “Bartonella”.

LOCATION PERFORMED

In office

BLOOD FLUID

Blood

COST

$260

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the presence of potentially harmful heavy metals stored in the body.  Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Urine

COST

Testing: $79 x2 paid to Doctor’s Data
DMSA: $38 paid to Johnson’s Compounding Pharmacy

INSURANCE

Not covered by Insurance
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test measures saliva cortisol testing throughout the course of one day and informs us where there might be an adrenal imbalance.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Saliva

COST

$80

INSURANCE

No insurance coverage

Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on FIRST!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test is designed to look at food sensitivities (IgG immune responses). It is available in both a 99 or 184 panel. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

In office

SPECIMEN TYPE

Blood

COST

$129-238

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted