So everyone is asking what am I doing as my line of defense, I find that so interesting because that is what I am doing. First on Monday I just enjoyed being home with my son. While studying up on Diverticulitis. It's cause and effects along with how this fit in with The Virus I battle. I found that Inflammation and Infection = Immune Deficiency!! This has been one of my top issues over the years. I still find it funny how many people I meet that have been diagnosed with something only know what the doctor told them in a 15 minute appointment. So after about two days research it is turning out something like this:
     First Line Of Defense; Learn ALL you can about what you have or what you already know and don't be afraid to expand that more and more everyday. This is YOUR life your trying to improve. No one is going to do it for you.
     Second; Take what you have Learned and Try to Apply it in some way into your day. My First area of Defense is "Food". I have seen what it has done for me in the past and I know it can bring on Healing in more ways and in a speeder time then traditional medicines, Even though I do believe in some cases that  Western medicine can work hand in hand with  a Holistic approach but that is my point, medicine without food changes really mean nothing.
I need to get back to"My" Basics first ;
    Chaga Tea: This Tea is one of the reasons I no longer take 8 prescriptions and 34 pills a day just to stay alive. Chaga even amazed my infectious disease doctor for those of you wanting to know more here is a link  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inonotus_obliquus
    Green Live Juice; I have a favorite I use from Fully Raw Kristina, "Soulshine Juice".
It's; 5-7 Honey Crisp or Pink Lady Apples
      5-6 Stalks Of Celery
      1 Cucumber
      3 lemons
      1 head or bunch of Kale
      1    1 1/2 head of Romaine Lettuce.
Now I adjust the amount to fit me but I put it all in the juicer then stir and drink. Yummy!!!!
     My Justine Tea; This tea was made for me special from my Herbalist. I can not praise mine enough for the leaps we have made with my tea and other blends. If it wasn't for a dear friend of mine I would of never understood the role Nature plays in the field of healing, now that is getting back to basics. So I recommend for those of you still struggling after numerous attempts with Western Medicine to find your local Herbalist or ask at your local Co-Op's for people in your area working in this field of Healing. It will change your life.
    And last on the liquid front WATER!!  I have often heard it said hydrate, hydrate, hydrate and I have also heard plenty of people say, I drink tea, I drink coffee, I drink flavored water does that count? NO!! Hello Humans lived on this planet for millions of years before caffeine was invented or adding flavor to your water. Let use some common sense shouldn't at least ONE thing you put in your mouth be pure. { I know we have many debates over that word and our water sources but lets put that aside for this point.} When it comes to life the one thing you can not live without is Water. You must make wise choices. I have drank from the stream, I have drank bottled and I have used a purifier. Your body will tell you, at least mine does. I either cant get my lips to even sip it or intuitively I have to say no. This is where not all water is equal, try a few and explore SAFE drinking holes or streams in your area. Either way get that water in. I drink out of a Clear Glass Bottle this is what I have chosen to go with Glass over Plastic as much as possible and I use the power of Emoto's theory of water. This seem to now be my drink of choice. My son has only tasted twice in his life a soda and his choice still is water over anything. To spice things up we sometimes add fruits and herbs, sometime also cucumber but we like our water "Pure". We know the power of water and what it can do to rejuvenate the body. We also know the effects caffeine can have on the brain and body. We chose life, Thank you!!
Next important task is "My" Intake Of Food;   You think being limited to "Clear Liquids and Toast"/Low Residue food would be easy but that isn't true. From these choices I have to make sure I am healing my intestines while also giving my body the nutrients it needs to keep my immune system working full stream to fight off the infection. I am taking Antibiotics at home but to make sure they only help and do no harm I must give my body extra of what it needs. This is where researching what is happening to your body comes into play. Taking what the disease is doing to your body and matching it to the foods it needs to help it heal is a winning combination. See everything that enters my body right now has a purpose. "Let Food Be Thy Medicine".  I must remove all allergens while leaving nutrients. How do I do this? I have been studying my body since I was first sick in 2002. From that starting point I have studied it all...LOL  { Library Junkie, remember.. LOL } I have now had to narrow myself to a few choice foods that well be transitioning me once again into a new way of eating. I guess I could see the 5 days without food and water a new slate in which to eat.. LOL  So far my food intake consist of this;
    Morning ; Justine Tea
                   Choice of:                
 1/2 c. of Whole Cottage Cheese { Found one, 4% milk,No Artificial Growth Hormones: Cabot "Vermont" style Cottage Cheese. } Most of you know I don't do dairy but right now I am limited on choices for low residue foods.

 1 c. Apples Sauce

and Gluten Free Toast { the best one I have found without eggs is Udi's, right now I can only have their White but it is delicious!!}

 Cacaocolate Pudding {LOL}
1 Banana
1 Avocado (remove pit)
1 teaspoon of Cacao Powder
1Tbl spn of Agave
Add all ingredients to blender or food processor and then blend to creamy texture
{Topper with your favorite berry, NOT me I cant right now but it sure is Yummy!}

   Mid Day Snack: Soul Shine Green Drink

Lunch and Dinner:  Choice of; {at this time just reintroducing food after 5 days none and 5 days liquids and toast only}
Tomato Soup with crackers or 1/2 gluten free toast
Vegetable Broth with Crackers
Mashed and Well Cooked; Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, White Flesh Potatoes {without the skins}
Fish/ Tuna {limited because of seafood allergies}
Some days having only Liquid soups and broths and no cooked vegetables {everything as fresh as possible}

Drinking Chaga and Water through out the Day

    Night: The Justine Tea

As you can see my day right now is busy with preparing foods ahead of time, switching over Austin while cooking his individual needs, as well as doing research on many subjects related to getting healthy and gaining my purpose in all this. I can tell you this all has not been easy. With trips to the Grocery store where it teases me with Fruits and Vegetables I cant have and Laughs at me with misleading labels. Where a once quick salad is reduced to a slow simmering boil and where my days are filled with mixed emotion of what to do next but for now I am content in the fact I am doing  one thing through out my day that promotes good health. I am using Food as my medicine and finally being accountable for EVERYTHING that goes into my mouth. This week Food is My Foundation,

So I hope that answered your questions and gave you some insight into "My Life" and how I am now taking an active part in my own healing while sharing the journey with you!!!