Wise Turtle Acupuncture is closed due to the corona virus for at least two weeks, maybe four or whatever ends up being safest for all of us. This was a miserable decision but the levels of protection needed are beyond the capabilities of our little clinic.
I miss all of you already. If anyone needs to talk, feel free to call. Check here or on my Wide Turtle Facebook page for updates on reopening. Stay well, be strong, let's flatten the curve!
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Wise Turtle Acupuncture is staying aware and informed about the Corona Virus. The office will remain open unless it seems prudent to temporarily close. If you have any cold or flu like symptoms, please stay home.
While the office has soap in the bathrooms and disinfectant surface wipes, there is no hand sanitizer available, should you be wanting that. Donations are accepted! Please do what you need to do to keep yourself well. During this time, there will be great understanding for cancellations. Wise turtle Acupuncture is easing back into practice after a medical leave of over two months. I underwent open heart surgery in September and recently the surgeon cleared me to take baby steps back into work. I am doing quite well, after having a childhood defect repaired. I am eager to see patients, those returning and new ones too! Give me a ring and we can set appointments to suit your needs!
Hi Dear Patients!
I will be seven weeks post-op this coming Wednesday. On September 19 I underwent open heart surgery to repair a mitral valve prolapse. It was a successful surgery, but the recovery is simply long and hard. I see the surgeon this week and hope to be cleared to drive and to use my upper body in a meaningful way. My practice is missed and I will post soon as to when I am able to get back to practicing. This surgery was due to a childhood murmur that was never much of anything. But it became a big something over the years and I did not know it until last May, when it was discovered during a trip to Urgent Care for an unrelated issue. Talk about being grateful! I could have slipped into heart failure sooner rather than later. Fatigue was the only symptom. I am now a fan of regular check-ups with your western doctor. Look forward to seeing you all soon!
My murmur sounds more like the ocean than a heartbeat and is due to a mitral valve prolapse. It is complicated by ruptured chords (tendons that control the valve). To compensate, my heart enlarged. The only thing to do to fix it is open-heart surgery.
Fortunately this area is blessed with excellent cardiac surgeons and cardiologists. After some tests and diagnostics, it appears that my valve can most likely (85% chance) be repaired and the hope is for a smaller chest crack. The recovery is rough but a long-standing issue with fatigue will eventually be rectified. It helps that my health is excellent. I credit Chinese medicine and the good herbs and foods of the earth. They give me strength and keep me going. But sometimes the big guns of western medicine are necessary. I am now firmly in favor of western medical check-ups. Please keep me in your prayers and good thoughts. I miss you all, already. Looking forward to being back!
I have a new name for my harp endeavors: “Meadowlark Healing Harp” and a lovely business card now to boot. A brochure is in the works. Both have been designed by Jilat Artistry and I love them. There will soon be a website. My baby harp and I continue work to create peaceful realms for people needing them. Over the last couple days we went first to a memory care unit and I played for two hospice patients. The first had a family member with her who was most appreciative. The resident didn’t change expression too much but did say she wanted me to come back and I received a smile or two and noticed her nodding to the music at one point.
Today I played for three hospice folks. One was an older man who nodded off as I played. He asked for Greensleeves and I was able to give that to him. A woman in another room was so gentle — her hand went to her heart a number of times. She smiled and drifted and a deep calm pervaded her room. I gave her an origami peace dove and saw her holding it as I walked by later. The last was a woman rapidly going and surrounded by a large family. She looked like she had a strong spirit. Her family was full of jokes and ordering tacos, talking, laughing, having rare moments of quiet — they wanted me to play some and asked if I could do Metallica or the Doobie Brothers. But a sister requested Amazing Grace, which I could do. I didn’t stay too long as the din was louder than my little harp, but am glad to have given the sister her request. She told me it was their mother’s favorite song.
The meadowlark symbolizes a cheerful journey, as it is one of the few birds that can sing in flight. The black marking on the lark’s chest resembles the new moon, thus symbolizing an inward journey and new beginnings. Every visit I make is a journey to a timeless place, with the harp notes leading the way, as these transitioning people share a moment of grace with me. I almost didn’t go to my volunteer harp time at Hospice today. Didn’t get much sleep. But there was a feeling that I needed to go to see a particular patient. I had played for her twice before and couldn’t stop thinking that we needed to see each other today. When I arrived, she was receiving communion so I played for another for a half hour. This dear man had his daughter with him. She had played piano and we shared a bit about music. From time to time her father would raise a hand in the air and conduct a bit as I played. His daughter rubbed his back and he dozed off. The room felt full of peace. I went to my summoning patient and her family was beginning to gather and show up. She asked me to come over next to her and we held hands. “Please stay until the end,” she said. “You came. I wanted you to come,” she told me. I shared with her that I felt called to see her today. A friend of hers told me it was God tapping on my shoulder. I told her that I had been so blessed to play for her and what a gift it was to be in her sacred circle at this time. She expressed her delight and smiled and whispered gratitude. Grace — such grace, right to the end.
There was a book titled “The Art of Dying” on the night table. Friends and family spiraled around the bed. Pain meds were offered and taken and she drifted in and out. I played for two hours: everything from unknown Irish harp tunes to ancient hymns to modes and songs about birds. At one point I played Kum bey ya and her mother and others were singing to her. She asked for a comb and she combed her nonexistent hair (lost to chemo, I imagine). This sweet gesture brought tears to my eyes. Her mother thanked me and particularly loved Dona Nobis Pacem. She told me how beautiful and meaningful the harp music was. After those two hours, it was time to leave. I had to get home to my dogs and was told, no matter, this would be going on for some time. They understood. I went to my friend and held her hand again and said I’ll see you on the flip side, which made her smile. She said she would blow me kisses as I drove in my car. She kept thanking me. I did not want to leave but my eyes were blurring. I could not clearly see my harp strings anymore and the dogs were sending psychic messages about needing to go out. To this beautiful woman, who I have held in my heart all day and will forever, I love you. Thank you. And peace be with your gentle and kind family, who so tenderly and quietly were with you, holding you and holding space. I am so honored to have been included and to have given you my humble gift of simple harp music.
Eugene has been home to Betsy for the last ten years. She is fascinated by all that nature provides and is drawn to colors, textures and patterns found in the land, water and forests. Regional places you may recognize, such as Odell Lake, are included in her work. She begins by applying medium (thick paste) with a palette knife to create texture and pattern. She also squeezes thick glue onto the canvass to form a bead that looks like trees, roots, and veins in flower petals.
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AuthorKaren believes affordable health care is a right and community acupuncture is a perfect way to bring Chinese Medicine to the people. Archives
March 2020
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