Settling In – Susan

Morning Walkers

I have been at the clinic a week and had my 7^th treatment.  The days have fallen into a nice routine.  I walk the neighborhood streets each morning at 6:00 with a few guests for exercise, have my pulse read before breakfast and spend about three hours each day getting treatments.

For new readers, who want to read more about the ayurvedic treatments, Alan has provided very detailed descriptions of the treatments in previous posts – see “Mind and Medicine,” July 2012 or “Getting in the Flow and Levels of Healing,” Feb 2011 to get a good explanation of Panchkarma, the cleanse we are doing.

Last year when we arrived and I was in shock at the clinic, Alan suggested that I think about the clinic like camp, and I was completely offended.  I have to say, this year with comfort of the process, and a few fun friends, I could ALMOST say the day has the rhythm of camp.  There is a lovely camaraderie with the other guests; we make the best of the simple and bland vegetarian meals, while comparing notes from our days.

Pulse Reading
Each morning either Dr. Krishna (Raju) or his sister Padma takes our pulse.  Krishna is the primary doctor at the clinic with a global following.  When he is not available, any of his siblings can read a pulse, as the gift has been passed down for over seven generations. When I first arrived, Padma read my pulse for a few days, as Krishna was travelling. When I came in to the office for the first time, I introduced myself, as she hadn’t taken my pulse last year and wasn’t sure she knew my name.  “Oh yes,” she said she knew me and had read all of our blogs and loved them!  She said she thought I was very funny and she liked how I presented tough or negative situations in a positive light. She said she wanted to make sure I was happy and to please share any suggestions I had for the clinic.

Padma and her motor scooter!

WOW, I was amazed that they had read it and wanted my opinion.  I was thankful our posts had been honest and respectful of the clinic even on days when we were frustrated (and that would be more me, than Alan on the frustrations). When I told some of the guests at breakfast about this exchange, they said you have real power, use it. My thought was to be careful and respectful if there was power and not to overuse it.  I did mention in that first conversation, that I remember the soup being much more flavorful last year and it seemed a bit bland.  We were delighted when the soup seemed to improve in the next few days!

Padma said I was deeply tired and set up the treatments I would have for the next seven days.  On the second day while listening to my pulse and not looking at my body, she asked if I had a rash.  Yes, a rash had appeared on my leg that morning.  She added a special green gel to the daily treatments.  Quite amazing, what they hear in the pulse! Dr. Krishna came back for morning check-ins on my 4^th day.  I was delighted to see him; he has such a lovely and warm energy about him with a twinkle in his eye.  I think everyone feels like they are special in his presence.  His pulse reading reported the following:

• You are much stronger than last year (yes, I was expecting those words!)
• It is still your hormones that are challenging you (yep)
• Your body is confused (don’t I know it!)

We talked about giving me a few days to get more rested before starting the thyroid treatment.  And when I reported that my thyroid has been aching for some time, he said I would get it scanned.  Sounded like a good idea; I had never had it scanned in all these years, the doctors always check it by hand. The daily treatments are as lovely as I remember them. I was disappointed when I learned that Prya, the beautiful, English speaking tech who took wonderful care of me last year, was off having her first baby.

The Techs in the treatment center

Padma made sure I had very good techs and was happy to make changes so I could have my pick, another unexpected benefit from the blog! The techs who are working on me are probably even better this year, with stronger hand strength.  Although I miss the casual banter, as most of them speak very little English.

Sometimes it is hard to understand instructions, although the quieter treatments are probably good for me.  I have plenty of time to relax as I ponder healing and letting go. My only real challenge is my ability to get a good night’s sleep.  I seem to have left the nightly sweats at home, hallelujah!  I can barely keep my eyes open and go to bed by 9:00 each night.  However, I am up much of the night and up for the day before dawn.  I think this will get better as I move through the healing process. And for the meantime, I am thankful for afternoon and treatment naps!