The Spa on Green Street

11 Responses to “Your Spa Experience”

1. Amy Comstock
   July 12th, 2009 at 10:52 am

   

   Hey everyone! My name is Amy and I wish to share my spa
   experience with you. I want to do this for a few reasons. The first one is that it will be a great way for me to keep track of my progress, or lack there of. The second reason is that some of my friends who are aware of my struggles, have asked me to blog so they can see how and if this is working for me. The third, and most important reason, is that I hope by sharing my experience in a blunt and truthful manner, I will be able to give hope to others that are going through similiar situations in there life. So, if you are interested, please check back from time to time and see how life is going for me. Thanks for reading!

2. Amy Comstock
   July 13th, 2009 at 12:21 pm

   

   I would like to get started by explaining why I am going to this spa. In a recent conversation with a new and great friend, the subject of my insomnia came up. He suggested that I go to this spa and meet with Ricardo Boye. He thought that he might be able to give me some relief from this problem.

   Now, I am not usually one to go off the beaten path and get into the “holistic mumbo-jumbo health kick stuff,” but the truth is, traditional medicine is not helping me with my insomnia at all. In fact, it is getting worse. I will go for days on very little sleep. This has been a problem of mine forever, but as I am getting older, it is getting harder to deal with. So, I decided to give it a try. Afterall, the worse that could happen is that I would be throwing away money. We have all spent money on things far less important than our health.

   I also decided that if I was going to do this, I might as well try to address the other issue that I have that is getting in the way of my being able to live a full, happy, and productive life. This other issue, which I am sure adds to my insomnia, is quite serious. I cannot actually believe that I am now going to share this in a very public forum, but this is something that I have been dealing with most of my life, and I am now totally committed to finding a way to not have it control my life…..I want to take control of it.

   You see, I have OCD. My close friends and loved ones are aware of it, as I do try to be open about it. Also, true OCD is not an easy thing to hide. I joke about it with them, and I get teased a lot about it. The truth of the matter is, that it is not really something to joke about. To those of us who truly have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, it is absolutely horrifying. The best way I can describe it is that I am a prisoner of my own mind. My OCD can control my life for hours, even days, at a time. I refer to it as spinning. When I am in spin mode, I am useless. Life simply passes me by as I become a repetative robot. I hate it….more than anything in the world. Later on, I will go into detail on how my OCD has taken over my life. However, the main reason for sharing this is to tell you that I am going to finally get control over this.

   I have only met with Ricardo once so far, but that one meeting has already given me a ray of hope that I have never had. Could I be wrong? Of course! Maybe it will not work and like other things I have tried, it will fail. However, this all feels different. Everything that we talked about in that meeting really made sense to me. Again, for the first time in forever, I feel hopeful! Thanks for reading….more later!!

3. Kim Pate
   July 13th, 2009 at 2:20 pm

   

   That sounds great!! It is so nice to hear you sound so upbeat & hopeful. I am thrilled that you are taking time for yourself & really trying to get to the bottom of this debilitating disease. I would love to set an appointment w/Ricardo myself sometime!!

4. Amy Comstock
   July 16th, 2009 at 11:51 am

   

   Hey everyone! I have not written anything in two days because I was going through the spin cycle with my OCD. I am feeling alot better today, but I am so mad at myself for the time I have wasted. I am aware that it is not my fault, however, I still get mad at myself. I guess I feel weak for not being able to handle this on my own!

   Today, Ricardo will be adjusting my supplements in an effort to get my insomnia under control. I have had some moments of deeper sleep, but still not enough consecutive hours. I do feel that we are going in the right direction. I was up at five a.m. this morning, but was able to go back to sleep for about two hours. I even had a dream which means it was a deeper sleep than I have had in a long time! (In my dream, I was actually flying a plane…..but my landing was not a good thing….I think that is what woke me up!)

   I am very anxious to get started on controlling my OCD, but I realize that this is a step-by-step process, so I must be patient. I wonder if there are any supplements out there that can help me to become a more patient person? (I am pretty sure that it would take years of training to accomplish that task!)

   Well, I have to go right now as I have a whole bunch of work that I must catch up on due to my spinning the last two days!
   The next time I write, I want to tell you about my first visit with Ricardo and just how amazing it was! Again, hope is a wonderful thing! It is so great to realize that, even though I cannot see it yet, there really is a light at the end of the tunnel!

5. ghake
   July 21st, 2009 at 8:47 pm

   

   Thanks for your comments, Amy, and for your diligence relative to Ricardo’s recommendations. It takes time to rebuild the foundation of wellbeing and your patience will be rewarded in many ways.

6. Amy Comstock
   July 24th, 2009 at 11:48 am

   

   Hello! My computer died so I have not been able to write. I am using my sister’s right now. Anyway, I have to keep this brief, but for those of you who are following this, I wanted to pass on one little tidbit that may help if you are struggling with anxiety, OCD, or anything like it. Make sure that you have a good support base around you….people that you can really talk to and be honest with. Sadly, not everyone will understand what you are going through, but you will be suprised at how much comfort and help you get from those who do understand. I have a few very special people in my life that I have been able to share my struggles with, and without them, I do not know how I would survive!

   I have always tried to be open with people that I do have this problem. It is a part of me, and if you are going to be in my life, you will see it. However, I am very blessed and fortunate to have a few people that I can really confide in. They help me cope when I am going through a stressful period and spinning out of control. Actually, they help me do more than just cope…they go through my spin cycle with me and help me come out of it. They listen to me go over things again and again and again, etc….and then they help me to realize that I am going to be okay. I am always amazed with how much patience they have with me when I am like this. The best thing is, that in addition to listening to me and helping me get control of my spin cycle, they never make me feel stupid. Also, even though I realize how much of their time I waste by spinning, they never make me feel like I am imposing on them. They make me feel that I am worthy of their time, no matter how “ridiculous” my spinning may be! I am so thankful to have them in my life.

   I did say I was going to keep this brief! I guess I am never short on words! Anyway, the point of this is, if you are struggling with any kind of problem, seek out those who are closest to you and be very open with them. The worst that can happen is that they are not open to helping you. The best that can happen is that you realize how much you are loved by these individuals, and how much help they can offer you. There is not a person in the world that does not have some kind of problem or issue that they are dealing with. We are all imperfect. The first step in getting better is to realize that just because you have a problem, that problem does not own you. It does not define who you are. It does not make you any less of a person than those around you. Hopefully, it helps you to be a better, more compassionate human being who is able to help others with the issues they are dealing with. I truly hate having OCD. If I add up all of the time that I have “wasted” by spinning, I realize that I have lost years of my life….and that is no exaggeration. However, I also know that I have many great qualities that have developed due to my OCD. I am very compassionate towards others, I try to never judge people just because they are different, and if you are my friend, I will do anything for you.

   It has been said that every cloud has a silver lining. I truly believe that the silver lining to my OCD cloud is that, even though I have lost alot because of this disease, I have also gained alot. My OCD has been with me since I was a teenager. Over the years, like it or not, it has helped to shape and mold me into the person that I am today. I am a little strange, I am a little different, and I am very complicated. I am also a really good person to know and I think that I am a great friend to those I love. I truly believe in karma, and if you give good, you get good! If you give bad, you get bad….and you really feel rotten! So, why even bother with the bad stuff? Again, I truly believe that having OCD has, in some ways, made me a better person. It’s been with me so long, it has to have done some good!

   I would like to end this “session” by thanking four very special people in my life. So, to Jamie and Judy, thank you for always being here for me. I guess you two are sort of stuck with me, being that we are family. However, you could walk away, and you never do. You always show me such love and compassion, and I have learned so much from the both of you. I also need to thank Kim and Jennifer. You are two of the most amazing people I know. We are not related, and you still stick around…..some people would have run far away from me by now. I know I have moments, lots of moments, that I drive you absolutely crazy…..but you never make me feel that way. In fact, you make me feel very loved and you help me to cope with my life. Actually, you help me to get on with my life. The two of you also help Jamie and Judy…..without you, they would be overwhelmed by my OCD….you really help to ease the burden I place on them. The four of you are like my own team of specialists, and together, you help me to be able to deal with my OCD and get through it without feeling so alone. I love you all so much, and every day I thank God for giving me the gift of having the four of you in my life. I am truly blessed!

7. Kristina Olson
   July 24th, 2009 at 7:01 pm

   

   Everything sounds great Amy! I’m extremely optimistic and I sincerely hope that through all of this, your OCD and insomnia will be cured:) Can’t wait to try out a wellness program!!!

8. Teryl Worster
   July 30th, 2009 at 9:50 am

   

   Amy,
   I am the Fitness Director here at The Spa and I wanted to let you know what an inspiration you are. Your dilgence and committment to your life is the backbone to change and success. It is this quality that I strive to inspire in those who are looking for a better quality of life and health through exercise and lifestyle change. Keep up the good work!! Teryl

9. Amy Comstock
   August 14th, 2009 at 9:47 am

   

   Hey everyone! It’s been awhile but I want to catch up on everything! Well, I had a session with Ricardo last week. It was great! I think I am going to get healthier just from laughing so much with him!!

   We decided to focus less on my sleeping issues and more on my anxiety/OCD issues. We are pretty sure that if we can lessen those, then the sleep will follow. So, Ricardo did some further testing to see what my body needs to help fix itself. I like the fact that instead of taking “drugs/medicine” to help cover up my problems, that we are actually going to balance my inner workings and help my body, mind, and soul fix itself! Okay, I know it will take more than that, but you know what I mean!

   I am happy to report that I am now totally off of the Cymbalta that I was taking. Getting off of that stuff is not fun. I was explaining to Ricardo that I could actually hear my eyeballs move around in my head! The withdrawal from those types of drugs is pretty fierce! I am so excited to be doing this in a healthier way. I do care about what I put into my body, as we all should.

   So, I have been on my new regimen for a little over a week now. At first, I was a little overwhelmed by all of the stuff I needed to take. However, once you get into the habit of taking it, it really is no big deal. Also, and maybe this is slightly premature, but I do feel a difference. I actually felt a difference on day two! Could it be the power of suggestion? Maybe….but I doubt it. I really know my mind and body quite well, and I have not felt this “calm” in many years. I kid you not! Ricardo said that once I have that inner balance, I will not need to take the supplements I am now taking. Well, if I keep feeling this good, I dare anyone to take these supplements away from me!!

   Well, before I sign off for the day, I would like to say two more things….imagine that….me having more to say! First, as a side note, I have been having some pretty wicked hot flashes for about a year now. Since I have started this new regimen, they have completely disappeared. Oh yes, completely! I must ask Ricardo why!! I am just so glad they are gone and I hope they stay away!

   Okay, the second thing I want to say is that I think, and I have mentioned this to Ricardo, that he should start an anxiety/OCD support group. Personally, I find him amazing to talk to and with his knowledge of how our bodies work and function, I truly believe that he can benefit those of us who need this type of support. I have done alot of research on this matter, and what is out there is alot of “medicinal cover-up.” I refuse to cover up this problem anymore….I want to get rid of it as much as possible, and I do believe that with Ricardo’s help, I will do it!!

   Okay, that is all I have to say….for now…there is always later….and like it or not….I will return! Bye!

10. Gary Comstock
    August 14th, 2009 at 2:34 pm

    

    Dear Amy,
    Thank you for allowing to learn more about you! I always suspected there was something “special” about you. I have felt your sincere interest in others and the love that comes to us through your kind words! I am so joyous to hear of the progress you’ve made so far! I feel you’ve started breaking out of your cocoon. God is blessing us through you!
    Love,
    Gary

11. Judy
    August 15th, 2009 at 8:22 pm

    

    Amy, thank you for being in my life. You are never a burden or bother and, actually, have been an incredible blessing to me. I love you and am always here for you. Just walk down the hill and the door is always open!!! Love you.