"Over the last few years my spirit has been telling me to slow down and change my way of being. Instead of getting help and working towards better health I pushed myself like never before. A lot of super events, relationships and music have graced my life because of this push, but my body has suffered tremendously. I have tried accupressure to help my insomnia and to reset my body clock, but could not afford the sessions, most recently I was told by my Kaiser medical doctor after a series of shows that I am suffering from "exhaustion", "anemia" and "high blood pressure" and three weeks ago I visited an optomoligist and neurologist who are saying I have
"Idiopathic Interncranul Hypertension" .. ( IIH: symptoms mimicking a brain tumor, but no tumor is present. They may include headache behind the eyes, ringing in the ears in time with the heartbeat, and brief episodes of blindness.

People may experience:
(1) Visual: blurred vision, double vision, or partial loss of vision, (2) Gastrointestinal:  nausea or vomiting ( (3) Also common:  headache, dizziness, or ringing in the ears.)

This condition is commonly found in folks like myself who are overweight. As a result my legs/ knees are giving me a lot of grief. Most of the time they are swollen and holding water which makes it very painful to walk and stand up.
I am finally going to a specialist to help me understand what's happening to my body. Losing weight and having low stress is key.

Currently I manage two jobs, teach private lessons and lead three bands along with support various community projects. I love my life, but as a freelance musician I am finding it harder and harder to take care of myself mind, body and spirit. I need to stop and focus, but alone financially ... don't have the means.

Community I am praying and asking for your support so that I can rest and take some things off my plate to fully concentrate on my well being. Please consider helping me on this journey towards better health.

-Valerie Troutt