What a Difference A Year Makes

Just this past week I heard the words, "Your blood work looks great!"  That was not the case one year ago when I began my journey with functional medicine.  It is hard to believe that it has been almost exactly one year since I sat in this stranger's office, in tears, wondering if I was every going to feel better, if I was ever going to make it through the day without being overcome by fear, anxiety, constant darkness, physical pain, and an adrenal system that was going crazy! 

I remember that day, as if it were yesterday.  I sat in the chair and just sobbed as he tried to make sense of all that was going on in my body, all the the prescription medicines that I had tried with little to no success.  For months I had been wondering why I was getting worse and not better - my family doctor was wondering the same thing, so we both agreed it was time to take the plunge and try another avenue which led me to Dr. Shannon Smith at Turnpaugh Health and Wellness Center in Mechanicsburg. 

As I sat there in tears, I remember Joel saying, "this is not my wife.... she is not a crier, I am the crier of the family."  I said that was true, though I am not sure he believed us at the time.  My first visit he said, we are going to try to bubble wrap you and at least calm some things down while we figure out what is going on.  So he prescribed several supplements and a blood draw with 15 vials of blood as well as a food allergy test. 

The results came back, and my blood work was anything but good!  I had a Co-infection in my body that was going nuts - my numbers were both over 4.5 (they are to be less than 1.0).  My adrenal system was stuck in fight or flight and my body was filled with histamines that were causing my brain to not work properly.  On top of that my food reactions were off the charts! 

With the results in hand, Dr. Shannon began adjusting my supplements, adding and taking away as he looked at my tests and blood work.  He would check in with me weekly and adjust as necessary.  Within one week of his adjusting my supplements and taking me off most of my meds - I woke up one day without panic, without fear, and without tears... it was a strange but welcomed change!  That was my turning point. 

Though I was hoping that it would only take a month or two to recover, instead of a year, I am thankful for this journey.  It has taught me so much about myself, my God, my family, my friends and my health. 

For myself, I have learned that it is okay to ask for help.  I have learned that I can't be all things to all people and that is okay.  I learned to cherish the good days, and trust that God has a purpose for the hard days.

As for God, I have learned that he will never leave me nor forsake me.  In my darkest of days, when all I could do was cry why, He was there!  He held me in his loving arms, even when all I felt was numbness.  He gave me truth through his word even when I didn't have ears to hear it.  He was and still is faithful! 

My family was my constant!  Though I struggled to do much during that time and leaving the house was sometimes overwhelming for me (I literally struggled to be in the car as my anxieties went through the roof).  Joel was on call all the time.  He couldn't fix it which I think was the worst thing for him, but on a daily basis he would come home from church to sit with me, he would hold me until I fell asleep.  My daughter, she watched me struggle - she asked me often if I was dying.... that was devastating for me as I thought maybe I was. 

My friends showed up to "babysit" me, to pray for me, to make meals for me, to just sit with me when I had nothing to offer but tears.  I had friends that planted my gardens, my flowerbeds and even came and weeded for hours.  I am so blessed by my friends and I am so blessed that I have the ability to enjoy doing my garden this year.

Lastly, this journey to a healthier me has been a long and hard journey, but one I would not trade for the world.  It has been hard to change my diet completely!  It has been challenging financially (our insurance does not cover any of my appointments, supplements, or treatments).  It has been challenging emotionally wondering if these changes will be the "new normal" for me.  I have cried at my share of events and restaurants when nothing on the menu is approved for me to eat without cheating.  I have cried when I have watched other enjoy something that I can't have..... but on the flip side I have celebrated a year of better health!  A year of transformation!  A year of being down 50 pounds!  And a year of hard work to be close to saying my autoimmune disease - Multiple Sclerosis is nearing remission!  I can now begin exercising!  I can garden for hours and not feel like I have been hit by a car after 5 minutes.  I was able to go to Disney with my family, a trip we had promised Ella when she turned 8, but a trip I was sure we would not be able to take because I was so sick (side note:  Disney does an amazing job catering to dietary restrictions!)

So today - I will celebrate, because God has blessed me beyond what I deserve, and he has given me fresh hope, a sense of peace and accomplishment, and he has given me a reminder that you can't have your destiny with our your history!   My story is messy and hard at times, but it is my story with God's strength, power, and grace written all over it. 

Before my journey 

After losing 50 pounds :) 

What Can you eat?

Many people ask me "what can you eat?"  Well here is a general list...

https://www.phoenixhelix.com/2013/06/02/paleo-aip-grocery-list/ 

I am out of the strict elimination phrase so I am now able to eat some grains as long as they are gluten free, tomatoes and potatoes on occasion and I have some caffeine with tea and intense dark chocolate (though I did just read that is not good for adrenal fatigue so I will probably be cutting that out as well for a while)  I also get asked a lot... "how long do you have to eat this way" or "do you have to do this forever"   The short answer is I have to do this for the next year at minimum... but my Dr. said, if you feel better eating this way - why would you change?  Good question. 

Others ask "don't you miss eating whatever you want?"  Yes - yes I do miss certain foods and I miss them a lot.  I miss bread, I miss pizza, I miss the convenience of picking up a sub quick from sheetz.  I miss Snicker's Bars and Dr. Pepper especially when I am having a crappy day.  I miss licorice when I am on a road trip.  I miss ice cream from Cruisers.  So the answer is yes, I miss a lot of things - but I don't miss feeling awful all the time.  I don't miss the panic attacks.  I don't miss the migraines (haven't had one in over 4 months).  I still do get teary eyed sometimes when I go to an event and can't eat a single thing.  I get frustrated at restaurants that say they have GF options and the option is a salad (Yes I do get tired of salads!)

Many also ask if I eat a lot of the same foods... the answer is yes.  I should eat much more of a variety and I was reminded of that this week when my friend Trish Hoffman did a 20 Plant Based food challenge.  It was a great reminder of the need for variety to get a variety of nutrients.  Some of the foods I eat often include.... mushrooms (I usually eat 3-4 containers of them a week), broccoli, cauliflower, carrots (raw), meat (all kinds though I should eat more fish).  I do also have a smoothie almost every morning which is coconut milk, a banana, and a variety of berries.  I have to be cautious with  my histamines so I still avoid spinach most of the time as well as strawberries (the low histamine diet is a whole new list of fun on top of the AIP diet - insert eye roll here)

Many people also ask if I feel different - the answer is a resounding yes!  I do feel different and in many ways I feel way better.  I have lost over 42 pounds, I have dropped two clothing sizes (which means I have some clothing I need to get rid of) but I am still struggling.  My adrenal fatigue and constant fight or flight is improving but not completely gone.... my energy levels are low and I get tired very easily (hence why my doctor told me I need to rest 3 hours each day - no I am not doing very well with that directive).  My immune system is still in distress and it could take up to a year or more to heal (insert sad face here).  But with all things, this is a journey and I am making great strides, and I am learning the hard way that healing doesn't come over night and it takes a lot of hard work, and patience especially when you start to treat the actual issue and not just the symptoms. 

I am so thankful for the care I have received at Turnpaugh Health and Wellness Center.  I have made huge strides over the last 6 months and my numbers have improved.  Dr. Shannon Smith has been an amazing doctor and I am so thankful for God's hand in providing just the right person at just the right time.  I am also so thankful for my family Dr. and NP Mandy and Shellie and their support in this long and very frustrating journey.  I am thankful that they support natural medicine and desire to work together with my functional doctor to help me achieve wellness.