my story
|
My story starts as a healthy, vibrant, energetic 33 year old woman. My husband, two young daughters and I, embarked on an adventure when we moved to Mexico, where I was hired to run a company. We were excited to live in a different culture and my husband would be free to care for our daughters. We settled in a small town where I had extended family. We wanted some support as my position required significant travel throughout the country.
How It Began We had barely been there 6 weeks when I started experiencing a headache. It became progressively worse, then incapacitating very quickly. Within hours I lost my vision and was running very high fevers. |
Before moving to Mexico with my family, when I was healthy, vibrant, and energetic.
|
A doctor was called to the house as I had no access to a hospital. He diagnosed me with Dengue Fever. It was a virus and there was no medical treatment other than to run it’s course. The headaches and loss of vision were caused by swelling of the brain. I was in the acute stage for 3 days. The pain was so excruciating I literally just wanted to die and in fact, I came very close to it.
It took about 6 weeks before I could get fully back on my feet again but my body was so broken. Foods I had always been able to eat were suddenly causing severe allergic reactions with rashes and hives all over my body. My gastrointestinal system was a mess.
It took about 6 weeks before I could get fully back on my feet again but my body was so broken. Foods I had always been able to eat were suddenly causing severe allergic reactions with rashes and hives all over my body. My gastrointestinal system was a mess.
I was super-sick here. I had been on antibiotics non-stop for almost 2 years, I lost my brows and had rashes all the time (see face, chest and arms).
|
I became afraid of eating. The local doctors I saw prescribed many courses of antibiotics, which did not resolve anything. My joints ached horribly. I started to gain weight despite eating very little. Fatigue and a cloudy mind were my constant companions and headaches were a frequent occurrence. Despite this I had to push through because of my work commitments.
Within a year we moved back to the US. My health remained compromised. Shortly after returning home I developed Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and I had to go on disability. At that time CFS was not considered a “real” medical condition, but I literally could not get out of bed for months.
|
|
I saw every and any doctor that I thought could help me. The breaking point was the Infectious Disease Specialist I waited months to see. He announced that my only problem was that I was seeking attention!! I felt dismissed, disrespected and hopeless. I was frustrated that here I was with a strong science and medical background, I had a Masters Degree in Nutrition and was a Registered Dietitian and I could not get any help from the traditional medical community I trusted. There were no answers to be found. By the time I was 35 years old, one of the “solutions” to some of my symptoms was a hysterectomy. I went into surgical menopause and felt like a 90 year old person.
|
The point where I had a massive weight gain due to all the broken systems in me. I hardly ate anything. I kept food journals where I was eating maybe 1000 calories per day and I just kept getting heavier.
|
Taking Back My Life
I set out to take my health back by digging deep into any research I could get my hands on. I sought out every form of “alternative” health care provider I could find and each one had a little piece of the puzzle. After massive detective work, I finally found the answers to what happened to me and how it affected my body. I learned that I had suffered a significant encephalitis, my thyroid failed, I had a very severe case of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis which went undiagnosed for years, and once diagnosed incorrectly treated for many more years. My gastrointestinal system was very compromised and always in pain.
Lessons Learned
I discovered the field of Functional Medicine and steeped myself in learning everything I could and as I applied it to myself, I began to get better. As I learned the complex interconnection and communication between the gut, the brain and hormones I began to find the path back to health and wellness. But the lessons learned and the solutions found, were not just for me, they were also for all the people that I would be able to help.
I learned that compassion and respect is the foundation of helping others who are struggling. I learned to listen deeply to hear what is unspoken but wants to be discovered. I developed an excellent toolbox of knowledge and skills to use with my detective’s mind in finding the unique solution for each person I work with. Nothing gives me greater joy that seeing my clients go through their healing process and reclaiming their health.
I set out to take my health back by digging deep into any research I could get my hands on. I sought out every form of “alternative” health care provider I could find and each one had a little piece of the puzzle. After massive detective work, I finally found the answers to what happened to me and how it affected my body. I learned that I had suffered a significant encephalitis, my thyroid failed, I had a very severe case of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis which went undiagnosed for years, and once diagnosed incorrectly treated for many more years. My gastrointestinal system was very compromised and always in pain.
Lessons Learned
I discovered the field of Functional Medicine and steeped myself in learning everything I could and as I applied it to myself, I began to get better. As I learned the complex interconnection and communication between the gut, the brain and hormones I began to find the path back to health and wellness. But the lessons learned and the solutions found, were not just for me, they were also for all the people that I would be able to help.
I learned that compassion and respect is the foundation of helping others who are struggling. I learned to listen deeply to hear what is unspoken but wants to be discovered. I developed an excellent toolbox of knowledge and skills to use with my detective’s mind in finding the unique solution for each person I work with. Nothing gives me greater joy that seeing my clients go through their healing process and reclaiming their health.
|
Transformed
Today I am healthier than I have been in many years. My gut is healed and most of my hormones well-balanced. I move in my body freely. My thyroid and I are always in dance and it keeps me on my toes, it is my sentinel when there is an internal mis-communication. I rarely get sick and I’m not dependent on medication. I am ever in awe of this precious body and mind we walk this earth with and grateful for having my health and wellbeing restored. I am passionate about working with women, empowering, educating and inspiring them to reclaim their health and well-being. |