ABOUT ME 

Philosophy

I believe our bodies were created by God to self-heal when given the right tools and environment. Our bodies are smart, and they know exactly what they need to live, thrive, and heal. This is why we benefit from being in tune with our bodies by paying attention to how we feel in our physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects. We just need to learn how to unlock that natural healing potential. I believe we can do this naturally through physical activity, hydration, sun exposure, whole foods nutrition, clean air, emotional stability, mental stimulation, and faith in Almighty God. 

A Note about Wellness and Health

So, what exactly is the difference between health and wellness? Aren’t they pretty much the same thing? Although these terms are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between the two. Wellness is a complete state of wellbeing that encompasses every part of our lives. Health, on the other hand, is the ability to adapt to one’s environment depending on our needs for living, according to French Physician Georges Canguilhem in The Normal and the Pathological. Ideally, we would have a good balance of health and wellness. Wellness includes the physical, emotional, nutritional, intellectual, social, spiritual, occupational, environmental, cultural, and financial areas of our lives. Holistic health addresses all of these areas by using a mix of therapies, changes in lifestyle, and natural remedies to bring about the best outcome.  

My Story

My journey to wellness began with a mysterious illness. Doctors had no explanation, and my body seemed to be fighting against me. My husband’s desperate search for answers is what ultimately led to me taking charge of my wellbeing, learning how to manage my symptoms. Over the years, we delved into learning as much as possible about what true health and wellness is and how to advocate for ourselves.  

We’ve come to realize that we must be our own physicians in a sense. Think about it! We live in our body 24 hours a day. We know what feels good and what does not. Only we know how much pain we are in or how much energy we have to make it through the day. In nursing we say that a patient’s level and type of pain is what the patient says it is. That makes you and me the experts on our bodies, if we are paying attention.

Medical Gaslighting

My body had been sending me messages that something was wrong – headaches, lightheadedness, palpitations, nausea, anxiety, fatigue. At my worst, I suffered stroke-like symptoms, vomiting, diarrhea, inability to understand speech, etc. Doctors ran the usual tests, and all seemed normal, so I thought I had no choice but to continue to push myself. I was told nothing was wrong with me because their tests said so. Never mind how I was feeling. That’s the last thing you want to hear when everything in your body is screaming…SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT! If you are not feeling your best, IT’S NOT ALL IN YOUR HEAD!

Remember, wellness takes all our parts into account. If we have an imbalance in one, the others are affected. I didn’t know that so against better judgement; I assumed I was under too much stress (which wasn’t wrong) and that I could do nothing about my symptoms (this was definitely wrong).

Things Got Worse

I was NOT listening to my body! I was instead listening to what the “experts” were telling me. That is until my symptoms worsened and I started to pass out with convulsions. The symptoms continued to increase in severity and were made worse by the medication that was supposed to help. Unfortunately, our current medical model is disease-focused. Most doctors do nothing until a patient’s test results reach certain levels and then they try different medications to see what works, while using other meds to combat unpleasant and, often dangerous, side effects.

A Simple Intervention

I say the model is extremely flawed! I became so sensitive to any type of stimulation that sitting up, sudden noises, temperature changes, light, and motion all set them off. The last time I was hospitalized, my husband was determined to find answers. He realized my symptoms had something to do with the various medications doctors had me taking and my blood volume. He had me stop all meds and started giving me water with electrolytes. Yes, H2O! While I still had many of the symptoms, at least the convulsions stopped.  

I had many tests and was seen by several specialists, including a cardiologist. He called it Neurocardiogenic Syncope which is an Autonomic Nervous System that is not functioning correctly. The Autonomic Nervous System is what controls the bodily functions we don’t have to think about like heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. Treatment involves management through lifestyle, nutrition and proper hydration (there’s my husband’s suspicion of blood volume!). This is not a diagnosis, however. It is a set of symptoms pointing to something being off.  

Finally, a Diagnosis!

It took almost two decades from the start of my symptoms to my diagnosis. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, and Migraines. CFS is a complicated disorder affecting multiple body systems. Symptoms include extreme fatigue, muscle and joint pains, dizziness, cognitive problems, unrefreshing sleep, gastrointestinal issues, etc. There is no cure so it’s a matter of recognizing triggers and managing symptoms. Migraine symptoms can overlap with those of CFS, which complicates an already challenging condition. It’s been six years since diagnosis and I am still learning about the condition. I feel relieved to finally have answers and understand what I have been experiencing.  

I now have a better idea of how to manage these illnesses and how to avoid serious crashes and episodes. I’ve learned to listen to my body and give it what it needs so that I can feel my best. I also learned to research, study, and advocate for myself and my family to get the best care possible. After my diagnosis, I decided to become a nurse so that I could help others by being their advocate as well. I am not afraid to ask questions and challenge things that don’t make sense. I have also become a detective, looking at every product, food, and drink we use and consume as a family to lower our exposure to harmful substances that can negatively affect our health and wellbeing. We trust in God to heal us and give us the wisdom we need to care for the bodies, minds, and souls He blessed us with. And I want to help you do the same 💓.