It is more often than not that the route to wellness is a winding path. When people hear about my journey, they often think I got lucky, and that it has been easy. While it might look that way at times, it isn’t always.
I began my wellness journey five years ago, after a ten-year decline with Rheumatoid Arthritis and additional autoimmune challenges. Through years of gradual diet and lifestyle changes, I managed to reclaim my life. At my lowest point I could barely make it through my day as my fatigue and pain were excruciating. Three years ago, I felt well enough to go back to school to educate myself on health and coaching. I am now a certified Functional Medicine Health Coach. Through that perspective, I realized that I had never found the underlying cause to my multiple illnesses. Two years ago, I was still in awe at how good I felt, even if I needed to be on a seriously restricted diet to stay that way. The more I learned, the more I realized that it was important to identify the trigger to my RA. We continued to explore and test. In February I found out that I have mercury and lead toxicity, as well as multiple mycotoxin (mold) toxicity. I decided to go through a medically supervised chelation detox protocol in the hopes of healing to the point of being more resilient with less restrictions, and for my lifetime. I thought my body was strong enough to handle it. I was wrong.
Things did not go as planned. Even though I am following a common protocol and being supported my Functional Medicine Doctor, the detox started to take its toll on my body. My first sign was that I needed to supplement with more thyroid hormone to maintain proper levels. At first, I thought that might have been due to the prescription binder I was taking. That was not the case. Suddenly, my pain returned, and my fatigue became significant. I consulted with my doctor and we decided to put the chelation on hold, while I continue to support my detox pathways with supplements and binders. As I write this today, I am experiencing significant muscle weakness and elevated heart rate, which effects my daily life as well as my sleep quality. I am actively celebrating that my pain and fatigue have resolved.
I try to look at challenges and pose the question “how is this FOR me?” Here is my answer. Every day I use my journey to help and support others in their healing. I work to help clients identify their triggers and treat their root cause of their illness. This is making me a better coach. I finally feel as if I have genuinely walked the walk regarding true healing of autoimmune illness. It has reinforced for me the importance of listening to my body and communicating well with my doctor. It took a lot for me to pause the treatment. I had my eye on the goal. I want this stuff out of my body. But I have learned that I need to listen carefully to my body and give it the time it needs.
This has become an opportunity to change perspective. This is not a back slide! This is an obstacle to move through that was always up ahead on my path. It is something I need to move through to get to the place of true and lasting wellness. Yes, I would love for the process to be direct and quick. That is not how the body works. It took three decades for me to get sick. When I look at my labs, I have a reverence for my body in that it functions at all. Any one of the toxins, at the levels which I have, would be enough to take someone down. The fact that I was able to feel well is truly a miracle. So, I am moving through my detour with care, on my way to a place with a fabulous view. I am here to tell you that you are not alone. Very few of us get to go straight to healed. Wellness is a journey and I am grateful that I can share my journey with you and use it to help others heal.