Deciding
to heal.
Medical intervention is life saving. We know this.
Those who save lives are totally incredible and we need eternal
gratitude for all those who have been touched by these lives.
There is zero doubt in my mind about
this. There are times, we simply need
help.
My final year of my degree has highlighted
the importance of taking control of ones own health, mind, body and as always,
spirit (although that’s not often mentioned in my science degree.) Biochemistry, physiology and the body is a
miracle. How does everything work
together so synchronously for us to thrive as humans? Honestly, I believe a certain degree of
miracle must be present. Being designed
so beautifully, our cells and organelles are factories for our health, without
them, no oxygen. Without oxygen, no life.
Without lungs, no oxygen…..you see my point. Symbiosis is truly ever present and when
things go wrong, we sometimes need to ask why.
Laying blame is wrong. No one wants to be sick. No one chose to make himself or herself
ill. Yet the chronic diseases we see so
prevalent in this world are often preventable. This is a fact. Yet do we know how? Why do we suffer such illnesses? Can they be reversed?
Research, research, research.
The information is out there. Sadly, often our doctors simply do not have
the time to go through finer details and we could be left in wonder of what to
do next.
Finite details might just switch on the
knowledge or motivation for change.
I have a story rather like this.
Forever a sick child, we were given antibiotics on most occasions.
There was a time the primary reason for visiting the doctors was to ‘get some
antibiotics’. Now we know this is not the best route to take in all occasions,
yet life saving in others. Finally we
know that antibiotics are to fight bacterial
infections, hence the name. My teenage
years were also troubled with health issues which carried on through
infertility, hormonal and other chronic pain manifestations.
My symptoms here will not be described in
detail but please be aware of a few descriptions approaching.
Many surgeries, all non specific and
seemingly unrelated, followed and a general feeling of not being my best came
to a head in 2009. Shocking issues from the gut we stopping me in my tracks.
Putting on the brakes of life until the symptoms were so bad I was heavily
loosing blood all day, every day. The GP
seemed to think more surgery might be needed and gave me a follow up
appointment which was definitely not treated as urgent. Things got worse, I ended up in the hospital
and after surgery and biopsies I was told they were looking for harmful tumors.
How could I share this with my
parents? They already buried my brother
and there was only me left. You can’t
help but think of the worst-case scenario but I should have worked harder on
relaxing inside as much as my outer appearance seemed.
During the surgery, I was informed that my
colon was heavily ulcerated. They
suspected ulcerative colitis.
Immediately I began research. Specifically
into Inflammatory bowel conditions. It’s
known as IBD and is the collective term for crohns and colitis. Being inflamed anywhere in the body is not a
good place to be. Yet already I was motivated and determined to do what I could
to help myself.
Results were in. The biopsies showed Crohns
disease. A disease from anywhere from
mouth to anus in the digestive system.
It will also have the ability to penetrate right through the tissue layers
which is life threatening. Alongside
gastritis, a hiatus hernia and flattened villi (showing Coeliac disease – a
gluten allergy). So, while this sounded
a pretty grim story and the potential need for lots of surgery, I became
determined.
Burning candles at my desk late into the
night, I was busy reading more and more, going deeper and deeper while I waited
for more medical appointments. Finding a
diet detailing The Specific Carbohydrate diet, I read a book by Elaine
Gottschall “Breaking the Vicious cycle” and read it cover to cover in one
sitting. Why had I never heard of all
this stuff? You can heal from your
nutrition? You can heal your gut and it
changes everything, even mindset! I was astonished.
Immediately I requested an appointment with
a dietitian at the local hospital and I began eating the way the book instructed
instantly.
Science moves on quickly and I’m pleased to
say that today, the NHS does now recommend the low FODMAP diet for those
struggling with digestive health which is not too dissimilar to the Specific
carbohydrate diet. Yet in 2009 I left
the dietitian clinic in floods of tears when they spoke to me of ‘a varied and
balanced diet’ and showed me the Eatwell Plate full of grains and
starches. Inside I was screaming but
remained polite. I knew this was wrong
as I had already begun eating bone broths and eliminating sugars as well as the
gluten which had been harming my body all these years through allergy.
My gastroenterologist gave a long list of
prescriptive medicine for me to use. Two
of them were essential at the time but turned me inside out with pain so I got
off those as soon as I could possibly do safely. We had a heated conversation; I was
frustrated – his exact words, “You can’t deal with crohns without medication or
surgery.” I cried. I would. I was determined. I knew what I had read. Keeping an open mind to what he said was
unthinkable.
Continuing to spend much time in the
kitchen with careful preparation of my nutrition, continuing to research,
beginning to wear bikinis in case he was right and I needed abdominal
surgery….everything changed.
Beginning a running regime I was determined
to run a race in totality. Just 5k, that
would do. Dance has always been my
passion and I began to compete, doing great with my amazing dance partner and
ending up finalists of the nationals from 160 couples down to 5. We didn’t win but that didn’t matter.
My body transformed unrecognizably. I was feeling fit and well, my horrific
symptoms I saw before surgery disappeared within 3 weeks.
The following summer, for the first time, I
had no hay fever. My constant ear
infections which also needed previous surgery and I lost my hearing bones in
one ear, had gone. Totally.
Never in my life had I felt so amazing.
More difficult conversations with the gastroenterologist
led to a place of ‘agreeing to disagree’.
I knew then that diet was the key to making significant
improvements. While this was a dramatic
way of eating, it was necessary to heal.
Being transparent, things have slipped since and I can feel it. But
easily, I pull things back and see the same wonderful results over and over.
They say you are what you eat. You definitely are a product of your
absorption. While my degree has taught
me much about the systems of metabolism I feel the important lesson to pass on
is to listen to your body. This far, 9
years later I am blessed to still be in better health without surgery or
medication. My crohns went into
remission after 3 weeks and that is where it has stayed.
* If you have any
health concerns I would always recommend seeking the advice of a health
professional as well as listening to your body.
Email to book: lusherlifenutrition@gmail.com