CLICK HERE FOR BLOGGER TEMPLATES AND MYSPACE LAYOUTS »

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Why Me, Why This Blog, Why Now

I've been battling autoimmune disease(s) from a very young age. I remember when I began kindergarten I started losing my hair. Although there were only about 3 small dime-sized to quarter-sized patches, I clearly remember my paternal grandmother, paternal aunt, and mother were very alarmed. However, I don't remember anyone taking me to the doctor.

My hair grew in full and rather thick until I was about 14. It was the summer I turned 14 that I remember my hair becoming so thin that if I stood in the sunlight a person could see through it. Again, no one took me to the doctor. I also remember being extremely fatigued. When I did see the doctor, he said it was hormonal and normal for teens to sleep a lot. I've never grown out of it and my hair has never grown back either.

At about 19 or 20 I was diagnosed with lupus, but no treatment plan. In my late 20s I was diagnosed with Graves' Disease - a hyper thyroid. By my mid-30s fibromyalgia syndrome was added. Now in my early 40s I have come to understand that what all of these diseases and illnesses have in common is that they are all autoimmune. My body's immune system is fighting against my body and I hurt all the time. I spent the past 4 years taking prednisone everyday, muscle relaxers everyday, prescription pain medicine - narcotic and NSAIDS to treat inflammation everyday, low dose anti-depressant for sleep every night, and a prescription sleep medicine every night. However, the pain and fatigue continued.

What I have learned over the years is that my health and wellness is MY responsibility. Allopathic medicine is great for acute illness and trauma, but for many chronic diseases and for prevention - not so much. Every doctor has told me that there is not much that he or she can do to help me. I am tired - physically, mentally, and spiritually. I've prayed for answers and this is the path that God has put before me.

This blog is my journey to attain optimal health even with chronic illnesses. I plan to do this by fasting at times, by juicing, by eating vegan, and by eating raw foods for most of my meals. I have replaced by primary physician (traditional medicine) with a licensed naturopathic doctor. I'm also including complementary treatments of massage and acupunture along with yoga and stretching.

I've been eating veg*n for about 2 1/2 years and I don't like vegetables; never have. I've learned to juice them. So what you eat in a salad I drink.