Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis
I have been diagnosed with all three conditions. These are all autoimmune diseases; meaning that my own immune system is attacking my body.
Medical science saw me in a wheelchair. ‘It is inevitable,’ they said, ‘There are too many lesions in your brain and spine and the MS together with the RA and Hashimoto’s has your body riddled with inflammation.’
‘There is a strong possibility that you may never walk again.’
‘ What caused these autoimmune conditions?’ I asked.
Medical science replied: ‘We don’t know what causes it and we don’t know how to cure it.’
I got no relief from the pharmaceutical medication. I was just so ill all the time. I was in and out of the hospital. To add fuel to the fire a diagnosis of fibromyalgia was added to my list of conditions.
After months of battling difficult persistent symptoms, I realized that I had to make a choice
- One – To accept the opinion of medical science
- Two – To accept the astounding intelligence of the human body to heal itself.
In September 2014 my life journey was redefined! I was diagnosed with:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Fibromyalgia
Medical science describes these conditions as debilitating chronic conditions.
Upon diagnosis, I was so ill. I was in so much pain. My Symptoms included severe loss of balance, problems with walking and coordination, tremors and weakness in the legs and arms. I also experienced chronic fatigue – absolute exhaustion! All I could do was lay in bed for months.
Constant nausea, depression, severe headaches, numbness and tingling throughout my body, blurred vision in my right eye, facial pain, bladder and bowel problems, tremors, Lhermitte’s sign. Speech problems, loss of memory and concentration. I also had severe joint pain as a result of the RA. The slightest bit of heat exacerbates the condition.
To make matters worse the depression, mood changes, and outbursts were destroying my family relationships.
The MS, Hashimoto’s, Fibromyalgia and RA was destroying me physically, emotionally and mentally!
I left the hospital dependent on a wheelchair and was told that from my MRI scans and current symptoms I would probably never walk again!
The Start of a Healing Journey
My background in research helped me to understand the current research on these conditions. I have experimented with and employed many techniques to facilitate healing and living with these conditions. Today I totally functional – mentally cognitive with my researching, walking, driving and dancing. I am healing on so many levels.
My greatest challenge is letting go of the mental stress that creeps in through a door I didn’t know I left open. I need every cell of my body to understand that what others say and do is a projection of their own reality and has nothing to do with me. These medical conditions are challenging me to live in the present moment – this is, in essence, my ultimate dream! To live in the NOW!
Yes. We attract what we need to grow in body, mind, and spirit. I am loving this healing journey! I invite you to join me on this journey to understand Autoimmune conditions and the magnificence of the human body and mind when challenged with healing “incurable” conditions.
The Inspiration for the Book: A Flaming Challenge
In terms of the allopathic protocol for autoimmune disease, the medical team has to start by focusing on suppressing the immune system to alleviate the harsh symptoms. This is a great help for immediate relief for the patient. However, because we continue to trigger the immune system daily with our food, stress and other lifestyle choices, the doctors have to give it to us chronically.
The medical protocol is assuming that the disease is on-going, unconscious to the fact that the patient maybe triggering the relapse. Hence, it is not merely the progression of the disease, but rather the poor lifestyle choices that are bringing on the symptoms. The doctors are faced with the decision of helping the patient now or letting them suffer severely further down the line, because of the side effects of the drug.
The new lifestyle protocol is steeped in discipline and has no room for letting our guard down even once! Hence, the reason for writing the book, A Flaming Challenge, is to encourage the patient to stop triggering their immune system so they may let go of the immunosuppressant drugs and its long-term toxicity, and enjoy functionality once more.