Stomach problems & hormone imbalances were more than enough for any college student, but add in multiple infectious diseases & autoimmune disorders and you have a full blown nightmare. I was so excited when I started college. I have (and always will be) a book worm with an excitement for learning & the opportunity to make new friends. Unfortunately, I wasn't given much time to enjoy it.

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I became very ill the summer going into my sophomore year. My symptoms were diverse and no one had a clue as to why they were happening.  I was a regular at local ERs & Boston specialists' offices looking for answers, but still had no solutions. 

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I had a "stomach virus" that lasted for months, severe inflammation in my rib cage that paid a visit every few weeks, a high pulse that required daily heart medication, short term memory loss, exercise intolerance, asthma, rashes that appeared without rhyme or reason, extreme nausea, insomnia, inability to focus, muscle pains, anxiety, and more (if you can believe it). I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia at 20 years old and was put on daily muscle relaxers & pain meds around the clock. 

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While most college kids are out socializing, I was trying to keep track of all my medications and do everything right to prevent another night in the ER.

 

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After years of worsening symptoms, I finally received a diagnosis a few weeks into my senior year - 3 long years later: Lyme disease & 5 other co-infections. Not to mention this was going on while also dealing with the stomach problems & endometriosis.

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Health is almost never an isolated issue. When one part of your body is breaking down, other parts often follow because your body is one open system. 

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Treatment was complicated, but here is the gist: I was hit with every antibiotic under the sun for four years straight. I had a port (PICC Line) placed in my arm so I could give myself multiple IV antibiotics daily. It was supposed to be for a month or two, but that slowly turned into 18 months, while also taking 30+ pills a day to manage all the other symptoms & side effects.

 

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Lyme disease and it's hard core antibiotic treatment caused me to develop an allergy to dairy and uncovered a gluten allergy (hello main cause of childhood gut problems). It also lead to emergency gallbladder surgery, tonsil and adenoid surgery, 3 endoscopies, that chronic gastritis you heard about earlier, an overwhelming amount of daily medications, side effects galore, and stress. Lots and lots of stress.

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Although antibiotic treatment was necessary, it wreaked havoc on my body. I was left with new, lingering symptoms from a body that had received a beating for years. All of those medical problems slowly created health anxiety, which only intensified the already unbearable symptoms.

 

After years of fighting for my health, I finally got my life back! It wasn't easy. It took time, targeted protocols, and lots of grace, but it came and It can come for you too. Now that doesn't mean my health is always perfect. I still have struggles that resurface when I am not diligent in taking care of my body, but the symptoms I have now are nothing compared to where I was a decade ago.

 

If you've ever struggled with health problems while in school, working a job, or being a parent, you are probably good friends with a lot of what I've talked about. Your body has told you it needs a break but you can't stop because you need that job, or to pass that test, or to prepare that meal. But that shouldn't be your norm, or anyone else's. Surviving and thriving are two very different things and I learned that the hard way. You only have one life, and it was reaching my breaking point that brought me here to help prevent you from reaching yours.

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Now I don't share my story for sympathy or to try to validate that I was really sick. I share because I want you to know that the person you are working with has been there and understands all the unspoken hardships that come with it.  No one knows how to support someone who is struggling with health better than someone who has been there before. The best advice I can give as someone who has been on the healing journey for a long time: START NOW. The longer you wait, the longer it will take for your body to recover and the more you will struggle to do the things you love. Self care is not selfish - it is a necessity. 

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