Welcome to my Blog

I suffered with various health symptoms for 30 years and relied on conventional medicine to fix my symptoms – never getting to the root cause. I lived with digestive issues, chronic constipation, brain fog, multiple food and environmental sensitivities, joint and muscle pain - relying on quick fixes and eventually developed an eating disorder to offset the weight gain from all the imbalances in my body. The Immunologist, who was treating me for what was believed to be food and environmental allergies and asthma, suspected Lyme Disease as the culprit. However, I was taking antibiotics at the time and the test came back negative. I was then given the diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis, as the symptoms manifested are similar to those of Lyme. I was put on powerful drugs that only caused more gastrointestinal issues.

 

After the birth of my second child, I began having serious heart palpitations. After doing my own research, I asked my Cardiologist to do a Holter Monitor test. It revealed that I had Paroxsysmal Superventricular Tachycardia. Once again, I was put on medicine that actually made the palpitations worse, so after several months, I stopped taking it. About 3 years later, after experiencing chronic fatigue, blood tests revealed the presence of the Epstein-Barr virus. My physician said he had never seen such high numbers. But once again, no answers… After a friend encouraged me to see an alternative practitioner, I did more testing and was diagnosed with Leaky Gut Syndrome but even after making some adjustments, I still had unexplained symptoms. I started having panic attacks and was encouraged to take anti-anxiety medication – which I refused.

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Fast forward to 2008, for no known reason, I began to experience back spasms that kept me from work for months at a time. A vasovagal response caused me to blackout and I was rushed to the ER. For the next year and a half, I had difficulty even though I sought care from both conventional and chiropractic medicine. An MRI was inconclusive – I had been a long distance runner but nothing showed up as abnormal for my age and activity. I couldn’t sit during meals or while watching movies. I adjusted to my “new normal.” Although I began replacing our food with strictly organic options, I began to struggle with unusual symptoms. As an avid long distance runner, I would have difficulty breathing after running 500 feet. I felt fatigued and weak. My joints became inflamed. I was having difficulty with concentration and memory. I was experiencing vertigo and lightheadness. I would run into things and bruise easily. I had sinus issues for years that affected me seasonally, but now it was all the time. I had constant tingling and numbness on different parts of my skin. I experienced a low level vibration in my body and developed insomnia. There was constant ringing in my ears. I sought the care of a holistic doctor who expressed concern for my “failing kidneys” and orthostatic hypotension. I lost about 15 pounds in 6 months. He put me on supplements, but my symptoms only slightly improved.

 

On my birthday in May, 2018, while my husband and I were out enjoying the beauty of Southern California, my son called to let us know that there was a serious water leak in our home. After hiring an environmental inspector, we learned that we had dangerously high levels of mold in our home due to pipes that had pin hole leaks. After putting our belongings in storage and moving to several short term rentals while the house was in remediation, we decided to move out of state for a number of months. Shortly before leaving, I broke out in a rash that spread from my abdomen to my neck. I was getting desperate. After an unsuccessful visit to a local urgent care facility, I noticed a naturopathic clinic on our drive home and my curiosity caused me to research it. One of the physicians specialized in mold illness and Lyme Disease. But the two words that really got my attention: FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE. I got excited and hopeful when I learned that functional medicine is a biology-based approach that identified the ROOT CAUSE of disease. After filling out several questionnaires and diagnostic testing, my physician showed me in an hour and a half appointment, how I had mold illness – caused by the mycotoxins that originated from mold. I also tested positive for Late Stage Lyme Disease, Babesia Duncani (similar to malaria), along with a host of co-infections. It was an overwhelming and emotional appointment, but for the first time in my life, I had answers.

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The healing journey was almost as intense as the disease itself. My immune system and gastrointestinal tract was too compromised to take antibiotics so I opted for natural supplements and tinctures. The die off was at times unbearable and at times, I truly wanted to die. I researched what successful lyme patients ate and I adhered to a strict paleo diet. I was desperate to heal. After 6 months of treatment, the Babesia was gone. My doctor then ordered more tests. As we wandered down the rabbit hole into further testing, heavy metal toxicity was implicated as a huge contributor to many of my symptoms. I thought I was going to lose my mind. Not only were my major organs infiltrated with Borrelia Burgdorferi spirochetes, but now mercury and lead? This was directly impacting my major organs. And it wasn’t just the physical pain that made this challenging. The imbalance in my body affected my emotions, often leading to rage and depression. My marriage suffered. I felt hopeless and fearful. Friends and family alike suggested I see a
therapist. No one understood the battle that was taking place in my mind and body. When I felt terrible, I stayed at home. But when I could handle going out, everyone would tell me I looked great – in a way that felt they were questioning my sickness. Had I been in a wheel chair or diagnosed with cancer, I probably would have been judged differently. I found a therapist who specialized in helping those with chronic illness and trauma. Though hesitant to start therapy, it was the best thing I did at that time. While everyone was telling me I was crazy, she reassured me that anyone that had been fighting 3 major illnesses would be affected emotionally. She normalized my situation and that gave me hope.

It’s been quite the journey and my healing has progressively improved. After connecting with Mold and Lyme Support Groups on FB and seeing the hopelessness of so many, I wanted to be able to help and make a difference in this community of long sufferers. Last year, while perusing through Facebook, I saw an ad that highlighted a graduate of the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy who had had suffered from Multiple Sclerosis and went on to become a Health Coach so he could help others on their journey. I had checked out several health coaching schools and after a month of research, and the endorsement of my personal physician, I decided on FMCA. I started the program in March, 2020 and graduated in 2021. I most recently became a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach. Although the road has been a long one, I have found purpose in my pain and to be able to help others find their way, is my greatest joy.

“Purpose is an essential element of you. It is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time in

history.” Chadwick Boseman