I sat down this morning to blog about cute things my kids have said and post pics of their kissable faces but instead I felt lead to write another type of post. So here goes!
It was a year ago last week when I started to radically change the way I ate and although at times it still isn't easy, it's always been worth it.
A year ago I'd been home from the hospital, recovering from the sepsis but still very much battling the ulcerative colitis. I'd seen a few GIs and they all ranged from opinions of harsh medications to talking complete removal of my large intestine. To keep me "stable" I was pumped full of steroids and was trying to wean myself off of them. But like with anything, if you keep doing the same things, you'll keep getting the same results.
I had searched the internet and seen where people had relief from a "lifestyle" change but doctors always shook their heads and said it didn't matter. This was my new life. How depressing!
So, this little voice kept saying down deep how food could help but I didn't know anyone personally to share their story. Until one day on Facebook I got a message from a friend I went to high school with, asking to call her and she wanted to encourage me.
When I called her, I had no idea how much life would open up. Not only would she share the fact she too was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis but that she too found relief and ultimately remission with diet.
Wow! That was a changing day for me. January 16, 2014 I kissed all processed food goodbye and with the help of my mom completely started all over in the kitchen. Then I learned of Danielle Walker and her journey with UC and her cookbook, against all grain.
Suddenly, there was hope again.
Shortly after that I went to see a chiropractor naturopath at a wellness center. Boy, I can't believe I just typed that. I worked in the medical industry for a while before having kiddos and there is NO way I would have ever went a "holistic" route before but it's been the best decision ever. Trust me, I still love doctors and appreciate and respect them very much. But have learned for some things, like chronic, there are other ways for treatment.
Suddenly I couldn't find enough information fast enough.
A year later and I still feel that way.
Our family has found a new normal, the UC is not in remission but we are getting there, every single day.
I have hope that one day I will be.
I literally just knelt down and had Porter snap this picture of me as I'm typing this post. This is me one year later. We've learned so much this year. It's hard to type this post in brief but I could go on and on and on.
I still struggle. I still have hard days where I wish I could eat a dairy queen blizzard and fake nacho cheese and chips just because I wanted to but I've learned a lot of how good it is to tell yourself NO and set boundaries. I've recreated a whole new routine for just about everything in my life. Every product I used to use I've researched and replaced from toothpaste to dish soap and detergent.
Sometimes the thought of changing can be overwhelming but when that happens I like to remind myself of a few things….
1. That one good choice usually leads to another one. Just keep making good choices. One choice at a time.
2. That God has FAR better plans for me than I could have ever dreamed for myself. Thank goodness He is in control and I am not.
3. Never once have I ever walked alone in this. Yes, my family has been the most supportive ever and embraced this with me. They are amazing. But it is God who has gone before me and I've never been alone. To be honest, that really took some time to embrace in the early months of "starting over".
"we can be full of joy here and now even in our trials and troubles. these very things will give us patient endurance. This in turn will develop a mature character, and a character of this sort produces steady hope, a hope that will not disappoint us."
romans 5:3-5
if there is something you are wanting to reach for today, go ahead and do it! The time is going to pass anyway…try try try. And if you fall, get up and try again.
