Your pain is for a purpose.
Your earthly loss will create a lasting legacy.
Your perspective can make all the difference.
A few months ago I went to my GP with a slew of problems. The list was becoming longer by the day and I was feeling pretty low. For the first time in two years, since acknowledging my gut issues, I had a doctor FINALLY listen to what I had to say and take the steps needed to help me.
The prognosis — an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Crohn’s Disease. Crohn’s is an autoimmune disease and a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract and can affect any part from the time you intake nutrients until they have flowed through your body. It has no cure, but can be put into remission from time to time.
A week after the initial consult with my GP, regarding this issue, I had a CAT scan that showed an inflamed liver, constipation (which we already knew was an issue) and a few other underlying problems, but nothing that could solidify a diagnosis.
I had bloodwork done, upon my request, that showed some potassium abnormalities and showed a few other red flags. In the meantime, I saw another one of my doctors who found that the ph levels in my body were off.
I felt like someone in a crowded room screaming, but no one could hear or see me. I felt lost in broad daylight. Maybe it was from the pain and discomfort or my own stubborn nature, but I decided to take matters into my own hands, with my only guidance being how my body would or would not respond.
As of now I am nearing 12-weeks of adhering to a VERY LIMITED diet. I have had to eliminate gluten, dairy, soy, simple sugars (monosaccharides, including fruit that has a high content of natural fructose, and disaccharides), processed food, high fiber food, fried and spicy foods, raw vegetables (even salads), and meat. I’ve always done my best at maintaining a healthy diet, indulging in a small piece of cake on a special occasion or a bite or two of chocolate during the week, but this has been a new normal for even me. I track my macronutrients and micronutrients on a daily basis for the purpose of properly fueling my body.
In the beginning, I felt that it put a strain on me, my family, our relatives, and even friends because it limited me from being able to spontaneously go ANYWHERE without preparing my food for EVERY meal and snack. There were a lot of days where I felt lost, but I’m blessed to have people in my circle that are, without fail, always there to lift my spirits. Plus, I always love a good challenge and learning how to figure it out.
Maybe this is TMI, but this morning I had a colonoscopy and it’s true what everyone says — the prep is TERRIBLE!! The results did have a few things come up, but nothing that we didn’t already know. So, the big question — if the colonoscopy came back with nothing alarming, why am was I having SOO many issues?
After talking with my GI she confirmed that I am being proactive with what my symptoms have been. I have been treating my symptoms as if I have an autoimmune disease already which, in turn, can cause an autoimmune disease to go into remission and become undetectable, when not in a flare-up.
Basically, my body is being healed without the need of steriods or one million medications. I have had gut issues that have slowly intensified for over a decade and for there to not be damage, well, that’s God.
When it comes to my diet, I showed my GI all I have been eating, eliminating, and adding for the betterment of my health. In her words, "You are already doing alot more than most. Continue with what has been working and eliminate what causes abnormal gut problems." I asked about seeing a nutritional allergist, but due to her medical research and what I am already doing, my GI feels confident I know my body well enough to not need that referral.
My take away from it all: ALWAYS, listen to your body because symptoms can be God-given indicators of underlying issues. If you can fix the problems by learning what works and staying that course of action, DESPITE what the world says it is a good God thing.
I’m thankful I was able to eliminate the inflammation and infection that had started to take residence in my gut. God gave me insight into my colon when I LITERALLY COULD NOT SEE!! No, I can’t eat like everyone else, but God didn’t create one of us like the other. Our journeys will be different because we each have trials God trusts us to pursue Him through.
God can give the remedies of healing -- ONLY IF we are OBEDIENT and CONTINUE on that path of listening to the vessel He gave us for this world.
Through my years in the fitness industry, I’ve learned that transparency is the KEY to relating to and trusting someone else. If this chapter of my life can help someone else when they feel hopeless, it’s worth telling. Sometimes God will allow us to breakdown to grab our attention for a breakthrough.
I urge you to embrace whatever it is you are going through. Your struggle is a testament of what God will do through you if you let the Holy Spirit guide your every step.
Imperfectly Yours,
Katie
