Be your own advocate
The last few years for me have pretty much revolved around health. I decided to put all my attention towards healing and my path has been complicated. There were years of not feeling well and being in pain and doctors telling me “you are completely healthy” or "that is normal". I was failed by the western medical system for years. While I knew there was more to it, it took a lot of time, and a lot of doctors to feel seen and validated, not to mention begin to understand how to heal.
There was no easy diagnosis, no quick fix or pill and no label that made it easy for others to understand. There was also far from one thing going on. My symptoms were not “textbook” or typical which made it harder to figure out what was going on and how to heal. It became a perfect storm of hormone issues, gut issues, toxic overload, my genetics, and past infections. My illness was not something that could be seen on the outside which also made it much harder for people to understand and empathize.
This last year was especially challenging. As I have shared before, I was healing from mold toxicity and the number this did on my body. I was then also diagnosed with uterine fibroids and endometriosis after years of unexplained symptoms. Based on the level of both, it appeared as though it had been missed for years. I'll dedicate another post fully to this because I think it's important to bring awareness to these female health conditions that aren't spoken about enough.
Right now I am almost 5 months post uterine fibroid embolization and a little over 2 weeks post laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis. I am still recovering, but after being in pain for years, pain that became debilitating this past year, I am overjoyed and almost in shock to be the closest to pain free I've known in some time. It is life changing. I feel like all the work that I've been putting in for a number of years is all starting to finally domino in the right direction.
I am here because I didn't accept the explanation of this being "normal". I am here because I questioned the medical system and advocated for my own health. I am here because I trusted my intuition. I am here because I didn't give up until I found a doctor that finally listened to me, helped me get to the root of the problem and supported me to heal. I am also here because I am lucky enough to have the financial means (which is not right and a whole other rant). I am here because I have a good support system, especially my husband who always made me feel seen and supported, even at the most challenging of times.
This path was far from the easy one, and my journey will be ongoing, but it was the path I needed to take. It is a reminder that we all know our own bodies better than anyone else. Be an advocate for your own health. Find a support system that makes you feel seen and validated. It is never too late to start feeling better and it is worth it.
