My wellness journey

My journey in regard to wellness, & health has not always been easy. At times I face it head on with motivation-other times when a door closes on me, instead of looking for another door that’s open..I hit a wall. After several years of doing that, I decided I owe it to not only those around me but to my own self to take charge of my well being, & make some serious changes.

Back before the Covid doom a light went off in my head. I had recently been diagnosed with Lupus after years of getting no diagnosis, it was a lot to process, but I also felt some relief to finally be able to grasp at why I felt how I did. Shortly after I made a lot of changes and progress with my newfound insight on what was happening within me. I would often repeat mantras in my head daily that pertained to the path I decided to walk on again. poWELLness became my brand for myself on my wellness journey. I hung a index card next to my vision board on my altar that became something I looked at daily. I envisioned how I would incorporate my love of gardening, natural beauty routines, holistic wellness, spiritual practices, & my many interests into something that I could share with others.

The creation part to my brand came after I began to experiment with what I was learning through the online courses I took. Ive always loved making creams, scrubs, & homemade gifts.. but the thought of creating clean, non chemical remedies at that- was even better as an immunocompromised person. I have enjoyed infusing the herbs & flowers grown and harvested from our own garden. To anyone that knows me, they know I have a profound connection to nature, & love my herbs, flowers, & plants. To be able to incorporate the things I have learned over the years into things I consume internally & externally is a dream come true. All in the pursuit of wellness.

Truth is, I have been told repeatedly by “medical professionals” that I am merely making things up in my head. Of the hundreds of Drs I’ve seen (between therapists, PCPs, & Drs) I have only been met with respect and compassion by 2 Drs, who sadly have both retired. I was often thrown aside, or told I was a puzzle that was unlikely to be solved. I have had more than 2 Drs tell me I would have a disease labeled after my name..

I reached a point a few years ago to where I decided I wouldn’t let them dictate how I lived my life in response to how I felt. They aren’t inside my body, mind, or spirit. I’ve left it up to me to depend on my well being. I am still figuring out what balances me energetically, & what triggers what I call flare ups.

I have been diagnosed positive with Lyme disease 6 different times. I’ve gone more than that to be tested, but got false negatives on my blood work. A Dr finally diagnosed me with Chronic Lyme back in 2021, which in all honesty was such a relief. He was the same one who treated me while I was pregnant with my first born. He actually called me up when I was driving home from getting blood work done after a few months of feeling off. He is writing a book on Lyme Disease and the patients he treated while working on Cape Cod. He said he recalled my case and wanted to check in to see how I was, and if my son ever had any symptoms of Lyme. That same day he ordered a full panel for bloodwork and that’s when he saw the results. Lyme Disease is a hard thing to live with because its often an unnoticed disease. Unless you become paralyzed, or have bells palsy its pretty much invisible. The people who know me can tell when I'm going through a flare up its pretty obvious in my appearance and mood.

I know that people have it a lot worse than me, and I definitely count my blessings especially because I have a wonderful support system in my mom, husband, and a small circle of friends. Some people have to stand alone in their pain and I feel it for them.