The purpose of this blog is to reach out to those of you who may be dealing with an Autoimmune Disease or know someone who is. Statistics show that 1 in 12 Americans and 1 in 9 women will develop an autoimmune disorder. I don't state that to strike fear into anyone, I state it because chances are you or someone you know is fighting one of more than 100 different types of autoimmune and related disorders. This blog is meant to take you along side my personal journey to overcome. To inspire and provide knowledge as I believe the body CAN heal itself naturally.
About one month ago I was given a diagnosis for Rheumatoid Arthritis. At that time I thought this was something only someone over the age of 60 could get, I had no idea it was classified as an autoimmune disease, a disease in which your immune system becomes confused and attacks your own joints. Disbelieving, I went home and began researching what it was. The more I researched the more I became confused and angry. Phrases such as "crippling disease"; "takes 12 years off a person's life" splashed across the screen. How could I have this? Just a few weeks ago I was out running at the beach and doing yoga! I am 31 years old and completely healthy, how could I just wake up with this?
Truth be told, I did do this to myself. Yes, I eat well and exercise but I am known to work hard and play hard as well. I was working 50 - 60 hour weeks, waking up at 4:30 AM to commute 4 hours a day in an environment where we were short staffed and had recently lost our boss. I was placed as the interim Lead for the group until they hired a new Director which took them 8 months to do. As we were short staffed I not only took on the leadership role but I also picked up work from the employee who had recently left. I was essentially doing the work of 3 people. By the time Friday rolled around I just wanted to escape so we would go out with friends, have a few drinks and try to forget about the stressful week. By Saturday morning I was comatose, but given I only had Saturday and Sunday to do the things I never had time for in the week, I was up and at it again. I was non stop. So I guess it should come as no surprise that the Dr. has told me the onset of this was stress induced.
It is a miracle that I have found a wonderful Natural MD who is teaching me how to fight this naturally. So many people get passed from Dr. to Dr. with no answers. She personally has overcome worse and she sees patients overcome disease everyday. She has given me a renewed sense of hope that you can't find on Web MD or any other conventional medicine website.
I am also truely blessed to be surrounded by an amazing support system: my God who gives me strength, my Husband who is my rock, my family who is constantly encouraging me and my friends who continue to love and support.
And so, for those of you scouring the Internet looking for answers in world where there is little on this topic. I hope this blog will give you the hope that I am just beginning to discover as I embark on this journey to conquer.
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