About

I can tie everything profound and magical in my life right now to a single event in my recent history; An event I thought would be the end of my life as I knew it, but was truly just the beginning.

 

In 2017, while aboard a cruise ship in the Baltic sea with parents and husband at the time, I lost the vision in my right eye. The best way I can describe my vision was like looking through an extremely muddy windshield; mostly just brown with some light coming through in spots. There was also a lot of pressure and pain in that eye. Convinced I had a brain tumor, my husband and I started planning the trips we would take before I died. I made jokes at dinner (much to my mother's chagrin) about having my eye removed and at least having a cool party trick with a glass eye to play with.

 

It wasn't until we got back to the States that I went to several doctors to figure out what was going on. The neurologist I could get in to the quickest was a sleep specialist with poor bedside manner. I went in to go over my MRIs, which he clearly had not reviewed in advance, as he looked at them, and said, "Oh! You have MS! I'm sure you already know what that is, we'll get you on a prescription for it."

 

He proceeded to hand me a novel - which was actually just a book of side effects from the drug, so I could properly educated on my decision - and as the drug of choice was $10k a MONTH, he also handed me an application to fill out for government subsidy.

 

I asked him if there was anything I could do to help heal myself. The answer was no. Something deep in my bones was screaming at me that there had to be a better way.

 

I cried the whole lonely drive home, barely being able to see through my tears. And cried after every neurology appointment I had for the next year. I also cried at home, grieving the life of hard work and adventure I had planned for myself. I was told I'd be in a wheelchair in 15 years, that I'd lose function of my whole body including my bladder and bowels, and that MS would eventually take my life.

 

Shortly after diagnosis, I was gifted a book from my lovely friend, Allie Gabelman. I had let her know about my diagnosis and plans to change my diet to hopefully help my outcomes. I had read on the MS Society website about switching to low-fat dairy and lean meats. (I previously subsisted on chicken wings, Wendy's, and a salad here and there.) So, Allie bought a book titled, "The Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis Cookbook". I ravenously read the front matter of the book and found out that MS could be treated and reversed with a plant-based diet and other lifestyle modifications. I was floored! From the moment I read the evidence that night, I never went back to my old lifestyle.

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. . . to be continued!