We’ve all heard it one time or another, “Be your own health advocate.” The responsibility is yours, and yours alone. Life is about constantly learning, changing, adapting to what we’ve learned, and then learning some more. Too many times we find ourselves becoming stagnant. We get into a routine of just going through the motions of life, instead of taking control of it. Do you control your health, or does your health control you?
Anyone who has lived with an illness or chronic health condition knows, that it can be debilitating. It wears you out and runs you down. It eventually controls you. For some it happens faster than others, but over time it takes it toll. And it’s happening to me.
I used to see myself as a victim. For years I’ve been going to the doctor and got the same answer every time “There’s nothing we can do for you”. Live with it. Finally, for me that’s no longer an acceptable answer.
In order to change we must be sick and tired of being sick and tired.
I’m taking my health into my own hands. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t just wake up one day and decide it was time to change. It has been a process; a long journey filled with frustration, hope, dead-ends, and most recently some important “Ah-ha!” moments. As I learn more about my health and discover ways to improve it, my initial reaction is excitement, followed by the feeling that my doctors have let me down. They had given up on me, and so had I.
We live in a world where doctors are put on pedestals. We believe they should have all the answers; if there are answers to be had. Well, I’m here to tell you they don’t. My doctors have been valuable, but in order to make the most of what my doctor can do for me, I must be an informed patient. I must take on the job of knowing everything I can about my situation, go in armed with questions and be prepared to walk away if necessary.
Most doctors I’ve come across over the years subscribe to conventional wisdom when diagnosing and treating their patients. Although that may work for some, I have found no relief in it. It was time to look for answers elsewhere. And that is where I am, still looking.
My journey to optimal health is nowhere near an end. It takes time and energy. It hasn’t been easy and I feel that the hardest part might still be ahead. Sure, I’d rather spend my quiet time reading some pool-side fiction, instead some complicated scientifically written book that I have to read at least twice to understand. But, to me, the payoff is worth every bit of energy I put in. If I don’t do it, who will?
Take control, learn, make change and learn some more…
Weekly Recipe
Blackberry Korean BBQ Short-ribs
courtesy of www.marksdailyapple.com
2 lbs beef short-ribs
2 C blackberries ( NOW is prime blackberry season!)
1/2 C wheat-free tamari
1/4 C unseasoned rice vinegar
1 T sesame oil
4 stalks scallions, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
2-4 cloves garlic
Put all ingredients, except beef, in the blender until smooth to create marinade. Place ribs in ziploc bag, or air-tight container and pour in marinade. make sure meat is completely covered and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
Grill ribs 4 minutes per side for rare and a minute or two longer for medium rare- or cook under the broiler adding 3-5 minutes onto the cooking time.
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Great post Sally! I’ve experienced this time and again both personally and through others. My affliction wasn’t serious, but it was severe enough that doctors had me on prescription drugs for almost a decade. For a solid 5 years of that, I was taking antibiotics every day. None of it worked.
After all that, I took matters into my own hands, gained a more complete understanding of what was going on, and finally solved the problem WITHOUT drugs.
I have been struggling with health problems for the last 7 years! They were embarrassing, stressful, and prevented me from participating in many things. I have been through every test you can imagine and on more medications than I can count! I found I am lactose intolerant, but avoiding dairy didn’t solve the main problems. When my doctors FINALLY figured out what was wrong, about 3 years ago, they told me that there was nothing they could do because they didn’t have a cure. I was told that a certain medication might help, but it wasn’t proven, and I would have to take it every 4 hours FOREVER. Basically, “deal with it” is what it came down to and my doctors moved on. I was on 3 different daily medications for various stomach/digestive issues. I have been on medication for the last 7 years. None of it really helped take the problems away, I just tried to deal. When I decided to give Paleo a try, I thought I would lose weight, maybe improve my performance and strength, but I never thought it would change my life in the way it has. I have been Paleo (aside from a few stray days – which I pay heavily for) since the first nutrition class. I began to feel great and wean myself off the medications to see how severe my conditions would get. For the past 2 months, I have been COMPLETELY off all the medications my doctors have put me on and my symptoms have NOT returned!! I am no longer sick all the time and the ailments that have haunted and plagued me over the last 7 years are almost completely resolved – they only return if I stray from Paleo. My doctors are baffled and shocked at how my health has improved. (They are also surprised at how many vegetables I eat, but that’s another story) I’m still learning and improving my health – it’s a continuous journey. But going Paleo has drastically improved my quality of life and, for that, I am incredibly grateful!
I find the more I read, the more stories like ours I see. It certainly feels good to know we DO have some control over what is going on inside our bodies. What great testimonies!!
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