When I took my health in my own hands

“Let me explain this to you. Your skin, your blood, and your digestion are completely separate systems,” the dermatologist told me. “Your diet and these rashes are completely disconnected, I’m going to prescribe a topical steroid cream for you and that’ll clear up the rash.” 

That was the schooling I got in 2011 from a doctor at the medical center I was working for during an appointment. 

Looking back, I question whether or no I remember that conversation accurately because it sounds so ridiculous as I write it today. (People have food allergies all the time that cause rashes.)

I was in the midst of a long, stressful journey after both my parents died of cancer – within a few years of each other. While working full-time for this medical center, the majority of my stepdad’s care fell on me.  

And I was happy to do that for him. 

But I had no idea the stress and the toll it would take on my energy and my body. 

So when my Mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer the same year he passed away - I stayed on the sidelines and let my siblings take over.

And threw myself into trying to feel healthy again.

I started running (which I never really liked), early morning boot camps (an amazing way to start the day), cycling…anything to get myself “back in shape”, and feeling good again. 

That was when I did my first 14-day whole food cleanse.

And a lightbulb went off. 💡

I ordered meals that were freshly made and prepared for me. Like chicken, fish & vegetables so I always had something yummy and delicious on hand to eat. 

They were delivered to my office for two weeks. (Real food – no juice cleanse for me.) And I cut out all the crap from my diet like, sugar, processed foods, dairy, red meat, alcohol, etc. 

After 2 weeks I felt amazing. My brain fog went away, I had more energy, and my stomach felt better. (Why can’t I stick to this ALL the time… 🤔 I’m looking at you salted caramel ice cream & Sauvignon blanc!)

And as I slowly started to introduce other foods back in – the rashes started. I had a steak at a charity event and after my back lit up like a Christmas tree. It wasn’t itchy but it was hot like a sunburn. (Sans the fun time on the beach.)

That rash lit the flame for my Ayurvedic journey through the darkness of our Western lifestyle and diet. (The word Ayurveda is translated as the science of life.)

The irony is that the acupuncturist who was treating me and prescribing Chinese herbs ignited my curiosity. While I was seeing her, I scheduled appointments with a dermatologist and an Ayurvedic consultant to do some research about the different approaches. 

The acupuncturist saw that I was inflamed and felt it was at the blood level. Her advice was to do things to cool my system, starting with my diet, taking herbs and addressing the stress in my life. 

She suggested I ask the dermatologist if it could be diet and stress related. And she warned me that Western doctors don’t really like that question, so be prepared for some push back. 

Push back is understatement. I felt like a petulant child who was asking stupid questions…and refused to take her medicine. 

Instead of a grown woman who was learning the true meaning of self-care. 

I never picked up the prescription for the steroids. To this day I avoid steroid medication at all costs. 
But I did quit my job at the medical center and buy a one way ticket to Bali, Indonesia. (That brought my stress levels waaayyy down.)

There, I met Dr. Sujatha, an Ayurvedic doctor who trained in India and I learned as much as I could from her. Through Ayurveda I began to understand my unique body type and how to eat in a way that’s nourishing and supportive for my system. How to care for it, how to understand when I’m poisoning it, and how to reset things when I’m totally off course. 

I’m curious, where have you had to go against conventional advice to learn about self-care? 

There’s so much questionable information out there that if you don’t understand your individual body… you could do more harm than healing. 

As we move into this next phase of our “post-pandemic” lives, I’m going to spend time focusing on healing and supporting my nervous system. Perhaps you will too.