On Healing, Part Two
It has been exactly eight weeks since we found out about our miscarriage, and I went into the hospital for severe hemorrhaging. I never imagined during that time that I would be feeling as great as I do now just two months later! But I must tell you that it is no accident- I have taken many steps to regain my health, and it has been an interesting journey so far.
When I came home from the hospital, I had no idea how long the healing process would actually take. Being young and healthy had also made me very impatient with being sick! But I really tried to listen to my body, and create a balance between pushing myself and allowing myself time to heal. All of the pills that I had been placed on after being released from the hospital had given me some awful side effects, and I was also prescribed an anti-depressant for anxiety and panic. After a few weeks, I knew that this had to change, or I would be stuck depending on prescriptions. Please don’t misunderstand me- drugs are amazing to have when they are most needed. But the last thing I wanted was to become dependent on a chemical substance to maintain my well being over the long term.
The Lord works in mysterious ways, and sometimes you know when He has purposefully put you in someone’s path. This is what happened with my friend and naturopath Leslie Shew, who owns Synergy Mind and Body Wellness here in Nashville. I met her in our new Cross Point Church community group, and shared my story with her. She also shared with me how she suffered from severe panic and a plethora of health problems for years, until she began to study natural wellness. I promptly scheduled an appointment, and could not believe how much I learned during the consultation.
After doing a Meridian Stress Assessment and talking extensively with me, Leslie helped me understand how to tailor my diet to optimize my health, which included avoiding wheat/gluten and dairy products. She also recommended certain supplements from Nature’s Sunshine company, including Chlorophyll, Probiotics, Silver Shield, and my most favorite, Nutri-Calm. A few weeks after being released I found myself back in the emergency room due to chest pains, which turned out to be a panic symptom. The Nutri-Calm tablets literally made the chest pains disappear within days. I recommend them for anyone who is under any type of stress.
Another therapy that I am participating in is called EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a treatment that allows your mind to reprocess traumatizing events, thereby “training” your brain to process these negative memories in a new way. For example, when I think about some of the traumatic things that happened, such as the bleeding or passing out, this therapy helps me to identify the triggers and not be overtaken by panic and negative emotions. It helps you to separate yourself from the past events and look at them objectively, rather than suffering through them all over again every day. It is working well, and I highly recommend it for anyone who has been through a traumatizing event in their life that still haunts them.
These are some of the things I have done to promote healing in my body and mind, along with TONS of prayer, and being sure to utilize the support systems I have in place such as good friends and family. I truly believe that people can be completely healed, body, mind and spirit, and although I know my health is ultimately in God’s hands, I want to do everything I can to steward my body well. Please feel free to leave a comment of you have any questions about the products and services mentioned above!
I’m going to do some research on some of the things you mentioned. It’s been two weeks since my miscarriage, and over the weekend I found myself in the ER due to a bad GI infection. I’m convinced my immune system was affected by the trauma of the miscarriage.
I also feel anxious and sad all the time, which is so new to me. I know my hormones are crazy and I want to give them time to balance out. I’m a big proponent of anti-depressant medication when it is truly needed, but I’m not sure if I’m at that point.
My husband’s psychiatrist thinks I am going through a sort of post-traumatic stress syndrome. He says, “If you had a broken leg, wouldn’t you use a crutch?” I just don’t know if I’m at that point, though.
I’ve been basically well and in good health my whole life, so I’ve never needed to try any natural healing methods. I think I’d like to give it a try, but the one thing that concerns me is how much they will cost considering they’re not covered by insurance.
Wow, this is the longest comment I’ve written in a long time, but this subject is close to my heart right now!
Friend, I love these last two posts. So much good stuff in here. And I’m so glad you are on the road to recovery and feeling so well! I have also done EMDR and it’s great. I want to talk to you about the dairy-free diet…my doctor recommended that and I’m finding it really, really hard to do! I would love your input on your new diet. I know you are headed out of town this weekend, but I can’t wait to catch up soon! Love you, girl.
Kathleen,
You are probably right about your GI infection coming from the trauma of the miscarriage. I don’t think we realize how much having a miscarriage negatively affects our bodies. For example, I had a horrible chest cold/flu for over three weeks this past month, and could not get over it. I know this was related to the miscarriage and my immune system being down.
I would definitely try to see a naturopath in your area– my motto is, it is worth spending the money if it means total healing. I spent about $110 on the consultation and another $100 on the supplements. To me that is a small price to pay to feel as good as I do right now, and be able to function. The biggest thing I can say is make sure to extend alot of grace to yourself right now as you walk through this. And I highly recommend the devotional “Streams in the Desert”- it is AMAZING.
Allison, that is exciting that you are trying a dairy free diet! I have a ton of suggestions for you, as long as you are just doing no cow’s dairy (and not NO dairy altogether) I get Goat’s milk mozzarella and sliced goat’s cheese from Trader Joe’s, and I also get rice milk, soy milk and goat’s milk to drink and eat with cereal. I also allow myself to eat plan organic yogurt, b/c that is actually really good for the system. There are a ton more options, I can’t wait to catch up with you and talk more about it!
So proud of you Hilary. Thanks for keeping us updated. Please let me know if there is anything we can do to support you! We adore you.
Thank you so much love! I adore you!! You are such a blessing to me.