"Extreme Makeover: Health Edition" - Part 2

The first step in my "Extreme Makeover: Health Edition" was to begin an effective detoxing program. For the second step I needed to address the "bugs" in my body. 

You'd be amazed at all the "critters" that can thrive in an unhealthy body. I was able to find and eliminate many of them with the help of two health practitioners:

1) Herbalogist

Using all natural treatments (plants, herbs, & foods used both internally and externally) she helped me:

- finally get rid of a blood parasite I'd had for years!

- detox old strep and sinus infections (I'm still getting rid of a few of those even now)

- heal from damage done by parasites, candida, etc. 

She was able to determine which areas of my body needed help the most and what factors were hindering my recovery. I'm so thankful for her natural treatments that help the body to actually heal! 

(I continue working with her even now, because though natural methods are more gradual, I believe they are also more effective for long-term health.)

If you're interested, she does phone appointments and has reasonable rates. Here's her website:

www.theherbhouseks.com

2) Dr. Smith's CBT treatments 

A friend led us to Dr. Smith in Idaho, and his simple CBT method has been a life-saver for me! Using this treatment I was able to:

- get rid of parasites

- find and eliminate numerous viruses, fungal & bacterial infections that had settled in various organs

- get rid of candida once and for all!

CBT also works well for neutralizing allergies. (I still use this treatment almost every week for various needs.) There's more info on his website: 

http://www.allertouch.com/index.asp

Everyone has "bugs," some more than others. One thing I've learned is that often antibiotics and other drugs don't actually heal infections, but instead drive them deeper into the body. I'm so grateful for these natural alternatives that truly help the body to heal and get rid of those unhealthy "bugs"!

(A good probiotic is also vital for fighting the "critters". For more information about probiotics you can read this post.)


Question: What advice do you have for fighting the internal "bugs" naturally?

"Extreme Makeover: Health Edition" - Part 1

This is what I like to call the last 3 years of my life: "Extreme Makeover: Health Edition." 

A little over 3 years ago my body was at its worst point. It's a miracle to me that I was still alive. Barely functioning, but alive. 

My body was in need of a TOTAL repair. Thankfully, that was when God finally led me to some things that truly helped.

1) Lymphatic Massage 

After my first massage, I actually felt the downward spiral in my body stop. It was incredible! After a few weeks of the massage, I could feel my body beginning to heal. 

I had a lymphatic massage almost every day for over 2 years. Now I have one about once a week.

(You can read my post about Lymphatic Massage here.)

2) Detox baths

I started doing a detox bath in mineral powder every day. At first, I felt like a weight had been lifted off of me for about 30 minutes after each bath. Gradually, as more toxins came out, I felt better and better. 

I still do a detox bath several times a week.

(There's more info on detox baths here)

With these two therapies, I was finally able to detox, which made a huge difference in my health! However, detoxing is a slow process. In fact, I'm still detoxing some things 3 years later! 

In this toxic world we live in, we need to be detoxing continually just to keep up with the toxins we encounter on a daily basis. For those of us with E.I., detoxing is absolutely essential. I've detoxed chemicals, medications, heavy metals, herbicides, pesticides, petroleum products, etc, etc, etc.

I heard once that you should assume it'll take one month of detoxing for each year of toxic exposure. That may be true for others, but for me it's been a longer process. When toxins are stored in numerous places in the body, it takes time to get them all out. The good news is that as you detox, your body is less weighed down with toxins and is better able to heal.

So my healing journey began with effective detoxing methods (a good place for anyone to start). But I still had a long way to go.... Next time I'll share step 2 in my "Extreme Makeover: Health Edition." =)

Heart Healing

Before God brought about major steps of healing in my body, He had a lot of healing to accomplish in my heart. 

For me it started when I finally realized and admitted that my heart needed healing. Even though I was scared of what might come, I asked God to do His healing work in me. And He did. 

Heart healing, like physical healing, is usually a gradual process. During the last several years God has healed my heart in ways I never thought possible! 

- He freed me from a lie I had believed for over 15 years!

- He healed me of resentments, fears, insecurities, and areas of self-condemnation.

- He changed my thinking and gave me new desires.

- He enabled me to experience His love for me more deeply than ever before! 

Heart healing is something we all need, and probably will continue to need until we reach heaven. I'm thankful for how far God has brought me in my healing process, even though it took a physical illness to get here.  

  

God can use our hardships to accomplish the heart healing we need. I pray you'll continue to find your heart healing in HIM.

Here's a poem I wrote during my healing process. I hope it encourages you today.

Healing

(by Joanna K. Harris)

I am strong.

I know where I'm going.

I know what I'm doing.

I have purpose.

I am struggling.

I'm trying to go where I should.

I'm trying to do what's right.

I have perseverance.

I am weak. 

I can't go where I want to.

I can't do what I need to.

I have nothing.

I am broken.

I'll go where You lead me.

I'll do what You ask of me.

I have grace.

I am healed.

I trust in Your promises.

I rest in Your love.

I have YOU.

How Did It Happen?

People sometimes ask me what happened to cause the severe health problems I've experienced. 

While for some people with E.I. there was only one toxic exposure or one infection that crashed their health, for myself and most of us with E.I. it was a long series of damaging things. 

For me it's a long list (and even longer story). But here's the "short" version:

- 3 concussions in 3 years (as a teenager)

- toxic exposure to herbicides

- unknown parasite that I couldn't get rid of

- strong medication (to kill the parasite), which only made me worse

- traumatic event causing a mild form of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)

- living in a house with a propane leak for 9 months

- getting heat exhaustion

- toxic exposure to pesticides and formaldehyde

(At this point my mom and I didn't think I would make it. But God graciously intervened, and over 2 years I gradually made a partial recovery.)

- unknown virus which led to Rheumatoid Arthritis, 

- more strong medications for the arthritis

(Here again, God graciously put the arthritis in remission and gave me many months of functional living.)

- another unknown virus that caused ongoing internal fever and recurring sinus infections

- a long-term medication that suppressed my immune system and adrenal function

- toxic exposure to epoxy and paint fumes

- repeated rounds of antibiotics 

- toxic exposure to asphalt 

(This was the worst point for me, just 3 years ago. I couldn't speak or move off the couch. And I had no hope of ever getting better. 

Since those dark days, God has taken me on an incredible journey of healing! Next week I'll share more about that.)

As you can see, there were a lot of factors in what caused E.I. for me. (This list is just the "high points".) It's hard to say why some people's health seems to bounce back from damaging experiences and others of us take years to recover. I don't have the scientific answer. 

But I know the ultimate answer is that God has a specific plan for each of us. He allows the experiences and challenges we need individually in order for Him to fulfill the bigger purpose and plan He has for our lives. I don't regret any of the hardships I've been through (though I would never have chosen them). I've seen and continue to see how God is using every detail of my life to accomplish something beautiful and good that will last for eternity.

And I know He will do the same for you. 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." -Romans 8:28