My passion for healthy living started at a very young age, driven mostly by experiencing first hand the effects of unhealthy living. I attended Oklahoma Baptist University where I pursued a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. After graduation, I worked the night shift at an Emergency Room in Fort Smith, Arkansas. I have also worked with Orthopedic Post-Surgery Rehabilitation and Family Practice.
Due to working with patients AFTER a health crisis, I decided to pursue a more PREVENTATIVE form of health. I am a Certified Yoga Instructor, Certified Yoga Shred Instructor and Strength and Conditioning Certified. I coached fitness classes for six years and instructed at a several yoga studios in Tulsa.
IN A DAY, MY HEALTH WAS GONE.
It has been three years since I had the surgery that SAVED my life. It was not an emergency surgery, but I was dying. I truly believe had I not had surgery, I would not be here today. I share my story to encourage others. I share my story because I know I have been given an extension on my life. I share my story because it is a huge part as to why I became a Nutritionist. I am passionate about paying forward what I know.
MY STORY STARTS HERE
I coached a strength fitness class on July 15, 2020. That afternoon I began running a fever. I assumed I had caught COVID so I immediately quarantined, wore a mask, isolated in my bedroom and scheduled a test. I quickly became worse. I had breathing issues, chest pain and excruciating migraines. If I laid down, I couldn't breathe. I drove myself to the ER. I couldn't hug my spouse or kids goodbye. I didn't know if I would be coming home....but I did.
A little over a week later, I found myself in the ER AGAIN. The doctor diagnosed me with VIRAL MENINGITIS. I couldn't be around any light or noise. It was too much. I kept forgetting words and the names of things. Sentences did not make sense at times.
September 2020. I'm STILL running a fever. I can barely make it up the stairs at my house. I was referred to the Cancer Institute due to alarming lab work. Based on my labs, my PCP thought I might have leukemia. LEUKEMIA. Only 37, Mom of three young kids. I had all the lab work at the Cancer Institute drawn. With my nursing background, I knew my labs were favorable for leukemia. I had to wait TWO weeks to hear the results. I turned 38 during those two weeks of waiting. The day I went to hear if I had cancer or not was the day I found out my spouse couldn't go in with me. I had to go in ALONE because of COVID restrictions. I couldn't get my legs to work. My husband took a picture of me walking in....as he said this could be the day our lives changed.
I found out I did NOT have leukemia! It was truly a miracle.
I felt hopeless and so thankful all at the same time. I knew I was dying, but why?
I continued to exercise. I HAD to get better. My heart rate stayed in the 99% range of max capacity most of the time. I kept PRAYING and FIGHTING. At one point, my RESTING heart rate was 140 for THREE months.
In an amazing turn of events, I heard about a doctor that could possibly help me. During my consult with him, he was very certain he could help. It would be an experimental surgery, with no certainties. I was desperate. Insurance would not cover the surgery, but I had to give it a try. I knew I couldn't keep going down the road I was on for much longer. I had to wait for THREE more months before he could get me into surgery due to COVID having delayed many other surgeries. I WENT into surgery running a FEVER, my body completely exhausted and spent. I prayed it would all go well.
I had surgery February 19, 2021. Surgery took close to 3 hours. Every chest muscle was severed during surgery and re-attached to my ribs. I had drains and was unable to use my arms at all. I couldn't even so much as lift them. My husband had to do everything for me such as brushing my hair, holding my water cup so I could drink, etc. I am so thankful to be where I am three years later.
I ran fever for over 200 days, lost 17lbs and many other things. The week after my surgery, my fever STOPPED. It started July 15, 2020 and ended a few months into 2021.
I had MERCURY, ARSENIC and LEAD poisoning.
I'm so thankful to be so healthy now, living my best life with my sweet family.
I hope my story encourages someone along the way. Thank you to my husband who was amazing through all of this. And thank you to all my family and friends who prayed me through all of this. You know who you are. It's time to pay it forward.
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