Autoimmune, inflammation and moving forward

Having recently been newly diagnosed with 3 Autoimmune Syndromes you will often find me with my head in my phone researching.

Researching comes naturally for me, its a huge chunk of who I am and what makes me, me. It’s my top scoring ‘Love of Learning’ VIA character strength in action.

And with a nursing and sociology background the more in depth and peer reviewed the articles the better.

Inflammation, chronic inflammation and it’s associated autoimmune syndromes are coming to the fore as one of the most important areas of study and research in the 21st Century.

The possible to probable role of inflammation in diseases such as cardio-vascular, cancers, dementias, autoimmune diseases and mental health; new theories and scientific studies showing the gut- brain connection, the role of the vagus nerve, epigenetics, neuroplasticity; and the role of gut health, micro-biomes on systemic inflammation; inflammation is gaining momentum as a central player in our health and well-being.

In reimagining me, the me who ‘suddenly’ has these autoimmune conditions, I’ve chosen to read and listen broadly and make a few significant changes, primarily to my diet to start with, in order to test out what works for me.

I’m not an expert and I’m not here to push a particular agenda or way of being. I’m here to be open and real and share from my heart my journey in the hope that it will support and encourage you and others to share what they have learnt too.

The first step I took, almost unconsciously was shut down. As much as I was able, whilst still holding down my part time job, I curled up on the couch and ‘gave up on my dreams’ for a couple of weeks.

That’s the raw truth. I had just been about to launch a new decade - a new business and a new independence from 9-5 employment when the news came in. It stopped me in my tracks. It felt like that ‘one too many straws’ that break a camels back. I had finally processed, progressed and trained to be able to support others living through circumstances similar to my lived experience, when there was suddenly a real possibility that it would become impossible for me to do so. It floored me, made me angry, so angry, and left me reeling and grieving.

It also became the best of gifts. It allowed me to sit in that place until I was ready to pivot.

‘Reimagining You’ is that pivot. ‘Reimagining You is based on the knowledge that we don’t know what is coming our way next, but that we can be prepared and ready to process, if we learn how to in advance.

Am I sad to lay down the business I had been about to launch? Yes and no. The website was beautiful and the processes were all in place, but there was also a huge weight involved. A need to do well and make it work.

‘Reimagining You’ doesn’t have that weight attached for me. Its me being me and I hope you being you.

It acknowledges each day as a gift with choices attached. It’s one step at a time. The one next best step for our mind, body, soul, or spirit, whichever needs us, on any given day. It’s fun activities, and heart warming support. It’s what we choose to make it together, no pressure or strings attached.

We can learn and grow together.

So far my salmon, lean grass feed meat, veggies, fruit and a little dark chocolate that I am learning to love have reduced inflammation in my face and help me shed a few kilos. It will be interesting to see the longer term effects of adjusting my diet, utilizing traditional medicine, exercise, sleep and developing practices from my growing understanding of holistic mind, body, soul, spirit connections.

For now I’d love you to share your journey and stories either here on the blog or in the new Reimagining Group on our Facebook page - Reimagining You

Until next time

Liz