31 Days of Gratitude- {Day 23}- Doctors and Tea

Many people ask the question, "Coffee or Tea?"  I've always answered neither.  I mean I'll enjoy an iced coffee about twice a year or a cup of tea when I'm feeling a little under the weather, but I don't drink either regularly or with much devotion. 

Then I met my friend, Crystal.  She is on a really strict diet to help combat an auto-immune disease, so many foods and drinks are on her "no-no list". But herbal teas are thumbs up! 

Several years ago, I was diagnosed with (some form of very vague) hypothyroidism and since then my world has been rocked in many ways.  

I'm a do-er.  I've not always been at a place where I'm happy and comfortable with my body and weight, but I have always tried to eat pretty well and exercise frequently.  In fact, it was a smack in the face with humility when I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism just after running my first (and only to date) half marathon.  Whaaaat? I was not even 30 years old and I was falling apart.  Me, who actually stayed active and tried to eat a balanced diet.  Me, who is actually at the best weight for my height and body build that I've ever been at.  Whaaaat? Additionally, I almost never get sick.  My kids and even Chris, get colds or a stomach bug and usually I am the one that somehow remains healthy (enough) and nurses the rest back to health.  Why am I the one with this random diagnosis-- and one that, according to the doctors I had been seeing, has no cure and the cause is "unknown".  

Needless to say, that information has never been enough for me.  Recently, I met Crystal, who is seeing a doctor interested in investigating further into your health to see if more answers can be found.  I saw this doctor this past week and first off she looked at the blood work that had been done to test my thyroid in the past and ordered a bunch more that would actually give more information.  Thyroid and adrenals are often linked, so she ordered a test to see how my adrenals are holding up too.  And I met with a nutritionist at the office to discuss my diet.  In general in America, we eat total crap, so my diet, even without a health problem could have used a bit of a re-vamp, but she wants me to take things a step further. I started an elimination diet yesterday to see if my body might have some intolerances to some of the foods that I'm eating as well as to flush the (probably many) toxins that are hanging out in my body, especially my gut.  

So now, I am joining my friend, Crystal on a diet (mine is less restrictive than hers, so not truly comparing because hers is a lot harder to do) to improve my health and hopefully give more answers and hope for the future. And we'll see what the extensive blood work will show too.  I am excited to get more answers and to take better care of me.

 And I am excited to drink tea, which is allowed on the diet and has actually been a nice way for me to also take a few minutes for myself at day's beginning and end and 

SIT DOWN and REST and THINK and PRAY.  

Yes, we have all of 2 actual mugs in our home and both are Christmas ones.  So I guess I need to invest in some others or put some on my Christmas list.  :)

I am so grateful for the wonderful people in my life supporting me, especially in this next phase of my journey towards better health.  So grateful for my (then) OB who was the one who caught the thyroid problem in the first place several years ago.  So grateful for my friend Crystal, who is inspiring me to really take charge and make the sacrifices necessary to ensure that I can enjoy my life with my kids and husband more, both now and in the future.