I have a lot on my heart, so I figured I'd type it all out here and post it.
I haven't been on an actual computer much these days, just my phone. I'm a bit rusty, so forgive my flaws in the post. So many of you have been extremely gracious in your encouragement and prayers for me. You've cheered me on and held me up in the past few years. I'm so undeserving. God has placed you in my life for a reason and vice versa.
So...what's the scoop? It's hard to even type out! I have many health things I knew were going on...hypothyroidism, PCOS, anemia (low iron), adrenal fatigue, high blood pressure, Vitamin D deficiency, etc. My MTHFR issues make it tough for my body to absorb nutrition or supplements correctly so that they do work for my body. Fun fun. The gene issues cause miscarriages, infertility and a variety of other things that aren't very fun to walk through either.
I've been trying to figure much of this out for years. Many have followed my old posts here or on Facebook and are probably tired of hearing about it. I know I'm tired of it all. Though I still don't have all the answers, I at least feel like I'm on a better track. I had some blood work done this fall and it showed my anemia was SUPER low. After two iron infusions I'm at least thankful to have one good report of normal iron levels.
I wish I could feel the benefits of that, but at this point I can't tell a difference. In my new panel I had run there are other concerns the doc is addressing. The last 10 months has been a lot of sickness. Fevers, nausea and exhaustion that have taken me down more days than I've been up. My blood work shows a bacterial infection of some sort. Though I hate taking antibiotics...I'm on a 10 day run of them. I've tried many natural things first and none are kicking it. I'm on day 3 now and praying this will make me feel a whole lot better!
Now for the part I hated the most. This past week my doctor told me I have Type 2 Diabetes. I wasn't ready for that. I cried...a lot. I have tried so so so hard for over 5 years to watch everything that goes in my mouth, yet my insulin is rising. I deeply care about my health and have done my best. I guess my body is just not cooperinating at this moment.
I'm on some supplements for it, but we'll be monitoring it closely incase we need to use a prescription. We love and use Samaritan's Ministries, not insurance, so for the most part the $ would be self pay for a monthly script. The cheapest the doc found for the medicine she wanted to try was $500 a month which isn't doable for us. Pray with me that the supplements and some changes in the way I eat will be enough. I also did a sleep study and have sleep apnea.
Why? Why did I do so well on THM and lose a lot and then gain it all back? I don't know. I adore THM so much and KNOW it works for so many of you. After my highest weight ever this winter I buckled down and became more diligent and have lost 18 this year. I can say some of that was due to extreme nausea and not being able to eat like I should some days. I have stuck with it though and at least know I'm feeding my body well and good nutrition. I'd never want the takeaway from my story to be that THM doesn't work. I'm one of those weird, odd people that will have to tweak the plan and do things a bit differently. What that looks like, we shall see. Thousands have lost so much weight and gained their health back.
I have one hunch. Four or so years ago after I'd lost 60 pounds, I went through a very difficult time. I had a relationship that suffered greatly and I was a real mess. I was heartbroken and so hurt by what I went through. I did my part to work things out, yet the other party really didn't deal with it all in a way that was healing or very helpful. My adrenals were totally shot at that point. I was sad, depressed and hurt. Adrenal issues are no joke. I barely lost after that and was truly just exhausted. Four years later...that relationship is still not like it was most of my life and it's still extremely hard.
Just so no rumors fly, no it's not with my husband, my kids or my parents. 🙂 I also quite my job over two years or so ago with THM which was so hard. I cried for days. I LOVED my work, but knew God wanted me to focus at home. Two weeks later we found out Titus had Lyme disease. Again, the Lord knew what He was doing. I needed to focus in on T's health and the many doctor's appointments that followed. Again, more huge life situations that my body struggled to handle. Do I have Lyme? Maybe. One doctor feels Titus' Lyme is congenital. Adrenal issues can be serious! You can read a great article on Gwen's Nest about Adrenal Fatigue. That mixed with the sleep apnea can really wreak havoc on your cortisol levels to cause BIG issues.
I am working on healing- physically, emotionally, mentally. I'm trying to kick this bacterial thing so I can tackle the other issues. I need to be here for my family. I'm trying to trust that God is in the middle of all of this and has a purpose for the pain. Each thing that comes into our lives gives us a chance to trust God, lean into Him and to know that He is working. I can see spiritual growth through these tough things and I know that is worth the pain and suffering. His desire is for us to be more like Him. He is using these things for my sanctification and my good, it's just hard to keep that at the front of your mind in the middle of it all.
Thanks for praying and being concerned. I'm thankful. I want to say as kindly as possible that I am NOT interested in Plexus or other supplements you may sell at this time. I HAVE used many different things, including Plexus for months and months with little to no improvements. I just can't afford to keep buying things extra besides the prescriptions and supplements my doctor has me on. She is working with me and I want to follow her instructions closely so I can get better! <--- All spoken in love. I'm sure you can acknowledge that not every product works for every person. I'm glad if you find something that works for you.
That's my little update. I'm still here. I hope I can start blogging more frequently soon. I have a few recipes I need to share with you when I can.
Love Always, Jen
21 Responses to “Even When It’s Hard…”
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About Jennifer
Hello there! I’m Jennifer and Welcome to my website – A Home with Purpose. My passion is sharing Christ’s Love and recipes with my Trim Healthy Mama friends. Learn more about me.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and heart with us. You were my personal Admin when I started my journey with THM. I chose you and started sending questions about so many things. You have a special place in my heart…. did I mention that you are my personal Admin? Your blog and the posts you shared always resonated with me. Please know I will be praying with you for the doctor to have great wisdom and guidance in caring for your health. You have a beautiful testimony of faith and the sweet love of family. I believe both will help you on this journey. Thanks Thank you for your honesty and transparency here. Sending hugs to you from Nashville TN.
Thank you, Marilyn! <3
I was recently diagnosed as severely anemic too. I go to see a hematologist in January, so I can sympathize with you a bit. I’ve also come up against the financial issues as we have Samaritan Ministries too. Oh dear Jen, I pray that the Lord will heal you mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually!
Jen, Try BLINK for meds. It’s an app that Dr Oz talked about. You list your meds & see if they can save you money. You can pick them up at your local drugstore.
My husband has Type II. It runs in his family. Six out of 15 kids got it.
Sometimes it seems like things are piling on. Remember that we we should “count it all joy” when we do suffer. Easy for me to say. Right?
The Bible says we will suffer. I offer up my suffering as a prayer to the Lord for the salvation of my son & daughter-in-law. That way my suffering serves a purpose.
My prayers are with you. I will pray every Wednesday night for you & your family.
I’m so sorry that you’re having to deal with all of these health issues! Praying that God will give you all you need to heal and get through this tough season. Love you!
Thanks for sharing your story! I have learned so much from you. I have low iron also and read your blog about the types of iron. I do t know if you recommended this brand or I found it from your advice but Hemeplex has done wonders for my counts and everyone I recommend it to. No selling, it’s found in natural grocery stores. I will be praying you find answers (and share them with us!).
Praying for you! Life can be very hard.Praying for healing, peace and joy!
Thank you Jen for sharing your heart and struggles. I pray for your continued strength and healing. We may never know on this side of heaven why God has us go through the battlefields that we endure. Continue to trust, obey and love Him. He is the ultimate physician and the greatest provider of needs. Much love to you and your family as you walk this path.
God bless you! Illness is real and no fun.
There are coupons your doctor could find for you for some medications if needed. My husband is a doctor and often does this. I don’t know your financial situation, but there are also reductions if you qualify financially.
I deal with Type 2 but only take Metformin ($4) and my A1c was 5.2 last time (after following THM)
Your doctor should be able to offer aome alternatives to insulin unless your pancreas isn’t working at all.
Love to you
Tonya (in SE Ohio)
Hugs and prayers. It has to be difficult trying to juggle it all. Just know we are praying for you.
Thank you for be willing to share this update. We continue to pray for you and your family.
Jen, thank you for the update. Allowing God full control of your life is the best thing in the world. My family has been going through a lot of trouble but God keeps us going in the right direction. Prayers for you and your family. HUGS
Thank you for sharing this. Praying for healing and comfort 🙏
Oh Jen, I’m so very sorry you’re having to go thru all this. You will be in my prayers! When I first attempted to do THM 2 years ago, you were one of the first people to reach out to me, and I so appreciate you. I was a little successful at first, but then did the plan less and less. I lost my Mom in January of this year, and I have gained 12 lbs since then, being an emotional eater. Now that her first anniversary is upon me, I’m feeling worse. I also have Type 2 Diabetes and am refusing any meds for it after having a very severe reaction to Metformin. I’m leaving it all up to my Savior Jesus. I’m hoping for a better year ahead, for you and for me. I have a new exercise machine, and plan on doing THM the right way once Jan 2nd passes. Much love to you and yours Jen. I WILL be praying for you! Rosalie
Pray you will feel better soon! My husband dropped his blood sugar levels by taking a couple tablespoons of apple cider vinegar at night before bed and before meals.
Jennifer, On Wednesday you posted a video ‘to watch later’ on reversing type 2 diabetes. It was very informative and contained information that might be helpful to you. I am reading a book by Dr. Hyman called “The Blood Sugar Solution 10-Day Detox Diet”. This book supports the video you shared. Both of these doctors have seen success in reversing type 2 diabetes. I intend to use both. Thank you for posting the video it was helpful to me – I pray it helps you also.
Jennifer, On Wednesday you posted a video ‘to watch later’ on reversing type 2 diabetes. It was very informative and contained information that might be helpful to you. I am reading a book by Dr. Hyman called “The Blood Sugar Solution 10-Day Detox Diet”. This book supports the video you shared. Both of these doctors have seen success in reversing type 2 diabetes. I intend to use both. Thank you for posting the videwas helpful to me – I pray it helps you also.
Many of your miles, I have walked/am walking. God is a Good of healing and miracles. I am stalled on my Hashi-thyroud issues. Weight is not going to change for me and that’s ok. I just take each day as it goes, attempting to walk in grace with dignity, laughing at the future (provide 31). It’s not easy, but I can’t worry about anything out of my control, and at this time… My body’s function is out of my control beyond putting into it good nutrition and moving it moderately. I surrender to make best choices, trust the wisdom of more learned people than I, and rest confident in my Creator who put the puzzle of me together with a future of good works to carryout.
God bless you and thanks for the update, been reading your stuff for several years now.
Proverbs 31.
I’m just getting started. My daughter introduced me to the program. My daughter-in-law has anemia and has a bad reaction to iron. A nurse I worked with suggested that she tru “Blood Builder” from Whole Foods. It is made from vegetables, including beets and it worked great for her. My prayers are with you. I also am Type II diabetes. I take Glimipiride and it keeps my diabetes in check. It is a generic med.
Thank you for the encouragement you have given me over the past five years I have been doing THM. I prayed for you today.