Everyone struggles. We all have personal battles that throw a curveball in our plans. Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune condition that is viewed as a chronic, crippling, and disabling disease – however it doesn’t have to be this way. Telling my story isn’t meant for sympathy or sorry’s, but rather to evoke conversation which leads to education and progress in the way we think about disease. Even in 2014, the year of my diagnosis, resources were limited – which goes to show how far we still need to go in determining the cause and finding a cure. My hope is that no other person newly diagnosed with MS feels alone – I hope that my story can be but one of many resources in their healing journey.
For two months, I tackled the diagnosis with my parents. On day 1, I was already defeated. On day 2, I went to work and then later cried with my dad. By the third day, all I could do was cry on my parents couch. Finally on the fourth day, I started reading Healing Multiple Sclerosis by Ann Boroch. The urge to gain knowledge was so intense that once I started reading Ann’s book, it only took me 6 days to finish. Learning both her story and her journey of healing the disease empowered me. I had a higher power so to speak, someone who had been in my shoes with whom I immediately could relate. Ann’s story gave me the hope to overcome this obstacle, just like she did. It was real, honest, and vulnerable; everything I needed at that particular moment.
It was July 6th. I climbed out of bed on my left side and I instantly fell to the ground between the wall and my mattress. I panicked as I clung to the bed and pulled myself back up with all my strength, only to fall again for a second time. My left leg could no longer support me. This was the first time I ever prayed to God. This was also the day that I vowed to quit sugar, eliminate chemically processed foods, and never touch gluten, dairy, corn, yeast, and soy ever again. There was no putting this off. Time was of the essence and the only way I understood my control of the disease was through diet and lifestyle changes.
Ann’s theory of connecting Candida to a disease like MS made sense to me (read more on the yeast connection here). My history of birth control pills, uncontrollable sugar rages, yeast infections, a North American fad based diet, alcohol, partying, stress, and non-stop hustle paved the way to an infestation of mycotoxins in my gut, that eventually made their way into my bloodstream and attacked my weak immune system in areas around my body that were compromised (nerves, spine).
In September 2014, I met my official neurologist. Her swanky new office in a research hospital was intimidating and exciting, and at first glance, she seemed sharp, knowledgeable, and honest. Not much came from this appointment besides a crucial moment when I asked her: What can I be doing to take control of the disease? Her response was short and obvious…Don’t smoke. I will never forget that fucking moment (apologies again). The only options she lay on the table were an assortment of disease modifying drugs with scary side effects and no guarantee of reversing my disease. After nearly 3 months of my own research, it was obvious that diet, lifestyle, and stress management were major factors, yet none of this was mentioned. It was also clear that Vitamin D was incredibly important in relieving symptoms of the disease, yet the only advice she had was to not smoke? My trust in her went down the drain (and side note…a year and a half after that first appointment, the same doctor is suggesting Vitamin D supplements).
Next up was my appointment with Ann Boroch, my new naturopath and MS survivor. We met on September 30th, 2014 via Skype for 2 hours. We went over my bad habits, food relationship, my family history, and my medical background. Nothing was left unsaid, it was an open and honest conversation that bubbled up so many fears and questions. What came from that 2 hour meeting was a challenge to take control of my own life, without fear and in a whole new direction. What also came was a whole new regimen, featuring a rainbow of supplements aimed to heal. It was a game changer. I continued to see Ann via Skype every 3 months for the first year, updating my supplements and diet restrictions as we went along. Letting go of fear was one of the toughest yet rewarding battles. I was lucky enough to meet her in person for an appointment in her Los Angeles office in October 2015, and we continue to speak every 4-6 months. She’d become my inspiration and my confidante, someone whose been with me every step of the way and has also been there herself.
It wasn’t just Ann Boroch who supported me from the beginning. Two of the most unbelievable human beings I will ever know, also known as my parents, kept me sane and hopeful. Words can’t express how much I love them, how much I thank them, and how much they inspire me to be strong. They have helped me tackle this disease one moment at a time and have remained vigilant about educating each other on the newest research from ozone therapy to HSCT. Not a day goes by that I don’t thank my lucky stars that I have amazing parents (and the most amazing family in general). I never, ever, take them for granted. My 4th support in my healing journey is Alex Chan, a Naturopath at Integrative Naturopathic Medical Centre here in Vancouver. When I first met Alex in the summer of 2014, I was still a month or two from seeing Ann Boroch. Alex is the reason I was able to clean up my diet based on allergy tests, chinese medicine, and Ann’s anti-candida protocol found in her book. I also spent many hours hooked up to IVs on a weekly basis with various remedies and concoctions specifically catered to alleviate symptoms of my disease. She was the one who got me started with Vitamin D3, Magnesium, and Methyl B12 supplements, paving the way to my recovery. She also has opened my eyes to Glutathione and Alpha Lipoic Acid, two IV therapies I have done since 2014 that I will continue to do for the rest of my days (more on that another time). Shout out to Joanna, my lovely nurse who always finds the small veins in my arms with hot compress packs and a tender touch. Lastly, to my friends and family – you know who you are – you are incredible.
After getting over the sadness, I was able to grasp what kind of opportunity I had in regards to driving my own health. Medical journals and studies became my bed time reading. Books such as The Paleo Approach, The Wahls Protocol, and The Medical Medium took over my addiction to reality television.
My story continues. Read Part 3 here. In the meantime, if you have thoughts or questions, reach out in the comments below. You can also email me at carllechatten[at]gmail.com.
