There I was, after four months of being sick, I finally caved in. I decided I needed to take myself to the ER. I was in bad shape. Pale, fatigue, stomach pains, and a low-grade fever day after day for months. I needed some help. At first, I thought maybe it was just food poisoning. After a few days, I decided no, it was the stomach bug. But the sickness lingered and lingered. As I nervously sat there waiting for the doctor to come back in and tell me the verdict, I started panicking. Was I dying?! Was it already March? Have I been sick since December?! That was the day I officially got diagnosed with Clostridioides difficile, also known as “C. diff.” What a gut-wrenching feeling that was.
C. diff is a form of bacteria that can accumulate in the gut. Recent studies have suggested that retail meats may be the source of C. diff for human infection. Once it gets ahold, it completely takes over your intestines. It can cause an array of symptoms and eventually even lead to death. I was told I could be given an antibiotic, but the odds are it would return. This is a powerful, deadly bacteria. Lysol and hand sanitizer kill up to 99.99 percent of germs. Well, this is that .01 percent germ that does not die. The doctors explained that my youth was the best thing I had going for me. If I had been older, my chances of survival would have been significantly reduced. I was scared. I was given an antibiotic and sent on my way, hoping it would not return. I got home and immediately dove onto the internet, hoping to find an answer to beat this sick disease. I found multiple support groups and a lot of scary articles. I was on an emotional rollercoaster. I had to overcome this.
I was enrolled in massage therapy school during this time, so I had some knowledge about natural health. I started looking up all the supplements I could find that would help my immune system. I started taking turmeric, garlic, activated charcoal, oil of oregano, and a pre/probiotic daily. I also filled my body with fermented foods like kombucha, kimchi, sour kraut, and more. I was going to get my health back! After a couple of weeks, I thought I was in the clear until I woke up one morning, and the stomach pains were back! I feared the worst and immediately called my doctor. The results came back positive. As predicted, antibiotics did not work. I wanted to cry. Would I ever be healthy again, or would I be stuck this way for life like so many other individuals I had read about? My doctor referred me to a Gastroenterologist, as she could no longer help me. My GI specialist wanted to prescribe me the same antibiotic, just more potent, ugh! I was already wholly torn down from the last antibiotic. I decided to ask if there were any other options. I told him that I did not want another antibiotic and felt terrible about them. To my surprise, he offered me an alternative, but it involved having a procedure done. This procedure consists of taking the fecal microbes from a healthy person’s gut and inserting them into my gut. The ultimate probiotic! He told me it would take my immune system and gut around two years to heal completely. The odds of C. coming back were significantly reduced. I was entirely on board and scheduled it as soon as possible. At that time, it was June. I had been sick for seven months! I had to retake those gross antibiotics to prepare for my procedure correctly. They made me feel horrible. At least this time, however, I had a newfound hope that everything would be okay. I was determined to be healthy again!
After my procedure, I started reading everything I could to be healthy. I not only changed my diet; I completely changed my way of life. I started eating more fruits and veggies, and I cut down on drinking alcohol. I started taking time to heal my gut and immune system. I realized how much our bodies can take as humans and how strong we are. I finished massage school with a bang and had officially become licensed. But my heart was urging me to do more with my knowledge. I wanted to get the word out about these horrible bacteria. I wanted to tell the world how happy our bodies and minds can be through simple diet changes. I tried to tell my story and how I healed. So, I decided that I first had to understand herbal medicine better. Back to school, I went. I am now a Certified Herbalist. But my journey did not stop there. I asked myself, “What about nutrition and wellness?” “What about all the foods that helped me along the way?” I decided to go to school again to become a Holistic Health Practitioner; what a perfect way to spread all my knowledge about holistic health.
After much time and consideration, I officially decided to open up my own Wellness Center. A place where I can practice my acquired knowledge on healthy living and be able to work with others on theirs. A place where I can share the power of touch, the power of breathing, and the power of plants! I created REVIVE because that is what I did. I revived myself. As I sit here and write this, I can happily say I have been C. diff free for over two years. I hope that whatever you are fighting in your life, you choose to have REVIVE as your place of healing and relaxation. A healthy lifestyle is a life-long journey, and I would love to do it together.
Today, take some time to look at the tops of trees blowing in the wind or maybe some funny shapes in the clouds. Eat that apple because it is oh-so-good for you, and take some time to breathe in and out. Enjoy your journey.
Meg Perry, LMT, S.N.H.S Dip., BCHN, HHP
