“Be Your Own Best Advocate. You Know What’s Best For You. You Have To Stand Up For Yourself.”
— Chelsea Williams, Health Advocate
Be The Advocate For Yourself!
The RA Diagnosis
Tonight I tried to compare my RA journey with someone else’s. Then I thought, that’s stupid, we aren’t in the same place. I don’t have to do infusions and I stopped taking the majority of my RA meds.
Back in 2017, I said, “Enough”. I shot my last Humaria into the sink and said. “I’m not doing this to myself anymore”. I quit taking all my NSAIDs and steroids. Currently, through this journey, I do have to go back on steroids here and there for the pain but that doesn’t stop me from trying to find a natural way to heal my body.
The Hardcore Milestones
There are milestones in my life that I remember very well. Giving birth at 17 years old, being a single mother for three years, fighting for my RA diagnosis, getting married, dealing with past traumas, giving birth again, dealing with PPD/PPA, then dealing with celiacs… I could go on but you get the point.
Each milestone I came to, I had a choice. I could stay stuck where I was, or I could make a change! Not only do we have to advocate for our kids, but we have to advocate for ourselves! Advocating for ourselves is not selfish. We can not take care of others if we’re not healthy. Don’t get confused, I am not saying to take all self-care days!
I personally don’t believe in self-care. We care for ourselves enough by showering, feeding our bodies, clothing ourselves, and I could go on. Ooo I just stepped on some toes there, let me explain. I don’t believe in self-care, I believe in soul-care (as Abbie H puts in her book M is for Mama.)
When I decided to stop taking my RA meds, my family thought I was crazy. Why not just keep doing it if it is working? You see, I grew up with family members who think that everyone should just take a pill for something because it’s easier and faster. Why wouldn’t you just pop a Tylenol instead of getting to the root of the problem? Why not just medicate a child instead of finding alternative ways to do things? Don’t get me wrong here, I medicate my oldest with ADHD meds. I am currently taking them too, however, we are slowly getting to the root of the issue, and finding ways to help ourselves. I’m hoping that one day we will completely be able to get off our meds.
The PPD/PPA Diagnosis
The birth of my third child was traumatic. (One day I will write the whole birth out what I remember.) Long story short, my placenta ended up erupting on the operating table during my C-section. Dr. Globe at Tripler literally saved my life. This had been my first C-section and I was a mess.
My psychiatrist believes that my traumatic birth is what triggered my PPD (Postpartum Depression) /PPA (Postpartum Anxiety). I honestly wanted nothing to do with my newest kid. I hated breastfeeding, basically, I hated being alive or around the baby. This is weird for me because I love babies! The newborn stage is my absolute favorite stage.
Finally, about a month after giving birth, I was diagnosed with PPD/PPA. I went through intense therapy and even had to have my husband home for a while. (I’m telling y’all it was intense!) The only thing that was my saving grace was Jesus. Even though I wanted nothing to do with anyone, Jesus kept pursuing me, He advocated for me even when I didn’t want to advocate for myself. The verse I clung to was Philippians 4:8. I would repeat it over and over. My PPD lasted well over a year and even with my son about to turn 5, I still have my moments to this day with him. He always has to be all over me, and some days I can’t stand it. Our relationship has taken a while to grow, but that’s on my end. (He doesn’t remember anything.)
The Healthy Gut
For my RA I tried things natural. Some would work and some would not. Some would help ease the pain but nothing lasted a long time. It wasn’t until I found out how important taking care of my gut was, that I really started to heal! Gut health is the most important thing you can do to help inflammation in your body! Once I started healing my gut, I saw great results. Losing weight was easier, which is a huge favor for RA. Even finding trigger foods was easier. I am now on a supplement called Q Core and I’m having amazing results.
In April of 2021, I found a new PCM. She happened to be in the process of an RA diagnosis herself and asked me if I had ever been tested for celiac disease. I told her no and she tested me. Come to find out, the blood markers are all there. We had the option of doing a scope or going gluten-free. I told her I would go gluten-free because I didn’t have time for a scope. Either way, I was going to get results. Sure enough, I have celiac disease which means I can’t eat gluten. Gluten for celiacs kills gut health and triggers many warning signs for the body. I have been gluten-free for almost a year now and it has been the best thing for my body. I have lost 20 lbs, I no longer have migraines and my inflammation is down.
Keep On Advocating
Life has taken me on a wild ride, and even though life is starting to look better, I know I have a long road of advocating ahead of me. Advocating for my children, advocating for my husband, (this is hard since he is in the military’s hands most of the time), and advocating for myself. My dream is to have a home without routine medications. I will continue to search for the right answers and the root of all our health problems. Hopefully, you will too.
Note From Anchored: Heart & Soul
I have known Maggie for quite a long time. Being an advocate is truly her calling in life. God specifically put special children in her life who needed a certain set of skills. There are days when she finds it hard to be the advocate or doesn’t know if she is advocating enough for her family. We all have those moments, but she is a fantastic mother!
Disclaimer: This article was written & provided by Maggie Hairod.
This blog contains a Q Sciences link to the product that Maggie uses and sells.
I am not an affiliate of Q Sciences.
Want to read more articles by Maggie? The Advocate Mom: The Spirit Of Truth
Would you like to see more of Maggie as a Guest Writer: The Advocate Mom?
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