If There is One Thing I Have Learned, It's to Never Give Up Hope!

When I was ten years old, I developed discitis in my back. From that age on I learned the importance of having hope in your life. At times it's not always easy, but I believe it was my hopeful attitude that led me to my gluten-free life.

My journey to discovering that I had gluten-sensitivity was not an easy one. In total I had 2 surgeries, saw 18 doctors, and was in and out of the hospital. Unfortunately, six months after I was diagnosed I got very sick again. It was like we were back at square one. Doctor's could not figure out what was wrong with me. They continually said I was a "complicated case", and there was no clear explanation as to why I made so much progress, and then regressed.

This was such a frustrating time in my life, yet deep within me, I had hope that things would eventually get better. Thankfully after reading a book I learned that the mouth wash I was using contained gluten (started it right when I got sick again). I was a little doubtful since I had called the manufacturer and they said it was GF, but decided to stop using it. Miraculously, within two weeks of stopping it I was feeling better! Now six months later I am pretty much symptom free!!

More recently I have seen the importance of having hope in my life. I currently have been struggling with a foot injury. Once again, (because I am a complicated case) doctors haven't been able to pin point the problem. I have been injured for 7 months, and have started to try and not let this injury stop me from doing things, but it's hard. To be honest I lost a little bit of hope that things would get better. That was until Monday!! (what inspired me to write this post)

Monday hope was restored in me again after I saw a doctor at the Hospital for Special Surgery. There I saw an amazing doctor that broke everything down for me and explained the possibilities. He wants to find the cause of my pain so he can treat the problem and get me better!! After the appointment ended, I had a sense of relief. We finally have a game plan!

I have a tough week ahead of me (3 MRIs, and 2 doctor's appointments), yet there is a huge sense of hope. Maybe they will find something that will end this long and bumpy road.

So remember, no matter what, never give up hope. It will take you far!