So a couple weeks ago, I wasn’t feeling quite like myself. I felt like I couldn’t get a deep enough breath and like my heart was racing. It happened on and off over the course of a Saturday and by Sunday evening my husband drove me to the ER. I’m not going to lie, I was scared. Bad things happen all the time. Perfectly healthy women have blood clots and all sorts of other health issues pop up out of nowhere all the time. And I just knew something wasn’t right; something was going on in my body.
They ran every test in the book, and then discharged me. The doctor said everything looked fine and he sent me home with an “anxiety” diagnosis. Yeah, so basically they couldn’t figure out what was wrong so they were all like – “you’re having a panic attack.”
But I know me. That ER doctor doesn’t. I’m not saying that the doctor did anything wrong. He was right –sort of – I mean, the tests did show that everything was “normal”. And I’m not saying anything against anyone who suffers from anxiety. I have a couple of dear friends that have issues with anxiety and have had panic attacks. But I don’t have anxiety. I’m not a panic-er. I’m a face it – move past it – don’t let it own you – give it to God kind of person. And if I was having a panic attack, it was because my breathing issues were giving me anxiety not the other way around.
To make a really long story involving a phsycologist, my endocrinologist and another trip to the ER, a little bit shorter, something was indeed off – my thyroid. My dietary changes have pretty significantly helped my autoimmune issues, and my thyroid medication needed to be reduced. I was getting too much and it was kicking my thyroid into hyper mode which is what was causing the racing heart and shortness of breath. I have had my medication reduced three times now since staring the paleo diet. It is my hope to one day get off the medicine completely, but being that I’ve had autoimmune issues for over 10 years that may just be a dream. Only time will tell I guess, but it is good to see that my diet is having a positive impact. I didn’t give up bread and pasta for kicks people! 😉
So deep breaths……….finally………..deep, healthy breaths…………..I will never take breathing for granted again. ever.
Something changed in me during the week that all of this stuff was going down. It probably sounds crazy, but it really was a wake-up call for me. Not being able to really breath, waiting for test results and trying to figure out what in the heck was wrong with me really opened my eyes and made me realize – God’s not done with me. Because the truth is when I say that I’m a – face it – don’t let it own you kind of person – when it comes to dealing with fears or anxiety – the real hard, ugly truth is – that’s not exactly true. Sure, I won’t let my fear of driving over bridges keep me from getting where I want to go, and I ride roller coasters even though I’m scared of heights. But the real stuff that I’m afraid to do, the stuff I’m afraid to say or write, the stuff that actually matters, my fear drove me to lock all of that stuff up in a box and throw away the key a good long time ago.
While I was waiting in that ER room with my husband, God brought me the box and the key. There is no other time more perfect to do what you’ve been called to do than right now. Putting it – whatever “it” means in your life – off and waiting for the right time……….the truth is – ain’t nobody got time for that. 😉 Your life is happening right now.
This Hillsong United song “Oceans” has really ministered to my heart lately.
So glad to hear your medical issue had a simple (and welcome) fix! This diet has made similar significant changes in my family's health as well. Nothing like a good health scare to knock us back on track!
You are so right about living your life NOW! I was not the best at this in the past, but i am now determined to try to model this behavior for my kids.
All the best to you on your new journey.