Archives: colonoscopy

After all the excitement about my colonoscopy news I’ve had some time to think about what exactly I’ve done for myself to help in knocking this colitis out.

I’ve had people ask me how I’ve gotten to this point.

Well, here it is: I’ve had a major diet change coupled with yoga, meditation, and breath work and as if that isn’t enough, I see 2 incredible women, I work with a Therapist, I have a family to lean on and friends who stay by my side. My yoga teacher, although new to my mix of healers, has already shown me incredible, life changing tools to better my practice and myself.

Here is just a touch of the amazing healers in my life:

Dr. Crystal Joseph D.C., AK, CCSP: Chiropractor and Applied Kinesiologist.

When I step into Dr. Jo’s office I always know I’m in for a treat. She has incredible hands, which always know where to go. Whenever I have pain I lie on her table waiting for her to test my muscles and find the place that’s “out.” Her massages are unlike any I’ve ever had at a spa because she really knows how to get into the muscle to release whatever’s tight. Sometimes I don’t even have to tell her where to go and she knows… It’s not only about the adjustment though, she’s also very involved in the rest of my health and wants to know anything new that I’m trying or supplements that I’m taking. We always have interesting conversations and it feels like I’m visiting a friend who happens to be the most incredible Chiropractor I’ve ever encountered. Without a doubt, this woman has been a huge proponent in helping me heal my colitis.

Aimee Raupp, MS, LAc: Aimee is my acupuncturist and boy is she incredible! Her office is like my sanctuary – I know I’m there to simply relax for a good 50 minutes and sometimes longer :). Aimee is always interested in me as a whole – that’s why I love her and Chinese Medicine. She takes my pulse, checks out my tongue and then begins needling as though she knows my body like a road map. Aimee knows so much about health, nutrition, supplements and so much more – it’s always interesting talking about these topics with her. I know Aimee has lots of patients but when I’m with her in the room it seems as though I’m the only one that’s important. That’s another reason why she’s so special – she gives her undivided attention at all times and that’s not something that’s always accessible with other practitioners. I always leave her office feeling calm, de-stressed and lighter, much lighter. Aimee also has a big part in helping me to heal.

I mention all of this because this is how I’ve helped myself heal. It’s not just one quick fix…

I’ve learned that to heal myself I need to let go and let myself get taken care of.

Sometimes you have to let others take care of YOU. If you or someone you know suffer from an illness find the right team. It’s so important to let go and let others take care of you. Maybe giving in to just that will help you heal. Find the right protocol for you – we’re all different and our bodies don’t respond in the same way.

Do the search, get recommendations and be free!

I love to share my experiences and can help you find your journey too.

Live long, enjoy life and smile  🙂

Today was an intense day. Colonoscopy day. If you’re under 50 and reading this post, I don’t expect you to understand what it’s like to have this procedure done – but let me tell you, once 50 hits oh man do you all have a treat coming for you!

No, but really – it’s not SO bad, except that it’s bad. HA.

It’s not like I’ve never had this before either. I had my first procedure when I was 13! Can you believe it, little Shira walking into that hospital, brave as can be not knowing what in the world the outcome would be. Now here I am 12 years later doing the exact same procedure, although this time wasn’t in a hospital and my Dr. was new to me.

Well I’ll walk you through it – yesterday I had to drink 2 bottles of magnesium citrate, which tastes like a gross lemon soda and makes me gag after the first sip. Before the procedure I asked my Dr. if I could chase this lovely liquid with coconut water and he sort of looked at me sideways… “you’re the first person to ever ask that before” Well that’s not so surprising since people usually drink Gatorade or some other crap filled drink which I’m simply not into. I needed to keep my electrolytes in check and not throw up the liquid, so coconut water it was – as long as what I drank was clear it was good to go.

Let’s just say I was in the bathroom for the whole night…………

To top it off, I wasn’t even finished by the morning. I woke up at 5am to let it out……….

I won’t go into too much detail, but you get where I’m going with this.

Anyway I arrived at the facility, which was very nice – it was my first time there. When called, I was told to take everything off and put on the robe. As I lay on the bed freezing my butt off I stared up at the fluorescent-lit ceiling praying that the outcome of this procedure would be a good one. All my stress for the past couple of weeks was about to be over, finished and done with.

As I was rolled into the procedure room, my yogic breath flowing through my body, the anesthesiologist came by my side prepping me for a lovely rest. Right before he put me under he said “happy Bastille day everyone!” All I could do was laugh. The next thing I knew I was awake with the worst bellyache ever and tears running down my face. I was so emotional and happy that the procedure was over but still nervous to chat with the Dr. about the results.

Chad came in to sit with me while I got my bearings and brought me the most beautiful sunflowers ever.

These sunflowers immediately turned my frown upside down!

Finally it was time to talk with the Dr. The most important question of the day was “how does today’s outcome compare to the last procedure done in 2009?” He said he had to go check last years results. I waited patiently.

The outcome:

2009: Colitis was 11-12cm up the colon

2011: Colitis was 2-3cm up the colon and now only in the rectum making it proctitis!!!!!!

Here’s what the Dr. Said after he told me these results:

“Wow, the Rowasa enemas must really be working.”

I didn’t say a word –

The truth:

I BARELY ever take the Rowasa enemas!!! This reversal is all me baby!!

WOW!!!!!!! I’ve done it………… No, it’s not completely gone yet, and I have this strange feeling of not wanting to be happy about this information because I’m worried that I’ll jinx it or something – but when I really think about it, I’M SO HAPPY!!! And excited that all the work I’ve done on myself is finally paying off.

I’m not sure if there are any cases of colitis being reversed…. But I’m getting pretty damn close…..

I’m really excited to share this great news with everyone and I hope you can have the same success as me with whatever it is that your working on disease wise.

If you do the work, it truly is possible – miracles can happen.

Cheers to that and feeling great!

Love,

Shira

Let me introduce myself to you, my name is Shira and about 2 years ago I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and have been forced to change my diet drastically. Doctors told me that food did not play a role in the bloating and the awful feeling that I felt each day. Finally I decided to go against their word and I worked hard on identifying each item that I put into my mouth and began writing down exactly how it made me feel after.

I have been continuing with this and have made a new diet for myself that excludes all dairy, wheat/gluten, caffeine and all refined sugar. This has been quite challenging but I’ve found that I feel much lighter and my bloating has subsided. I recently had a colonoscopy and I’m happy to report that the colitis has improved! There’s definitely hope that changing one’s diet can help and I’m living proof of it. To all those people out there who don’t believe food can affect your body not just with weight, but with emotions, stress and disease I want to tell them that anything’s possible, it’s just about trial and error as well as listening to your body.

So do yourself a favor and pay attention to what goes into your mouth because you have to live with it and the effect it has on your body.

I look forward to helping heal those in need.