In 2014, Whole Food | Real Families was born of complete and utter frustration – and love from my husband. I don’t think I have ever been that honest about it before. Four years prior, my health had taken a pretty sorry turn. It was a highly stressful time for our family and I became pregnant with our second child, followed by our third child in 2013. My 3 children are the greatest gifts in my life. But two close pregnancies, in my mid and late thirties took a heavy toll on my body.
Our life is highly blessed. My husband and I are best friends and we have 3 beautiful children. We live in a nice home in the suburbs. We have a stable income thanks to my husband, who is an aerospace engineer. We have health insurance and our refrigerator is never bare. All in all, it is not a bad gig. I have been given many gifts.
Apparently my baby was ready for a nap. Lol!! #familytime #sisterlove #toddlers #naptime #Savannah
A photo posted by Cynthia (@wholefoodrealfa) on
But I struggle with extreme joint pain, muscle pain and weakness, fatigue (oh the fatigue!), and at times a memory fog that makes it difficult to remember what I was talking about from one sentence to the next. The full list of symptoms is long and distinguished. While they are not all constant (except the join pain) they are persistent. I have been diagnosed with everything. Treated for everything. And inevitably come back to the same place of dealing with symptoms day to day.
My official diagnosis – at least today – is Fibromyalgia, which is related to overactive nerves in the body that amplify pain signals. You can read more about it on the Mayo Clinic website here. I am still not sure how I feel about it. My experience has been that a Fibromyalgia diagnosis comes when the doctor runs out of tests and drugs. Not that it isn’t real. Just that if feels like the end of a road.
Early in 2014, I was sitting at our dining room table, explaining to my husband how chronic pain had made me feel robbed of joy – and I had so many reasons to be joyful. I needed something in my life that was not focused on illness. Dealing with constant pain had made me a cranky mess (that is the abridged version.) Every day was leading me to one more doctor appointment, one more test procedure, one more medication – which inevitably led to another round of side effects that complicated an already complicated health journey. My cup felt empty – but it shouldn’t have been.
My husband Jeff, who knows me better than anyone, said nothing. He just got up, went to the computer and bought the domain name I had talked about for the last year. He printed the confirmation and handed it to me still sitting at the table. As always, he knew exactly what I needed. Something positive to grow and love and build. I love to cook. I love to create recipes. I had no idea how to take a picture but loved having something new to learn. A food blog had always been a fantasy but one I would likely have never pursued without his nudge.
Why a whole food site? When we transitioned our diet to whole food, it was very much about helping me feel better. I was an avid reader of whole food sites and books and had high hopes for a miracle food cure. I was planning to be healthy, pain-free, lose some weight and write daily about how giving up processed food had saved me.
So far there are no miracles. I feel better when I eat well than I do when I eat junk and that is where I start each day. Nourishing my body with healthy food gives me more strength to take care of my children, to spend time with my husband and to work on this website that continues to grow as I learn.
It has taken a couple of years for me to be brave enough to share the details of my health journey. I felt like I needed a cure to share with you. I needed a happy ending. When I said that to my husband recently, he told me that there are people everywhere who are on a journey of their own. Maybe you don’t need a miracle. Just someone to join you on the path.
He’s smart, that guy. I should listen to him more.
Over the last few years, each time someone had read an article, cooked a recipe, or left a comment, it reinforced the constructive energy that keeps me looking forward and building something positive.
So thank you. From the bottom of my heart.
– Cynthia
A perfect day at the park. #savannah #forsythpark #daughters #mothers #letsplay
A photo posted by Cynthia (@wholefoodrealfa) on
Thank you for sharing your beautiful story with us. You are an inspiration.
You are sweet Nikki. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing this, so inspiring. It is so important that we took care of ourselves and always stay healthy but I know it is so hard especially when we talks about sleeping!
Fibromyalgia is a horrible thing to have to live with. I know a few people that have to live with it and it is a struggle for them to deal but the do. The one lady exercises daily and changed her habits completely which she claims helps a bit. She tells me that she will not let something get her down. I believe her…for one she is stubborn and has the drive to try to overcome it.
Your post made me laugh a little Wendy. Yes, sometimes I think the best medicine for Fibromyalgia is a nice thick streak of stubborn. It hurts, but it is probably always going to hurt. And medication often has a rebound effect that makes it worse . So you are left with two basic choices – stand up or roll over. I will admit there are days… but for the most part I try to just get up and keep moving. Bless your friend. I feel her. 🙂
Awesome quote! It might not be easy to stay positive 24/7 but so glad to know you do it!
I love this quote too! Thanks Ana.
I’m so sorry to hear you struggle with this… I bet the joint pain alone is no fun, but add the rest and I know things can get challenging. boy, do I.
Yes, we all struggle at times, right?! Thank you for reading Rosey. I hope you will be back!
Thanks for sahring a bit of your story here. Made me realize and rethink my health (lifestyle) habit too!
I’m glad to hear that Ron. As my dad likes to say, I am past perfection, I am just going for progress. I hope you will stop by and let me know how you are doing!
There’s so much to be thankful for and sometimes it can be overshadowed by the things we are going through, like your chronic pain. And it’s not something to feel bad about, as we are only human after all. I love how supportive your family is! And it’s nice to have an outlet like this blog of yours which serves as an inspiration to many.
Thank you Amanda. Sometimes it is tough to crawl out of things like chronic pain and see the good around us. You’re right, this blog really started as a way for me to focus on something other than how I was feeling physically. It really feels like a complete circle to be able to talk about it here now. I am so glad you came by and am so grateful you read my story. I hope to read yours one day too.
It is not s easy to maintain a lifestyle with kids when you have any health issues. I had these health issues and every step were so cautious.
Yes, there are days that each step is cautious. But I it is a new day!
I love that quote. Resonated with me so deeply. “Sing anyway”. Brilliant post, mad respect to you for writing about this.
Thank you Enricoh. I know this quote too. It is a reminder that sometimes fake it till you make it is a good plan. 🙂
You had a beautiful Family, I love reading this and I’m so thankful that you share your journey with us
I think they are pretty special Victoria. Thank you.
I love that you are very aware of the blessings that you have in life. That’s what people lack, which leads to them feeling bad for themselves. It’s tough to go through health issues but I’m glad you have a supportive family and one that would also make sure your dreams came true. This food blog is such a blessing to many. You are never alone.
Elizabeth, I am so grateful for your comment. Yes, focusing on something positive I can build and share keeps me happy and engaged and focused on the great parts of life.
Love the quote at the top. Sounds like a loving family. I hope the rest of 2016 will be great for your family. I hope good comes your way.
Thank you Brandi! I appreciate it. I would be lost without this family. And without you guys!
You have a fantastic support system there! What a beautiful family!
Thank you Lisa. Yes, they are very special.
I love your honesty that eating healthy did not bring a miracle. Eating whole food is better for bodies than junk food as my husband is discovering that he brought his high blood pressure down with a change in diet.
It was tough for me to accept there were no miracles. But I am grateful for the journey. And for such a supportive family and group of friends.
Your husband sounds so wise. I am sorry you are going through these health issues and wish you better health in the coming year. Blessings to all of you.
Hi Carol! Yes, he’s a pretty smart guy. I appreciate you so much.
My friend’s aunt was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I understand the constant pain. It is not a place where I would want to be. But I send you prayers for you and your family and that you find relief soon.
Erica K
http://www.beautyonthebayou.com
Thanks Erica. It is challenging – but everyone gets dealt a hand of cards. All we can do is play them as best we can. I think a lot of the joy in life comes in the journey and when you have a chronic illness, you have to keep focused on that.
You are helping others with your honesty and transparency with your journey. Never give up on yourself and keep moving forward! xo~
Thank you Amee. The transparency is not always easy for me. This space was really created as a place for me not to talk about it since it was so much a part of my life at the time. But connections with people like you have made sharing more openly much more comfortable and seem much more like the next natural step in a long journey.
Thank you Cynthia for sharing. I deal with so many miserable effects from my disease and whole foods help. I am glad your husband encourages you as mine does me. Adding you to my prayers!
Thank you Kristen. It took me a few days to come back and reply to everyone because I was so moved by the support in my blogging community. Thank you for being so honest yourself and for sharing about your path so that other people can be encouraged by it.
Oh, he’s a smart one, that man. And a keeper. So are YOU, on both counts! Thanks for letting us in on your challenges. Wishing the best for you and your family.
Thank you Dorothy. You have always been such a big supporter. I am so thankful you are part of my life. And yes, he’s a keeper. 🙂
I didn’t know you suffered with the pain of Fibromyalgia. I’m so sorry you have to go through that, but I’m glad whole food helps. My neighbor has suffered with this for years too. She gets some relief by keeping a regular exercise routine and a low carb lifestyle. PS – Jeff is right. It’s good to share your story. You find you’re not alone in your journey while helping others at the same time 🙂 Take care my friend.
Thank you Marion. I appreciate you so much. It is a challenge to find the thing that works long term. What works one week might not work the next, so learning to roll with it and switch to something new is just part of the experience. I am currently giving low carb a try too. And I have to say, I am not sure about my joint pain but I am a very cranky Whole30 participant. LOL! Thank you for your friendship.