My Body, His Temple?
By Lori Bova, Patriot Mom
For the past 5 years, I have struggled with a variety of medical issues ranging from extreme fatigue to chronic arthritic symptoms. I do not share this for sympathy, but to alert all of you to LISTEN TO YOUR BODY (it is God’s temple you know). When you mommas think something is wrong, it usually is.
Of course the symptoms were nagging, but I explained most of them away with the birth of our daughter and the start of a new business (not to mention a 2 year old running around). I really began thinking that I might be going a little crazy or worse (the “D” word…depressed). I consulted my OB/GYN…probably a little hormone imbalance or stress. I visited a rheumatologist…found nothing “wrong” but offered to send me home with a prescription. I began to just accept that this was my new reality. Of course I prayed about it, but mostly along the lines that I would not be a complainer. I didn’t want anyone to know that something was “wrong” with me.
One day I was sitting in the good Dr. C. Wade Fox’s office at Wellquest (http://www.wellquest.md/) for something totally unrelated. My right thumb had become completely immobile. I could not bend it or put any pressure on it. Most of my daily tasks had become compromised because of the absurd amount of swelling and discomfort. I casually asked him if he could figure out what on earth was wrong. He actually LISTENED to all of my symptoms and concerns. We took immediate x-rays and located the problem…bonespurs all over the joint. Now at this point, most doctors would have given me an anti-inflammatory and the story about fusing the joint together and sent me on my way. Not the good Dr. Fox. He said, “Let’s figure our why you body is depositing calcium here.” Novel idea! Let’s find the cause, not just treat the symptoms.
After a little blood work, the results were in. Glory be to God that ALL of my issues could be attributed to a little disease called Celiac Sprue (http://www.celiac.com/). My body does not like wheat gluten (neither does super cool PCCA mom Shannon Vitiello’s). It cannot tolerate it. My body goes on the attack when it enters my body. Within 2 weeks of starting a strict gluten-free diet, all of my symptoms were resolved (and I even lost a few pounds!). Glory be to God (and props to Dr. Fox!).
1. Listen to your body
2. Seek wise counsel
3. Pray for a conquering spirit
4. Honor your temple with appropriate food, activities, and sleep
5. Take care of you so that you can glorify God and tend your flock
I Corinthians 6:19-20
19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
Of course the symptoms were nagging, but I explained most of them away with the birth of our daughter and the start of a new business (not to mention a 2 year old running around). I really began thinking that I might be going a little crazy or worse (the “D” word…depressed). I consulted my OB/GYN…probably a little hormone imbalance or stress. I visited a rheumatologist…found nothing “wrong” but offered to send me home with a prescription. I began to just accept that this was my new reality. Of course I prayed about it, but mostly along the lines that I would not be a complainer. I didn’t want anyone to know that something was “wrong” with me.
One day I was sitting in the good Dr. C. Wade Fox’s office at Wellquest (http://www.wellquest.md/) for something totally unrelated. My right thumb had become completely immobile. I could not bend it or put any pressure on it. Most of my daily tasks had become compromised because of the absurd amount of swelling and discomfort. I casually asked him if he could figure out what on earth was wrong. He actually LISTENED to all of my symptoms and concerns. We took immediate x-rays and located the problem…bonespurs all over the joint. Now at this point, most doctors would have given me an anti-inflammatory and the story about fusing the joint together and sent me on my way. Not the good Dr. Fox. He said, “Let’s figure our why you body is depositing calcium here.” Novel idea! Let’s find the cause, not just treat the symptoms.
After a little blood work, the results were in. Glory be to God that ALL of my issues could be attributed to a little disease called Celiac Sprue (http://www.celiac.com/). My body does not like wheat gluten (neither does super cool PCCA mom Shannon Vitiello’s). It cannot tolerate it. My body goes on the attack when it enters my body. Within 2 weeks of starting a strict gluten-free diet, all of my symptoms were resolved (and I even lost a few pounds!). Glory be to God (and props to Dr. Fox!).
1. Listen to your body
2. Seek wise counsel
3. Pray for a conquering spirit
4. Honor your temple with appropriate food, activities, and sleep
5. Take care of you so that you can glorify God and tend your flock
I Corinthians 6:19-20
19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
Well said,sister! I'm a fan of the good Dr. Fox as well! Thanks for the reminder to raise the bar - sometimes I take better care of things that aren't mine, so this is good to remind me that my body is not mine alone.
Thank you so much for sharing this story! I am a huge believer in finding the source of the problem, rather than treating sympoms. What an encouragement your story is to me!
Lori,
I have so many friends with Celiac. It is more common than we realize and can be very serious... and many doctors overlook it. Praise God for Dr. Fox and I am so thankful you found out. In our little Baptist church we have 2 adults, 2 teens and a young child with it from 3 different families. It can tend to b genetic.
Praying for you and I am so glad that you have an answer. I remember the struggle with hiding symptoms, explaining them away, feeling like a secret hypochondriac and then finally getting the MS diagnosis. Not that I wanted it, but it was better than the struggle.
Thank you for sharing.
God is our Healer, Comforter, sufficient in His grace, and HIS timing is always perfect.