Day 36: Operation HOPE...Doctors' Report

Today is Day 36.  I had my month follow up appointment with both my nutritionist (Dr. C.) and the owner/chiropractor (Dr. P.) today.

In 36 days;

• I've lost 12.8 pounds.  {W-O-W!}
• I've lost 4.4% body fat.  {Double-W-O-W!!}
• I've gained muscle mass (because my body is now burning fat).  {Triple-W-O-W!!!}

Dr. C. was ecstatic with these numbers.  He was actually blown away.  He told Scott and I that he doesn't normally see these sort of numbers in a first month from patients who are women.  I reminded him that I'm not like every other patient.  😉  He also couldn't believe that I've stuck to this program 98% of the time.  {I had to tell him I had some Triscuits on New Years Eve and a few yesterday!}  His exact words were, "Impressive.  Good for you!"

Dr. C. said that because my numbers are so good, he wants me to continue on the same program I've been on for the last 36 days!  {Insert Snoopy happy dance!!}  I was SO happy when I heard that!!  I was really concerned about the next phase of the program.  I did not want to do that phase!  So, for now, thankfully, it's on the back burner.

On top of continuing the same plan, I will begin a more invasive detox/cleanse.  The sole purpose of this detox is to detox my liver from statin medication toxins.  I will be supplementing a meal or snack with a shake of ice, water, blueberries and a cleanse supplement powder.  Dr. C. said that after a month of this detox, I may see a little difference in the muscle pain that I'm having.  Especially since I've already stopped taking the statin drug a month ago.  I stopped that medication on my own for two reasons:  

1. I felt I was trying to cleanse my body but was still putting medications in.  I felt that eating clean would take care of the cholesterol issue that I've had, so I felt comfortable stopping this medication.
2. My legs were hurting so much I felt that stopping that medication would help.  As it was, I could only take it four times a week (instead of seven) because of the horrible leg cramps I would get.

I talked to both doctors about the extreme pain and fatigue I've been experiencing.  I also voiced my frustration in the fact that I'm doing every single thing they've told me to, and I'm still in so much pain and so tired.  They both said {separately} that it's going to take time to clear my body of the toxins and turn my bad cells around to good cells.  They both said that it could be at least another month or two before I start to see some change in my pain level {but I'm to understand that this is a cautiously optimistic time-frame...it could be longer}; and, they both said that it could ultimately take up to a year for my full recovery.  They reminded me that all this didn't happen to my body overnight, and therefore, it won't be fixed overnight.

Had I heard this news before my revelation yesterday {that I'm still recovering and not healed yet}, I think I would have freaked out.  But, I didn't.  I sighed and said, "okay".  I guess this is all part of recovery.  Pain is an inevitable part of healing.

I'm so grateful for both these doctors.  They were, and have been, very encouraging and supportive.  God knew exactly what I needed and where I needed to be at this time of my life.

I'm looking forward to the day I can say I have less pain...and then finally no pain!  I don't know when that will be, but I am confident I will utter those words at some point.  Until then, I'm committed to this process and keeping my eyes on the prize....my pain-free life!