Thursday, September 19, 2013

My MS Testimony!


Some of you may or may not know that I have MS.  I’ve shared it in my book, Moving Through Opened Doors, but other than that I tell people If it “comes up”.  I’m not sensitive or private about it, its just not something that I let define me.  Today I just felt the need to share because I believe there is something in my testimony that may help you.  

I always talk about the Pooka story and how the business started because I got sick. Drs. couldn’t find anything wrong with me so, I decided to change my diet so that maybe I would feel better.  I started reading labels of everything I ate, then I started reading my body product labels.  I realized that I didn’t want those chemicals in my system, so I started making my own products and that’s how Pooka  began.  But after years of feeling sick on and off, I was diagnosed 7 years ago with Multiple Sclerosis.  A lot of people don’t know exactly what that is, so heres the quick definition. Multiple sclerosis (or MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision.  

When I was first diagnosed the Drs. told me my best chance was to go on the medication right away!  But after research I learned that the medicine wouldn’t cure the disease, just possibly slow it down.  I couldn’t imagine filling my body with medication for the rest of my life so I decided instead to go the holistic route.  I have a great Dr, who treats me with supplements, vitamins, tonics, minerals along with nutrition, acupuncture and mind and body work.  I also do some yoga, meditation and positive affirmations. The main thing for me is my prayer and my faith. Now, I’ve had some struggles over the years, including some chronic paralysis. There are periods when I’m very sick, but I’m still here!  I try to stay upbeat and not let it get me down and any of you who know me know that I LOVE to laugh!  I believe laughter is medicine, so I get a lot of that :-)  

I visit my neurologist every 6 months and take my results to my holistic Dr. for treatment.  6 months ago, my MRI results were not good and the disease was progressing.  My neurologist told me without hesitation, that I NEEDED to go on the medication.  I admit, I was a upset but I took the results to my holistic Dr and we agreed that we’d change some things in my diet and become more aggressive with treatments and give it another 6 months.  We agreed that, in 6 months, if there is more progression that maybe, just maybe we’d consider the medication.  This last 6 months, I listened to what he told me to do and stayed in prayer.  

You know that nutrition is important to me, I’m always talking about what we should be eating, what things we shouldn’t be eating, why we should go organic, blah, blah, blah, LOL!  But it’s such an important part of my life and I believe that Good nutrition is powerful and consuming healthy, organic food can keep illness away.  You all know how much I LOVE my nutribullet @thenutribullet. So during this 6 months I’ve really been juicing lots of fruits and veggies, trying to stick to a healthy diet, reading my bible and praying without ceasing.

Last week I went for the results of my MRI, my neurologist always tells me that the reason that I need to be on the medication is once you get an MS scar, that’s it.  It can’t be reversed, so whatever damage is done by it is permanent.  He pulls out my MRI brain results and announces that in the last 6 months there is no progression.  I was very happy, but he said, “Although thats good, once you have scarring we can’t fix that, you should still go on the medication.”  So now he pulls out my neck and cervical spine results, for me this is where I’ve had most of my damage.  He stops and just looks at me and says, “Not only has it not progressed, but you’ve had improvement....that doesn’t happen...”  Then he got up and my neurologist said, “Wow...Give me a hug!”  

I know that this is a lifelong battle but I had to share this testimony because GOD IS GOOD! If I never got sick, I would have never started this business or had the Many, Many, Many blessings and opportunities that I’ve received!  Hey, I’ve gotten to be on TV, the Radio and on the cover of a magazine!  How can I ever be mad about my illness, when GOD has blessed me through it! And here is what I want you to take away. 
  1. There is a testimony in every test!  
  2. Prayer works!
  3. I believe there is always a silver lining you just have to look for it!
  4. NUTRITION is key!  Care about what you put in your body.
  5. Have Faith!
  6. Stay positive, I believe your thoughts will create your reality.
  7. Repeat positive affirmations every day! ( I always start my day stating that I am healthy and healed!)
  8. Laugh a lot!  
  9. Encourage someone every day, you never know what someone may be going through.
  10. Buy a Nutribullet, LOL!
  11. Laugh some more!!!

31 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing your story. It was food for my soul. Be well & may many more blessings continue to shower you in your life.

    -Kim
    West Orange, NJ

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  2. Dawn,

    Thank you for sharing your testimony with us, because there is power in prayer and having others pray with and for you, is that much better. May God continue to heal your body! I know that they say there's no cure, but with GOD, all things are possible! Be blessed and keep laughing!

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    1. Antoinetter, You are so welcome! Just sharing what GOD can do! :-)

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  3. Thank you for sharing! I knew there was a reason why I was so taken by your product(s) so quickly; I too have MS (16yrs); your story is encouraging especially for those of us that have had workplace challenges because of this condition. Nevertheless, TGBTG!!!

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    1. Oh Angela!! This was especially for you :-) Stay in faith, I know that it gets tough some days, but we WILL make it through! TGBTG!

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  4. Bless you Dawn! Your testimony is inspiring and encouraging. Thank you for sharing.

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  5. Not only are you blessed but you have been a blessing to so many others. Keep fighting for your health and well-being and keep believing God to continue to bring you through. Thank you for sharing, you have inspired me to get it together and start taking my nutrition seriously. God bless you!

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    1. Thank you Aicha! I'm going to keep pressing on! Let's get started on some good eating :-)

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  6. Thanks for sharing Dawn! I love your products and I'm sharing your story with my girlfriend who is also dealing with MS. Many continued blessings to you!

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    1. You're welcome! I hope that your friend can stay encouraged, I know its hard sometimes. I'm glad that she has you for support, it makes a BIG difference :-)

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  7. Hi Dawn, Thank you very much for sharing. You are truly Blessed and I wish you many more! All I can say is "God is Good!"

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  8. Dawn, thank you for the testimony! I too knew we had a connection. I am a MSer too! 18 yrs. I am just beginning my Journey to natural foods. I just wish I could find a knowledgeable holistic Dr. where I live. So glad you are doing well. Remember me, I was going to be one of your reps, when you were offering the program? I may have some questions for ya!

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    1. Hi there!!! 18years! You are a testimony! The natural food journey will make such a difference I promise. Check out this link http://www.terrywahls.com/
      Where do you live, I'm sure we can find a holistic Dr in your area

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  9. I adore you!! What a testimony! You are blessed my friend!

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    1. And you've got a testimony of your own!!! I'm surrounded by strong women! Muah!!

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  10. Amen. Pray without ceasing, a positive outlook and eat for living not only for existing.

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  11. Your testimony has inspired me beyond words. I was not aware of your MS and I am kind of shocked, to be honest. Because here's the thing, after meeting you on the Indie Cruise early this year, my impression of you is/was/continues to be: there is a beautiful, happy, healthy, smiling, successful woman. YOU are an inspiration to everyone you meet. Thank you for sharing. -- Debbie Richards

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    1. Hi Debbie!!
      Thank you soo much for the kind words!! Indie cruise is my release so I make sure I have a GOOOOD time, LOL! Hopefully I'll see you there this year too!

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  12. I thought all angels were up in Heaven but I see God has given us at least one here on Earth, YOU! Many more blessings.

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    1. ooooohhhh.....you know I'm a cryer, LOL! GOD has given us so many angels, we all have our time to fly :-)

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  13. You said it. God is Good! What an awesome testimony

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    1. All the TIme, Yolanda!!! You are in MY prayers!!

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  14. wow! That is an awesome testimony!! God is definitely good and has the final say so in all things!! You have inspired me to be more conscious of my health as well and what i'm eating. I already have started the move to using products that are all natural on my body..But you have given me the boost I need to also do it with food! Thank you for sharing your story and please continue to be the positive, upbeat, beautiful woman that you are!! God bless you!!

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    1. Awwwww.... thank you Taneice! HE definitely has the final word and I'm believing it to be a wonderful one :-) I'm glad you're inspired to be a little more health conscious!

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  15. Nicole Williams-JamesSeptember 23, 2013 at 3:34 PM

    Dawn...thank you so much for sharing your testimony! My Mom was diagnosed in 2001, and still enjoys a great quality of life thru meds, diet, exercise, and positive thinking...to GOD be the glory! I'm gonna give you a big hug the next time I'm in the shop! :-)

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    1. Awwww.....I love hugs!!! I'm glad mommy is doing well! Positive thinking is KEY!

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  16. God is such a wonder! Thank you for sharing your testimony. I needed to hear this as I'm going through it with a chronic illness myself and a friend of a friend was recently diagnosed with MS so I forwarded this onto her. Thank you for being an inspiration.

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