Most writers are aware of “The Hero’s Journey,” a pattern that is found in many of the most popular books and movies. These are the stories people love. Recently, a friend brought up the topic, and I had a laugh thinking of how my own mission to get my health back with the right foods would fit the various stages of The Hero’s Journey.
Unfortunately, I’m inept in the kitchen, and I’ve always had a distaste for cooking. Do you sense a good conflict coming up? Yup. Just what you need in a story, but not in real life. In my case, life imitates art. So I’ll insert myself as the hero. Maybe you can, too?
Stage One: The Ordinary World
Right up front I must admit I’ve often joked about my “smoke alarm” method of cooking. Undoubtedly, I was one of the worst chefs in the world, and I hated anything to do with cooking. Loved everything to do with eating, though. So I ate out often, indulged in take-out, and boasted that broccoli was included in many of my meals. I was making healthy choices.
I tried not to bring desserts and junk food into the house, but I was first to the potato chip bowl at any social gathering.
In fact, I was on my own “healthy” version of the Standard American Diet (SAD).
What’s going on in your ordinary world?
Stage Two: The Call to Action/Adventure
One fine summer day I received a doctor’s prescription for an antibiotic to treat an infection. Still sounds ordinary, I know. But that’s the day that triggered a downward spiral in my gut that went on for years. Eventually, bleeding began and became worse with time.
Have you had a call to action and/or adventure?
Stage Three: Refusal of the Call
I didn’t answer my call. Hoping maybe you did? Or are you ready now?
Stage Four: Meeting the Mentor
I think that was supposed to be my doctor. Hmmm…
Do you have a mentor?
Stage Five: Crossing the First Threshold (into Adventure)
Diagnosis: Ulcerative Colitis. This wouldn’t be a fun adventure. Can we still refuse the call??
Stage Six: Tests, Enemies, Allies (Conflicts)
After my diagnosis, my health declined. Medications prescribed did nothing to help. In fact, I believe they made matters worse. Blood loss continued daily, and I became severely anemic along with the usual symptoms of UC. Pain wracked every joint in my body, and horrific skin lesions and fistulas developed. Fatigue was overwhelming. At my worst, I couldn’t walk. Or stand at the stove to cook much of anything.
From the start, I was convinced that food was the medicine I really needed to regain my health.
But my gastroenterologist and surgeon disagreed. Food had nothing to do with it. They said.
Though I was at the point of staring at the wall, I managed a moment of lucidity when I discovered The Specific Carbohydrate Diet online. This approach is the topic of a book that, I think, saved my life. Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet by Elaine Gottschall. Definitely an ally in my battle.
Another ally… Fruit! About the easiest thing you can eat, delicious, and packed with nutrition.
My biggest ally was and is God. A story for another day.
Are you thinking about your tests, enemies, and allies?
Stage Seven: The Approach to the Innermost Cave (Point of Greatest Risk)
In my debilitated state, I believed I could still be my own advocate. A scary time. Anxiety due to the disease was bad enough, but added insurance hassles, fighting for the right treatments (like iron infusions to treat anemia), and trying to get appointments with the right doctors overwhelmed me.
My surgeon recommended a top gastroenterologist and dermatologist. With his intervention, I finally made it to Boston for a biopsy of the skin lesions.
Are you at risk? When you’re in the middle of it, especially without an advocate, it’s hard to say. And the adventure continues…
Stage Eight: The Supreme Ordeal (The Black Moment)
Exhausted and in pain, I sat on the examining table listening to the dermatologist’s assistant (herself an accomplished MD) explaining the results of the biopsy. It was a struggle to concentrate, frankly. She was prescribing more drugs I did not want.
The eminent dermatologist entered the room and said I was a classic case. The treatment plan was clearly a course of heavy-duty meds followed by treatment with a biologic drug. Everything I feared.
I told him I wanted to treat the lesions topically. He laughed in my face, stepped even closer and began yelling at me. That was my Black Moment.
I ambled out of the hospital with prescriptions for topical drugs. And an appointment with another dermatologist.
Are you going through a supreme ordeal?
Stage Nine: The Reward
By the grace of God, my new gastroenterologist was/is the superstar my surgeon had said. She listened to me! She had no problem using words like “microbiome,” and she was aware of The Specific Carbohydrate Diet. (Not that it would help me. But just that fact was enough to encourage me.) And if the dermatology department was willing to let me get away with topical treatments, she’d go with it for the moment. She even supported my decision to use turmeric and curcumin to bring down inflammation. (Not that it would necessarily help me. lol)
With her guidance, I’m reducing medication. Each time I do, I notice an improvement. Debilitating joint pain has gone.
My new dermatologist—another gift from God. He completely supported me in the quest to heal with topical treatments. And that has happened.
Tests show inflammation has come way down.
And my chef’s career? Um. Yes, I’m still no chef. Haha. But I have focused on preparing simple foods, mostly plant based, mostly organic. Focus is the key. And making the time to do what it takes. Making health a priority. It’s possible. Even for me.
Smoke alarms are way down at my house.
Bottom line: You are the Hero of your own story. You can journey to health and wellness despite your shortcomings and circumstances. Will you answer the call?
Tell me about your Hero’s Journey in the comments.
