Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Flawed yet Functional

Life free from autoimmune captivity

  • Meet Emily
    • About Me
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Health Journey
    • AVM Story
    • Diabetics Start Here!
    • Type 1 Diabetes
    • Autoimmune Protocol (AIP)
  • Recipes
  • Habits
    • Goals
    • Productivity
    • Menu Plan
  • Home Decor
    • DIY
    • Sewing
    • Organization
    • House Tour
  • Contact

Health Journey

My varied health history is the primary reason I publish this blog. Growing up I believed I was a staple of health: thin, active, participated in sports, and ate normal American food that was cooked from scratch. That’s a healthy life, right?

Arteriovenus Malformation (AVM)

The first blow to my health-ego was the discovery of a mass of arteries and veins in my brain. It had been causing mild seizures since I was a senior in high school, and at the age of 25 it ruptured. The pressure in the brain caused a scenario very similar to 50 First Dates except the reset time was about 10 minutes. God blessed me by placing me in a town with an AVM specialist in it. The AVM was removed in a two step, two day surgery, and after a few months of rehab, I made a full recovery and returned to a normal life.

Click the photo below to read the whole story.

Gestational Diabetes

With the AVM ordeal behind me, I entered my first pregnancy again believing I was the staple of health. I ran a couple 10k’s a year, worked-out regularly, and ate what I thought was a healthy diet. Imagine my surprise when I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes at week 28 of my pregnancy. What?! How could that be? I fit zero, none!, of the criteria! Thankfully, I was able to manage my blood sugar through diet and exercise the rest of the pregnancy.

Fast forward to my second pregnancy, and I could feel the diabetes hit. I know the exact weekend my pancreas could no longer keep up. Defeated, I tried to manage my blood sugar through diet and exercise, but my body did not respond the same. I ended up on insulin for the remainder of the pregnancy.

After birth, I received a clean bill of health and release from gestational diabetes. Until…

Adult-Onset, Type 1 Diabetes

As a 33 year old, I started to experience symptoms of diabetes: extreme thirst, frequent urination, and blurred vision. Since my family has 3 Type 1 Diabetics, I had easy access to a glucose monitor to test my blood sugar. 522. Normal is 100. Yikes, I guess I’m a diabetic now. Through blood tests it was determined that I was, in fact, a Type 1 Diabetic as my levels of GAD65 were severely elevated which is the distinguishing characteristic between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.

What’s amazing about this health issue is I am managing my blood sugar levels without insulin. Through research and reading tons of articles, I’ve discovered the trigger to my autoimmune disease (gluten) and other food sensitivities that raise my blood sugar (dairy and eggs).

Click the Insulin Free Diabetes photo to check out the research supporting how I manage diabetes, and click the Type 1 Diabetes link to follow along with my journey.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional giving out medical advice. I am an avid reader, researcher, and believer in the body’s ability to heal when given the right food and conditions. I enjoy encouraging others to take control of their health and change their current situation.

Share this!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

I'm Emily, and I am passionate about using food and healthy habits to transform lives with autoimmune disease. Here you will find healthy recipes that follow the Paleo or Autoimmune Protocol diets, strategies to create a life free from autoimmune symptoms, and encouragement to press on!

Do you want to live your best life? Then you are in the right place! Read More…




Top Posts

Elimination Diet

Autoimmune Protocol Food Journal

Autoimmune Protocol | Reintroduction Phase

Make Cooking and Eating Vegetables Easier

How to Make Cooking and Eating Vegetables Easier




[instagram-feed]

gluten free blog network directory

Footer

About Us

Contact Us

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Disclosure

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Type 1 diabetic, AVM survivor, Autoimmune Protocol dieter, DIY-er, Mom, Wife, and Lover of Jesus. So glad you are here today, and I hope you leave encouraged! Learn more about me →

Copyright © 2023 · Foodie Pro & The Genesis Framework