The practitioner read my results, turned to me and said, “You are exhausted!” Surprised and relieved by her declaration, I sat up straight to expel a greater exhale. The test results amplified what I’d been trying to articulate for months. I was exhausted! To be clear, I was not just worn out or weary, drained or depleted. I did not feel like I needed a nap or retreat. I had been feeling busted beyond repair – as if life had been drained from me and there were no reserves and no energy to muster replenishment.

I felt like I needed to press the stop button on my life, lie comatose for about a month, and then be restored. 

A few years ago, I began experiencing chest pains and headaches. Years and rounds of cardio and pulmonary testing left me with three different inhalers and no specific diagnosis. More recently, I began feeling like I could not get enough oxygen. I was scared. The act of having to train my husband and children how to use my emergency inhaler spiraled me into despair. Again, I turned to God searching for answers. A friend proposed that mold may be growing in our home and causing my sickness. Environmental specialists tested our home and confirmed that I had been exposed to toxic mold spores growing in our HVAC system. 

Once I had answers, I sprinted towards solutions. I enrolled in a twelve-week intense detox/cleanse protocol to eliminate mold and other toxins from my body. I invited people to share their mold sickness stories with me. Learning from other people’s experiences helped me feel hopeful. And when someone asked me how I was doing, I gave an honest answer: I’m suffering from long-term toxic mold exposure and want to be healed. 

When I shared my honest answer on a routine visit to my chiropractor, she responded, “Dr. Michelle, across the hall, specializes in getting mold out of the body.” A few days later, I sat across from Dr. Michelle as she used morphogenic field technique (MTF) to test energy in my organs and muscles. She explained that the results indicated that my body’s systems had been working extremely hard for an extended time trying to eliminate the mold toxins from my body. My adrenals were shot. My lungs were compromised. This is how, without me uttering a word, she knew the magnitude of my exhaustion. She then crafted a healing protocol to replenish my body so that it could grow strong enough to eliminate toxins.

Then, the hard work began. I had to start my mornings two hours earlier than usual for the daily ‘Ten Steps’ that helped my body flush toxins and stored waste. This included things like oil pulling, dry brushing, neti potting, at least twenty minutes of sitting in a sauna tent, making and drinking a heavy metal detox smoothie, and doing breathwork. The detox required a primary all-juicing diet. Prior to this protocol, I knew nothing about juicing or where to purchase potent quality herbs. So, I did a crash course in efficient juicers, batch juicing, and storing fresh pressed juice. I had to figure out where and how to purchase produce wholesale, locally, and when dining out, and how to navigate a menu to choose the cleanest and most nutrient-dense, toxin-free options. I even learned how to test my kidneys’ filtration levels to detect proper functioning. I was required to prioritize rest. I was advised to normalize saying “No” to any requests that caused stress or strain.

Over months, I committed myself to these healing protocols. I didn’t get to eat my special batch of birthday cookies. I missed out on my annual candy corn indulgence during Halloween. For Thanksgiving, I ate no turkey or sweet potato pie. When I shared about the healing protocols with friends who asked, they responded in disbelief. “That’s brutal!” they said. Yes, at times it feels that way, but it simultaneously feels beautiful! Yes, it is a whole lot of work – hard work. But it is the hard work of healing. It is the hard work of love. I am giving myself the time, attention, and support needed to be replenished and restored. 

Two weeks in, my foggy brain cleared. Exhaustion lifted. My skin began to glow. Monthly, Dr. Michelle tests my body’s energy, and each time the results tell the story of a body in repair. The healing protocols – research, learning, strategic nutrition, and focused care — are working new life in me. The daily ‘Ten Steps’ that started off feeling laborious eased into feeling special, like a luxury spa treatment. I’d always wanted to experience this type of abundance, but until now, had no idea how to live it.

Along the way, Spirit reminded me that THIS is what healing looks like. Instead of fighting sickness, healing is intentional love and support lavished upon the burdened parts of my body that have become weak, bruised, and depleted. The daily hours, the focused care, and months of commitment taught me that healing asks for a significant investment – one that I deserve because it’s what God wants for me (John 10:10). Healing wants me to not just acknowledge my suffering, but to seek restoration. Healing ushered me from isolation by calling in community –  people who shared their stories, wisdom, and professional experience. 

Through all of this, I am learning how to do things that improve my mindset and overall quality of life. I am doing hard things that I never thought I could do. Honestly, I am so proud of myself. 

While I am not certain what ‘finished’ will look like, the ongoing work of healing has already given me abundantly more than mold tried to steal from me. Isn’t that the way of God? He works through ALL things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Whatever kind of restoration you need today — whether that’s physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually — I pray that you will be strengthened to endure and embrace all that healing’s work has to offer you.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10 (NIV)

 

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