Dolly Reyes, CHC

Can I share my story with you?

It all started after a very traumatic experience in 2012, and I had my very first panic attack. It’s such a horrible feeling, yet almost impossible to describe. There were many more after that, followed by severe anxiety and depression, which in turn, started manifesting as physical symptoms: constant headaches, hormonal imbalance, lack of energy, insomnia, body aches and palpitations, just to name a few. Bottom line, I was miserable! I imagine you can relate.

I was sick, exhausted, and suicidal.

I bounced from one doctor to the next, jumped to hospital visits, and had a lengthy stay in the ICU because my White Blood Cell count was extremely low. Upon my discharge, I was given a referral to see an Oncologist and PANIC MODE was activated!

The Oncologist was the first of 5 specialists I was to see for the next 4 years. I was X-Rayed, scanned, poked and prodded continuously. I felt like a Lab Rat!

There were so many doctors appointments, but no answers and no relief. They didn’t know what was wrong with me but wanted to continue to perform very invasive tests and, of course, prescribe medication for my depression, because according to my Oncologist, it was all psychosomatic!

Never mind the fact that I was walking around with a fever every day, my hair was falling out, and I had open sores in the back of my throat. How could this be in my head?! It got to the point that I could barely get out of bed, and I slept most of the time. I started to isolate.

I knew that something had to change, or I wouldn’t make it through another day, and after four years of not getting any answers from any doctors I decided enough was enough.

I confided in a friend who recommended a holistic approach, and I contacted a local Nutritionist, who, during my first visit, gave me more answers than what I had received in 4 years from the doctors.

But even more important, she gave me hope! She saw me, and she listened. She made a few recommendations, like eating whole foods and avoiding gluten and sugar, but I must admit that I was skeptical, and I didn’t think that something so simple as making some dietary changes was going to make a difference, but at that point I was willing to try anything!

So, the only logical thing to do was to fire my doctors! Don’t get me wrong. I do believe that Emergency Room Physicians are HEROES, and many of them perform miracles and lifesaving procedures every single day. But not so much when it comes to how nutrition, lifestyle choices and environmental factors affect the way we feel physically, mentally and emotionally.

My way of thinking changed, and my health improved.

There was no going back, and I knew that if I was able to improve my emotional, mental and physical health with nutrition, positive thinking, and self-care, so could everyone else! Yes, some of us must hit bottom first, but with some guidance, determination and self-love, it is possible. Not always easy, but so worth it!

So, I have spent the last 9 years of my life sharing my personal journey with anyone who would listen, and with those who are struggling with their own health challenges.

I continue to learn and grow every day, and my vision is to help improve the quality of life through nutrition for every person who crosses my path.