How my shift to holistic wellness affected my life
A Journey of Transition and Faith
For much of my life, I relied on conventional medicine to provide the answers I needed. When I faced my first major challenge at 32 — a sudden diagnosis of sepsis — I followed my doctors’ recommendations without hesitation. However, as the years went by, bringing heart attacks, chronic infections, and multiple amputations, I started to realize that while conventional medicine was crucial in emergencies, it wasn’t addressing the underlying issues. I found myself trapped in a cycle of treatments that felt more like maintenance than real progress. By 2016, my health had reached a breaking point. My circulation was failing, wounds refused to heal, and I was facing the possibility of yet another amputation. That’s when I discovered the power of holistic support. Meeting a chiropractor who focused on root causes was a pivotal moment. Under his guidance, I began to embrace remedies and therapies aimed at building health from the inside out. Garlic for circulation, nutritional changes, circulation therapy, and mindfulness practices became my new tools, and the results were remarkable.
Holistic Healing and Connection
Holistic practices didn’t just transform my physical health — they enriched every aspect of my life. When I adopted the idea of healing as a comprehensive journey, I began to connect with others in ways I hadn’t experienced before. The support I found within holistic communities provided me with a sense of belonging and purpose. These connections taught me the importance of leaning on others while sharing my insights and deepening relationships in ways that brought both joy and healing. My wife, Waynette, has been one of my greatest sources of strength throughout this journey. Her encouragement to explore holistic therapies brought us closer together, demonstrating how the pursuit of wellness can strengthen bonds and foster understanding. Our shared journey has been a constant reminder that healing isn’t a solitary endeavor — it flourishes in connection. Even beyond relationships, embracing holistic principles has profoundly enriched my spiritual and emotional life. Practices such as mindfulness and visualization provided clarity and helped me find peace amid overwhelming challenges. Rather than feeling like a patient trapped in a system, I started to see myself as an active participant in my recovery.
Faith, Advocacy, and Holistic Wins
By 2017, my life felt overwhelmed by anger, depression, and frustration. Years of chronic pain, setbacks, and an unending cycle of surgeries and medications had taken a significant toll. I was angry at everything — my body, my circumstances, and even God. It was challenging to envision a way forward when every step felt like a battle I was losing. That’s when my wife, Waynette, stepped in with a kind of love and encouragement that transformed everything. She wouldn’t let me remain stuck in my anger. Instead, she walked beside me patiently as I dealt with the emotional weight of my health challenges. She urged me to look into amputee support groups, something I had avoided for years because I wasn’t ready to face my reality. However, once I joined these groups, I discovered a community that truly understood my struggles in ways I had never encountered before. Their stories, resilience, and camaraderie reminded me that I wasn’t alone and that healing involved more than just physical recovery — it was about connection and acceptance. Waynette’s support also empowered me to take charge of my health in new ways. Around the same time, I met a surgeon whose philosophy differed completely from anyone I had worked with. He believed that surgery and medication should be the last resort, stressing the importance of addressing root causes and exploring all other options first. His approach resonated with the holistic path I was starting to embrace. With his guidance, I began to realize that my body wasn’t just something to be treated — it was something that could be strengthened, healed, and empowered.
2022 marked a pivotal year for me. My frustration with conventional medicine had reached an all-time high. After enduring repeated surgeries, unhealed wounds, and maintenance medications that seemed to benefit the system more than me, I felt utterly defeated. However, instead of surrendering, I turned to holistic support and deepened my faith like never before. The outcomes? Nothing short of remarkable. Arteries that had been completely blocked in seven locations began to open. Wounds I had struggled to heal for 19 months started to close. My cardiologist, astonished, deemed it impossible, but I knew that the blend of holistic tools, spiritual growth, and sheer determination had made it a reality. Pulses returned where there had been none, and my energy levels improved. What once seemed impossible was now unfolding before my eyes. What I didn’t anticipate was how these victories would positively impact my relationships. My gratitude for those who supported me — my wife, my holistic care providers, and even new friends from these communities — became a wellspring of strength. Sharing both big and small victories fostered a sense of connection that enriched my life far beyond mere physical healing.
A New Perspective on Life
Today, I view health as a balance between body, mind, and spirit, supported by both conventional medicine and holistic care. The tools I’ve discovered along the way — nutritional therapies, circulation remedies, mindfulness, and the steadfast support of my holistic care team — have transformed not only my health but my entire outlook on life. These practices have enabled me to focus on building strength and wellness rather than just treating symptoms. The beauty of this journey has been how it has enriched my relationships and spiritual connection. Waynette’s encouragement to engage with the amputee community and her unwavering faith in my ability to heal helped me rise from one of the darkest times in my life. Her love and support have been invaluable.