I started this site shortly after I received a terrifying diagnosis. My goal was simple. To be of service. To make life easier for people with celiac disease and other digestive disorders. Helping others was the perfect distraction. When I started out, I wanted to cheer people up, not bring them down.
I realize now that while I mentioned the diagnosis several years ago, I haven’t shared a piece of myself that matters. The part that went into shock the day I was told I had multiple sclerosis. I’ve dealt with this neurological condition every day since I was diagnosed in 2006. But the feelings that come up are something I haven’t spoken about. Something I’ve been holding in for a long time.
When I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis I entered a strange limbo. For 8 years, my health was good enough. Then, in 2014 things took a turn for the worse and my life since has been full of ups and downs.
Things got bad last year after a trip to Mexico with my husband. Upon returning, I ended up in the hospital with transverse myelitis, numb from the neck down. I remained that way for months.
I’ve spent the entire last year rebuilding my health. Going to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy treatments 6 days per week, getting physical therapy 3 days per week, receiving intravenous nutrients 1 to 2 days per week, and occupational therapy to regain use of my left hand (my dominant hand) 1 day per week. It was a grueling rehabilitation, and thankfully it mostly worked.
I stuck to my schedule week-in-and-week-out. I missed almost every winter weekend trip to the mountains with my family. I entirely skipped trips to Denver for work. Events such as book signings, TV appearances, and fundraising dinners went out the window. I haven’t been to Denver in well over a year. The geography of my life became extremely small.
In addition to local trips, I also gave up air travel because each time I’ve had an MS attack has been right after an airplane flight. My doctors think the low pressure in planes might affect my brain and nervous system, or that it might be the radiation. Frustratingly, no one understands it. So they told me to avoid air travel. I wasn’t happy about that, but I didn’t set foot on an airplane for over a year.
Last week I went on my first trip in 13 months. My husband and I flew to California. We ate our way through Napa, then we met up with the boys and threw my Dad an 80th birthday party at an adorable restaurant in my hometown, Davis.
It was challenging to take more than a year off and truly slow down. Many people could not understand it and questioned my decision. It took all of both my willpower and my ability to surrender to get well. To give myself the space I needed to heal. To say no to countless invitations for work and play.
I wanted to write about this to give you all a real update of where I am. It might look neat and tidy, and even perfect on social media, but that is far from the reality. Like so many of you, I have struggles both large and small everyday that can’t be conveyed through a photo. I live in limbo, dealing with a major neurological illness, on top of celiac disease, hashimoto’s autoimmune thyroiditis, and several other challenging medical issues.
Although I’m continuing to rest and heal, I live not knowing what’s around the corner. I hope that by sharing this piece of myself I can provide comfort to others walking their own tightrope. Those in the darkest days, dealing with something we are told to hold in. Thank you for supporting me since I started this blog in 2006. I’m so grateful we are on this path together.
nancy says
Thank you for your wonderful recipes and your willingness to share your food and health concerns with us all. Your site is the first place I stop when looking for recipes. Your work is outstanding. Sending you positive thoughts so you may maintain to your health. Do keep up the never ending job and efforts for good health! Thank you again for your willingness to share!
Barbara Mortier says
Thank you Elana if not for you i would not be eating non gluten, Plus, now i was told that i only have 35% kidney function so have more foods i can’t eat and some only not in excess. The non gluten helped me stop being sick all the time and i no longer have neurology in my left leg,. I may be wrong, but i believe that if i exercise and eat the right foods i will increase my kidney function. Thank you for your recipes they really helped me more than you can know. When my husband tells me i am a good cook and baker. I tell him no it is Elana’s recipes
Lacy says
Barbara, I have a close family friend that was near kidney failure – 10% functioning, 90% black. If you’d like to chat about all natural, successful alternatives, I’d love to share the information with you!
antoinette says
You are an inspiration and a font of wisdom! We are all cheering you on! You have given so much of yourself to an online community of people you don’t even know and it is filled with love and information and tips for healthy living. We are all so grateful and you are in all of our hearts as you pursue a healthy, happy life with your beautiful family.
May our love and support lift your spirits on those days where you feel struggle and lift them too on the days you celebrate. Blessings to you, Antoinette
FK says
Elana…I have followed your blog for many years (for reason I won’t share on here but know you have lifted me in tough times), you have taught me so much, in the kitchen and outside of it. Thank you for your courage, your wisdom, your bravery, your inspiration, your guidance, and your generosity. It is a gift to many!
Jeanne Opperman says
Dear Elana, you are such a beautiful person, so caring and loving. It breaks my heart to find out about the health problems that you have been having this past year. My own health problems now seem so small in comparison. Love & Prayers, Jeanne
Christina Ridge says
Elana
You are amazing and have such integrity. Love your website and your recipes. Stay strong and take the time you need to heal and recover. Thank you for sharing.
Kelly says
Have you heard of Dr. Terry Wahls?
steven lutz says
hi elana just want to say you are soooooo loved by so many and me to – thanks for your work and you -steven
Burch Carr says
God bless you, my friend. I cannot even imagine what you are going through, but God knows and He loves you whatever may happen. Thank you for being brave enough to share your situation. I pray that you will be able to persevere through it all and continue to do what you love to do and give us all the benefit of your insights on diet and more.
Loretta says
You are truly an inspiration! Thank you for sharing.
Bonnie says
My son suffers from IBS. He’s 18, over 6ft tall and looks healthy and strong. I have seen him in tears with the pain. He had to give up hockey , a game he has played since he was 5. He cannot wear jeans or any restrictive cloths. He cannot do heavy lifting even though he is strong enough. Neither can he dance or even swim much. Prolonged activity brings on the pain. He has also had brain meningitis when still a toddler at one and bone cancer at age 7, an intestinal blockage that hospitalized him for a week. Those are a few of his health issues. He’s intelligent, humorous and of course, handsome. I had always prayed but I learned how to pray with my heart and how to be grateful for even the smallest blessing. Then to top it off, our Pastor got cancer. He fought it off twice but it came back a third time. He started going downhill fast and the doctors said they could do no more for him. I had been promoting kefir and kambucha for years among my friends.. Our pastor was soon using a walker but he continued to be there almost every Sunday to lead us. At one point, he could not get out of bed to go to his chair in the living room without help. The doctors saw him and didn’t expect him to live much longer. His wife asked me for kefir and got him started on it daily. He is on a worldwide prayer chain as well. Within a week he was back at church with his walker. He had lost over 50 lbs and looked like skin over bone. Within 2 weeks, he no longer needed the walker. He has been gaining weight steadily and is back to driving. His doctor calls him Lazarus. He has now added miso to his diet. Personally, I think the heavy doses of probiotics from the kefir,kambucha and miso have been a huge help but that the power of prayer is beyond magical. I will pray for your return to health and add you to our prayer chain with your permission. God bless you. You have helped so many. P.S. My son cannot eat bread, crackers, cakes etc. but if I make them with organic flour and my own sourdough starter, he’s fine! He loves East Indian food and Naan with it, so now he has sough dough Naan. He loves it.
Kimberly says
I think you have it absolutely right!! I think Elana, if you haven’t rebuilt your human biomone you should it!
Google Resistant 2 or RS2 starch….I think it is missing. 90% of our immune system is in the gut. repair it too.
Your work has done wonders to heal me! i thank you and remind to read John 14:14!