I Will Soon Be Resipiscent

Resipiscent
Adjective
(re-si-PIS-uhnt): Having returned to a saner mind.

[From Latin resipiscere (to recover one's senses), from re- (again) + sapere (to taste, to know). Ultimately from Indo-European root sep- (to taste or perceive) that is also the source of sage, savant, savvy, savor, sapid, sapient, and insipid.]


After Church last Sunday I felt weak, and with my recent medical history, I was concerned. I kept feeling weaker, more dizzy, and I couldn't even finish my Indian food lunch, which if you know me well, you know that is a bad sign. Johnny and I met at the restaurant in two cars, but I felt bad enough to make a faint request for him to drive me home. I kept feeling awful, as if I would pass out. Out of desperation, we visited an emergency clinic which did not help me calm down. I've never needed emergency care before (thank God) so this was a whole new ball game. This clinic informed us that they could not help me due to their lack of diagnostic tools; they usually treat the flu, lace sutures, or perform other minor procedures. I cried like a girl - twice - and both a nurse and the nurse practitioner (the "doctor") said, "You know, all of your recent problems as well as your weakness today could be due to your thyroid."

Ya think? Even before my recent problems (hives, etc.), I felt so odd that I had my thyroid checked twice this year by two different doctors seeing as I was diagnosed with low thyroid several years ago. Even though my thyroid was supposedly fine, Dr. Steven F. Hotze here in Katy, TX came to mind out of nowhere. Just the day before, on Saturday, I left a voice mail requesting a free phone consultation with the Hotze Health & Wellness Center. The Hotze clinic not only treats thyroid problems, but also adrenal issues, other hormonal imbalances, airborne and food allergies, and yeast overgrowth. I've heard about Dr. Hotze several times before, but for some reason I could not get his name off my mind that day. God did not speak audibly, yet I wonder if He spoke to me that day, in His unknown way. After the Sunday drama, I called the Hotze clinic back on Monday morning and begged for an appointment, but I was nice. Wouldn't you know that someone canceled their appointment which normally takes 2-3 months to secure? I all but squealed with euphoria. One of my best friend's Mom and sister were both treated at the Hotze clinic and currently they feel fabulous. I finally felt hopeful.



Early Wednesday morning I rolled out of bed looking ragged, but I was excited. I don't think I've ever been excited about a doctor's visit before. Johnny dropped me off to an ivy-covered building and immediately I knew this was not your average medical office building. Hardwood floors, soothing paint colors, and plush carpets and armchairs. As I waited for the nurse, I was given a black tote bag, Dr. Hotze's book, his new cookbook, and a folder full of information. I was offered water, coffee, or tea, and a receptionist (behind a huge wooden desk) took my beverage order to be delivered with my snack plate. See, I fasted since midnight for blood work and right after the needle, they give you a yeast-free snack plate and beverage of your choice. I can't do daily coffee, but since we were spending that much money, I thought, what the hell - I'm having coffee! I should mention here that the Hotze Health & Wellness Center ain't cheap and they don't accept insurance. Before you go thinking Johnny and I lost our minds, keep reading and you will see why they don't accept insurance.

I didn't recognize the nurse because she was wearing a chic, black 5-month maternity ensemble and cute Mary Jane-style shoes. Lisa Woods kept me company and led me around the Hotze facility during my four hour visit. The examination room had more plush chairs and light-avocado paint. When Lisa had to leave the room, I read my new favorite journal - Relief. The snack plate was just right: deli meat, celery, cherry tomatoes, and mixed nuts. I chose the Starbucks House blend and sipped it happily while Lisa counseled me in the ways of hormones, vitamins, and yeast-free eating. During a bone density scan and an EKG in another comfy room, I was given a spa-like robe to wear and Lisa dimmed the lights.

During snack time I met with Dr. Sheridan, a very friendly-intense man. By studying my 16-page questionnaire (filled out prior to my visit) and talking with me, he diagnosed me on the spot with low thyroid, adrenal fatigue, estrogen dominance, and yeast overgrowth. He shined a small light into each of my eyes and confidently stated, "You definitely have adrenal fatigue." He felt my typically ice-cold, Saharan feet and said, "Low thyroid." I was like, "Whoa. Where am I?" He explained many fascinating medical facts that I cannot begin to explain here, mainly because I'm still processing. But get this: when this treatment is really working, I WILL HAVE NO MORE PMS. Women are not supposed to have PMS. No mood swings, no cramps, no irritability, nada. Johnny decided THAT was worth every penny. I most certainly have allergies which will be tested on Monday and Dr. Sheridan (as well as each Hotze clinic doctor) believes all of those problems are most often interconnected in many people. I mean, I've had a myriad of freakish symptoms for the longest time. I've always been dramatically moody and within the past year, my anxiety has shot through the roof, even up to panic attacks. Basically, as you get older your hormones decrease no matter who you are which can make your brain and body do all kinds of perilous acrobatics. No one will live forever, but so many people live miserably not knowing what I learned on Wednesday. Thus, I'm going to plug Dr. Hotze's book, Hormones, Health, and Happiness because if this blog entry doesn't make any sense, his book will. If you live in Houston or Dallas, listen to his radio program. Or listen online - trust me.



Dr. Sheridan prescribed Armour thyroid medication and a few other bioidentical hormones. Armour is not only derived from a natural source (pigs), but it simply works better than Synthroid. He also prescribed several vitamins and minerals which he vehemently stated are equally as important - things like the right dose of vitamins B, C, D; magnesium, calcium, selenium, fish oil, and a few others. Like, I'll need a pill box or two for traveling. This might make me seem way older than my years, but I've honestly felt near 80 lately which is not normal for a 32-year-old. After cake and wine at Johnny's birthday party next weekend, I will start a 30 day yeast-free diet, too.

Here is what truly shocked me: Dr. Sheridan explained why people are so often misdiagnosed by several doctors and specialists. He explained that he was trained by "the old guys" about the time all of these fancy computer tests and blood tests were put into use in doctors' offices. Those "old" doctors told Dr. Sheridan that before he ran to a computer test or lab result, he must have 2-3 diagnoses in his head by studying the patient's history and symptoms, and by talking to the person. This blew my mind because as nice as some of my doctors are, they always seem like they aren't really listening. They dole out prescriptions like candy. Not once have they addressed my nutrition or vitamins. It got me to thinking that the problem with general, conventional medicine today is that people are viewed as machines that can be fixed with synthetic chemicals. Dr. Sheridan said this is ludicrous. We are created people. Chemicals will mask problems for awhile, but they create serious problems down the road and they do not even fix the annoying and frightening problems.

Now, as I mentioned, the Hotze clinic does not accept insurance, but that is not to torture sick people. They prescribe bioidentical hormones and allergy medication compounded in their own pharmacy which have helped countless people, so they cannot play the pharmaceutical and government game. The Hotze Health & Wellness Center does offer monthly payment plans, though, which I think will help many more people. Think of all the things you would invest money into - would one not be your health?

As I promised to Dr. Sheridan, I'll tell you about Project F.A.N.S. (Freedom of Access to Natural Solutions). If you care about me or others who are suffering from similar medical problems, please go to that web site and e-mail your local legislators to oppose the Kennedy Safe Drug Compounding Act. Even call them if you have time. In America of all places, no one should be able to stop you or me from receiving bioidentical hormones or natural medicine if that is what will truly help. This is not a socialist country, thank God. We have the ability to choose our medical care. I believe this issue is just as important as any other political complaint today. People are suffering and they need real help - it should not be taken away by the government or big pharmaceutical companies hungry for money.

After visiting the Physician's Preference store and Hotze Pharmacy, both in the same building as the clinic, I left with a bag full of medication and vitamins tailored to heal my body naturally, yet monitored by professionals. I won't heal overnight, but it will happen and I can't quit marveling at God's mercy. Mercy feels weird. Whenever it splatters on me, I feel tiny, undeserving, baffled, giddy, and grateful. I know now that whenever we suffer, mercy is right around some corner. I'm not trying to sound like Pollyanna - I'm quite serious.

In the unexplainable horrors around the world, the Christians will look around the corner to find Jesus in Heaven. In my much less important case, God had the Hotze Health & Wellness Center waiting for me, but I was impatient and questioned. I can look back to all of my research in nutrition, organics, and alternative medicine and see a murky path to the clinic. I can think of many family members and friends who most likely need the same treatment, and my sincere prayer is that God will provide for them quickly, too. I'm only on day 2 of treatment and my wayward mind has already doubted, but I do believe I will heal. I do. I'll be surprised and laugh. This will not only give Johnny a more stable wife, but it will help my womb and also give our children a happier Mom. With God, the unthinkable is possible.