HOW DID I GET HERE??

I’ve been where you are.

In 2007, I was sick. I’d lost a LOT of weight, I had the flu for 3 months, I had back acne, a constant headache, no energy, no period, and the skin was peeling off the soles of my feet in great disgusting sheets.

Not. Well. At. All. 

The doctors didn’t know what was wrong with me, my blood tests showed nothing (other than a slight iron deficiency), and yet, I could barely walk, let alone function. And with a small person to care for, I was starting to panic.

Then, an acquaintance suggested I try acupuncture, and I will forever be grateful because it saved my f*%king life.

I started seeing a (very) crabby Chinese man twice weekly, who snarled at me, tutted at every question I had (and I had tonnes), and told me that my body didn’t like me very much. No shit, Sherlock. Thanks.

Twice a week for 2 months, then weekly for another 4 months.

He also, (and this was non-negotiable), sent me off to a colleague, a Chinese Herbalist. Now this delightful, ancient Chinese man was a completely different kettle of fish. To this day, I’m unsure if he spoke English, as I never once heard his voice. He’d smile brightly, eyes crinkled at the corners, gesture to poke my tongue out, take my hands and lay them on a pad and feel my pulse. His sweet smile always made me feel warm and fuzzy.

He would then give me a slip of paper to hand to his attendant on the way out and she would make up packages of the weirdest smelling (and looking) stuff - twigs, shells, roots and what looked like pieces of cuttlefish. Half an hour later, I would receive 2 weeks worth and detailed instructions (in English, thank goodness!) of how to prepare and take these parcels of who-the-hell-knows what, but I didn’t care. I trusted he was going to make me better.  

This continued for almost 6 months. And even though the herbs tasted like shit, I followed the prescription religiously. I loved these ‘consultations’.

Then, the most amazing thing happened. I woke up one morning, did the normal stuff and then stopped in my tracks. 

Not only did I feel great, I felt the best I’d ever felt in my life. It was amazing and I burst into happy tears.

Then, I had a lightbulb moment.

THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO DO WITH THE REST OF MY LIFE.

And so I started my journey. I applied for uni that day and started my first class 2 weeks later.

Never once did I waiver or question myself.

Never once did I consider throwing in the towel. Chinese Medicine is NOT an easy thing to learn and I had not studied formally since high school.

Never once did I doubt that I would one day be able to provide the kind of care (minus the snarls) that I received.

2 degrees and 6 years of full-time study later I was (and still am) on a mission.

I love this Medicine so much and pinch myself every day that I get to practice in a beautiful part of the world.

When no one is listening to you, I am.

I promise you, I’ve got your back.