My Health Struggles
My Health Journey: From Near-Death to Renewed Vitality
At 65, I’m healthier than I’ve been in decades, but it wasn’t always this way. My health journey is a story of misdiagnosis, chronic pain, and near-fatal setbacks, followed by a remarkable turnaround through the power of food. This page details my struggles and triumphs, as shared in my book Healing Your Body Through Foods. If you’re facing health challenges, know that change is possible, I’m living proof.
The Onset of Illness
My health woes began around age 55 or 56. I started feeling constant fatigue and pain, but doctors couldn’t pinpoint the cause. One misdiagnosis led to me being prescribed steroids for over two and a half years for a condition I didn’t even have. The steroids caused massive weight gain, I ballooned to 317 pounds, and worsened my symptoms. I felt like I was preparing to die; I even wrote notes to my wife on how to handle things after I was gone, and I told my young son I might not make it to his graduation.
The pain was relentless. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, which left me bedridden for years. On a scale of 1-10, a good day was a 7, and average days hovered around 7.75 to 8. I couldn’t walk without a cane, and for seven to eight years, I couldn’t even wear regular shoes—only clogs because my feet swelled so much. Simple tasks like hiking or standing were impossible. The pain was so severe that I seriously considered suicide to escape it.
To view all of my health images, see my Health Struggles scrapbook.
Key Health Challenges
My body was sending warning signs for years, but I didn’t know how to interpret them until later. Here’s what I faced:
- Liver Issues: I had a fatty liver, which is my body's weakest link. Signs included cracked heels, itchy palms and belly button, hot feet, and losing hair on my legs. Spots appeared on my shins, and my doctor never connected these to pre-diabetes or liver problems.
- Pre-Diabetes and Blood Sugar: Hot heels and hair loss were early diabetic signs. My blood sugars and blood pressure spiked suddenly, signaling something was wrong internally.
- Prostate and Other Ailments: I dealt with prostate issues, high blood pressure, and overall inflammation. Everything tied back to my liver, which affects so many systems.
- Blood Clots: The scariest moment was discovering three large blood clots that nearly killed me. Doctors said I had hours or minutes left if I hadn't sought help. Fibromyalgia increases risks for clots, strokes, and heart attacks, something I wish I'd known earlier.
- Cholesterol and Circulation: Numbness in feet, muscle spasms, headaches, cold hands and feet, and white/yellow spots near my eyes indicated cholesterol problems and poor blood flow.
- Weight and Mobility: At my heaviest, I tore my stomach muscles from the excess weight. I lost muscle mass from inactivity, and my right side weakened after a car accident exacerbated my back issues.
I visited doctors monthly (sometimes more), racking up bills and frustration. Pills were their go-to, but they often made things worse.
The Turning Point: Healing Through Food
I refused to give up. For five years, I researched, watched expert videos, read medical resources, and experimented on myself. The breakthrough? Realizing food is medicine. I wasn’t a doctor or scientist, just a guy listening to his body and tracking what worked.
- My Approach: I aimed to eat 50 different foods a day for broad nutrition. I ate small portions throughout the day, spreading out vitamins (e.g., nuts in the morning and afternoon for brain health). I focused on whole, organic foods and avoided chemicals, pesticides, and banned additives (like in grain-fed beef or farm-raised salmon).
- Key Foods That Helped:
- Turmeric with black pepper: Relieved back pain so I could walk again.
- Nuts (especially walnuts): For brain focus.
- Fruits with fiber (e.g., whole fruits, not juice): To manage sugar without spikes.
- Greens and veggies: Broccoli, kale, asparagus, and more to detox the liver and improve blood flow.
- Avoided: Processed foods, sugar, caffeine in excess, shellfish, fried items, and anything that inflamed my body (like beans, which triggered pain).
- Results: My blood work improved, and concerns like high sugars and prostate issues dropped. I healed my liver: hair grew back on my legs, cracked heels vanished, and psoriasis (a lifelong issue) cleared up. Pain reduced to a level 2. I lost inches (though weight stabilized as muscle built), and I can now wear boots and walk stairs. Doctor visits? Down to every six months, with clean bills of health.
Today, I’m training for a bodybuilding contest at 65. I’ve reclaimed my life, and I no longer feel like I’m dying.
Lessons Learned
Your body wants efficiency—no stress, no barriers. Listen to the signs: they’re red flags before a major breakdown. Food isn’t just fuel; it’s your arsenal against disease. If you’re feeding the bad guys (sugar, processed junk), you’re sabotaging yourself. Start small: cut the crap, add variety, and track what works for you.
My journey inspired Healing Your Body Through Foods, where I detail these strategies. If I can go from bedridden to bodybuilding, you can too. And remember, book proceeds support the Rosen Foundation for orphans—helping others heal is my mission.
“Food changed my life. It can change yours.”