Dr. Kelly Martin Schuh Page 2

Tag: Dr. Kelly Martin Schuh

Herpes Diagnosis: The One Secret To Discovering Love

Herpes Diagnosis: The One Secret To Discovering Love

 

 

Hope After A Herpes Diagnosis- A Day Of Celebration
I awoke this morning at 6:30AM to the sun piercing through the leaves of our apple tree and the birds chirping to a song all their own. While my husband and little girl lie sleeping, I quietly slipped out of bed to ponder life and sit in silence on my hot pink meditation cushion. This day already felt different. Six years ago, I married my best friend and soul mate.

 

My heart was bursting with gratitude for the life that I am living. I have so many things to be grateful for and in the next 48 hours, I will raise up my hands, dance, sing and give thanks for my husband Richard and our beautiful little girl, Madeline.

 

 

Hopes Shattered By A Herpes Diagnosis 

DSC_0064 (1)Over the past several years, I have had the unique opportunity to coach women with herpes. Who would have ever thought that this would be my niche. I mean REALLY…who would ever sign up to be in the limelight as the doctor with herpes who decided to share her story as a vehicle of hope and support for other women?

The truth is, I would do it again in a heartbeat. Has it been a challenging journey? Yes! But what has made it challenging, is not the full blown exposure of everyone knowing that I have herpes; rather, it has been the heartache of realizing how many women out there are suffering. Their hearts and hopes shattered by their herpes diagnosis. Just last week I was working with a woman who shared with me that all she really wanted in life was to feel loved again. She felt that after her diagnosis, she could no longer give and receive love as she had done before. Her whole self concept was being challenged! As I sat with her, I felt her pain as if it were my own and yet I knew the love that was possible for her IF, she was willing and able to move through her grief.

You see, there are two types of pain that we women with herpes must learn to deal with.

1. The Physical Pain of herpes symptoms
2. The Emotional Pain associated with the stigma and our threatened self concept, self worth and self esteem.

While the physical pain is a whole conversation in and of itself (there are several strategies from antivirals to natural remedies), the Emotional Pain can often be the number one thing that barricades us into a world of isolation, shame and fear. What I have learned from the women I have worked with and those I have read about is that the difference between those who discover love again and those that don’t is one and only one thing. What might this ONE Secret ingredient be? HOPE Close your eyes and feel into the love that you deserve and know that there is someone out there who will love and support you just the way you are. You must know that you are Loveable Capable A True Catch Even if all hope seems lost right now, I promise you that it doesn’t have to be. You get to choose the thoughts that you tell yourself. If you truly desire a loving partnership after your herpes diagnosis, you must first start by unconditionally loving yourself. You are worth the love that you so desire AND that love is just waiting to dive into your heart. LOVE THYSELF How?

Write a love letter to yourself Take yourself out to dinner Make a collage with the visual reminders of all the things you love about yourself and your life If I can find love…so can YOU. Just BELIEVE! I am no different than you. If I can find love…so can you. Use your imagination in the beginning of imagining the man of your dreams and focus on that NOT on NOT having that yet. I send you my blessings and faith that I have in you to overcome this herpes diagnosis. Please share your story and allow the women of Pink Tent™ to support you.

 

Lysine: Herpes, Chocolate, and Valentine’s Day

 

Lysine: Herpes, Chocolate, and Valentine’s Day

file000163648711Valentine’s Day is here and so is our desire to eat massive amounts of chocolate. Allow me to confess…. I LOVE CHOCOLATE… In fact, my favorite dessert in the whole wide world is a Flour less Chocolate Torte- (Martha Stewart’s recipe to be exact). But…I don’t like to get herpes outbreaks.

When I work with women with herpes one-on-one and in groups, they are often surprised to hear that I am able to eat chocolate, despite the fact that it is a known trigger for herpes outbreaks. Their surprise reminds me of how I felt when I discovered that one of my favorite “gurus”, Cealo, is still known to smoke a cigar from time to time. So…how I am able to eat chocolate and not get herpes outbreaks? (Before I disclose my one word secret in person, women’s eyes widen and they lean in)

LYSINE

When I consume large amounts of chocolate, nuts, nut butters or coffee, I take lysine. You see, the problem with the above foods is that they are high in arginine, a known trigger for herpes outbreaks. Lysine, on the other hand, is proven to counteract high levels of arginine. In fact, lysine has been shown to decrease the frequency and severity of herpes outbreaks.

In the past, if I was stressed out or if I consumed large amounts of these dietary triggers, I would get a genital outbreak within days. Now, I can use lysine as part of my defense and STILL eat my chocolate torte. Hallelujah! I often use lysine proactively when I’ve consumed too much arginine in my diet and use a dosage that would be therapeutic for an active herpes infection. Typically this would be about 3000mg per day for a few days. During an active herpes outbreak, it is therapeutic to take anywhere between 3000mg-9000mg/day for several days. Some people with herpes take lysine supplements daily, while others use them only at the onset of an outbreak.

Whether you are with a partner or not this Valentine’s Day, I wanted to let you in on my little secret. Life it too short to NOT eat chocolate.

Want to learn more about my natural remedies for herpes? Check out my newest online course for women with herpes. foundations-sidebar300x250

LIVE MORE and LOVE MORE!

Live. Love. Thrive.

Dr. Kelly- Amazon Bestselling Author of Live, Love, and Thrive with Herpes: A Holistic Guide For Women P.S. Want more support? Join our FREE herpes forum for Women Supporting Women With Herpes  

Herpes Simplex 2 vs. Herpes Simplex 1

The Difference Between Herpes Simplex 2 & Herpes Simplex 1

Have you ever wondered what the real difference is between herpes simplex 2  (HSV-2) and herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1)?

I have spent the past four years as the educational coordinator for the Colorado H Club answering questions like this every day. Genetically speaking, the two viruses are about 85% the same and the symptoms they produce are exactly the same too. The main herpes symptoms are blisters, itching, pain, tingling, redness, fever, and numbness, but 85% of people who have the virus don’t even know it! There are other symptoms associated with the virus, but none of them cause any other diseases or illnesses. This is one of the reasons many doctors don’t deem it necessary to include herpes as part of a standard STD panel.

Herpes Simplex 1 and Herpes Simplex 2 are the two types of herpes simplex viruses. Some of the other members of this virus family, Herpes Viridae, cause Mono, Shingles, Chicken pox, Roseola and a few others.

Did you know that HSV-1 is the virus that causes cold sores? Yes. That’s right! Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus. Unfortunately, Herpes Simplex 2 has received the most amount of stigma over the years because it is the number one cause of genital herpes. 

Let’s look at some of the main differences between the two viruses:      

Genetics: 85% the same      
Herpes Viridae Family: Both Herpes Simplex Viruses      
Environment: HSV-1 prefers the environment of the oral/facial area of the body, HSV-2 prefers the genital area      
Cold Sores: HSV-1 is the strain of the virus that causes cold sores      
Frequency of Outbreak– HSV-1 outbreaks genitally tend to be less frequent      
Intensity: HSV-1 outbreaks genitally tend to be more mild      
Transmission: HSV-1 can be found genitally and orally, but HSV-2 is not found orally (only 1% incidence rate)
Triggers: both HSV-1 and HSV-2 are triggered by the same things i.e.. heat, UV, friction… Let us know if you found this information helpful.

If you have more questions about how to live and date with herpes and how to discover love again, check out our in-depth resources here. www.PinkTent.com    

How A Mantra Can Help You Heal And Access A Power Beyond Yourself

Chalk FlowerI realize that many people see the word Mantra and it might evoke images of men in turbans or a group of people chanting weird words from the Sanskrit bible. So, what exactly is a mantra?

Mantra: a word, sound or group of words to aid in concentration or meditation. The word mantra has its roots in Hinduism and Buddhism, but a mantra does not have to come from these traditions. Think of a mantra as a simple word, sound or phrase that can bring you right back to your center or closer to a Higher Spirit or God. A sound as simple as Ahhhhh or Ohmmmm repeated over and over again can bring about a powerful mental state.

The sound “Ah” is found in almost every word used for God. for example: God, Allah, Buddha, and Krishna all have the sound Ahhh. “Ohm,” on the other hand, is a word which reflects total gratitude and the attitude of gratitude has its own set of blessings. Whenever I need to get centered or to focus on healing, I can always turn to these basic, but powerful mantras.

When I chant “Ah”, I get really clear about what I want to create in my life or what I want to manifest. There was a time in which healing herpes was at the top of my list! I love to chant “Ah” first thing in the morning to connect me to God. In the evenings, I use the mantra “Ohm” to review all of the blessings in my life. I often fall asleep to the “movie of my blessings”. The attitude of gratitude is one of the most powerful states of healing and manifestation! I have personally used these mantras and several others to help me to heal my body and follow my bliss. In fact, I used a cd of mantras from a dear friend of mine, Carrie Grossman, to help me to write my book, Live, Love and Thrive with Herpes: A Holistic Guide For Women.

As you can imagine, there were days where the words just didn’t want to flow onto the page. So, I started a tradition of listening to her cd each and every day that I sat down to work on my book. Each day, before I would begin to write, I would set my intention of being in service to millions of women around the world, suffering from herpes. I knew that these women needed support, and I wanted to connect to a Higher Spirit to guide me in writing the best resource book I could. Immediately after placing my Bose headphones on and listening to the first track, “Invocation,” I would be transported to another space and time where I could access a flow beyond my own capabilities.

How to use a mantra: If you have never tried to use a mantra, now is your time. It is ideal to have about 20-30 minutes where you will not be interrupted. Find a comfortable position, close your eyes and bring your attention to the space between your eyebrows. Then, begin chanting either “Ah” or “Ohm”. If you are on a journey of healing your herpes, then I would use the mantra “Ah” in the mornings and focus on your healing. If you no longer have outbreaks, focus on what it is that you are wanting in your life. Get crystal clear because the clearer and more vivid you can imagine what you want, the more likely it will be to unfold. At the end of the day, review all of the things in your life that you are grateful for and go to bed chanting “ohm”. Buckle up, for these mantras are extremely powerful. If you can do this for about 30 or more minutes a day, your life, 30 days from now, could look drastically different.

Let us all at Pink Tent™ know how it goes. Share your victories, your visions and dreams with us in our private online community for women supporting women with herpes. I look forward to hearing from you. Live. Love. Thrive.

Dr. Kelly      

Bethany: Herpes Isn’t The End Of The World

Well, even though the H bomb is still hard to think about from time to time…I have definitely figured out that I can’t let it get me down and in the dumps. I contracted herpes from a tall, strapping man. He was a co-worker and that should have been my red light, but it wasn’t. I really like the way that he made me feel and the sweet nothings that he would always seem to whisper in my ear. I pretty much knew he was a player and I just never thought that herpes could happen to me. I was young, dumb, and having fun. I knew people with herpes, but I never really though about it.In 2010, I was 23 when I got the news. I was in the deepest of denial and then regret, and then denial again. I looked at my vagina 2 days after the diagnosis and it was all white. I knew then that it was real. Talk about hurt. I automatically thought about my daughter’s father and the fact that I would possibly never get oral sex again. The 23 year old mind! SMH… I was terrible.I don’t take my Valtrex anymore. When I got my first bottle I took it like clockwork and then I was in denial again… I thought, “If I take these pills, then that means that I accept it.” I didn’t want to accept it. I still don’t sometimes. I feel like I don’t have it. When I meet a guy, that is when I remember that I may have to tell him about my conditon.I wanted to be with my daughter’s father ultimately, but we had gone down our own paths. When my daughter was born we weren’t patient with one another and we found quick love or lust in other people. I still miss him, but I understand that some people may not want to take this risk. We continue to co-parent well and that is good for now. I have learned that STDs have a crazy stigma to them and I wish people would be a bit more accepting. I have learned that herpes isn’t the end of the world, even though it definitely feels like it. I have learned that I can live a normal life. I have learned that outbreaks aren’t a daily occurence. I had that initial ob and that was the craziest one. I have had a minor one, but nothing like the first. They don’t happen often at all.I would tell a newly diagnosed woman that it will be fine. Joining support groups and getting deeper into my faith (Team Jesus) got me through my herpes diagnosis. It is going to be hard, but this will definitely make you stronger. Don’t be discouraged. It is hard to say that at first, but once you rewind to the diagnosed date…you will see how much better life is and it isn’t over. You still have life and that is what matters!Currently, I feel like half and half. I wish I had made better choices, but God has a way of making us relax and sit down when we are moving way too fast… It could have been HIV or Hep C. I always think about that. I am a better person because of it. I treat people better and I respect people who want to learn more about it. I have made it my business to know all about it. I just take it day by day.

Smart Goal Setting: The Power Is In The Reflection

 

Smart Goal Setting: The Power Is In The Reflection

ReflectionsWith 2014 right around the corner, some of you are anxiously awaiting and preparing for your New Year’s Eve resolutions. You know that most don’t stick, right?  You want to know why? It’s because most people make a rash decision to make a change, but they have not investigated the fuel behind the fire of desire. Before you begin to even think about what dreams you have for 2014, you must first reflect on the past.

Now I know that some of you have had a very difficult 2013. Maybe even several years in a row filled with challenges or maybe your life has been filled with bliss and unexpected miracles. Either way, I can help you to create the life of your dreams. I have received personal and business coaching consistently for the past 10 years and I have learned a few things about what has worked and what has failed miserably when it comes to smart goal setting. Surprisingly enough, this post will have NOTHING to do with smart goal setting and EVERYTHING to do with it.

So where do you start? Get out a pen and paper and let’s dive deep. But first, I want to share an important analogy with you. How big is your rear view mirror in comparison to you windshield in your car? It might seem like a silly question, but actually it’s not. Obviously, the rear view mirror is significantly smaller than the windshield, but it is still important, right? The rear view mirror represents your past. A quick look in the rear view mirror and you can reflect upon what is behind you and what lies in your past. Your windshield, on the other hand, is your vision for your future. All of your hopes and dreams that lie ahead of you. You could NEVER drive your car if you were constantly looking in the rear view mirror. It only serves you to take quick glances, especially if you have a baby in the back! I want you to use this same metaphor in your life.

While your past is incredibly important, it does not define you! You can’t dwell on your past and expect to live into a brighter future. When you think about your past, I want you to reflect on the GOOD and the BAD, paying particular attention to what you have learned in the process. One of the number one questions my coach is constantly asking me is, “What is working for you in your life right now?” as opposed to “what’s NOT working?”. What amazes me is that I am constantly accessing an incredible amount of actionable information when I focus on what’s working. What do you want in your life? What could you build upon that is already working in your life to get you where you want to go? What resources do you have that could help you to get there? What gremlin might be lurking in the background that could keep you from attaining your goals?

1. Pick up your pen and paper, or start typing or dictating to Siri all of the things that come to mind when you think of 2013. Lay it all out. No filters, just write it down until nothing else comes to mind. Think of this as a brain dump for 2013. I personally have had a very full past year. In brief, I launched my book, created an online private forum for Women Supporting Women with Herpes, created an online Foundations Course for my community, became Vice President of the Colorado H Club, started my daughter in part time PreSchool, we potty trained my daughter (my biggest accomplishment) and I had a few miscarriages (that totally sucked!)

2. Identify what helped you to achieve some of your goals or what may have gone wrong with some of your mistakes. Always try to find something positive even in the midst of tragedy. For example, I could have never created an online forum for women without the help of my internet consultant. I clearly explained to him what my vision was and then I trusted that he could bring it to fruition. One of the key things I have learned this past year is to delegate the things that I cannot do and to NOT try to become an expert on things I have no business doing. It takes too much time away from the things that I love to do and I am good at doing. I dearly love to collaborate and this past year was all about collaboration and delegation to help my dreams to become a reality. As women, we often try to do it all. I did that for many years and it is absolutely exhausting! Asking for help is a lesson that everyone should learn.

3. Write down some of your key strengths and your key weaknesses

4. When you think about the future you want to create, what is your number one motivation? How would you feel if you didn’t accomplish it? What small thing could you do today to move you toward that goal?

5. Take the next few weeks to get real about where you’ve been and what you have learned. Be sure to include your victories and what was in place in your life that helped you to achieve them. Include the good, the bad and the ugly. No one will ever have to read this, so be true to yourself. The reason it is so important for you to intimately know your past in a very conscious way is because it will help you to explode your growth in the future.

One of the best tools I have used in my life for personal growth and development is my journals. I have been journaling since I was a teenager. Most of the time I just allow my thoughts to flow onto the paper without any judgement. It is from these journals that I eventually wrote my book to help women overcome the emotional and physical burdens that a diagnosis of herpes brings. Thank God for those journals to offer me insight and memories that helped me to find my path of helping others.

Whether you believe it or not, I believe that there are hidden blessings in almost all struggles in life. Believe me, I would have never thought that I would write a book about herpes, but upon reflection, I realized that I had a lot to share with my sisters around the world who were struggling with the same things I was. After the New Year, we can talk more about your dreams for the future and how to make them come true, but for now, spend your time in reflection.

I will end with a quote that my sister wrote in a journal for me many years ago before I set out on a trip around the world. “He who knows others is wise; He who knows (her) himself is enlightened.” –Lao-tzu, The Way of Lao-tzu Chinese philosopher (604 BC – 531 BC)

Know Thyself!!!!

Live. Love. Thrive.

Dr. Kelly Amazon best-selling author of Live, Love, and Thrive with Herpes  

Looking For Some Natural Energy Boosters?

 

The Best Way To Get Your Natural Energy Boost

Energy Boosting MeditationAre you feeling exhausted? In overdrive? Too much sugar and not enough sleep? I know that it is so easy to get hooked on coffee and energy drinks, especially during the rush before the holidays. That little red cup from Starbucks is so alluring when you can barely keep your eyes open. What if there were natural energy boosters you could use that would be good for you? Would that be something that would interest you?

Before I share with you my favorite remedy to pick up my energy, I want to offer you a replacement for your warm cup of coffee. Have you ever tried green tea? There is a ton of literature that points to the benefits to green tea including its antioxidant polyphenols, antiviral, and weight loss to name a few. The most important thing to note about green tea is that all is not created equal. Most conventional green tea is sprayed with pesticides and fungicides which is very toxic to the body. Be sure to drink only organic green tea! Now for my favorite natural energy booster!

Many years ago, while I was training in Qi Gong, my teacher taught me a meditation to rejuvenate the mind and increase one’s energy. While I had always used meditation to calm me down, I had never thought about a meditation to lift me up and energize me. While I would never encourage you to do this in place of getting a good night’s rest, there are times when you just need a little pick me up. Not only is Red Bull, coffee, soda and other stimulants bad for your adrenal glands, immune system and gut, they can be totally addictive. So the more you travel down that rabbit whole, the deeper you’ll go and it is hard to break such bad habits.

For those of you who suffer from herpes, these drinks can trigger an outbreak over night for all of the above are high in arginine and sugar, known culprits for triggers. So, instead of reaching for your next fix, try this simple meditation to clear your mind and improve your energy state. I have found that even 15 minutes of this natural energy boosting meditation allows me to feel like I’ve had an hour or more of deep sleep. Listen to the instructions on how to do the meditation, then do it on your own for as long as you are able.

Healthy Eating This Holiday Season- Avoiding an Outbreak

 

 

Healthy Eating This Holiday Season- Avoiding an Outbreak

Healthy Eating During The Holidays: Kale ChipsNew Years Eve might be right around the corner, but now is NOT the time to make your declarations for a new year and a new you. The trick to healthy eating and staying slim this holiday season is to enjoy things in moderation. We can talk about making major changes in your diet after the new year, but for now, enjoy the festivities and the specialty food and drinks that come with it.

As we prepare our bodies for the cold of winter, our taste buds begin to shift to sugar and spice and everything nice. Stop feeling guilty about that! This isn’t a time to count calories or walk a rigid dietary tightrope. This sort of withdraw will probably lead you down the path of binging instead. This is about nurturing yourself and allowing yourself to indulge in some the sweetness that the holidays bring. If you think about it, the reason why we crave fatty, sugary things is that our body naturally wants to stay warm and the change of foods that we eat enable us to shift with the seasons. There is a rhythm to nature and it is time that we begin to honor that rhythm.

If you truly want to honor that rhythm, you must first find your own rhythm  and pulse. This requires us to connect with the inner most parts of ourselves, creating a soul connection. Those of us who have a tough time getting our hands out of the cookie jar are often overeating because of an underlying stress that has not been resolved. The quick rush of sugar gives us an endorphin like high, but the downside of the slope will send us dozing off on the couch. Then, as our blood sugars drop below normal, we reach for a double espresso or another cookie to pull us through the day. If this is you, you need to take the time to be with your thoughts, so that you don’t just run your body into the ground and get sick. We are here for you, just raise your hand and speak up.

Here are a few healthy eating tips that can truly help you to get through the holidays without having to drop all of your favorite goodies off the list.

1. Drink at least 50% of your body weight in ounces every day. This will help to hydrate your body and to cleanse some of the toxins in your food and beverages.

2. Start your day with a cup of hot water, lemon, and honey. This will stimulate your liver to detoxify your body and will provide you with some extra vitamin C to keep your immune system up to par.

3. Eat at least one green vegetable a day. Kale, swiss chard, broccoli,and brussel sprouts are all excellent choices. Consider making some kale chips to replace your cravings for potato chips. Our three year old loves kale chips! Experiment with olive oil and coconut oil or adding cajun spices, onion powder or smoked paprika.

4. Before going to your next holiday party, be sure to eat something healthy ahead of time. This will decrease your chances of over indulging.

5. Keep a stash of healthy snacks around (carrot sticks, apple slices, seaweed) have some in your car, in your purse and at work. (If you have herpes, do not overdue it on nuts and seeds because they can lead to outbreaks)

6. Drink alcohol and caffeine in moderation: both caffeine and alcohol are high in arginine, which is a known trigger for herpes. As a preventative during the holidays, you might want to start supplementing with L-Lysine. This will help to counteract the arginine in these foods.

7. End your day with an attitude of GRATITUDE. Review all of the things that you are happy and grateful for in your life.

If you need some support, please jump in the Forum and introduce yourself. We would love to hear from you. The stress of the holiday season can trigger an outbreak, so allow us to support you and keep your stress levels to a minimum.

Live. Love. Thrive.

Dr. Kelly Amazon Best selling author of Live, Love and Thrive with Herpes: A Holistic Guide for Women    

Heavy Metal Toxicity In Fish and Seafood

Heavy Metal Toxicity In Fish and Seafood

Mercury In FishI don’t know about you, but I absolutely love my seafood. When I was a little girl and my family would go out to a nice restaurant, my two favorite things to order were shrimp cocktail and a Shirley Temple (a nonalcoholic drink of ginger ale and grenadine). While my tastes have changed on cocktails I still LOVE seafood. A black and blue tuna steak with wasabi mashed potatoes, picking crabs with my family on a hot summer night, lobster with warm butter….my mouth waters just thinking about those things.

I grew up in Wilmington, DE, so seafood was a staple for us as was heavy metal toxicity. I didn’t know it at the time, but Wilmington, DE is the chemical capital of the nation! The Dupont’s put Wilmington on the map and it is only now that I realize how much heavy metal toxicity I was exposed to as a child and young adult. I am a foodie at heart, but over the years I have had to modify some of my guilty pleasures linked to heavy metal toxicity in seafood. So, you might be asking yourself “what are the heavy metals found in fish?”

Mercury and PCB’s are the main culprits. The main problem with these heavy metals is that they wreak havoc on our immunity and our body has a challenging time eliminating them. These toxins get lodged in our bones, brain, kidneys, and liver in an attempt to hide them and protect the rest of the body from their toxic load. When your body gets overloaded with these toxins, it can totally disrupt the ability of your organs to function at an optimal rate. In addition, mercury is a neurotoxin, which means that it can destroy nerve tissue and inhibit its function. The list of symptoms associated with heavy metal toxicity is vast, ranging from autoimmune and neurological disorders to fatigue and mental fogginess. Hidden metal and chemical toxicity is found in highest concentrations in large fish like tuna (don’t forget that tuna fish salad comes from tuna), mahimahi, and swordfish.

Our oceans have become a dumping ground, and the small fish live and feed themselves from this toxic soup. The big fish then eat the small fish. The concentrations of mercury and other toxins increase as the fish get larger and larger. Therefore, the bigger the fish, the greater the toxicity. The Cove, a documentary about dolphins, explains how heavy metal toxicity from eating fish is causing neurological disorders in some Japanese children. Children are especially vulnerable to heavy metal toxicity because of their developing brain and body. I highly recommend this film if you are interested in learning more.

Mercury in FishMy suggestion to you is to begin by decreasing the seafood that is highest in mercury. One way to jog your memory is that the bigger the fish, the higher the exposure. Large fish store these toxins in their fatty tissue in high concentrations. So, a sardine is much better than a sailfish. This is the main reason why I rarely eat tuna or tuna fish any more. Below is list of seafood highest in mercury. Use this as a guideline to begin to decrease your current exposure. Some people are better able to detox these heavy metals, but we are all exposed. Even if you don’t eat fish, you are exposed through the air you breath and the water you drink. This is one of the many reasons that I have my patients cleanse their bodies through a detoxification program at least once a year. Unfortunately, our world has become much more toxic and the only way to stay healthy is to be proactive in cleansing and decreasing your exposure.

Live. Love. Thrive.

Dr. Kelly

Genital Herpes In Women- Life does go on….Merideth

Penguins

Genital Herpes In Women

I am beginning to feel confident with myself gain. I am 18 years old and 4 months ago (one week before my 18th b-day) I had noticed some sores in my genital area. I scheduled an appt. with my gynecologist and right after looking at them she knew what was wrong with me. She told me that I had genital herpes. I couldn’t understand what she was saying. I was thinking she had to be wrong, this couldn’t happen to me. She told me she was sure that’s what I have and I was hysterical. I would have rather been dead. I thought that anyone that I told would back away from me and not want to come near me. I felt so disgusted and ashamed of myself I could hardly stand to look in the mirror. I didn’t know what to do, I needed someone to lean on and help me through this but I was so ashamed of myself.I called my step mom crying hysterically and she came to pick me up at the doctor’s office. I could hardly tell her what I found out. Just saying the words ‘genital herpes’ was too hard to do. She was very sympathetic towards me but I didn’t understand. She and the doctor were both telling me it wasn’t the end of the world but in my eyes it was! How could anyone say everything would be OK and I would get through it? I couldn’t even grasp the concept of having a normal life ever again. Since that day I have researched it a lot and I have come to terms with it. I know now that it’s not the end of the world and I can and am living a normal life. It has only been 4 months since I was diagnosed but I am already OK with it. There are times when I still get very upset over it but overall I have regained my self-confidence. I can hold my head up high again and be proud of who I am. I still wonder “Why me?” and I wonder also who gave it to me and when exactly I got it but I understand those are questions that I will never have answered. All I know is I have it and I have to take care of myself and be sure not to spread this on to others. I have not had an outbreak since the first one 4 months ago and all I can do is take care of myself in hopes of reducing a recurrence. I will not give this to anyone because I know what it feels like. Someone I trusted and felt close to was careless and didn’t worry or care about passing this on to me so all I can do is make sure I do my best not to pass it on to anyone else. I hope my words and experience with this can help others learn to be OK with themselves after being diagnosed with this. Life does go on and you can be happy!!!