My Journey
My Journey to Healing: Listening to My Mind, Body, and Spirit
For years, I struggled silently with mental health challenges—long before it was something people openly talked about. In 2018, I finally sought counseling and began unpacking layers of childhood trauma. Some wounds I knew were there; others surfaced unexpectedly. Therapy gave me tools to manage triggers, but sometimes, numbing the pain with alcohol felt easier than facing life head-on.
When Life Felt Like It Was Falling Apart
Even with therapy, I felt like my life was in shambles. My physical health was deteriorating. My stomach was painfully distended—I looked eight months pregnant and was in constant pain. I rarely go to the doctor, but for a year, I saw every specialist imaginable: gastroenterologists, urologists, rheumatologists. No one could figure out what was wrong. I even cried after waking up from a colonoscopy because they said everything looked “fine.” But I knew it wasn’t.
A Turning Point from the Carolinas to Florida
Although I live in the Carolinas, my lifeline came from Florida. I began consulting with Trident Healthcare, and they encouraged me to find a primary care doctor who would truly listen. That’s when I found Cassie at Mackey Family Practice. I’d walk into appointments and say, “I’ve been working with a team in Florida, and they recommend XYZ.” Whether it was bloodwork or medication changes, Cassie never hesitated—she was all in.
Even though the tests came back inconclusive and the medications only helped marginally, Cassie and the team at Trident Healthcare didn’t give up. They started exploring holistic options, and that’s when we did an MRT test. It revealed that my body was sensitive—not allergic—to many of the foods I was eating. These sensitivities were causing internal inflammation.
The Physical Breakthrough
Around the same time, I had a hysterectomy, and my doctor discovered extensive scar tissue wrapped around my bowels and intestines. Between dietary changes and surgery, my stomach issues began to ease. I started losing weight and feeling better. I’ll be honest—I also used Zepbound during this time, and despite what people say about it causing stomach issues, it helped me.
The Mental Health Crisis That Changed Everything
With my physical health improving, I turned my attention back to my mental health. I continued therapy sessions and worked with my primary care doctor on medications. But earlier this year, I hit the lowest point I’ve ever experienced. I’ve always been the strong one—the one who pushes through. But this time, I felt completely broken. I had no desire to live. I knew I wouldn’t harm myself, but the fear was real.
I reached out to Trident Healthcare again, and they recommended a GeneSight test—a DNA-based test that helps identify which medications are most compatible with your body. Turns out, everything I’d tried before fell into the “yellow” category—meaning it might work, but not optimally. They switched me to a medication in the “green” zone, and within a week, I felt a shift.
Discovering Exomind and Rediscovering Myself
Still, life felt heavy. That’s when I decided to travel to Florida for a new treatment Trident Healthcare was offering called Exomind. I stayed for seven days, spacing out the treatments. After the first session, I noticed subtle improvements in my mood and sleep. By the third, I felt motivated again. My anxiety eased. The dark thoughts disappeared. I could focus at work. I felt like myself again—maybe even better.
Right now, I’m on the plane heading home after my second round of Exomind treatments, and I caught myself smiling. I can’t remember the last time I smiled like that. It felt good.
Fine-Tuning My Medications and Finding Clarity
Trident Healthcare also listened when a friend mentioned I sounded overmedicated in the mornings. Thanks to the GeneSight test, we discovered my sleep medication wasn’t being absorbed properly. They switched it, and that night, I slept deeply—without the dreaded “medicine hangover.”
Then came the final piece of the puzzle: ADHD. A short questionnaire revealed what had been hiding in plain sight. Again, using GeneSight, we found a medication in the green zone. The first couple of days were rough, but today—day three—I woke up excited to go home. No anxiety. Just me and my four husky babies waiting at the door.
Why I’m Sharing This
I’m sharing all of this because I want others to know there are doctors who will listen. You are not just a number. You deserve to be heard. But you have to be honest—completely transparent—to get the help you need.
Listen to your mind and your body. Never settle. My journey isn’t over, but I’ve come so far. It took me over two years to get here, and if you’re struggling, I want you to know—you can get here too. And I’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.