11/02/2023
Walking with my Clients Through Conventional Medicine
As a practitioner, there are always those clients who touch my heart in ways I do not expect, teach me as I teach them, and change me as a provider forever.
Today was a success in my practice.
Today, I got to sit with my client, celebrate her healing journey, and reflect on the work she and I have done over the past year.
To give a back story, I almost did not take on this client. It was a big case that required multiple medical doctors, an endocrinologist, and a cardiologist. As I reflected on my role in this case, I decided to take it on because I knew I could provide some help. I could help her eat better. I could improve her nutrient status, gut health, and overall mindset around her illness. So, I gave this client everything I had. I researched and learned. I connected with many of my mentors to provide guidance, and I tapped into and shared my own experience in helping my late husband with thyroid cancer.
As we worked, she began to heal; however, she also began reacting to the one medication that was allowing her not to have her thyroid surgically removed. She chose for herself to have the surgery because her quality of life was suffering. As a holistic provider, I never want my client's cases to end in surgery, but she knew she needed to do this, and I supported her.
At this point, my role in her care shifted, and I became her educator and advocate. We made a plan, and I referred her to the best general surgeon in Denver who specializes in removing thyroids (it is more complex than you think). I educated her on what was going to happen pre/post-surgery. We also discussed medication options, and I specifically guided her in talking to her surgical team and endocrinologist, requesting medication that is usually unavailable to patients. After much discussion, they allowed it. Then, I educated her on what to expect when going from a working thyroid gland (although not working well) to a synthetic medication, and I supported her through her recovery process.
Today, I saw her for the first time since her surgery, and she looked amazing! She was radiant, her weight was stable, her brain was clear, and she told me she had just returned from a trip with her husband, something she could not do before.
I bring this up not only to celebrate my client's healing but also to shed light on the issues between conventional and holistic practices. As a functional medicine practitioner, I always choose holistic care first. Still, I understand that there is a time and place for conventional practices, and this was one of those times. This client taught me to check my ego and understand that just because a client needs conventional medicine does not mean we fail in healing. She allowed me to use my voice and my experience to guide her, and she allowed me to walk the path of conventional medicine beside her. She has given me hope and understanding that healing can occur, but it might not always look like we want it to.
To this client, I am forever grateful for the opportunity to walk with you on your path through conventional medicine. ❤️
