07/17/2025
If you’ve wondered why I haven’t been crafting… From my new page The Quiet Porch with Brandy.
Good morning… afternoon? 11am is still morning right?? 😂
After being inspired by a few of my gardening friends, I hit the clearance rack at Lowe’s and Walmart to start my own little whimsical garden🪴🍄🟫
I’ve got a slim to none chance of keeping them alive in the Oklahoma July heat lol, but I’m going to give it my best try!
I spent the morning potting plants and talking to Jesus. And that is never time wasted!
It was a chance to reflect over how far I’ve come since my “breakdown”. It’s been the most difficult two years of my life but God carried me through EVERY SINGLE day. He is so faithful!
After having a light case of Covid in 2020, my body was as left with long term inflammation that wreaked havoc on my body and nervous system. I tried going to doctors but all my tests were normal and l couldn’t get any real help.
A few years later, I was faced with a reemergence of childhood trauma that my disregulated nervous system was not prepared to handle. It threw me into constant severe anxiety and panic for the next 2 years.
During this time, I also began having joint pain, body aches, and burning sensations throughout my entire body. My head was in a thick fog. I had no idea what was happening but I knew something was very wrong.
Doctors only wanted to prescribe anxiety meds that didn’t help nor address the root cause… the inflammation.
Finally last fall I had gotten to the point where I could barely walk from the pain. I could barely function and was still struggling with anxiety/panic as my trauma issues increased. I repeatedly went to my doctor asking for help.
Finally at the beginning of this year, I was able to see a rheumatologist who diagnosed me with rheumatoid arthritis (still with normal bloodwork!) based on my symptoms.
He put me on medicine to suppress my overactive immune system and slowly… one day, week, month at a time I have made progress toward healing. I still have some lingering symptoms and occasional flares, but I feel like I am finally getting my life back again.
I’ve been in therapy, working on my unresolved trauma and dealing with a past that created some unhealthy patterns in my life.
As I begin to make my way out of this valley, looking ahead to the mountain top in front of me, I know God has a calling and a plan for my life. And it’s time to get back to it! It can only go up from here ⛰️
Thank you for letting me share my journey with you 💗
