My Journey Through Mold: From Unknowing to Thriving
Written by Tamekia Watts
Tamekia is a member of the Malachi’s Message Peer to Peer Support Group Facilitators Team, and volunteers her time to assist with leading our support group meetings. She is a mold survivor, a mother, and a certified life coach and finance consultant leading the way for others to find hope and healing. To read her full biography and see all of her future blog posts in one place, head over to this link.
Many of life's journeys are unexpected, and for some, like me, it was a journey through dealing with mold unknowingly. What began as seemingly harmless symptoms led to a profound discovery that changed the course of my life. Today, I stand on the other side, thriving and grateful for the lessons learned along the way.
Unawareness and Symptoms: It started with subtle signs – unexplained fatigue, persistent headaches, respiratory issues, inflammation, brain fog, changes in my menstrual cycle, and overall, just not feeling well. At first, I brushed them off as the stresses of everyday life, getting older, or whatever else I could find to blame it on. Little did I know, these symptoms were manifestations of silent intruders that had been lurking within my living spaces and my body throughout my life: Mold and other Environmental contaminants. Ignorance shielded me from recognizing the source of my discomfort, allowing the problem to be exacerbated and go unnoticed.
My life before I started to feel unwell.
Discovery and Healing Journey: It wasn't until my family relocated to Texas and planned to purchase a home that revealed the presence of mold that I connected the dots. Through what I consider a divine connection, with our then attorney and realtor who had experienced mold, is when I first learned about Environmental illness and what it can do to your health. The revelation was both alarming and enlightening. Suddenly, the pieces of the puzzle fell into place, explaining the mysterious ailments that had plagued me for years. I went through a phase of anger, self-blame, panic, and a period of feeling helpless. Then began my journey towards healing. The process was and still is challenging, requiring a holistic approach to restoring my well-being. I sought guidance from healthcare professionals specializing in Environmental illnesses, adopted a cleaner lifestyle, and prioritized self-care practices such as mindfulness, breathwork, and adequate rest. With each step forward, I could feel my body and spirit gradually reclaiming vitality.
As I continued my treatment, my daughter started to have regular headaches, behavior issues, and rashes. She also experienced fatigue and just didn’t seem like herself. We knew something was wrong, but for whatever reason did not connect it to mold. Not long after we noticed the symptoms, we were notified that her school had mold in it. She had been suffering from these symptoms because of mold. As we reflected on this experience, we were also able to connect her illness back to her childhood when she was hospitalized with double lung pneumonia before the age of 1, while we were living in a water-damaged home. We are so grateful that we were able to get her the help she needed and put her on a better path to wellness. My husband was the least impacted through all of this (or so we think) and I share this because I am grateful and to also note that Genetic predisposition and other factors play a role in who has a higher chance of being affected by mold.
Lessons Learned: Through this journey, I gleaned invaluable lessons that have reshaped my perspective on health and wellness. Firstly, awareness is key. Ignoring subtle signs of discomfort can lead to prolonged suffering and exacerbate underlying issues. Secondly, trust your instincts. If something feels off, investigate it diligently – your intuition often holds valuable insights. Lastly, prioritize self-care. Nurturing your body, mind, and spirit is essential for resilience and thriving in the face of adversity.
Thriving Today: Today, I stand as a testament to the transformative power of resilience and self-awareness. While the journey through Environmental illness is challenging, it has also been profoundly enlightening. I've emerged stronger, more attuned to the needs of my body, and deeply grateful for the gift of health. I thrive because of my faith, family, awareness, community, and the mindset that I choose to move forward with in life.
Advice for Others: If you find yourself navigating a similar journey, know that you are not alone. Seek support from knowledgeable professionals, prioritize your well-being, and trust in your body's innate ability to heal. Embrace the journey as an opportunity for growth and self-discovery, and above all, never underestimate the power of resilience. Additionally, please support your loved ones even if you are not experiencing any symptoms, it can be very isolating to navigate this alone.
Conclusion: My journey through dealing with mold and Environmental illness unknowingly has been a testament to the strength of the human spirit. From the shadows of discomfort emerged a newfound appreciation for health, awareness, and self-care. Today, I stand as a living testament to the transformative power of embracing life's unexpected challenges with courage and grace. My experience and healing have led me on a journey to help others find awareness, flow, and transformation in their lives. There is HOPE.
