My Wellness Story – Part 2
In my previous post, I shared a glimpse into my wellness journey, highlighting how it transformed my health and inspired me to adopt a healthier lifestyle. In this post, I’ll dive into what motivated me to share my knowledge with you.
Why Did It Take Me 15 Years to Start My Food Blog and Nutrition Business?
This is a great question! My only answer is that I didn’t have the courage to follow my dream. But let me tell you first all that happened during these 15 years.
Over the years, my waistline shrank, my health improved, and my knowledge expanded. I went through two healthy pregnancies, gaining only the recommended weight. I recovered quickly from two C-sections and returned to my pre-pregnancy weight in no time. Throughout it all, I maintained a healthy diet and exercised regularly.
Then, four years after my second, I had my third pregnancy. Once again, everything went smoothly. I gained the recommended weight, and my baby and I were healthy. But then, something unexpected happened—something I never could have imagined, especially after having two uneventful previous C-sections.
My Scary Birth Story
I got pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic. We had always planned to have one more child, but as often happens, you can’t predict when it will happen, right? It just so happened that my job was cut due to the pandemic, which was a blessing. With a 5-year-old and a 3-year-old at home and daycares closed, I could be full-time with them during challenging times for the entire world.
I often wish I had the courage to start my food blog back then, but I just didn’t. The idea crossed my mind so frequently that I even started one, Tips from Nena’s Kitchen, but it never took off. The biggest thing holding me back was a lack of belief in myself—in my ability to share my knowledge with others who were facing the same weight struggles I once fought. You know that feeling when you think, “Who will listen to me? With all these big-name nutrition coaches and food enthusiasts out there, why me?”
So, back to my scary birth story. My son decided to arrive 10 days early. I was in labor, and my doctors performed another C-section. Everything seemed normal, and nothing appeared out of the ordinary. I remember everything from the surgery—the moment they took him out of my belly and when I heard his first cry. My husband was sitting next to my bed, and he got to hold him, all wrapped up in a hospital blanket with a little blue cap on his head.
In the meantime, the anesthesiologist, who was standing on the left side of my bed monitoring everything, asked if I had ever had any allergic reactions. I told her I hadn’t. She noticed a rash on my chest and said she would give me Benadryl. Shortly after, my husband and the baby left the operating room to wait for my return once the doctors finished the surgery.
That’s when things took a dramatic turn. As my doctor later explained, about 10 minutes after the baby and my husband left the room, I began experiencing strange symptoms. My blood pressure started fluctuating wildly, and the doctors noticed bleeding coming from multiple places. I told the anesthesiologist that it felt like my chest was closing, and I couldn’t breathe. The last thing I remember is starting to shake.
They later told me that I had a seizure. My heart stopped, everything flatlined, and they had to administer CPR and epinephrine shots. After about 8 minutes, they were able to bring me back. I went into anaphylactic shock due to a severe reaction to a drug the doctors administered during surgery, which we later determined. I had never received this drug during my previous C-sections.
I don’t remember much from the next few days, but I later learned that what happened on that operating table was incredibly rare. I was lucky to have been surrounded by a fantastic team of doctors and nurses who acted swiftly to save my life. I will always be deeply grateful to them.
I spent the next nine days in the hospital, including four days in the intensive care unit. My doctors told me it was nothing short of a miracle that all my organs fully recovered, as the kidneys are often the most affected in such cases. The only lasting impact was a brain hemorrhage, which they referred to as a mini-stroke.
They put me on anti-seizure medication and conducted several rounds of tests. After about two months, my brain fully recovered, with no lasting effects from the anaphylactic shock. Six months later, they gradually weaned me off the medication entirely. Nearly four years later, I feel physically great with no lingering issues whatsoever.
While I was in the hospital, several doctors referred to my survival as a miracle. Maybe they’re right—who knows? But do you remember that inner voice I mentioned earlier? It kept telling me that it might not have been just a miracle. Perhaps my healthy habits, regular exercise, and overall healthy lifestyle played a big role in helping my body fight when it mattered most.
My Core Message
I prefer to see it this way: after more than ten years of building and maintaining healthy eating and exercise habits, my body was strong enough to fight.
This is the core message I hope to share with my audience: you can do it, too! Not necessarily surviving something as extreme as an anaphylactic shock, of course, but approaching your health and daily habits—eating, sleeping, and moving—to prevent illness. And if illness does strike, you’ll have the strength to fight it.
Overall, you’ll feel more energized and comfortable in your body, and you’ll have the strength to handle the daily challenges—both the good and the bad—that come your way.
Lessons Learned
The first is that life is short, and we should strive to live it as simply as possible. Enjoy the little things—be present in every moment, laugh with your kids, cuddle with your pets, show love to your partners and family, and put the phone down!
Dedicate a small portion of your day to news, social media, or games, and spend the rest of your time device-free. Truly savor what each day brings. Some days will be amazing, others will be tough, but even on the most challenging days, there’s always at least one small thing to bring joy.
The second lesson is about finding the courage to share what I’ve learned with others who are eager to improve their health and habits. That’s how this blog came to life, and I hope you find it both inspiring and helpful!
This experience gave me the courage to take a leap and remind myself that life is short. If I didn’t pursue my food blog and nutrition coaching business now, I would regret it in 20 or 30 years. If people connect with my message, they will follow and support it. And if not, that’s okay—at least I tried.
The biggest credit goes to my husband, who gave me the encouragement I needed to pursue my dream, no matter the challenges. He was incredibly supportive when I decided to leave the workforce and focus on building my business. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about some close family and friends who, to this day, think I’m crazy for leaving a steady job to chase “blogging.”
This brings me to something important: if you’ve made it this far to read my words, I’d appreciate your support! Whether by sending a message, liking a recipe, leaving a comment, or even sharing your thoughts if something didn’t resonate with you—every bit of feedback matters. I’m building this food blog and my business with one goal: to help others achieve their best selves and learn how to shift their mindset towards living a healthier, happier, and more vital life.
What Is My Mantra?
I genuinely believe that our health is shaped by our daily habits—what we eat, how much sleep we get, and how active we are. While some factors are beyond our control, like the air we breathe or the hours we spend sitting at a desk, we can make choices that impact our well-being. For instance, at the grocery store, the choice is yours: a bag of chips or apples? Choose wisely—pick the apples!
That doesn’t mean you have to give up chips forever. If you’re craving them, enjoy them, but do it in moderation. And that’s the heart of my philosophy: balance and moderation in everything.
I hope you stumbled upon my little corner of the internet by chance or through a recommendation and decided to stick around because you enjoy what you find here.
If so, thank you for being here! I hope my pages inspire you to embrace a healthier lifestyle—because you’re doing it for yourself, to feel your best and fully enjoy this beautiful life.
CONTACT ME
I want to build a community here at Nena’s Wellness Corner where you can find easy, delicious recipes made with fresh, natural ingredients.
- You can connect with me on Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see what’s new.
- You can also contact me by commenting on one of my recipes.
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