BY JOYCE WONG JIN YI
FIVE years ago, my constant neck pain warranted me to see a doctor for a check-up. The doctor told me: “Joyce, you have a 2.2cm tumour at your right thyroid. You need to do surgery to remove it.
The only good news was my tumour was not malignant.
“The immediate questions that raced in my mind were not: Why me? What happened? What do I do now? So, what came to my mind? Read on to find out.
[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”block” ihc_mb_who=”unreg” ihc_mb_template=”3″ ]As a food scientist, well-versed in nutrition science, I knew what is good and bad for me. However, I was not putting them to practice. I was trained and educated about vital nutrition and healthy lifestyle. Too bad, it remained academic.
The tumour in my neck changed this and I realised the value of my training which was neglected. I decided to take massive action to heal myself. I have a long way to go in my life. Many goals to be achieved, things to enjoy and do with my loved ones.
I started to pick myself up and the first thing I did was some soul-searching and the right questions helped:
1) What are the root causes of my health issue?
2) How can I deprive the tumour of what it needs so it can have a natural die?
3) What will influence my health in a good way?
4) Who can I approach for some science-based guidance?
Ten years ago, I was under chronic stress due to my research and my work. I continuously ignored all the symptoms my body was signalling me, until my body forced me to take a closer look at my health. Chronic stress almost killed me. My lifestyle might have contributed to the tumour.
I know tumours thrive on glucose. The constant feeding of my body with food such as biscuit, bread, noodles, and processed food made from wheat flour and other carbohydrate made my tumour well-fed and “happy”.
I knew I needed support from the right person – for both mental and physical health that will lead me through my healing journey. I called up a few close friends who are holistic nutritionists to seek their advice.
These are the five areas that I discovered: Diet (Food and Supplementation), Lifestyle (Movement and Sleep), Stress Management, Environment (Daily Self-care Products), Relationship with those around you.
Sounds overwhelming? Just take one step at a time. The tumour was not developed due to a year of imbalanced lifestyle and bad eating habits. It was the result of the constant abuse of my body with a bad diet and lifestyle. To regain my health, I know it is a journey. I made commitments to do the best for myself.
I explored and discovered how to reverse those bad habits from many mentors and friends —learning and practising simultaneously. Two years after my tumour was diagnosis, I went back to the hospital for an ultrasound check-up. The doctor was surprised! The tumour just disappeared.
I was so grateful to regain my health and energy and even bounce back in a better state of health after my health crisis. My holistic approach made me healthier and more energetic.
That is my little journey but one that changed my life for good. Thank you to the tumour for sending me early signal that I was not in great health. Back to the first question I asked myself when I was diagnosed of the tumour, it was “What is the one thing I want to do but I haven’t started yet?”
Now I am using my experience and formal training to help others to make informed decisions about their health. The tumour not just changed my lifestyle but also my career. Today, I am a wellness coach. Join me in my wellness masterclass, the one-stop centre for the crucial information you need to stay healthy and live a vibrant life!
Here you go: https://www.joyce-wong.com/wellness-masterclass.
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