Jolene’s Story
Committed to a healthy lifestyle, Jolene uses physical fitness and positive thinking to manage her Alpha-1 and encourages others to do the same.
“In 2010 I was diagnosed with Alpha-1, ZZ phenotype. This effects my lungs and liver. In short, I am missing an enzyme in my body. For years I kept getting lung infections and couldn’t understand why my body was swelling so badly. One doctor told me that I was a prime candidate for a heart attack because my CRP levels were through the roof – scary at age 35. In and out of doctors’ appointments and after 40 rounds of blood taken in one year, I struggled with little support, often leaving the doctors’ offices in tears, wondering why they could not offer solutions to just fix me. I heard quite often that I didn’t look sick. Some people didn’t believe me; some just ignored the issue. At a time when I needed people the most, I felt so alone and incredibly sad.
In 2015 something happened to make me change. I was done with people who didn’t care about me or my health. I began Googling and pinning like mad, to help myself. I got involved in a liver study at Boston Medical, headed up by Doctor Wilson. I took the natural route of using essential oils to help with daily migraines and inflammation, which was introduced to me by a great friend. I started attending a new gym, and developed a regular routine. Whether it hurts like hell or not, I go to the gym every darn day and eat clean 80% of the time (because, if anyone knows me well, I LOVE BURGER KING WHOPPERS!).
You have 3 choices in life: Give up, give in, or give it all you’ve got. When I only have one life, I chose to give it all I’ve got!”