FROM DIAGNOSIS TO DISCIPLINE: OUR JOURNEY WITH SLE

Hi my name is Chris Robitaille, along with my beautiful wife Jennifer we are creating this website and podcast to share our journey through life with an autoimmune disease.

They say life can change in a single doctor’s visit. For me, that visit started with a painful elbow and a blood pressure reading that was “off the charts.” What I thought was a simple case of tennis elbow was actually the alarm bell my body had been trying to ring for years.

In my mid 50’s, I was officially diagnosed with SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE). While the diagnosis came relatively quickly once I saw a specialist, looking back through the lens of what I know now, I realize I had been living with symptoms for much longer.

RECLAIMING MY HEALTH

That diagnosis three years ago wasn’t an end-it was a catalyst. Alongside my wife, we embarked on a mission to see how much of my health I could take back into my own hands. We stripped the “convenience” of modern diets and got back to the basics.

OUR PHILOSOPHY IS SIMPLE:

SHOP THE PERIMETER: If it comes in a jar, can, or box it stays on the shelf.

WHOLE FOODS ONLY: We focus on fresh ingredients and zero preservatives.

RADICAL ACCOUNTABILITY: I track everything- from my blood panels and daily symptoms to food and exercise

ENJOY THE OUTDOORS: Turning off the tv and getting fit. We’ve been able to work up to riding our bikes over 30 miles at a time, we’ve run three 5k’s and walk as much as we can daily.

THE RESULTS:

By quitting smoking, limiting alcohol to the occasional social drink, and overhauling my relationship with food, I’ve managed to lose over 40lbs. More importantly, I’ve gained a level of clarity and control over my SLE that shows in my blood panels and my energy.

WHY WE STARTED THIS SITE

After my diagnosis I spent several months asking how, why, and what is this thing called lupus. All my life I competed in everything I did. I played just about any sport that you can think of including soccer till the age of 40. I realized that I could treat SLE as a sport and beat it too. Now we’re creating this website and podcast to share what we’ve learned through research and personal experiences. Whether you are newly diagnosed or have been fighting the “Lupus Fog” for years, I hope my journey can offer a roadmap for those wanting to take charge of their own wellness. We will be sharing recipes, exercise routines, and I will breakdown and share any lab studies that I can find. I would love for others to share their journeys and findings as well, making this site a village. We can learn this together!