Denial and the First Signs of Change
After my official diagnosis, I went through a year of hard-core denial. I didn’t want to talk or hear about Multiple Sclerosis. That was easy enough when nothing was changing physically. But then, I noticed a slight foot drop in my right foot. At first, it wasn’t noticeable to anyone else—just an occasional trip-up. But it was a reminder that the MonSter inside me was still there.
At the time, I was working full-time as a team leader at Cummins Child Development Center in Columbus. It was a large center, and I spent my days walking constantly. I even used my lunch breaks to walk on the treadmill for half an hour. By the end of the day, my foot drop became more noticeable, tripping me up more and more. We knew we had to do something, but I wasn’t willing to return to a doctor or try “conventional” MS therapies.
A Different Approach: Seeking Alternative Medicine
A dear friend at work had seen an herbalist in Louisville for other medical needs and highly recommended him to me. His name was Myron Hardesty from Weeds of Eden. I called him, and before he would even see me, he required all of my medical history. He sent me an extensive health questionnaire—at least ten pages, front and back. It covered every system in my body and left no question unasked.
After filling it out with as much detail as possible, I mailed it back and waited. A month later, I finally had my appointment. Myron had taken that time to carefully review my history and research my case. The consultation cost $75, but he sat with Jeremy and me for three hours, talking through my health, MS, and what changes I needed to make. For the first time, I felt truly seen—not just as a patient, but as a person.
The Swank Diet: A New Way of Eating
Myron introduced me to the Swank Diet, developed by Dr. Roy Swank in the 1940s. His research suggested that MS was less common in coastal fishing towns where people ate more fish compared to inland mountain areas where red meat was more prevalent. With the help of a dietitian, he created a low-fat diet designed specifically for MS patients.
The basics of the Swank Diet included:
- No processed foods containing saturated fats or hydrogenated oils.
- Saturated fat limited to 15 grams per day; unsaturated fat (oils) kept between 20-50 grams per day.
- Unlimited fruits and vegetables.
- No red meat for the first year, including pork. After the first year, 3 oz. of red meat was allowed once per week.
- White-meat poultry (skinless) and white fish were allowed; dark-meat poultry and fatty fish were limited.
- Dairy products had to be 1% fat or lower, with egg whites only (no yolks).
- A daily intake of cod liver oil and a multivitamin/mineral supplement.
- Whole-grain breads, rice, and pastas encouraged.
- Nuts and seeds allowed for snacks as good sources of natural oils and energy.
Adjusting to the New Normal
Before my MS diagnosis, I had already lost 90 pounds through diet (Weight Watchers) and exercise. I hadn’t always struggled with weight, but during my sophomore year of college, I got incredibly sick after a spring break camping trip. I ended up in the hospital in Bloomington, struggling to breathe. My oxygen levels were dangerously low, so they put me on oxygen overnight and sent me home with an inhaler and oral steroids.
Those steroids wreaked havoc on my body—I gained 80 pounds in just one month. Myron suggested that those steroids may have triggered my MS. While I had been eating healthily due to Weight Watchers, the Swank Diet was an entirely new way of eating for us.
Jeremy, the cook in our family, had to completely change how he prepared meals. It was a huge adjustment and learning curve, but we committed to it. Within two weeks of starting the diet, I noticed a difference in how I felt. That motivated me to stick with it. I’m a picky eater, so it wasn’t always easy, but Jeremy handled it with patience and grace. We found what worked for us and went full steam ahead. Fear of veering off course and worsening my symptoms kept me disciplined.
Seven Years of Stability
For seven years, we faithfully followed the Swank Diet, and I had no MS exacerbations or relapses. It became our new normal. But by 2012, things started to change. My legs and walking began to worsen. By that time, Jeremy and I had our two boys—Tristan (4) and Foster (3). The diet alone was no longer enough.
It was time to face my diagnosis head-on. I needed to see another neurologist. This time, I wasn’t just fighting for myself—I wanted to get better for my boys.