Hey there! Robin Yount here, and I'm thrilled to be connecting with you. Trust me, I get it. I understand the fear and frustration that comes with recurrent diverticulitis flare-ups.
I've been there, done that, and even got the t-shirt.
As women, it's all too common for us to put the needs of others before our own. I fell into this trap myself, prioritizing the well-being of those around me while neglecting my own. Little did I know, this would lead me down a path of hardship and realization that self-care is crucial for both our own health and our ability to care for others. My journey serves as a powerful testament to the significance of holistic health and the transformative power of self-care.
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In my early 30s, as a single mom, my health took a drastic turn for the worse. Anxiety, depression, constant GI issues, and debilitating migraines became my daily companions, draining me of energy and joy. It wasn't until I remarried and entered my mid-30s that I truly grasped the toll my declining health was taking on my life. Balancing the challenges of a rebellious teenager, caring for a new baby, and witnessing my beloved grandmother's declining health, I found myself on the brink of physical, mental, and emotional collapse. It was during this time that I received the diagnosis of diverticulitis, adding to the long list of ailments that seemed to have no solution.
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The breaking point came when I was admitted to the hospital, writhing in excruciating pain on my left side. The infection had spread so severely that my fever spiked, blood pressure soared, and the CT scan revealed its presence in my left lung and across my pancreas. The initial concern of pancreatic cancer loomed over me, leading to my hospitalization. However, after enduring days of agony and undergoing a colonoscopy, the truth was revealed – it was diverticulitis, not cancer.
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While relieved that it wasn't cancer, I was left feeling overwhelmed and frightened, with minimal guidance on how to manage this condition. The medical professionals seemed perplexed, labeling it as an "old person's disease" and providing me with prescriptions for antibiotics, a low-residue diet, and vague advice to increase my fiber intake once I felt better. Other than that, I was left to navigate this journey alone.
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Attempting to manage my condition, I soon found myself losing over 50 pounds within months of my diagnosis. Fearful of triggering painful flare-ups, I became hesitant to eat anything. Every meal seemed to bring bloating, pain, and further exacerbation of my symptoms. Anemia set in, my appearance grew sickly, and inflammation ravaged my body. The pain was all-encompassing, even my own skin became a source of discomfort.
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For the next six years, my life was consumed by stress and the constant battle of diverticulitis flare-ups, IBS, inflammation, and other autoimmune issues. I felt like I was merely surviving, with the life slowly being drained out of me. Despite the endless cycle of specialists, urgent care visits, blood tests, CT scans, and prescriptions, I remained determined to find a solution that would truly help me.
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Multiple colonoscopies revealed that the diverticulitis had spread throughout my colon, and surgery was presented as the only option. The thought of undergoing surgery and potentially losing my colon was terrifying, especially as a mother in her early 40s. However, I refused to let this diagnosis define my life. I knew there had to be another way, so I immersed myself in the world of holistic health, natural remedies, and alternative treatments. It was a challenging journey filled with trial and error, but I persevered, taking it one day at a time.
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Gradually, I transformed my eating habits by eliminating gluten, processed foods, and added sugars. Instead, I focused on nourishing my body with healing bone broths, nutrient-rich smoothies, and real, whole foods. Alongside these dietary changes, I joined the YMCA and incorporated regular exercise into my routine through Zumba and yoga classes. This not only helped me get into shape but also served as a powerful stress-reduction tool. Additionally, I sought therapy to address the deep-rooted emotional pain and mental distress from my childhood. This holistic approach to health and wellness played a pivotal role in my healing journey.
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As I continued to feel better and make progress in my health goals, I became a certified Zumba instructor, health coach, and yoga teacher. The debilitating flare-ups became a thing of the past, and I witnessed a significant transformation in my overall well-being. The long list of ailments that once plagued me vanished, and I regained an abundance of energy. It's been 12 years since I last needed an antibiotic or experienced a diverticulitis flare-up, and I can confidently say that I feel better now in my 50s than I have throughout my entire life.
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And you can feel that way too!
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Drawing from my own experiences and expertise, I have developed the 4 Stage Program specifically designed for individuals dealing with diverticulitis. This comprehensive program takes a holistic approach, guiding individuals on mindful eating, embracing a healthy high-fiber diet, and trusting their intuition to make informed decisions about their health. It also incorporates movement, self-care, and mind-body practices to cultivate body awareness and promote a calm nervous system.
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Through this program, you will learn how to advocate for yourself and regain control over your health. My passion lies in helping you find freedom and balance in your own health journey, just as I have found in mine. If you're ready to dive in and take control of your diverticulitis, I warmly invite you to join the Diverticulitis Rescue Yourself program. It's time to reclaim your power, overcome the limitations of this condition, and embrace a life of vitality and well-being that you are meant to have!
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Good luck on your journey, and I wish you abundant health and happiness!
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Namaste,
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Robin 🫶🏻
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P.S. Let's Connect! Whether you have questions about the program or simply want to connect, I would love to hear from you! Feel free to reach out anytime.
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Dive into the inspiring stories of those who've been rescued by the Diverticulitis Rescue Program!
"Diverticulitis Rescue has helped me Understand my body, understand how to eat healthily, how to get out of back to back major flares and most importantly it has proved that the doctors were wrong: I am in control of my flares and by changing diet and lifestyle I Can avoid these."
~ Marianna
"Robin is amazing! She's really sweet and understood everything I was going through in my life.
She made simple suggestions for changes in my diet and helped me figure out which changes were feasible immediately, and which ones I should try a little further down the road. She also gave me a lot of new suggestions I hadn't heard before, which I look forward to incorporating into my diet.
Robin is an excellent coach! She's fun to chat with and full of great ideas! I look forward to working with her again in the future!"
~ Elle Reed
"I wanted to take a moment to send a big thank you to Robin Yount and this community. Robin, your protocol and group truly saved me. A few days ago, I celebrated 2 years flare/infection free. On December 1, 2021, I ended up in the ER expecting they were going to diagnose me with excessive gas. Instead, I was left with a diverticulitis diagnosis. I was in so much pain, but never did it occur to me I was dealing with diverticulitis. I knew about diverticulitis from my college studies and remember when we learned about it thinking, "Boy I hope I never have to deal with that!" Well here I am, dealing with it.
But today I am thriving in ways I did not think possible. I now understand that a lifetime of trauma, stress, anxiety and more recent grief is what contributed to developing this disease. I also struggled with various GI issues and have rheumatoid arthritis. When I left that hospital I felt so deeply depressed and hopeless. I know most of you in this group know exactly what I am talking about. I fell into such a dark space, still dealing with feelings of grief and my health tanked tremendously.
Before I found this group, I was unintentionally in Stage 1 for far too long. I did not know any better and developed such a fear of food. I was a member of many other diver groups and they left me feeling even more helpless and scared. I found this group 12 days after my diagnosis and noticed how consistent the information was. I found myself drawn to the structure of Robin's protocol and really clung to the stories of success I was reading within the group.
It took me nearly 4 weeks to feel confident enough to try the stages for myself and I am not going to lie, it was very challenging for me. I had smoldering diverticulitis, and my steps forward were very slow going. So very slow. In February 2022, Robin offered a “Diverticulitis Rescue Yourself 30 Day Group Challenge” and I was really curious about it. I had never tried a holistic or natural route before so I will admit I was on the fence. I really was. I had always trusted what my medical professionals taught me and so it was really hard to put my trust elsewhere. I had a lot of fear. The fact that surgery for this disease was on the table is so very real, and I knew that was something I wanted to avoid.
So, with some encouragement from family, I signed up for Robin's challenge and that is really when things started to turn around for me. I gave my all in the challenge and participated in everything Robin offered within the challenge. It was a small group of us and we had the opportunity to share our stories, fears and challenges. The space allowed for lots of discussion and Robin was so supporting and encouraging along the way. She helped me identify patterns and triggers and since I had smoldering diverticulitis, I adopted a low FODMAP diet for a short period of time and slowly built up to the high FODMAP foods. I tracked it all! Finally, I was starting to see some results and was beginning to move forward without so many setbacks.
At my blood draw back in November 2021, just a month before my diverticulitis infection, my inflammation markers were very high. My rheumatologist wanted to start me on immunosuppressant medication to control the inflammation. However, when I went in for labs in August 2022 all of my inflammation markers were normal! I was so happy and I had discussed Robin's protocol with my doctor and she was on board. She was impressed and so was I. I had proof that the diet and lifestyle changes I had made were working.
Overall it was a long, slow process for me and I remember that after I was diagnosed, I felt so depressed over the fact that I would not get to celebrate like everyone else for Christmas and New Year’s. It took me many months to get where I am today and I had to turn down so many invitations to food gatherings. But looking back now, it was so worth it. Hard yes, but worth it to be sitting here today in the best health I have ever been in. I have all the tools that I need to manage this disease holistically and naturally. I have put myself in remission from rheumatoid arthritis. I was on 4 different daily medications for GERD/reflux and was also able to get off of every single one of them by using the protocol and supplements Robin recommends. It has been life changing.
I seriously did not think I would ever get to this side of it, but here I am. It is possible and believe me I know how hard it can be to see that when everything seems so bleak. But hang in there, work the protocol, reach out for extra support if you need it.
I joined as a moderator earlier this year because I fully support this group and Robin's protocol. I know how much it has changed me and helped me and I just want to share my story in hopes to inspire someone else.
As I sit here, reflecting, I cannot help but think back to those dark days. I am so glad that I am no longer back there and have a way forward. Thank you Robin and thank you to all of you, who are part of this group. I learn something new every day from all of you! Now, I am going to get back to my nice soothing Golden Milk."
~ Monique Howard
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