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Jen Booth

@gingerjenbooth

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Healing myself naturally from the inside out

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I have gone back and forth about writing this and even more so about posting this. But I’ve decided to be brave and risk the vulnerability hangover. I was recently told I should try to turn my ‘pain into power’ somehow - so here goes nothing.

As many people already know I’ve navigated a path of chronic illness for over ten years now. In the last few years I’ve felt much better and felt like I was getting a new life together. I’ve worked really hard on understanding what’s going on and how to feel improvement. The last couple of years have mostly been on my own without any professionals guiding me. My symptoms kept improving and I’d say I’m now in an in between stage of being ill and well. When I tell people I have a diagnosis or talk about healing or resting they are often confused because I look and act well.

Despite all of this, some check ups at the end of last year showed that the endometriosis is worse and not better as I’d expected. I was told I now have very serious disease. My left kidney has lost more function, now the bowel is affected and some cysts have grown (one is now 12 cm). The recommendation is now urgent surgical intervention to prevent the loss of the kidney. Then to follow up with a complete hysterectomy, reattaching of the ureter and removing a section of the bowel (sorry to be so blunt).

This path would obviously leave me without the chance of carrying a pregnancy and would be a major operation with complications. I have spent the last few months digesting what I was told.

But despite the grief and confusion, I started to feel like that isn’t what is supposed to happen. Like they were talking about someone else. In my appointments I tried asking questions and sharing my big improvements, my alternative protocols and ideas. But it fell on deaf ears, no curiosity, no answers, no alternatives, no reasons why. It’s the just end of the road because this is how it goes with late stage endometriosis.

I felt, and continue to feel that I don’t want an operation and I have the ability to find another way. It seems delusional I know, and I’m well aware to some it might seem reckless. But healing myself has felt like a karmic ..(cont in comments) by @gingerjenbooth

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5 months ago

That time I wrote myself a love letter 💌

Tomorrow I turn 40 and it feels like an important milestone for me. My health, happiness and life are changing and improving in ways I didn’t expect. It makes me reflect on where I am, where I’m going and where I’ve been. Honestly, my life and my path has often felt harder, more painful and different to other people my age. I’ve always felt that way, even at school, I always felt slightly behind or on a different page than everyone else. I used to hate it and would spend a lot of time confused and conflicted about why it never worked out for me. But I’ve grown a lot, learned a lot and have started to feel there is a deeper meaning and purpose behind it all. So I’m not behind, I’m exactly where I need to be in this moment and I am just on my own unique path. Mine happens to be a little bumpy but that’s because I have a different purpose, one that requires me to overcome some challenges and learn some deep lessons.

I sit here today looking out at the garden feeling gratitude for the body that has carried me through it all. She has endured a spectrum of hardships, pain, abuse, neglect, depression, self harm and illness. But she stands strong, more resilient than ever and ready to step into this new chapter that is unfolding. Moving through this has been hard; many tears, relationships lost, boundaries gained, grief, confusion, self doubt and frustration. But despite these moments, I have never felt more at ease with myself or more hopeful. The relationship I have developed with myself, although still a work in progress, is beautiful. I see myself now and the younger versions of me and love them all. I see the little girl with long hair, who loved her pets, the garden, flowy skirts and Care Bears. I see the adventurous, caring, dedicated educator who wanted to make an impact and travel around. I promise to love you all, to protect you and to honour the depth and beauty within you. May you never feel those pains of the past and always find the peace, love and acceptance you deserve.

Now I look in the mirror and can’t help but be impressed at who I am becoming. Continued in comments… by @gingerjenbooth

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a year ago

With tears in my eyes and a broken heart, I want to share the news that Bonnie passed away last week. It was unexpected and at the time unexplained so a real shock to us.

Although she was 10, she was still healthy and happy and actually often mistaken for a puppy.

Her last days were spent doing her favourite things - beach walks, eating treats, playing with her sister Keira and sleeping (and snoring) by the fire.

I know so many people met and loved her over the years. I am so grateful for the love you gave her and the joy she brought you.

She was the perfect mix of sweet and spicy and I loved her more than anything. Our bond was unlike anything I’ve experienced before and I will forever treasure it.

The only comfort I can take from this intense feeling of grief and pain is that it must be equal to the love we shared for each other.

Bon Bons, my baby girl I love you, forever and always.

💔😢🐶👼🏼💕🪶✨ by @gingerjenbooth

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3 years ago

That time Old Lady Jen met Old Lady Gin 👯‍♀️ 👵🏻 🍸 😍 France, 2015 by @gingerjenbooth

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3 years ago

That time I became a gardener 👩‍🌾🌱☀️💕 Croatia, 2022 by @gingerjenbooth

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3 years ago

That time I met my doppelgänger 😮👩🏻‍🦰👩🏻‍🦰 💕 Guatemala, 2016 taken in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala by @gingerjenbooth

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4 years ago

March was Endometriosis awareness month and so I’ve decided to share my personal story in the hope it might help others.

Three years ago, I developed horrendous period pains and sickness. I was so unwell I nearly ended up in A&E a few times. Then, ‘by chance’ a routine ultrasound showed an endometrioma (a cyst associated with endo). I suggested Endometriosis to a gynaecologist but he said “even if it was, we’d just put you on the pill”. I wasn’t happy so I went for a private scan and was diagnosed with stage 4 Endometriosis (the highest stage). The consultant believed it had been growing silently for 20 years since my first period age 15. At this point, I got a new gynaecologist and I was lucky my scan results led to an NHS diagnosis.

Fast forward 18 months and although my symptoms were better, a follow up scan showed serious complications. The endometriosis had advanced and was blocking my ureter and kidney drainage, causing hydronephrosis. After many tests/scans, I was told I might lose my kidney and possibly my fertility. It was no longer safe to get pregnant or go through egg freezing. They said I needed a major emergency operation to try and save the kidney, the fertility we would review after.

I don’t share this to shock or for sympathy as I’m good 😎. I want to share to raise awareness as many, like me, have no idea they have endometriosis until it has progressed significantly. It affects 1 in 9 and takes 6 to 10 years to receive a diagnosis 😳.

The takeaways? Period pain and abnormalities are common, BUT NOT NORMAL. They are symptoms of a problem your body is trying to show you. If you feel something isn’t right -keep fighting to find those that will listen. You have lived in your body longer than many have studied it from a textbook 🙊

For me? I decided to follow my intuition and cancelled the Dec (2021) operation to try other treatments. I am giving my everything to natural healing and hoping for good news soon. Sending love if you read to the end💕 by @gingerjenbooth

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5 years ago

Sunsets, moonlight and everything in between. -
Connecting back into nature and being away from it all has been magical. The stars are so clear, the moon is so bright and my heart is so full. taken in Scotland by @gingerjenbooth

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5 years ago

Back in my happy place 😍 by @gingerjenbooth

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5 years ago

“And one day she discovered that she was fierce, and strong, and full of fire, and that not even she could hold herself back because her passion burned brighter than her fears”
#markanthony

I’ve been worried about upsetting people my whole life and reserve my true self for a select few. I’m a true 👩🏻‍🦰 and empath with spice, feistiness and emotional intuition, but I hold it back. I thought for a long time there was something wrong with me- I was too much, too sensitive or too difficult. Maybe I was the black 🐑, but now I’m becoming the 🐐 😅😆

I feel called to start speaking my truth and stepping into my power. A new chapter is beginning for me. I hope this shift is happening for you too. 💕🔥 💫 by @gingerjenbooth

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5 years ago

My thoughts after recent difficult experiences with endometriosis care but also acts as a wider reflection on our current times...

*I believe our bodies are amazing and designed to thrive and heal.

*I believe that lived experiences are just as valid as medical knowledge.

*I believe that fear and stress are damaging and should be avoided.

*I believe in empowerment and being able to improve our own quality of life.

*I believe in questioning, discussing and thinking critically.

*I believe in body autonomy and the right to choose.

*I believe in options for our bio-individual bodies.

*I believe in intuition, energy, ancient wisdom and modern methods.

*I believe in multiple perspectives.

*I believe in empathy and understanding, an open mind and an open heart.

*I believe in learning from each other whoever the other may be.

*I believe in trying to be a little more kind and a little more gentle.

#endometriosis #endometriosisawareness #endowarrior #wellness #perspective #naturalhealing #healingjourney #healingnaturally by @gingerjenbooth

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5 years ago

🐶 🍁 🥾 💓 taken in Tatton Park by @gingerjenbooth

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5 years ago