Rae’s Patient Journey Story
In mid-March 2020, the San Francisco Bay Area became the first region in the nation to issue a ‘shelter in place’ order to curb the spread of COVID-19. It was six weeks after the area’s first known case of the novel coronavirus, and though officials insisted there was no reason for alarm, a frenzy began.
“We were all panicking about the toilet paper!” recalls Rae, a 35-year-old middle school teacher residing in San Jose. She joined the concerned crowds flooding supermarkets and drugstores to stock up on supplies. As she traveled the aisles, something caught her attention.
“I remember seeing a lot of people with wine and chocolates in their shopping carts,” she says. “That was a wake-up call to me. This pandemic was going to go one of two ways — either people were going to get really fit and healthy, or the opposite.”
Rae promised herself she’d be in the former group. While the world entered a global health crisis, she would go on her own personal health journey and come out better than before.
“The fear inspired me to utilize this time to do some self-reflection and get out into nature to enjoy the beautiful landmarks we have around the Bay Area,” Rae says. “Little did I know that there was an adventure waiting for me, and it was much different than I had originally intended.”
AN UNSEEN VISITOR
Rae describes herself as an active person with a bubbly personality and a soft spot for the innocent affections of young adult romance novels.
“I grew up as a dancer, so fitness has always been a part of my life,” she says. “I love getting outdoors and exploring nature. I enjoy trying new things and being around people. I’m really into hiking and yoga. I’m an avid reader as well.”
Rae’s adventurous spirit took her on hikes throughout the Bay Area and surrounding regions. She fell in love with the wild beauty of the Santa Cruz Mountains, home to ancient redwoods and mountain lions, hundreds of species of birds and mushrooms, and vibrant banana slugs. But soon, a chance encounter with one of the region’s smallest residents would bring her active lifestyle to a grinding halt.
“I was bitten [by a tick] in the beginning of June 2020 in the Santa Cruz Mountains,” Rae says. “I didn’t know. I never had a bull’s-eye rash, and I never thought to check myself.”
The bull’s-eye rash, named for its target-like appearance, isn’t just a telltale sign of a tick bite — it is the earliest stage of Lyme disease, known as stage 1.
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the joints, heart and nervous system. Chronic Lyme disease is linked to a range of debilitating symptoms, including severe headaches, facial palsy, arthritis, nerve pain, heart palpitations and inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
A month would pass before Rae received a diagnosis.
THE EVERYDAY BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE
Rae knew little about Lyme disease, and without having seen a tick or the resulting rash, she had no reason to be concerned about her health.
That quickly changed as she started experiencing severe fatigue.
“It was very difficult to do everyday tasks like running errands and cooking meals,” she says. “I would have periods where I would do something simple like washing the dishes and then I would be down for 20 minutes. I remember feeling like there was lead in my arms, or like I was in quicksand and I was sinking.”
Rae describes her life during this period in just three words: work, sleep, DoorDash. She devoted the meager energy she had to her students, helping them navigate the brave new world of pandemic distance learning. She struggled to take care of herself, and the active, social life she cherished slipped away.
“There were times when people would call me and I would have to text them back and tell them, ‘I do not have the physical energy to have a conversation,’” she recalls. “It’s mind-boggling that I was so weak.”
In addition to the fatigue and weakness, Rae experienced other characteristic symptoms of Lyme disease: muscle pain, joint pain, numbness in her feet, tingling in her feet and legs. Friends expressed concern at her diminishing health.
“Someone told me that their 90-year-old mother had more energy than I did, and they weren’t joking around! They were serious!” she says with an astonished laugh.
THE MYSTERY ILLNESS IS REVEALED
Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated with a few weeks of antibiotics, but Rae’s case was not so simple. Her symptoms continued, and she became increasingly worried about what her future had in store. Though COVID-19 posed a once-in-a-lifetime health risk that had plunged the world into a collective state of anxiety, all Rae could think about was the disease ravaging her body.
“I knew that something was vastly wrong, and I was approaching a very slippery slope. Time was not on my side,” she says. “That’s when a friend of a friend referred me to Dr. Young.”
Dr. Young finally gave Rae the answer she’d been searching for. Lyme disease was indeed the reason for her symptoms, and it needed treatment right away. Though she struggled for weeks before receiving the diagnosis, Rae sees the bright side of her situation.
“I was very lucky. I’ve heard horror stories of people not getting a diagnosis for three, four-plus years. I know that was a blessing,” she says. “The longer you wait with Lyme disease, the harder it is to treat.”
Rae wasn’t familiar with naturopathic medicine, but instinct told her it was the next step.
“I knew it was imperative that I start working with Dr. Young as soon as possible,” she says. “It wasn’t an option. It was an investment in my health.”
Rae considers herself one of the lucky ones. Despite her delayed Lyme diagnosis and the symptoms that had made her a shadow of her vibrant former self, she finally saw a path forward. A personal connection who also battled Lyme encouraged her to visit Dr. Young at Young Naturopathic Center for Wellness.
“She said Dr. Young has a real knack for treating mystery illnesses and that I would be in outstanding hands,” Rae recalls. “The thing that really hit home is she said, ‘If I knew everything I know now, and I was in your situation, I would go see Dr. Young immediately.’”
Healing hadn’t come easy for Rae’s friend. When her initial search for a doctor in the Bay Area fell short, she sought treatment in other states and even other countries before discovering Young Naturopathic Center for Wellness.
“I figured if someone was willing to travel internationally [to find Dr. Young], and I could travel just 15 minutes, I would be crazy not to take this opportunity,” Rae says. “It was a no-brainer.”
THE WHOLE HUMAN
Rae kept an open mind as she scheduled a consultation. Though she knew nothing about naturopathic medicine, the strength of Dr. Young’s reputation reassured her.
“My experiences had primarily been with Western medicine in a very conventional setting,” she says. “I didn’t know what to expect, but I was so desperate to heal that I figured ‘Why not?’ I’d hit rock bottom. Dr. Young was a glimmer of hope for me.”
Rae’s first encounter with Young Naturopathic Center for Wellness stoked that glimmer into a spark. She spoke to Carla, Patient Care Concierge, who helped her get an early appointment despite a waitlist. Rae noted the positive energy of the interaction and the inspiring way Carla spoke about Dr. Young. “I really felt like they were going to take care of me,” she says.
With praise from both her friend and Carla ringing in her ears, Rae finally met Dr. Young. The experience did not disappoint.
“The first time I talked to Dr. Young was the first time I felt heard,” she says. “In the past, I felt like doctors listened but didn’t really understand what I was saying. Dr. Young saw me as more than a patient — she looked at the whole picture and saw me as a human being.”
This was a welcome change. Rae’s primary care physician declared her healed after a round of antibiotics, but she was still experiencing joint and muscle pain, fatigue, body aches, chills and tingling. She knew there was more to her story.
“Dr. Young reaffirmed that what I was experiencing in my body was real, and she assured me we would get the answers we needed,” Rae says. “I felt very relieved and comforted after the first appointment. I was excited to go on this new journey.”
DOCTOR AS DETECTIVE
‘Looking at the whole picture’ is the heart of naturopathic medicine. The goal of a naturopathic doctor is to treat the whole person and heal the root cause of illness, not just its symptoms. This is accomplished with a combination of traditional wisdom and time-tested natural therapies, extensive laboratory testing and advanced clinical science.
Rae describes Young Naturopathic Center for Wellness as a warm and welcoming environment where she received more attentive care than she had previously. “I didn’t feel like a number,” she says. “All the way down from Dr. Young to the office staff, everyone sees you as an individual and really cares about your progress. It’s far more personal.”
Dr. Young approaches patient care like a detective approaches a case. She looks beyond surface symptoms to see what’s happening underneath, scouting for clues about what will help her patients optimize their health at all levels — body, mind and spirit. For patients like Rae, this comprehensive methodology can make all the difference.
“She’s so intuitive. Her instincts are spot-on,” Rae says. “Her depth of knowledge, compassionate nature and plan to tackle the issue were impressive. No matter how severe my symptoms were, I knew that she was advocating for me and I would get the best treatment possible. There was never a moment where I doubted her.”
A thorough examination revealed that Rae had over eight pre-existing conditions, including food intolerances, estrogen dominance and gut bacteria issues. With Lyme disease layered on top of these health concerns, she had a potent recipe for severe Lyme symptoms. A treatment plan that addressed all of this simultaneously would be the key to unlocking true wellness for Rae.
SURVIVING TO THRIVING
“Dr. Young had an action plan for me from the beginning. It was obvious this was not her first rodeo,” says Rae.
Because Lyme disease can affect many systems in the body, Rae’s treatment protocol included multiple modalities, starting with another round of antibiotics. Dr. Young recommended supplements to reduce the side effects of the antibiotics and make the process more comfortable.
“Once I started, I feel like my mindset changed,” Rae says. “I knew that if I kept my thoughts positive and followed the doctor’s orders, things would turn around with time.”
Before long, they did. Rae finished the antibiotics and began a regimen of immune-building IV infusions. She noticed a difference right away. “Before, when I would run an errand, I would have to take a 20-minute break before driving home,” she says. “After the first IV infusion, I drove home right away. I knew that was my first victory.”
She wasn’t the only one who noticed a change.
“I take movement breaks with my students. We put videos on and dance to them. One day they were like, ‘Wow, you’re getting so much stronger!’ They were so excited that I was able to dance with them again,” Rae recalls. “I felt like Dr. Young had given me my life back.”
After completing her initial course of eight sessions, Rae continues to get regular IV infusions. She now sees visits to Young Naturopathic Center for Wellness as part of an ongoing commitment to better health.
“I was meant to have Dr. Young in my life,” Rae says. “Not only to cure Lyme disease, but to start a whole new journey of learning about my body so I can live a long, healthy, positive life. I know Dr. Young is going to help me thrive.”
A year and a half ago, when a pandemic abruptly changed the world’s trajectory, Rae had no idea her life was about to take an even more unexpected turn. She’d set a goal for herself: use this time to recommit to fitness and transform her health for the better. A tick bite and subsequent Lyme disease diagnosis soon derailed her plans, sending her health into a downward spiral that left her struggling to complete basic tasks.
Today, she calls the experience a gift. Although the path was neither straight nor smooth, Rae met and exceeded her original health goals with the help of Young Naturopathic Center for Wellness, and now has her sights set on inspiring others with her journey.
“I’m super excited to share my story with other people because I want them to have the success I had and to have gratitude for being able to live your life to its fullest,” she says.
LIFE-SAVING BECOMES LIFESTYLE
When Rae began working with Dr. Young, all she could think about was finding a road out of rock bottom. Extreme fatigue and other symptoms had robbed her of her active lifestyle, her social life and her ability to care for herself without assistance. The vibrant spirit who loved hiking around the Bay Area and taking dance breaks with her middle school students could barely do more than work and sleep. She saw naturopathic medicine as a chance to get her life back.
“It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” she says. “It was a life-changing experience the moment I picked up the phone and booked an appointment.”
The success of her Lyme disease treatment piqued Rae’s curiosity. If naturopathic medicine could relieve her of symptoms that left other doctors stumped, what else could it do? How could it help her make the most of the new lease on life she’d received?
“I knew Dr. Young provides outstanding services, so I was more than willing to explore anything I could do to improve my health through her guidance.” Rae says.
Rae underwent comprehensive testing. Often, patients like Rae have more than one issue, and her testing revealed a variety of issues including food sensitivities, gastrointestinal issues and elevated levels of lead in her body. Armed with this information, Dr. Young created a personalized plan to help Rae improve her energy, reach new fitness goals and optimize her health.
“Dr. Young helped me think of food as medicine. I always tell people that if you want to wear your bikini, go do the allergy testing!” she says. “I also did the treatment for weight loss. Because I was overweight, my body was aging at a faster rate. I did 15 weeks and lost 40 pounds.”
Rae continues to visit Young Naturopathic Center for Wellness on an as-needed basis. She likens her visits to brushing your teeth — something you do regularly to ensure your health is the best it can be.
“I see it as an opportunity to better my life and move forward in a positive direction,” she says. “Dr. Young has given me tools to heal my own body.”
PAYING IT FORWARD
It’s the little things that remind Rae how far she has come.
“I was able to cook a meal for the first time last night. I lived off of DoorDash for a year before this,” she recalls. “When I was taking those bites and enjoying my dinner on the patio, I had such gratitude for Dr. Young. She gave me my independence back.”
“Today I went swimming. How cool is it that I have the energy to swim?” she adds with a delighted grin.
Rae is not the only one who notices a difference. Friends who once expressed concern over her deteriorating condition now express joyful amazement at her transformation.
“People saw my energy levels go up, people saw me get back on my feet, people saw me get my independence back. They’ve been so impressed,” Rae says. “I’ve referred three friends to Dr. Young now.”
Having personally experienced the profound impact naturopathic medicine can have, Rae now considers it a regular part of her health routine. She encourages others to be open-minded and consider the benefits of taking a holistic approach to well-being.
“My whole outlook on medicine and health has completely transformed. There’s something to be said for being receptive to trying something new,” she says. “I was given the gift of desperation, but for someone who is on the fence, I would say what do you have to lose? It’s an experience unlike anything else in life.”
VICTORIES BIG AND SMALL
Rae is gradually returning to a life where she can run errands without exhaustion, where she can join her students in active movement breaks, and where DoorDash is an occasional treat rather than a necessity. She has even started hiking again — this time, armed with tick spray.
“It felt like everything had come full circle on my first hike. I was back out in nature. I wasn’t afraid. This journey brought me back to where I started,” she says. “But now I see the world with so much more appreciation for the small things, like being able to cook yourself dinner or go on a walk with a friend.”
This life has a familiar shape, but its colors are infinitely more brilliant.
“I have a sense of gratitude. I feel like this experience really grounded me, because things that you take for granted every day were taken away from me,” Rae says. “I knew that, once I healed, I would have little victories throughout the day — I would know that I persevered and I was resilient and I kept going. I’m going to find so much more joy in my life.”
With her characteristic warmth and optimism, Rae sees silver linings behind her and blue skies ahead.
“If I had to go through this hardship to learn this lesson, I know it was worth it,” she says. “I hope my story can inspire and encourage other people.”
We wish Rae all the best and thank her for sharing her beautiful journey with us! If you would like to schedule a complimentary consultation at Young Naturopathic Center for Wellness, please give us a call at (408) 761-6781 or fill out our convenient contact form.
