✍️ Desk of Amy Suto: I'm in Remission! Here's How I Healed. [Essay]

What it takes to heal from a chronic illness -- or prevent getting one.

Hey readers, this is a long post that departs from my normal topics, but I think you’ll find it interesting. Half of Americans have at least one chronic illness, and that number is growing (source) and nearly 80% of autoimmune patients are women. In the last 3 years, my trial-and-error of healing my rheumatoid arthritis in my 20s was quite a journey, and I found out some really surprising things about how travel can improve your health. I hope you enjoy the read. ❤️

Quick disclaimer: this isn't medical advice and shouldn't be taken as such -- always chat with your doctor before making any changes.

a hike I barely made it through during the beginning of 2021

In January of 2021, my joints were swollen to twice their normal size. I was falling down stairs and was so weak I couldn’t open jars — a steep descent from my half-marathon-running-pole-dancing-partying-till-5am former self.

I had just been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Medical professionals were predicting that I’d be on hardcore medication for the rest of my life.

Oh, and I was about to start taking drugs that suppressed my immune system — in the middle of a global pandemic.

After my diagnosis, I spent one day wallowing around my Los Angeles home, where I was isolated for quarantine. I was scheduled to begin my life as a digital nomad within a week, embarking on a 5-month road trip with friends around the US.

Was I going to let my diagnosis prevent me from traveling?

The answer came to me quick: hell no.

Okay, I thought to myself, how can you kick this thing, then?

That’s when my 3-year journey of healing began.

❤️‍🩹 How I Healed from My Chronic Illness

At the start of my healing journey, two things were true:

1. I had to find ways to heal while being a digital nomad and traveling full-time, a lifestyle I deeply wanted for myself.

2. My diet and habits weren’t serving me, so I had to start from scratch and throw everything out and replace it with healthier habits.

Easy, right?

It would just mean I would have to give up alcohol, coffee, and leave the US forever —

Wait, what?

🧪 Things in the United States That Are Toxic (Beyond Your Ex)