Tread Without Meds: How I Took Back Control and Reversed the Symptoms of My Rheumatoid Arthritis

By Kellie Q. Smith

In the Bible, Proverbs 29:18 KJV teaches us that "where there is no vision the people perish, but he that keepth the law, happy is he." I believe this to be very true. Just as we look to our parents for everything when we are children is the same way I have learned to look to God for everything. I currently reside in Atlanta, Georgia with my husband and children and my mom and dad about thirty minutes away. However, growing up in the city of St. Louis was impoverished (deprived of strength and vitality). Whatever you were exposed to, such as alcoholism, guns, unemployment, and more, you had to decide within yourself much later in life what to do with it. You could either become a product of your environment or do something different. I decided to do something different. I had always heard voices in my head telling me that I would never do anything or become anyone because of where I came from. And so I believed that, and it made me afraid. But when I was ten, we moved out of that neighborhood, and we moved with my grandmother. This was a much more established well-cured community compared to the one I had come from. It was the home my mother and her siblings had grown up in. Deep down in my heart, I had always wanted to live there. (Psalms 37:4 ESV says, "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.") Shortly after moving there, I turned eleven years old, and I met my best friend Trestaca Warren whom I met visiting the church of extended family members. The pastor did what is called an altar call. It's when you're asked if you want to be saved and join the church, and I had decided in my heart that I wanted to. So Tressie offered to go with me to the altar. When I look back on that experience now, I see it as God holding out his hand to me, letting me know that he will carry me every step of the way in life. I have been close to meeting death several times; from nearly being kidnapped to overcoming cancer and surviving four major car accidents, God has kept me. I stand here today to let you know that I am here to do his work by helping others overcome the challenges they face in life. I find my joy the most in encouraging healthy living, marriage, and family. My bachelor's, master's, doctorate, and PhD degrees are not from the classroom but from my life experiences.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 9, 2024
• ISBN: 9781685174545

Book preview

cover.jpg

Tread Without Meds

How I Took Back Control and Reversed the Symptoms of My Rheumatoid Arthritis

Kellie Q. Smith

ISBN 978-1-68517-453-8 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-68517-455-2 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-68517-454-5 (digital)

Copyright © 2024 by Kellie Q. Smith

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Cover Design: Kameron Smith

Photographer: Nicole Ellis

Vegan Food Culinarian for YouTube channel, ‘Nicky’s Savory Vegan Eats.’

Instagram: @nickys_savory_vegan_eats

TikTok: @nickysavoryveganeats

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Motivation to Keep Writing

Acknowledgments

Introduction

The Symptoms

In Denial

Self-Diagnosed

Diagnosis Confirmed

What's Next?

The Voice

Searching for Answers—the Research Continues

Prayer Changes Things—It Gets Worse before It Gets Better

Developing Discipline

Contributing Factors

Exercise

Massage Therapy

Transition

Guilt, Shame, and Detox

Turmeric and Ginger

Green Smoothie

Lemon Water

The Cause

Some Alternatives

Faith without Works Is Dead

Financial Factor

Summary

Choosing Not to Settle

Desperate Measures for Desperate Times

Pain before Pleasure

Reflecting Back

Curious

Survival Mode

The Ultimate Switch

Timeline

Negative Side Effects I Experienced to Meds

My Personal Journal of Natural Alternatives to Living Well with RA

CHA Water

Meal Ideas

About the Author

Motivation to Keep Writing

Writing is often a solitary exercise. In other words, when you write, you work alone. Second, if you're honest with yourself, many times during the writing process, we often face doubt and could really use some encouragement and advice to keep us moving forward. Third, sometimes we get stuck and need some ideas on how to keep writing.

—Author Learning Center (ALC)

The fact of knowing and experiencing this makes this statement my motivation!

Acknowledgments

To my dedicated and loving husband, Damian Smith, and our three beautiful and amazing children—Lauren-Kristian, Kameron Tylor-Jordan, and Logan Kristina-Mychele—who were there countless ways to help me on my journey.

Damian would often carry me into the house when I would experience extreme flare-ups as well as bath me in the shower, do the girls' hair, and cook meals when I couldn't.

My children worked together as a team to make sure I didn't consume foods that didn't agree with my body. They would cook when their dad wasn't able to, help get me dressed, and wait patiently on me to walk up the stairs at home no matter how long it took.

My sweet and delightful mother, Marlaine Day; dad, Arthur Jackson; my brother, Antonie, better known as Quisy; and my loving niece, Alyrica Alexis, who were always there remarkably for emotional support! It is a fact that we all need it at some point in our lives, and they were truly there, checking on me to make sure I was doing okay.

A special thanks to the rest of my family.

My mother-in-law, Linda Smith; my sister- and brother-in-law, Sara and Jeremiah Lancaster; as well as my father- and mother-in-law, Andrew and Christina Smith, for always having me on their heart to ask how I'm doing.

A special thanks to Aunt Barbra Anne for all the helpful information toward my holistic approach to living better with RA.

My lovely sister, Sherry Day, and our dear friend/family, Michael Decker, teamed up to be there for me from the very beginning. These two were always searching for ways to knock this disease out of the box. From late-night phone calls with discovered information on alternative healing to giving unlimited massages, helping cover doctor visits, and more, I have to say there is absolutely no limit as to how far these two will go to help the ones they love.

God made provisions for me amid my challenges, and I am grateful! If I have missed acknowledging anyone, it is truly not my intention. I thank you all for your dedication to helping me reclaim my life.

Introduction

I am honored that you have chosen Tread without Meds to guide you through your personal journey for getting back on track with your joint health. My book will inform you of natural alternatives for living well with RA. I pray that it will give you the strength, knowledge,