For many people, a visit to the doctor happens only when symptoms become difficult to ignore. While some seek care proactively, many wait — hoping symptoms will resolve on their own. It’s when they don’t resolve that the decision is made to find answers.
Leah first began noticing unusual gastrointestinal symptoms midway through her pregnancy — subtle signs that something wasn’t quite right.
“During pregnancy, so many things change in your body. I assumed everything would resolve once the baby was born,” says Leah.
Like many busy mothers, she didn’t immediately pursue further evaluation. Life moved forward, and the symptoms lingered — persistent, but not severe enough to demand urgent attention.
Nearly 18 months later, as she began considering another pregnancy, Leah realized she needed clarity. If an underlying condition was present, she wanted a full understanding of her health before moving forward with trying for another baby.
That decision marked the true beginning of her health journey.
Searching for Answers
As her symptoms continued, Leah decided it was time to seek further evaluation. She hoped to expand her family, but was concerned about her symptoms and how a pregnancy might complicate things further.
“I scheduled an appointment with a GI clinic and underwent a colonoscopy,” Leah explains. “Immediately following the procedure — while I was still half asleep — the physician came in to review the findings and discuss the suspected diagnosis: Crohn’s disease. He recommended a steroid, which involved taking nine pills a day. Even when I asked about modifying my diet or exploring other options first, his answer was still steroids.”
Trusting God and Her Gut
“I was feeling confused and very unsettled, given that all my inflammatory markers were normal. Although I did end up filling the prescription, I never ended up taking the pills.”
Instead, Leah began praying for direction, asking God to guide her next steps. As she continued researching functional medicine approaches, she came across Valeo Health and Wellness Center and decided to schedule a consultation.
Finding Healing Through a Root-Cause Approach
Leah first met with Dr. Rob in January of 2021. Together, they detoxed a few things that were in the way of her body’s natural healing and added targeted supports, such as digestive enzymes. This approach allowed her body to do the rest. Gradually, the pieces started to fit together, and she was able to understand the “why” behind her GI symptoms and address the underlying health condition.
“My symptoms were gone in less than three months — and they never came back. Today, I remain symptom-free and realize that Crohn’s disease was, fortunately, a misdiagnosis. I feel blessed to be well and excited to share my story.”
When Western Medicine Isn’t the Only Option
Leah emphasizes that Western medicine has an essential role.
“As a nurse, I see every day how valuable Western medicine is — especially in acute or life-threatening situations. But in my case, medication would have managed symptoms rather than addressed the underlying health condition. The outcomes may have been much different had I taken the meds.”
She is grateful that her journey led her to Valeo.
“We’re thankful that Dr. Rob took the time to connect the pieces and help me understand what was contributing to my symptoms. By supporting my body’s natural detox processes and overall wellness, my body was able to heal. I’m not sure we would have reached that outcome otherwise.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing a health condition and you want answers, contact Valeo Health and Wellness Center at 952-949-0676 to schedule an appointment.
Each patient’s experience is unique, and outcomes may vary.
