Shirley describes her life as a beautiful tapestry—a vibrant front side filled with hope and joy, while the back reveals a tangled mess that, despite its chaos, has its purpose. She says that often, it was hard to see the beautiful side of the tapestry during a difficult three-year period of challenges. Leaning on her faith in God, she faced serious health issues that tested her resilience.
What began as a routine surgery to place a stent in her gallbladder quickly spiraled into a series of debilitating health problems. Shirley endured severe pancreatitis, hyperparathyroidism, kidney stones, and cancer, which was fortunately caught early enough for surgical intervention. The culmination of her health struggles led to a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Throughout this tumultuous time, she overlooked one critical aspect of her health: her dental care.
A visit to the dentist revealed a harsh reality—she needed twelve crowns and faced the potential loss of her remaining teeth. Heartbroken and questioning God's plan, Shirley was distraught. She happened to have a follow-up visit that same day with her doctor at City of Hope, who, upon hearing the dentist's diagnosis, suggested that Shirley visit Loma Linda University School of Dentistry for a second opinion.
When she came to the dental school, Shirley was eventually assigned to Dr. Steven Powell and the amazing patient care team working in the clinic. They treated her with kindness and compassion, reassuring her that she wouldn't have to lose her teeth. Most of her dental issues stemmed from pH imbalances in her mouth. With a tailored treatment plan involving time, patience, and Carifree products, Shirley experienced a remarkable turnaround. These interventions helped stabilize her teeth, correct the pH, and mineralize the existing decay.
As her dental health improved, Shirley began experiencing acid reflux. Dr. Powell suggested a book entitled "Dropping Acid: The Reflux Diet," by Dr. Jaime Koufman, encouraging her to adopt dietary changes. Remarkably, as she refined her eating habits, her reflux subsided, and her teeth benefited. Shirley’s overall well-being was getting better.
Their collaborative journey continued as Dr. Powell introduced another transformative book, "Goodbye Autoimmune Disease" by Dr. Brooke Goldner. Inspired by the author's story of using diet to overcome lupus, Shirley tried it without setting her expectations too high. To her surprise, the changes made a significant impact. Within 2 months of this new diet, the debilitating pain of rheumatoid arthritis was gone. While Shirley still has minor flare-ups, she has experienced a massive change in her quality of life, making her feel like she got her life back.
Shirley attributes her healing journey to God, believing divine intervention led her to LLUSD. She's deeply grateful for the care and support she received and feels strongly that her care showcases the University’s motto, "To make man whole."
Her inspiring story showcases the power of faith and the importance of a holistic approach to health care. School of Dentistry students and faculty work diligently to provide this level of care every day.