Join Jenna as she shares her eye-opening journey through mold exposure in a mobile classroom, detailing the immediate health effects and the struggle for proper diagnosis. From misdiagnoses and dismissive doctors to finally finding validation with an allergist who recognized her mold allergies, Jenna's story is a powerful reminder of the often-overlooked impact of environmental factors on health.
In this episode:
Discovery of Mold and Initial Symptoms: 00:00:00 - 00:05:00
Jenna discusses her initial experiences with mold exposure in her mobile classroom unit, describing the immediate health effects such as coughing and sinus pain.
Struggle with Misdiagnosis and Lack of Awareness: 00:05:01 - 00:10:00
She details her medical journey, facing misdiagnoses and the dismissive attitudes of doctors who suggested her symptoms might be psychological rather than environmental.
Pursuit for Answers and Validation: 00:10:01 - 00:15:00
Jenna's turning point comes when she finally finds an allergist who acknowledges her mold allergies, providing some validation though not solving her issues.
Impact on Professional Life and Students: 00:15:01 - 00:20:00
She talks about the broader implications of mold exposure in her teaching environment, including how it affected her students, from frequent nosebleeds to potential learning disruptions.
Challenges in Gaining Institutional Support: 00:20:01 - 00:25:00
Jenna discusses the resistance she faced from school administration when attempting to address the mold problem, highlighting the difficulties in getting the necessary testing and remediation.
Holistic and Functional Medicine Approach: 00:25:01 - 00:27:00
Exploring her eventual turn to holistic and functional medicine in 2018, Jenna describes how a mold specialist finally began addressing her symptoms with targeted treatments.
Jenna’s Takeaway Message:
"Listen to your body’s whispers before they turn into screams. Advocate for your health, and don’t be afraid to seek help outside conventional channels if necessary."