Newsletter June2026. Reflections: Grief, Grace, and Gratitude
For the past two months, I've been riding a roller coaster of emotions.
After my miscarriage at the end of April, I felt like I was living in a fog, unable to maintain the focus and creativity my business normally requires. I was surprised to realize that I was experiencing a postpartum-like hormonal imbalance. As a mom, there was no opportunity to press pause. Life continued with end-of-year school activities, family commitments, and simply showing up for my son. Those responsibilities made it even harder to find the energy for the "extra" parts of my business, like writing blogs and newsletters.
Myrtle Beach
Just as I was finally beginning to feel like myself again, I was notified of an audit by the Kansas Board of Healing Arts. It became another unexpected distraction that demanded my attention.
At the beginning of June, we took a prepaid family trip to Myrtle Beach that had been postponed multiple times over the past year and a half. We finally decided it was time to go, and I'm so thankful we did. It was exactly the break our family needed.
We spent our days enjoying the beach, playing putt-putt, riding the Ferris wheel, and, according to Brooks, spending as much time as possible in the lazy river. One of our favorite parts of the trip was challenging Brooks to try 20 new foods. He made it to 19! He sampled everything from cocktail shrimp and grouper to sushi (salmon and tuna), oysters, and even Ishiyaki stone grilling. He didn't love everything, but watching him bravely try new things made for some unforgettable family memories.
Kansas City FIFA World Cup Fanfest 2026
When we returned to Colorado, I wrapped up the audit and was grateful to be designated fully compliant. We also enjoyed several community fundraising events before traveling back to Kansas City, where we celebrated Father's Day with a Royals vs. Cardinals game and the FIFA World Cup Fan Festival.
After returning to Kansas City, I realized my period was late, something that rarely happens for me. Since I had already experienced one normal cycle following my miscarriage, my mind naturally began asking questions.
Was my body still hormonally imbalanced? Had the stress of the past several weeks delayed my cycle? Or was it possible that I was pregnant again?
Three days after my missed period, I took a pregnancy test. It showed a very faint positive line. The following days were negative, with no sign of my period. Then, after being a week late, I began spotting. The next morning, I passed a large clot that immediately reminded me of my miscarriage, a heartbreaking sign that this was likely a chemical pregnancy.
My heart broke knowing we had lost another baby. At the same time, I couldn't help but feel grateful that, at 42 years old, my body is still capable of conceiving. That perspective doesn't erase the grief, but it does remind me that there is still hope.
The irony that all of this unfolded during Infertility Awareness Month was certainly not lost on me.
As I've reflected on the past several months, I've noticed a few consistent habits that seem to support my hormones.
First, I've been practicing intermittent fasting in a way that aligns with my menstrual cycle. Most mornings, I break my fast with eggs and organic heavy cream, followed by a light lunch paired with targeted nutritional supplements, which include my prenatal, foundational support with ATP360 and Myostim, vitamin D, electrolytes, curcumin, glutathione, and magnesium at night.
Second, my exercise routine has changed significantly. Living in the mountains, and even after returning to Kansas with a busy schedule, I've traded daily runs and Pilates several times a week for hiking about 2.5 miles three or four days each week along with light strength training. While it looks different than it once did, I've found that my body is responding well to this gentler approach.
Finally, if I'm being honest, I've become much less rigid about food quality and much more focused on meeting my macronutrient goals. I still believe food quality matters, but I've also learned that striving for perfection isn't always realistic. Where we live in Colorado, it's not always possible, or financially responsible, to source every organic, raw, or specialty food I would ideally choose. Instead of stressing over perfection, I've learned to embrace balance. Ironically, letting go of that pressure has probably been one of the healthiest changes I've made.
As June came to a close, the drought, heat, and dry air fueled several surrounding wildfires in Colorado, placing our entire community on high alert and prompting local water conservation efforts as we began rationing our water supply. It served as another reminder of how quickly circumstances can change and how little control we truly have. Even amid that uncertainty, my heart was full as we celebrated our sweet Brooks turning seven years old. We were surrounded by an incredible group friends who made him, and all of us, feel so loved. We finished the celebration with the best homemade ice cream, creating memories we'll cherish for years to come.
We don't know what the future holds.
But we do know that every season, whether marked by joy or sorrow, is filled with opportunities to recognize God's faithfulness. We continue to embrace where we are, trusting His timing and giving thanks for the countless blessings He has placed before us.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11
Evidence-Based Takeaways
Prioritize protein and key nutrients. Adequate protein, folate, iron, vitamin D, and omega-3s support tissue repair, hormone production, and reproductive health (1,2).
Choose consistent movement. Moderate exercise, such as walking, hiking, and strength training, supports metabolic health, mood, and overall wellness (3).
Focus on progress, not perfection. A consistent, nutrient-dense eating pattern has a greater impact on long-term health than striving for perfection (4,5).
Give yourself grace. Pregnancy loss affects both the body and mind. Healing takes time, and seeking support is an important part of recovery (6,7).
References
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2023). Nutrition during pregnancy. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/nutrition-during-pregnancy
Chiu, Y. H., Chavarro, J. E., Souter, I., & Williams, P. L. (2018). Diet and female fertility: Doctor, what should I eat? Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 30(3), 203-208. https://doi.org/10.1097/GCO.0000000000000453
American College of Sports Medicine. (2021). ACSM's guidelines for exercise testing and prescription (11th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine & Practice Committee of the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. (2022). Optimizing natural fertility: A committee opinion. Fertility and Sterility, 117(1), 53-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.10.007
Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (2023). Optimizing natural fertility: A committee opinion. Fertility and Sterility, 120(3), 455-479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.06.027
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2024). Early pregnancy loss. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/early-pregnancy-loss
Farren, J., Jalmbrant, M., Falconieri, N., Mitchell-Jones, N., Bobdiwala, S., Al-Memar, M., Tapp, S., et al. (2020). Post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression following miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy: A multicenter, prospective, cohort study. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 222(4), 367.e1-367.e22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2019.10.102
Disclaimer - This document is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health regimen.