FIVE THINGS I WISH I KNEW WHEN I WAS BATTLING AUTOIMMUNE ITP
I’ve been in remission from ITP for over seventeen years.  There are so many things I wish I knew when I was first diagnosed.  If I could go back in time, I would tell myself these five things:
1. YOUR BODY IS DESIGNED TO HEAL ITSELF – Our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made!  They are created to stay in perfect balance. Sometimes, crazy things happen…like ITP! I believe that when given the proper tools, our body CAN heal itself.  It might take time…but don’t give up hope!
2. YOUR BODY DOESN’T HATE YOU – It might feel like that sometimes!  Western medicine believes that there is no good reason for autoimmune disease. We are told that our immune system “flipped a switch” and started attacking us!  Holistic practitioners don’t happen to believe that. There IS a root cause….even if your doctor can’t find it.  Keep digging!   I’m certain that the root cause of my ITP was toxic levels of stress.
3. HARSH CHEMICALS KEEP US SICK – There are toxic ingredients in our home that play a role in keeping us sick!  They are found in personal care products and other cleaning products. We need to ditch the toxic chemicals, because we can’t help our health if we keep poisoning ourselves!
4. WHAT YOU EAT MATTERS – Everything we put in our body either helps us or hurts us. It may be true that no one food automatically raises platelets, or puts ITP into remission because foods don’t work like pharmaceuticals.  However, eating junk food, processed food, etc is NOT going to help our body get back into proper balance.  Those types of foods cause inflammation, which bring us to our next point…
5. CHRONIC INFLAMMATION IS HARMFUL – low levels of chronic inflammation can exacerbate health conditions. Chronic inflammation can even trigger autoimmune disease.  Just like there are foods that can cause inflammation, there are also foods that reduce it!  One of my favorite anti-inflammatory foods is goji berries! GOJI BERRY BLOG POST   
I also have a favorite anti-inflammatory protocol that combines some great healthy habits and is a powerhouse for reducing inflammation! Reducing inflammation can be a key in helping our body get to a place where it can begin to heal!

If you’re an ITP warrior, let’s stay connected!  I’m always happy to share my story and what has been helping me stay in remission!


GOJI BERRIES: AN ITP SURVIOR'S SECRET WEAPON
THE HIDDEN LINK: CHRONIC INFLAMMATION AND YOUR ITP JOURNEY
TOP 3 WAYS TO AVOID "FOREVER CHEMICALS"

0 Comments

Leave a Comment



Welcome to my Wellness Warriors Blog!  I'm Nina Cesena. 
My battle with autoimmune disease had left my immune system thrashed.  I felt like I had won the battle...but I hadn't won the war!  I became a warrior in taking back my health.  I took many small steps that added up to big changes for my overall wellness.  Now, I help others who want to become Wellness Warriors for their health!  Are you battling chronic illness or autoimmune disease?  Are you wanting to take baby steps toward bringing balance back to your health, but you're not sure where to begin?  YOU ARE A WELLNESS WARRIOR!  On my blog, you'll find tips to support your journey back to wellness.  Want to dig deeper?  Be sure to grab my guide: 3 WAYS TO SUPPORT PLATELETS NATURALLY

Blog Categories

anti-inflammatoryautoimmunechronic illnesscountry livingfaithfoodhealthyhealthy homehopeimmune supportITPjumpstartnatural healingNo spleennutritionplateletsrecipesrecoveryself caresimple lifestress relieftoxin free

Recent Posts

The Healing Power of Sleep: ITP, Inflammation & Immune Health
Foods to Avoid with ITP: Are Blueberries, Garlic, Ginger & Turmeric Safe?
Top 5 Foods That Support Healthy Platelets Naturally (For ITP & Low Platelet Count)
No Spleen, No Fear: Natural Immune Support Without a Spleen (With or Without ITP)
JUST DIAGNOSED WITH ITP? WHAT TO DO FIRST (IMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIA GUIDE)
THE SILENT TRIGGER: HOW STRESS AND INFLAMMATION IMPACT ITP
HOW I BECAME THE "CRAZY OIL LADY" - ITP, ESSENTIAL OILS, AND WHAT I WISH I HAD KNOWN SOONER
ITP, IMMUNE SYSTEM STIMULATION VS. REGULATION: WHAT EVERY ITP WARRIOR NEEDS TO KNOW
Anchored to Move: Why Holding Steady Is the Key to Forward Momentum in 2026
ITP AND TOXINS: WHY YOUR BODY MAY STILL BE INFLAMED (Even when you're doing everything right)

Meet Nina Cesena

 

Hi, I’m Nina!

I'm an ITP warrior, author, wellness coach, and woman of faith who believes that a diagnosis doesn't have to define the rest of your story. 

My journey with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) began in 2003 with a platelet count of just 2,000, years of treatments, and eventually the removal of my spleen. After years of battling autoimmune disease, I reached remission—but I also discovered that healing was about much more than simply getting a diagnosis behind me.

My own journey led me to dig deeper into nutrition, stress, gut health, reducing toxic load, targeted supplements, essential oils, mindset, and faith. I became passionate about understanding not just what we can do to support our bodies, but why it may matter.

Today, I share what I've learned with other ITP warriors and people navigating chronic illness, helping them discover practical, whole-person ways to support their health and well-being.

I don't believe wellness is about finding a magic answer or doing everything perfectly. And I don't believe that ITP has no known cure means there is nothing you can do.

There is hope. There are choices. There are things we can learn and ways we can care for ourselves along the journey.
Most importantly, I've learned that healing is a journey—and you don't have to walk it alone.

I'm here to help you find hope, take empowered steps, and discover what's possible for your own healing journey.


Contact