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28-year-old Jessica Bean was born with cystic fibrosis, a disorder that causes thick mucus to build up in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. The condition had always been a part of her life, so she took its challenges – namely breathing easily and keeping her daily health manageable – in stride.
When Jessica was 21, her condition took a turn for the worse.
Her doctors told her that she would need a lung transplant in order to survive. Jessica was heartbroken. Despite her condition, Jessica had always been able to find the energy and enthusiasm to go out and travel, explore the world, and volunteer for various causes. But at this point, her lungs only functioned at 30% of their full capacity. She agreed to be placed on the hospital’s lung transplant list.
As she waited for the transplant, Jessica and her boyfriend, Cameron, spent countless hours in the hospital where she attended physio, in hopes that her lungs would improve.
Her condition only continued to get worse.
Jessica’s mindset changed from being hopeful about her recovery to contemplating her own death.
That was when she and Cameron decided they would get married – before she passed.
Jessica admits to being a “bridezilla” during the planning process. She wanted every detail to be perfect; her wedding day would be some of the last few memories Cameron would have of her.
It was when the couple went to take their wedding photos, however, that everything changed.
Gary Fettke was not only a fantastic wedding photographer, but he was also a sugar-free advocate. Maintaining a sugar-free diet has helped many people lose large amounts of weight, heal acne, and even find a renewed sense of energy.
Because of her cystic fibrosis, Jessica “always had a high-calorie diet” because she “burned more calories fighting to breathe each day.” Each day, she consumed about 4,000 calories – twice the amount an average woman eats in one day – in order to maintain her energy levels.
These calories, however, often came in the form of sugar-packed lollipops, candy, and chocolate bars. They provided “an easy calorie boost,” Jessica explained.
After talking to Gary Fettke, Jessica realized the potential for her to change her lifestyle by adopting a sugar-free diet.
The effects were almost immediate. “As soon as I started eating my calories a healthier way, I noticed a difference.”
Jessica improved so quickly that her doctors nominated her to participate in an Orkambi drug trial in Australia. “After a few weeks,” Jessica recalled, “I could feel the benefits… I was on my feet again. It was almost unbelievable.”
It has now been over a year since Jessica had to be hospitalized for her cystic fibrosis. Her diet continues to revolve around healthy, natural foods, and she now only has chocolate as a “rare treat.”
Choosing to go sugar-free has changed both Jessica’s outlook on life, and her entire life itself. “I'm so lucky to be alive and it's all thanks to ditching sugar.”
