There’s nothing I find more inspiring than listening to the stories of those who have gone through some kind of adversity and come out the other end with a triumphant smile. If you have stories of your own I would love to hear them, but let’s start with this one, told by my mum…aw…thanks mum for sharing!
The moment the doctor told us that Mike had a large tumour in his bowel was terrifying. Our worst fears were confirmed and I remember reeling with the news, somehow managing to ask ‘has it spread?’
After more tests and an operation to remove the tumour, we were told it had broken through the bowel wall into the lymph glands and that we needed to discuss chemotherapy.
It was clear in the weeks before the bad news that my husband was unwell. He looked green, had lost weight and over 4 pints of his blood, leaving him severely anaemic. He was weak and tired. To be fair, we should have been at the doctor earlier but I have a really stubborn husband!! (However at the time he was very fit, training for his 2nd dan black belt in Karate).
Together we went through the motions: the appointments, discussions and lots of questions. We were told my husband would have a better chance at surviving if he went through chemotherapy.
We were frightened by his chance of survival without it.
Despite all this, I couldn’t shake the feeling that perhaps we were doing the wrong thing. I kept thinking, ‘Is this really the answer? How on earth could chemical therapy make someone who is sick, well? Does this really give you a cure or does it just buy you time?’
The turning point came when Mike’s body packed up through four of his eight scheduled courses of chemo. He reacted severely to the drugs and was bed-ridden in pain for the majority of the treatment duration. The oncologist decided that he could no longer carry on.
His liver was ‘fried’. Another dose could have killed him.
“What do we do now?” I asked the oncologist. “Do we change our diet? Try other holistic measures?”
The oncologist said we could try what we wanted, but he made it seem like there was no other cure.
We were lucky to have our daughter Lauren living with us at the time. She was an avid reader of books exalting the benefits of a natural and chemical free diet, of natural remedies, and of kindness and respect to the planet.
She regularly shoved books under my nose. But through those books I realised, for the first time, that there is sooooo much out there – in nature – that can and does help with healing the body. I now have a huge respect for Mother Earth and for what she gives us.
The first thing we did was to change our diet to a largely organic, plant-based one, and undertake a 3 month intensive Rife therapy treatment. The change in diet was a defining moment in our lives and one that I am convinced has had a huge impact on my husbands recovery and wellbeing.
Mike’s diet before cancer was the standard meat and three veg, pastas covered in cheese, coffee, white breads and home made baking with flour, butter, sugar and eggs. He loved his wine and would regularly eat salami, pork, ham, Chinese takeaways and Pizza with the works.
How things have changed!
Today, we start each morning with a green smoothie, filled with leafy greens from our beautiful vegie garden that we had specially built and installed. I add some super foods to boost antioxidants, minerals and energy. We have amazing salads and vegies from our garden for lunch and dinner, and we feast on an abundance of fresh fruit, supplemented by nuts, seeds and healthy grains.
Very occasionally, Mike eats a small portion of lamb (his favourite) and both of us eat fish sparingly. However all other meats, poultry and processed foods have been eliminated along with all dairy products and sugar. We no longer want or crave these foods.
Our actions have reverberated throughout our whole family with all of us caring more about what we eat, where our food comes from, whether its sustainable, and if anything has suffered during that process.
The only problem Mike has today is the ongoing side effects from the chemotherapy four years ago. He was so ill after that treatment that he couldn’t work for two years, and the smallest of outings would drain his energy and leave him wanting sleep.
But his doctors are pleased with how he’s doing and often comment on his amazing regular test results. He is well and active and even achieved his 2nd dan black belt in Karate.
The spin-off for me is that I eat what Mike eats and I have never felt so well. My energy levels are better than they’ve ever been and we haven’t had a cold or flu in three years.
If there is one thing I would recommend to anyone thinking about their diet and what they eat, I would say to start your day with a green smoothie. You will feel so good that it will naturally lead you to look for and want more good food.
I am thankful for many blessings in my life – good food, clean water, my beautiful children and my very much alive and well husband.
Ana Glucina.
With respect, please remember these shared stories are not implying you should follow the same path, as everyone’s journey is unique to them.
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