In spring 1998, when I was 40, I discovered a lump in my
right breast, which later was diagnosed as invasive lobular
and ductal carcinoma, stage 3B. The news was devastating,
as I had already lost my left leg to bone cancer seven
years earlier.
After a mastectomy, chemo and radiation, a specialist
in Boston told me, with a long, sad face, that the cancer
likely would be back within a year. I did as recommended
and tried Tamoxifin for a month but discontinued it because of extreme side
effects. I felt lost and depressed.
So I asked my surgeon if she knew anyone practicing conventional/alternative
medicine. She gave me the name of a naturopathic doctor – Devna
Krassner, who let
me know that some women with breast cancer had been helped
by the macrobiotic diet.
I thought, “ahhh,” remembering a book I’d
read years earlier about a man who had healed himself from
cancer by using this plant-based diet. If there was any
chance that such a diet might help me, I was all for it.
And thus my healing journey began.
I found a macrobiotics/whole foods cooking teacher in
my area, Lisa Silverman, and began her wonderful classes.
I felt empowered by the people I met through these classes – including
Louise Sharp, who I met about nine months after starting
to eat this way (and who now assists me in teaching cooking
classes). Louise put me in touch with the amazing Warren
Kramer, a macrobiotic counselor from Boston. I met with
Warren every two to four months for the next two years.
Many things started to improve in my life. I began sleeping
through the night – something I’d had
trouble with for five years. With my doctor’s OK,
I weaned myself off heart arrhythmia medication. I lost
weight, my skin got very clear, and chronic sinus problems
and headaches cleared up. Ulcerative colitis that I’d
dealt with for four years steadily came to an end. My thinking
became sharper.
I felt as though I had changed my destiny! Against all
odds, I was actually doing something that was improving
my health. I felt alive and happy.
I began learning everything I could about macrobiotics
and eventually went to study at the Kushi
Institute,
a non-profit educational organization in Becket, Mass.
I attended my first annual Kushi Institute Macrobiotic
Conference in August 2000, and sat in on a very inspiring,
weeklong program to learn cooking theory for people with
illnesses. Through my studies, I’ve come to understand
many of the causes of illness. The macrobiotic approach
is based on a lot of common sense.
Best of all, I learned that I truly
could take responsibility for my own health and change
my condition. I went from
terminal illness to vibrant health. And in the process,
I was able to let go of fear.
As my health bloomed, I also saw many positive changes
in my family’s health as they gradually embraced
this way of eating. This extended to my sister and her
family. Her 3-year-old son’s lifelong, serious reflux
finally ended, her husband's cholesterol went down to normal,
and they both lost weight.
My life today is by no means perfect. I still have my
ups and downs, and still deal with issues surrounding my
grief, anger and loss. But … I’m still here to deal with these kinds of things … and to enjoy
everything else in life!
Thank you for visiting my site. I wish you the best on
your own journey to excellent health.
Love, Meg
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