A lot of things are happening here lately, fellow tumblrs. In my post yesterday, I mentioned my interest in going to the Hippocrates Health Institute to take my nutrition-based, holistic cancer treatment to the next level. Well, I’ve contacted a program consultant and in the next month or so, I’ll be heading down to West Palm Beach, FL to get juiced by the top raw food, holistic know-it-alls in the country, if not the world. Many, many cancer patients before me have gone there to heal and learn this new way of life, and I could not be more excited to take that leap. Fingers and toes crossed everyone!
I’m on day 1 1/2 of my juice/smoothie detox. This is what my life consists of right now:
That would be water, tea, and my morning smoothie all on the backdrop of my new yoga mat. Now I just need to get a meditation pillow to make my healthy circle complete. Mwahahahahahahaha.
On a completely side topic…
Through my searching (soul and otherwise), I’ve come across A LOT of really amazing people, places and things. I thought I’d take the time today, right now in fact, to share a few of these resources with you. I’ll be doing this in installments, since I don’t want to overwhelm you with how incredibly knowledgeable (and modest) I am, so make sure to check back to see what else I’ve added.
On a side note, I know I’m not the only person out there trying to get healthy. I also know it takes an incredible amount of research (and will power) to find and implement a healthy lifestyle that feels right. Just since I’ve started this blog, I’ve been on a roller coaster ride of different treatments, diets and emotions, and, let me tell ya, it’s not easy. I want anyone reading this to know, if you’re looking for help or just a little motivation, I’m here for you as a somewhat competent, non-judgmental guide. That being said, take a peak into my world over the last two and a half years and, hopefully, you’ll find something interesting (please note, anything underlined is a link to an outside website; clink on said link to find out more info about the subject matter) :
What Started It All-
FOOD MATTERS
Before I even knew I had cancer, before I even realized to what magnitude I would need the information I was about to learn, I stumbled (quite literally) onto a website that changed my life. More specifically, I found a documentary called ‘Food Matters’. At this point, I was 24 years old, had just graduated from college and was living in Orlando, FL with a lot of time on my hands. After watching the movie for the first time, I was shocked and intrigued by what I had learned. FM (Food Matters) is a documentary on, you guessed it, food and why it matters. Before watching FM I knew nothing about nutrition or what degree food affected my health. In fact, I was eating mostly processed and packaged “food”, never touching raw, leafy greens (kale? wha?) except for the very occasional iceberg lettuce salad drenched in calorie-rich, sugar-laden salad dressing. This was a major wake up call. Immediately after watching it the first time, I watched it again. And then I invited my health nut friend, Cynthia, over to watch it with me. Then my roommate. Then I called my mom and made her watch. I wanted everyone I knew to know what I knew. They don’t teach this stuff in school, and not just high school, but medical school. Nutrition is anoptional elective for medical students. They don’t even have to take it! Mind=blown. Sooooo, I started changing a few things here and there. They say never dive straight into a major lifestyle change (they call it leaning in), so I started with actually cooking whole foods instead of microwaving pre-made meals. I also bought a cheap blender and made a fruit smoothie for breakfast most mornings. Certainly not enough but a good start. Eventually, I moved back home, found out I had cancer and realized I had much more to learn.
Wow, I really went off on a tangent there. Sorry about that. What was my main point? Oh right, basically that if you want your mind blown, WATCH FOOD MATTERS. For that matter, watch any and/or all of the recent food documentaries that have come out in the last several years. Here’s a list:
Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead
Forks Over Knives
Hungry For Change (by the same folks who brought you Food Matters, you can view this FO FREE March 21st-March 31st online by visiting their website and signing up. I did it and so should you!)
Food, Inc.
Super Size Me
Here’s a webpage with the top 10 documentaries on food (in their opinion, of course):
http://lettuceeatkale.com/2010/10-top-documentary-food-films/
Each of these movies are extremely informative and motivational in their own way. There are a lot that I still haven’t seen, so if anyone wants to have a food documentary marathon just say the word and I’m there. Also, I own Food Matters, so let me know if you want to borrow it or have a viewing with family and friends.
For My Fellow Cancer Fighters-
I’ve gone back and forth between western and eastern medicine. I’ve been to western hospitals, a western/eastern health center and am now venturing to a strictly eastern/holistic institute. I know it’s scary to delve into the alternative medicine world, especially when you’ve given up on western medicine, BUT (and that’s a big but) if you do your research and open your mind, you will find that there is a huge community out there to support you. Honestly, it doesn’t matter what road you go down, or how old you are, or what type of dis-ease you’ve got; there is always someone else out there who feels your pain and is looking for someone else who understands. If there is any advise I can give you on this matter it’s: Google it. Or, better yet, go to your local library (shot out to my sister and favorite librarian, Destinee) and ask for some help finding resources. Believe me, it’s worth it. I’m a pretty solitary person at this point in my life and cancer journey, but I wouldn’t be where I am without my family, friends and the many other people I’ve reached out to, and I’m finding that it really helps to get out of my comfort zone and find a community of people to talk to. If you don’t want a community, find one person, just one person outside of your normal group of people who you can talk at. I say talk at because when I need to vent or scream or go into full self-pity mode, the last thing that I want is to feel like I just emotionally vomited all over someone who has no idea how to handle it. A) it’s no fair to them B) it’s not fair to you. Personally, I’ve been going to an amazing craniosacral massage therapist, William Wittmann, who also helps me talk through my problems. Massage + therapy = a happier, healthier Kiera. For anyone in the Seattle area, I would highly recommend giving William a visit. I always leave his office feeling a million times better than when I walked in (even when I’m having a good day). Another tangent…man I’m on a role.
Alternative Treatments-
Through documentaries, books, websites and word of mouth, I’ve come across quite a few different treatments that have interested me. I won’ go into a long story, so here’s just a list:
Gerson Therapy- This has always been and will always be the therapy I’ll use when the going gets tough. I’ll admit it, I’m not badass enough to do this therapy at the present time. It is INTENSE, but in my mind, probably the fastest, most effective and healthy alternative treatment out there. If you have anything, from terminal cancer to MS, Gerson Therapy is something I would check out.
Hippocrates Health Institute- I’ve already talked a little bit about HHI, but, since I’m actually signing up for it, I thought I’d mention it here. HHI is very similar to Gerson Therapy, focusing on nutrition, detoxing and overall health; however, HHI is less expensive.
Burzynski Clinic- Like Gerson Therapy, Dr. Burzynski’s clinic is intensive and expensive, but you can’t argue with the results. Dr. B gets it done when it comes to treating, and many times, curing cancer.
Cancer Treatment Centers of America- Last year, I tried out CTCA down in Goodyear, AZ and was pleasantly surprised by their staff and medical team, who were incredibly friendly and kind. Their hospitals (although I don’t like calling them that since the one I went to was much nicer than any hospital I’ve ever visited) are a mix of western and eastern medicine. On your way to chemo, you can stop by their juice bar, pick up your morning veggie-packed smoothie, head to a Reiki or Acupuncture treatment or sit with a group of fellow cancer patients practicing laughter therapy. Did I mention that they only hire non-smokers in an effort to keep the environment healthy for all their patients? Amazing! Although it didn’t work out for me due to my specific condition, I would definitely recommend this center to anyone asking.
Side note: There are a ton of treatments out there you can do on your own, but from my own experience, it’s worth spending the money, going to a treatment center and learning how to do it from a professional.
That’s all I have for you today; my brain is sucked dry. In my next installment (I feel a little silly calling them that) I think I’ll talk about books, diets and what I know about food. I might throw a little yoga in there too.
Have a great day!
