What drives me?

Overnight I thought I should write about the purpose of all my efforts. Our efforts I should say, because Keith is right there with me in this.

Firstly, I have always believed in preventative and natural medicine. I remember working industriously making bread, growing vegetables, raising chickens, and drinking lots of camomile  and dandelion tea when the children were little at Billywillinga (1975-1990).

 Here are a few photos of our family (David not born yet) in our Log Cabin in 1978 & 1979.

I always thought that if you didn't look after your body and soul, you got sick. So, I did what I thought I should for many years. When the word "cancer" was pronounced just before Christmas I was absolutely shocked. I didn't think I fitted any of the criteria for being a likely candidate for this disease.

I listened to the specialist doctors and did what I was told until I realised that each of them, expert in what they did (surgery, medication and radiation), did not have an interest in me, the whole me. They were all kind but unlike many GP's, they were, for want of a better word, narrow-minded. They didn't see what lifestyle had to do with my disease. Of these specialists, one, the radiation oncologist, was interested in and approved of my supplementary treatments.  The GP's, as caring and dedicated as they are, are often too busy with emergencies, testing and diagnosis to look further. And preventative medicine doesn't fit in with the emphasis on curing. Nor do they have time to read the loads of research out there. I began to read and have less faith in the medical people than I previously had. I was responsible for my own well-being.

I found an American radiation oncologist online who has a website called "Integrative Oncology" and given my special teaching subject at Charles Sturt University is "Wellness and Wellbeing", I was interested. I was hooked, actually. Holistic health, holistic medicine - this is it for me.

Take a look

Enough for now.

And wait, there's more....

Several people have asked that I continue this blog so that I can share the exciting things I am doing to be healthy, so I will try. Sometimes, I will be brief, but will give links so if you want to know more, you can.

I am feeling great - full of energy and enthusiasm - most of the time! It is hard to know where to start.

My last blog told you that I had an appointment with Professor Avni Sali and gave you some links for you to explore. I have followed Avni's advise and have also been doing my own reading and researching.

At the risk of boring you silly, I will start with my diet. Everything I am doing is supported by science, but it is hard for me to always remember why I am doing this or that.

So, lets start positive. What am I eating that might be out of the ordinary, and why.

Mushrooms

Chris Woollams. CANCERactive writes: Research on the subject of medicinal mushrooms is consistent and very clear: Depending upon the variety, they.... 

        * increase survival times in research trials with breast, lung and prostate cancer patients,

        * can shrink cancer tumours by up to 70 per cent (some extracts even caused cancers to disappear)         * stimulate the immune system, for example increasing macrophage activity or stimulating B- and T-lymphocyte production        * reduced blood supply to prostate cancer tumours, and,        * reduced side-effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy (like nausea and hair loss).

There is lots of information on the web about the use of mushrooms, some denying its use for preventing or curing, but the philosophy that I am following is that they will increase my immunity and help to improve my overall health. We both happen to like mushrooms and unlike some "real" medicines, have no side effects.

Stay tuned for the next food idea.