My health story

Depression, intestinal problems, indigestion, heartburn, sinus allergies, constipation, and declining energy have marked my life since I was a young adult.  Through my faith in God and my continued relationship with Him , I found the answer to my physical problems.  One day, as I went to Him in prayer, I asked God to show me what I must do in order to be well.  Asking for healing was enough, but I also knew that God wanted me to play some role  in getting well. He spoke to my heart and told me to eat an alkaline diet.  I went straight to the Internet because I had no idea what He meant.  After some searching, I found that there were two ways to interpret this message.  I could eat foods that were alkaline before digestion or I could eat foods that become alkaline after digestion.  I went with the latter of the two choices.  Vegetables, fruits, white chicken breast and fish were my foods (no dairy, grains or sugar).  After three days, my head cleared (improved cognition), I had energy, my bowels moved well, and my heartburn was controllable with medication.  I slowly added new foods to target what was causing my problems.  It was grains with gluten - so I thought.  My changed diet began in 2009.  In 2011, my husband was diagnosed with colo-rectal cancer.  You can follow our journey on his blog link "Pole Barn thoughts" pastorwolfgang.blogspot.com starting 1-25-11.  

After his surgery in July of 2011, he began to explore alternative treatment for health through a nutritional approach.  He started with the movie, Forks Over Knives.  We began to search lectures by Dr. Esselstyn, Dr. McDougall, Charlotte Gerson, Dr. Joel Fuhrman, and others who sited studies and testimonials of people who had recaptured their health by turning to a vegan diet.  I started pouring myself into any medical journals or publications which were referenced by these people as well.  Dr. Blaylock opened my eyes to the nerve toxic glutamates that are added to foods to enhance flavor and cause food addictions.  I read, and still refer to, a published paper which referenced several studies linking plant nutrients to prevention of cancer and secondary cancer after chemo and radiation.  

The link is http://www.russellblaylockmd.com/ and the paper is under "published articles", JANA - Nutrition and Cancer, then scroll to page 17.  It has been a guide for helping my husband recover from the toxic treatments  he received before and after surgery.

We have been completely vegan since February 20, 2012.  I have experienced the following benefits: stopped taking anti-acids and all OTC medicine except for aspirin (should I ever need it), lowered my cholesterol, no more sinus allergies which require prescription or OTC medicine, lost 20 pounds, and have lots of energy.  I even have noticed that my vision is improved with the exception of needing my glasses to read.  My knees and hips don't hurt and my hands don't fall asleep in the night anymore. This is God's work in my physical life.  He has used our illnesses to turn our hearts away from following our stomachs.  Giving up the Standard American Diet (SAD) was not easy at first.  When I finally surrendered my beloved dairy, I threw my arms up in disgust!  However, surrendering all animal products was exactly what I needed to do in order to discover the healing that God had in store for me.  I am not sorry to give up something that I used to love because I know that God wants what is best for me.  This is the same surrender that believers must make when they repent from their life of sin and disobedience toward God.  We must surrender the desire to be the ruler of our own lives in order to experience the freedom we can have under the King of Kings!  

I want to be able to serve Him without holding back, without shortening my life on earth in order that I can spend my life for Him.  I believe that I was headed for a complete health meltdown with artery disease, weakened immunity and possibly ending with cancer.  Not anymore.  I eat better than I have ever eaten, and I can even include whole grains in my diet.  We are still learning and perfecting what we eat; but God knows we will eat what He provides and we will listen for His instructions.