Last month I recommended an e book by Jessica Ainscough.  Jessica was diagnosed with a rare sarcoma (cancer) at 22.  She writes a fabulous blog and this month marked her 2 year quest to naturally rid herself of cancer.  I have asked her permission to reproduce her heart warming anniversary blog.

8760 glasses of juice 2920 coffee enemas 1460 baked potatoes 1460 bowls of Hippocrates soup 33580 supplements 174 shots of castor oil!

Two years ago yesterday I arrived at the Gerson clinic in Tijuana, Mexico to start two years of intense detoxification and nutritional treatment. I thought that I was about to embark on a therapy that would save my life, but little did I know that this therapy would be the catalyst for a life far greater than I could ever imagine. I know that sounds strange given how tough Gerson Therapy is. I have given up pretty much everything that was familiar to my old life, but in return I have gained more than I ever knew was possible.

Not only have I firmly cemented a vibrant and healthy future for myself, but by stripping away all of the crap that was bubbling away on the surface of my former self, I’ve discovered a life that flows with ease and one where miracles occur every single day.

THE FIRST YEAR

The beginning of anything is always the hardest, but with Gerson Therapy this was definitely the case. Before going to the clinic, I thought I was prepared for what was in store for. I had already begun most of the therapy at home, including the enemas. However, it was the castor oil that really brought me down. For the first three months, castor oil is taken orally every second day. For me, it felt like I constantly had a vicious hangover. It gave me a headache, made me feel nauseous, made me super emotional, and had me running to the toilet every half an hour. This was by far the most challenging part for me. Thankfully it was reduced to twice a week after 12 weeks, and then once a week a little later on.

The social isolation and sobriety also took some time to get used to. I resented my friends for being able to go out together and have fun. I was so sad and felt like they were out making memories that I wouldn’t be a part of anymore. Before Gerson, I loved to drink, go dancing and be stupid with my friends. Making peace with the fact that I will not really ever be able to do that again was incredibly difficult.

The thing that really got me through that first year of Gerson was this blog. I started it a few days before heading to Mexico, and it became my therapeutic outlet and gave me something to work on other than my health. Plus, the words of kindness and encouragement from readers pulled me through every day.

THE SECOND YEAR

Something shifted in the second year. I don’t know if it was because I could actually see the finish line in sight, or because I was just so used to the Gerson lifestyle, but my resistance started to melt away. After I stopped wishing that my circumstances were different and just accepted that everything was happening in my best interests, the journey suddenly became so much easier. I still had my moments when I would wish I could just go out for dinner without taking my own food, have a glass of wine (or water), go for a swim at the beach, or sit through a whole movie without stopping to make a juice, but for the most part I was content to go through the motions and inch further and further towards health.

During the second 12 months I also began to pick up more work, which has kept me busy and made time fly. I wrote books, this blog gained popularity beyond what I had ever hoped, and I had the opportunity to connect with some amazing people. During my first year I was a little lonely because I felt so different and separated from all of my friends, but during the second year I made new friends (both online and off) who share the same passions and interests as me. These friendships have grown so strong that this whole experience would be made worth it simply from meeting them.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

Things gradually slow down. I am now on the basic Gerson program, drinking six juices each day and doing just one enema. The food is pretty much the same, but I will be able to have a taste of a few different things like nuts, seeds, spices, and avocado every now and then. I’m okay with that though. As long as I get my celebratory curry and cashew nut cheesecake, I am happy to stick to the Gerson diet and just have these little indulgences on occasion.

Healing doesn’t end now. Healing is ongoing, and I will live the rest of my life being as kind and respectful as I possibly can to my body. Even now, after two years of intense natural treatment, I cannot say that I am cured. I’m not sure if I will ever be “cured”, but I will always be healing. Cancer is something I will always manage with my clean lifestyle.

I don’t plan to have any scans, partly because I don’t want to subject my body to the poison and radiation, but also because prior to my diagnosis scans were not detecting that I had cancer. Only a biopsy did this, so I don’t really see the point.

However, I did recently have some non-invasive diagnostics done, which I plan to continue along with my regular complete blood tests that I send to my Gerson doctor in Mexico. I had live blood analysis, iridology, and have been analysed via a very clever and thorough machine called Indigo. What we’ve discovered is that I have so much nerve damage in my arm from the incredible amount of chemotherapy drugs that was pumped into it way back in the beginning, almost four years ago. I also have heavy metals (from chemo), fungus (from chemo), and my lymphatic system is having a hard time removing the toxins (from chemo and surgery). So now I am detoxing the heavy metals from my body, I am removing the fungus from my body, and I am working on stimulating my lymph system. Stay tuned for future posts about how I am doing all of this.

I really don’t like looking back and saying I regret decisions I made in the past, because they were the right decisions for me with the knowledge I had at the time, but I would love for someone to build me a time machine so that I can go back and say no to having chemotherapy and surgery. And maybe we could stop off in Thailand again on the way. I had a blast while I was there in 2009. I have absolutely no doubt that healing would occur much easier and faster if I wasn’t dealing with the collateral damage caused by those harsh conventional treatments.

In saying that, I know that I am exactly where I am supposed to be and everything that has happened up until now has served a perfect purpose.

My fellow cancer babes and dudes will probably understand how frustrating it can be when you so desperately want to be cured. At times I have felt like shaking myself and saying, “Hurry up and heal, dammit.” But then the wise part of me would speak up and say, “What do you think you’re doing? You know your body is way smarter than you. Just chill the f*&k out and let it do its thing.”

That is the number one thing I have learnt over the past four years. Our bodies heal in their own time. Sure, it is our job to do whatever we can to make sure this is possible, but we can’t force anything. Our bodies are incredible, and as long as we listen to them – truly listen to them – give them what they need to heal and remove any obstacles that will prevent the process from happening, healing is inevitable. Healing is possible for all of us.

LOVE AND GRATITUDE

Thank you so much for your support and encouragement over the past two years. I know many of you have been with me right from the beginning, and some I have met along the way, but all of you have played an integral part in my healing journey and I will be forever grateful for that.

I also need to say a special humongous thank you to my mum, dad, Tallon and Edie. Without each of you, the past two years would not have been possible (or anywhere near as bearable). I love you so much!

http://www.thewellnesswarrior.com.au/2012/04/holy-crap-i-did-it-the-gerson-two-year-mark/

If you missed last months newsletter and didn’t get a chance to check out Jessica’s new e-book – Make Peace Your Plate then  click here