Greetings, Friends ~
Since we last connected, a month or so ago, I’ve had the good fortune to converse with the author of the Salt/C protocol handbook, titled “Lyme Strategies: Practical Research on Lyme Infection.” I was re-reading the protocol the other night, since I’ve been ramping up on the Salt/C this past week to get down to some serious herxing, since it’s been awhile and I want to keep decreasing the bacterial levels. In the course of reviewing the strategy, some questions came up and so I searched on the internet and found an email address that is connected with the protocol. Here is the response from the author, Marc (don’t have a last name). I was really pleased to hear from him promptly, and the response came with many encouraging words, validating what I was beginning to expect... that I’ve stayed with the protocol long enough to have “broken the back of” the disease… to have gotten a “leg up” on it by not only working to eradicate the bacteria, but to strengthen and reinforce my immune system. My sense has been that my immune system has been getting stronger and is now more able to “handle” the bacterial load and keep it under control.
Based upon Marc’s input, I feel I can now ramp down on the Salt/C and stay at a maintenance dose indefinitely. If I feel a need to, I can always ramp up again and increase the Salt/C levels to the point of creating herxes. It will be interesting to see, at this point, if that’s really necessary (I just went through a mega-herx this week after taking quite a bit of Salt/C, and I’ve been experiencing some serious pain, most especially at the base of my skull. Clearly, there is still bacteria there, but it’s possible that the immune can now take over from here and I will continue to improve and feel better and healthier all the time).I've been feeling a true VIBRANCE of health now for a few months.
Truly, I’m so grateful for the Salt/C protocol and those who developed and tested it. According to info on a variety of websites, the protocol has literally helped thousands of lyme sufferers overcome the debilitating effects of this disease with its array of co-infections. And so I say a huge thank-you and a BRAVO to Marc and the others who have shared this information with the world. It is a tremendous blessing to have my life back! And to have achieved this with a treatment protocol that is very simple to work with, inexpensive, and best of all effective! In this case, subjective data is currently the best we have to determine the effectiveness of the Salt/C protocol in having an affect on lyme bacteria, since the Borrelia and other co-infections are so good at hiding out, and are so hard to find and measure with conventional medical tests.
Read the email exchange below if you’re interested in the details of my conversation with Mark. Many blessings to you. I probably won’t be continuing with this particular blog, but if you’d like to stay in touch, please visit my new website at www.whidbeyislandreiki.com, and check out my blog, “Journey to the Soul.”
And FYI, my mom continues to undergo radiation treatment for oral cancer. It is arduous. She amazes me with her sheer will to get through it. And I'm truly appreciating the extra time with her.
Namaste,
Sukie
Below is the email… Marc’s comments are in bold as he responds to various portions of my emailed note… my comments are in regular text.
Hi Sue,
Thank you for your note.
Greetings ~
Thanks so much for your work with the Salt/C protocol The protocol has literally changed my life, SO much for the better, and I feel not only pretty much "back to normal", but I feel like I am thriving like never before.
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Yay!! You made my day:-)
In addition to the protocol, I have also been using an Earthing sheet on my bed which has made a HUGE difference in terms of reducing my joint inflammation to essentially nil (which was my worst symptom prior to getting the Earthing sheet). I would love to see more lyme sufferers try an Earthing sheet, and/or for someone to undertake a study of this, as it can have such a positive effect on dramatically reducing inflammation (for everyone with inflammation, not just lyme folks). The implications for the combination of the Salt/C protocol with Earthing are profound (I also combine Earthing with Reiki; in case you're interested my website is www.whidbeyislandreiki.com).
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That is very interesting, Sue. Thanks for your site ref. I look forward to it.
So I continue on with the Salt/C protocol, and can still get myself to herx if I take high enough levels of Salt/C (9+), and now the herx pain is pretty much all located in the back of my neck/base of my skull. I'm trying to determine how long I need to keep herxing at this level, or if my immune system has kicked in enough to "handle it", since when I drop down to a "maintenance dose" of Salt/C (6-8 per day), I am essentially pain-free and can move freely, kayak, do yoga, all the stuff I did before starting Salt/C on April 1, 2010. During the months of November and December 2010 I just did "maintenance" and did not attempt to herx, and I was pain-free and 98% symptom free the whole time.
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It sounds like you have broken its back, so to speak, and your immune is subjugating. What folks will do at this point, typically, is back down to the level you note as maintenance and will continue immune support items. That is, with the immune getting on top of it, it is beefing them up to where their antibody production, scavenging, etc. is enhanced and remainder of "vestige" phenomena will fade even more to out completely.
I did download your e-book last spring. I am unclear as to whether I have the most current version or not, and if not, whether I need to read the current one, since I am having such great results with the protocol. Is there info in the revised version that is more specific about when/how to begin tapering off the protocol, and how to determine a maintenance dosage? While I can probably figure this out myself, it would be good to know how (if?) others have done this and how it has worked for them.
-----------------------
The ebook you have is the most current. Regarding reaching the alleviation point, on p. 31 of the ebook it states: "Note: when individuals achieve alleviation, they will continue for a time at a "maintenance" measurement that usually is around the 4g each salt and C daily (2g each for children). In practice, individuals have varied in how long they follow this. It is recommended to it well past the point of alleviation. Some have done it for an extended period beyond alleviation (months) as a precaution against any latent encysted or dormant forms of the bacteria being present. Others have done it for a shorter time and then just diligently used liberal amounts of natural salt with their foods. To-date both has been seen to work but we would encourage the first as a precaution."You may find, Sue, having the gift of being a Reiki Master that your attunement with the body may present you with an intuitive sense as to what is right for yourself. We note the "4g" as being typical, with some doing 5 or 6, others doing 3-4, etc., as personal choice. Know that anything in this range is therapeutic in terms of effect an any "strays". (We are big on the "gut feeling", inner sense - it so often exactly right.)
So.... if you have feedback on any of the above, I would be most grateful to hear from you. Thanks once again for all you've done to promote the protocol. I hope it eventually becomes the protocol of choice for the vast majority of lyme sufferers as it is simple, inexpensive, and it actually WORKS!
Sincerely,
Sue Averett
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You're very welcomed, Sue. I am so very happy for you -and very well done!
You did a great job and deserve the rewards :-)
Onward & upward,
Marc
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Monday, December 27, 2010
As this year closes....
Greetings, Everyone...
As this year closes, there is much to be grateful for, and much to look forward to in 2011. I hope that each of you has had a special time with family and friends over this holiday season, and that we can all carry forward the peacefulness, patience and goodwill throughout the coming year.
The lyme journey continues on, and I find myself in a rhythm of "pulsing" the Salt and Vitamin C, since during the holidays we not only took the cruise, but had lots of company at the house, which means it was a challenge to stay the course with my personal eating and supplementation plan. Today my daughter, Ariana and her dear friend, Monique, will be heading home and the house will be empty. This means I am back to upping my Salt/C doses so I can herx, and back to my saunas every other day, as well as diligence with my supplements that has fallen somewhat by the wayside over the past week. I have been feeling SO good, so healthy and pain-free, and that's been awesome! Yet last week I pushed the salt levels up high for 2 days and wow, I got real sore real fast, which says my work with the lyme bacteria is very much unfinished. Who knows how long it will take to really break the numbers down and reduce the bacterial load to the point that the body takes it all under control and handles it without my constant attention.
At any rate, this continues to be my challenge for awhile, and the winter is the best time to focus on things like that, when there isn't so much competing for attention. That being said, I have much to do this winter...... my mother's cancer has returned, and she is going to be going into intensive treatment for a few weeks. I will be spending time with her every day, helping her to be as comfortable as possible and inspiring her to keep her spirits up. For this reason, I have made the difficult decision to bring this blog to a close, at least for now. I need to be able to focus all of my attention on my mom, and really be there for her during this time of her life.
When all is said and done with the lyme journey (a year from now? Two?), I may consider writing a book about the Salt/C protocol and my healing process. If I do that I will surely let everyone know. If you are one who would like to stay in touch in between times, you may feel free to email me at reiki4innerpeace@yahoo.com with any questions or comments. I hope my journey so far has been some inspiration for others with lyme, or for those who are supporting people with lyme, as well as helping to keep my friends and family informed of my healing process. As I mentioned in a recent blog, "I'm back!" I feel better than ever and amazingly, I have the energy now to be there for my mom in her time of need. As I always say, "The Universe knows what it's doing...." Had my mom needed this treatment a year ago, I don't know how I would have mustered up the energy or ability to help her. Thankfully, my health has returned and I'll be able to provide daily support to her.
Thank you for keeping up with this blog, and for your kindness and enthusiasm. I wish everyone well, and at some point in the future, I may log back onto the blog and begin again, we'll see..... And when I am clear of the bacteria to the point I can dramatically reduce the Salt/C levels, I will find a way to let the world know.
Namaste' - the spirit in me honors the spirit in you. May many beautiful blessings fall upon you in this new year ripe with potential,
Sukie
As this year closes, there is much to be grateful for, and much to look forward to in 2011. I hope that each of you has had a special time with family and friends over this holiday season, and that we can all carry forward the peacefulness, patience and goodwill throughout the coming year.
The lyme journey continues on, and I find myself in a rhythm of "pulsing" the Salt and Vitamin C, since during the holidays we not only took the cruise, but had lots of company at the house, which means it was a challenge to stay the course with my personal eating and supplementation plan. Today my daughter, Ariana and her dear friend, Monique, will be heading home and the house will be empty. This means I am back to upping my Salt/C doses so I can herx, and back to my saunas every other day, as well as diligence with my supplements that has fallen somewhat by the wayside over the past week. I have been feeling SO good, so healthy and pain-free, and that's been awesome! Yet last week I pushed the salt levels up high for 2 days and wow, I got real sore real fast, which says my work with the lyme bacteria is very much unfinished. Who knows how long it will take to really break the numbers down and reduce the bacterial load to the point that the body takes it all under control and handles it without my constant attention.
At any rate, this continues to be my challenge for awhile, and the winter is the best time to focus on things like that, when there isn't so much competing for attention. That being said, I have much to do this winter...... my mother's cancer has returned, and she is going to be going into intensive treatment for a few weeks. I will be spending time with her every day, helping her to be as comfortable as possible and inspiring her to keep her spirits up. For this reason, I have made the difficult decision to bring this blog to a close, at least for now. I need to be able to focus all of my attention on my mom, and really be there for her during this time of her life.
When all is said and done with the lyme journey (a year from now? Two?), I may consider writing a book about the Salt/C protocol and my healing process. If I do that I will surely let everyone know. If you are one who would like to stay in touch in between times, you may feel free to email me at reiki4innerpeace@yahoo.com with any questions or comments. I hope my journey so far has been some inspiration for others with lyme, or for those who are supporting people with lyme, as well as helping to keep my friends and family informed of my healing process. As I mentioned in a recent blog, "I'm back!" I feel better than ever and amazingly, I have the energy now to be there for my mom in her time of need. As I always say, "The Universe knows what it's doing...." Had my mom needed this treatment a year ago, I don't know how I would have mustered up the energy or ability to help her. Thankfully, my health has returned and I'll be able to provide daily support to her.
Thank you for keeping up with this blog, and for your kindness and enthusiasm. I wish everyone well, and at some point in the future, I may log back onto the blog and begin again, we'll see..... And when I am clear of the bacteria to the point I can dramatically reduce the Salt/C levels, I will find a way to let the world know.
Namaste' - the spirit in me honors the spirit in you. May many beautiful blessings fall upon you in this new year ripe with potential,
Sukie
Saturday, December 11, 2010
How sweet it is.....
Life that is.... family, friends, nature, beauty, spirit. Life is grand, if not bittersweet, and time with our loved ones is too short, yet perfect at the same time. Just some musings from one who is spending more and more time with an elderly mother who is increasingly more frail and whose time on the planet is winding down. I have so many friends who are experiencing this now... caring for our elderly parents, and/or having lost them already. I lost my father about 13 years ago, and I still miss him. My inner knowing tells me my mother will soon be leaving.... and I find myself making more time to spend with her, and a protective spirit I have for her, to do whatever it takes to make her last days, months, years - whatever she has left - as joyful, meaningful, and comfortable as possible. Death is a reality of life, part of the yin-yang of existence, and but the blink of an eyelash.... and we never stop missing those whom we love, even though it may eventually get easier to accept. I am also reminded how important it is to live in the moment and savor each day. Each day is a gift, ripe with potential. Some may be joyful, some sorrowful, but each one is a gift in its own way. At this time of year when "gifts" abound, I find it important to meditate upon the deeper meaning of the word....
Now on to the "gift" of lyme disease. Well.... in some sense we can call it a gift, for it has helped me slow down, re-group, re-frame and re-think my life and what is most important and close to my heart. It came into play at the same time we moved from a busy city life in California to a slower-paced country life on an island in the Puget Sound, and it came at a time when I had retired from a career of many years with a desire to ratchet down my stress and activity levels all the way around. Had it not been for lyme disease knocking on my door, I'm not sure I would have learned the lessons I've learned, and really been able to overhaul my lifestyle, including the healthy eating piece, without something so "big" in my face. So in that sense I am grateful for the experience and, at the same time, I am also very grateful that it now takes less and less precedence in my world.
Something I find really exciting is that I haven't taken an aspirin for at least a couple of weeks now. You may remember that for over a year I relied on aspirin (generally four per day) to help manage the severe inflammation in my joints and to take the edge off of joint pain. The only joint pain I am experiencing now is in my knees, and that's only if I squat as far as I can. I've also noticed that since I have stopped taking aspirin, a nagging pain in my liver area has cleared up - no big surprise there.
The food allergy thing can also be looked at as a gift, for that is what has, more than anything, literally commanded my attention to eating in a healthful way. I truly don't have a choice. In my last post I mentioned that I had hives again from what I ate on my 10 day trip to Hawaii. The hives are still running their course - once I get them, they last 3 weeks or more. They are itchy little monsters, and I will be all too happy to see them go away. Nothing stops the itching for long, and I have found that once they start, any type of sugar, whether cane sugar, honey, agave or whatever, will trigger the itching. On the cruise ship I ingested far more sugar than I usually do, as well as wheat, which I know is what triggered the hives. So now I have to stay away from these completely for awhile, until the hives have run their course, and then I should be able to go back to a little honey or agave from time to time.
That being said, I was intrigued to find a new sugar alternative on the shelf on our grocery store the other day - one I hadn't heard of before. It is called "Coconut Secret" and is raw coconut crystals. It claims to provide a low glycemic sugar alternative. It's gluten-free, unbleached, unrefined, non-GMO, vegan, pesticide and chemical-free, and is made with sap from coconut palms. It also claims to provide an abundant source of minerals, amino acids, vitamin C, broad-spectrum B vitamins, live enzymes, and a neutral pH. Says it can be used in tea, cereal, and "all your favorite dessert recipes". Wow! If this is true, what a find. I wish I could remember what I paid for this little cannister - I'm sure it was pricey. But it may be worth it, especially since I need to make a couple of gluten-free desserts for Christmas Day. So I'll let you know more about it once I experiment with it a bit. Erick tasted it last night (it looks a bit like brown sugar). He was skeptical, as he is not a huge fan of coconut (texture and taste), but he proclaimed it delicious and said it doesn't taste like coconut, but it nicely sweet.
If you're interested in learning more about this potential sweetening wonderment, go to www.coconutsecret.com.
Counting the days down to Christmas. If you haven't seen it, there is a really fun Advent Calendar on the internet at the site of amazing English Artist Jacquie Lawson, who does beautiful internet greeting cards. We have been having wonderful fun checking the virtual snow globe every day to see what's new in the village. Go to: www.jacquielawson.com.
Special love to my sisters who are dealing with the losses or critical illnesses of parents right now - I love you ladies. And wishing jolly holidays to us all, as we surely all deserve them! Besides the most important three little words (I Love You, of course), remember the other three most important little words (from Ram Dass), Be Here Now! Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present....
Big Aloha love,
Sukie
Now on to the "gift" of lyme disease. Well.... in some sense we can call it a gift, for it has helped me slow down, re-group, re-frame and re-think my life and what is most important and close to my heart. It came into play at the same time we moved from a busy city life in California to a slower-paced country life on an island in the Puget Sound, and it came at a time when I had retired from a career of many years with a desire to ratchet down my stress and activity levels all the way around. Had it not been for lyme disease knocking on my door, I'm not sure I would have learned the lessons I've learned, and really been able to overhaul my lifestyle, including the healthy eating piece, without something so "big" in my face. So in that sense I am grateful for the experience and, at the same time, I am also very grateful that it now takes less and less precedence in my world.
Something I find really exciting is that I haven't taken an aspirin for at least a couple of weeks now. You may remember that for over a year I relied on aspirin (generally four per day) to help manage the severe inflammation in my joints and to take the edge off of joint pain. The only joint pain I am experiencing now is in my knees, and that's only if I squat as far as I can. I've also noticed that since I have stopped taking aspirin, a nagging pain in my liver area has cleared up - no big surprise there.
The food allergy thing can also be looked at as a gift, for that is what has, more than anything, literally commanded my attention to eating in a healthful way. I truly don't have a choice. In my last post I mentioned that I had hives again from what I ate on my 10 day trip to Hawaii. The hives are still running their course - once I get them, they last 3 weeks or more. They are itchy little monsters, and I will be all too happy to see them go away. Nothing stops the itching for long, and I have found that once they start, any type of sugar, whether cane sugar, honey, agave or whatever, will trigger the itching. On the cruise ship I ingested far more sugar than I usually do, as well as wheat, which I know is what triggered the hives. So now I have to stay away from these completely for awhile, until the hives have run their course, and then I should be able to go back to a little honey or agave from time to time.
That being said, I was intrigued to find a new sugar alternative on the shelf on our grocery store the other day - one I hadn't heard of before. It is called "Coconut Secret" and is raw coconut crystals. It claims to provide a low glycemic sugar alternative. It's gluten-free, unbleached, unrefined, non-GMO, vegan, pesticide and chemical-free, and is made with sap from coconut palms. It also claims to provide an abundant source of minerals, amino acids, vitamin C, broad-spectrum B vitamins, live enzymes, and a neutral pH. Says it can be used in tea, cereal, and "all your favorite dessert recipes". Wow! If this is true, what a find. I wish I could remember what I paid for this little cannister - I'm sure it was pricey. But it may be worth it, especially since I need to make a couple of gluten-free desserts for Christmas Day. So I'll let you know more about it once I experiment with it a bit. Erick tasted it last night (it looks a bit like brown sugar). He was skeptical, as he is not a huge fan of coconut (texture and taste), but he proclaimed it delicious and said it doesn't taste like coconut, but it nicely sweet.
If you're interested in learning more about this potential sweetening wonderment, go to www.coconutsecret.com.
Counting the days down to Christmas. If you haven't seen it, there is a really fun Advent Calendar on the internet at the site of amazing English Artist Jacquie Lawson, who does beautiful internet greeting cards. We have been having wonderful fun checking the virtual snow globe every day to see what's new in the village. Go to: www.jacquielawson.com.
Special love to my sisters who are dealing with the losses or critical illnesses of parents right now - I love you ladies. And wishing jolly holidays to us all, as we surely all deserve them! Besides the most important three little words (I Love You, of course), remember the other three most important little words (from Ram Dass), Be Here Now! Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present....
Big Aloha love,
Sukie
Friday, December 3, 2010
Holiday Spirit + important article
Greetings ~
Hope this finds everyone in the holiday spirit. The TRUE spirit of the season, of course, not just grappling with all the hype and stress created by greed energies of those who see Christmas commercially and materially. I think our society has gone a little askew in terms of what the season is truly about. I always strive to focus my energies upon what I feel is the true message of the season: Love and peace are what matter, and how we treat our fellow humans... as well as the respect and love we give to all creatures, nature, all of life. For me it's a time to remember what is important and what my values and priorities are, and then to strive to behave in a way that matches my personal ethics and integrity throughout the coming new year. While I personally do not belong to an organized religion, I view Jesus as an extremely evolved being who set a selfless and beautiful example of how to love others unconditionally. He was a humble, mindful man who not only spoke from his heart, but actually lived what he spoke - he walked his talk. That's what this season reminds me to do - to walk my talk - and to be true to what my own heart and spirit tell me is the way to behave and act in this world.
Just wanted to put that out there. Erick and I both love the Christmas season for the same reasons, and so for us it is a particularly joyous time of year. We love the lights, the music, the magic, and most of all time spent with our loved ones.
This holiday season finds me feeling a WHOLE LOT BETTER than the last one! For that I am truly grateful. I am overcoming the little setback of the cruise dining, and feeling really good, overall, although I still have hives that have not run their course. For some reason, they are focused upon my hips and my chest, so at least they aren't all over my body this time. But they sure do itch.
It's good to be back in my particular rhythm again, also, as the way to work with lyme disease and the Salt/C protocol, for me, is to hold steady, which means really being focused on when and how I take the salt and vitamin c, as well as my supplements, and what/how I eat, AND working in some exercise and of course, sleeping at night on my beloved earthing sheet!
I'm starting to mull over in my head what to cook for Christmas dinner this year, since Erick and I will be out-numbered by four carnivores at the dining table. We'll probably purchase an organic turkey breast for them, and then do a traditional meal the vegan way - stuffing, mashed potatoes, greens, sweet potatos, rolls, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie... and Erick is really wanting us to try making a flourless chocolate cake. If anyone has a good recipe for any of the above that is vegan or could be converted, let me know!
I hope you are able to walk in balance during the holidays and truly enjoy what is beautiful about this time of year. I think another reason I love Christmas is that the colorful lights stand out so dramatically against the darkness, signifying a knowingness that no matter how dark things may seem, there is always light, always hope. I actually welcome the darkness and honor the Winter Solstice as a time to tuck into my dark, welcoming cave, like the bear who hibernates, to get some extra rest and relaxation so that my body, mind and spirit can rejuvenate and I can poke my head out into the sun once again come springtime and rejoice in all the flowers and signs of new life. I appreciate all four seasons even more now that I live on Whidbey Island, where the seasons are clearly delineated. I can feel the natural rhythm of things here much more easily, and I really love and appreciate that.
Before closing today, I'm going to paste-in below an article by Dr. Mercola that I feel is a must-read, whether or not you agree with some or all of these concepts, since some of it challenges what the medical world has told us to be true. I remember the old adage "Question Authority!" and I really do believe it's important to do that. Only I would say, "Question So-Called Authority!" Like any other large institution, there are pros and cons about the medical world, and we tend to think whatever a doctor says is gospel. One thing I've really learned through this process of healing through lyme disease, is how important it is to educate myself and to follow what my own inner compass guides me to do, in concert, when necessary, with healthcare providers of my choosing. I believe there is much in this article of value, so I hope you will find it useful, as well.
In the spirit of joy, peace, and unconditional love,
Sukie
CANCER IS A MAN-MADE DISEASE by Dr. Mercola
According to the latest statistics compiled by the American Heart Association, cancer surpasses heart disease as the top killer among Americans between the ages of 45 to 74. The odds are very high that you or someone you know has cancer or has died from it.Cancer rates for various types of cancer are on the rise, and environmental/lifestyle factors are increasingly being pinpointed as the culprits, such as:
•Pesticide- and other chemical exposures
•Pharmaceutical drugs
•Processed and artificial foods (plus the chemicals in the packaging)
•Wireless technologies, dirty electricity, and medical diagnostic radiation exposure
•Obesity, stress, and poor sleeping habits
•Lack of sunshine exposure and use of sunscreens
This not an all-inclusive list, of course, but as the research into the health of our ancient ancestors shows, cancer is not a "natural" disease, and genetics are not a primary factor.
What Ancient Mummies and Prehistoric Fossils Tell Us about Cancer
Cancer is, by and large, the tragic result of humans veering too far off course – avoiding health-sustaining diets and activities, while embracing a highly unnatural lifestyle and continually dousing your insides and outsides with excess chemicals.
The Daily Mail reports:
"Tumors were rare until recent times when pollution and poor diet became issues, the review of mummies, fossils and classical literature found... Despite slivers of tissue from hundreds of Egyptian mummies being rehydrated and placed under the microscope, only one case of cancer has been confirmed.
Dismissing the argument that the ancient Egyptians didn't live long enough to develop cancer, the researchers pointed out that other age-related disease such as hardening of the arteries and brittle bones did occur.
Fossil evidence of cancer is also sparse, with scientific literature providing a few dozen, mostly disputed, examples in animal fossil... Even the study of thousands of Neanderthal bones has provided only one example of a possible cancer."
According to Professor Rosalie David, co-author of the recently published study stated:
'There is nothing in the natural environment that can cause cancer. So it has to be a man-made disease, down to pollution and changes to our diet and lifestyle."
The good news is, medical science is finally starting to catch up with common sense, and studies are emerging showing the powerful potential of food and lifestyle to both prevent and treat cancer.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to take this information to heart, and apply it in your own life. Don't wait for the "definitive scientific" proof You don't have to wait to incorporate these changes into your life and benefit immediately, and save you and your family so much unnecessary grief...
The medical industry as a whole is resistant to change, and you likely will not see any major revisions to conventional cancer treatments anytime soon. Widespread adoption of many of these recommendations will take many decades at best.
Remember the words of German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer who, 200 years ago, said all truth goes through three stages:
•First it is ridiculed
•Then it is violently opposed
•Finally it is widely accepted as self evident
Are Drugs Really the Answer?
A case in point: ten of the 12 "major cancer advances" named by the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in 2008 involved drugs.
Not food, not lifestyle changes, just drugs.
They claim these drug-based "advances" have made cancer treatments and prevention "a lot better," but what are they basing that opinion on? Certainly not statistics!
That same year, about 12.4 million people from all over the world were diagnosed with some form of cancer and 7.6 million people died from the disease.
In the last 30 years of the 20th century the global cancer burden has doubled, and it will likely double again between 2000 and 2020 and nearly triple by 2030. Projected mortality estimates for 2030 range from just over 13 million, to 17 million people dying from the disease.
With statistics like these, how can anyone talk about cancer treatment "advances," particularly when they have completely overlooked the methods that can actually turn the cancer trend around!
Below I will review three major cancer strategies that, according to researchers' estimates, could have a FAR greater impact on cancer statistics than any cancer drug or treatment currently available.
I strongly recommend implementing these strategies rather than relying on the drug cartel to concoct "better drugs."
There is a Better Way
I am firmly convinced that you don't have to die from cancer if you follow a healthy lifestyle. I'm fairly convinced that cancer or heart disease will not be the cause of my death. If you follow these strategies and start at an early enough age your body will be able to limit the progression of any malignant cells.
We see dramatic reversals in so many people with advanced cancers that apply these strategies, but what we fail to see are the millions of miracles that occur every day that eliminate cancers that have yet to surface because the body's healthy immune response suppresses them.
Remember it is exponentially easier to prevent cancers than it is to treat them. So just what are some of these strategies that can insulate you from ever developing cancer?
Anti-Cancer Strategy #1: Optimize Your Vitamin D Levels Year-Round
It is estimated that if people around the world optimized their vitamin D levels, cancer deaths could be slashed by 30 percent -- which amounts to 2 million worldwide and 200,000 in the United States -- each year.
On a personal level, you can decrease your risk of cancer by MORE THAN HALF simply by optimizing your vitamin D levels with sun exposure! I can't think of any other strategy that can offer this level of protection. You may even be able to significantly boost your chances of survival if you already have cancer, by maintaining vitamin D levels of around 80-90 ng/ml.
Vitamin D has a protective effect against cancer in several ways, including:
•Increasing the self-destruction of mutated cells (which, if allowed to replicate, could lead to cancer)
•Reducing the spread and reproduction of cancer cells
•Causing cells to become differentiated (cancer cells often lack differentiation)
•Reducing the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, which is a step in the transition of dormant tumors turning cancerous
Vitamin D, which is created in your skin after exposure to sunshine, is even of extreme importance for preventing skin cancer. It's important to realize that the risk of skin cancer from the sun comes only from excessive exposure, which can damage your skin.
The fact is that countless people around the world have an increased risk of cancer – including skin cancer -- because their vitamin D levels are low or deficient due to lack of appropriate sun exposure...
For example, in the US, the late winter average vitamin D level is only about 15-18 ng/ml, which is considered a very serious deficiency state that can cause a wide variety of health problems, from an acute bout of cold or flu, to an increased risk for cancer, long-term.
In fact, low levels of vitamin D may increase your risk of dying from ANY illness by 150 percent!
If you still find this hard to believe, I highly recommend watching my one-hour vitamin D lecture to clear up any confusion you may have about this essential nutrient.
Anti-Cancer Strategy #2: Optimize Your Insulin Levels
Normalizing your insulin levels is yet another powerful action you can take to lower your risk of cancer.
Otto Warburg actually received a Nobel Prize in 1934 for his observation of cancer cell physiology, which clearly demonstrated that cancer cells require more sugar to thrive. Unfortunately, virtually no oncologists appreciate or apply this knowledge today.
Your pancreas releases insulin -- produced by beta cells -- after you eat carbohydrates, and this is why numerous studies have linked refined carbohydrates with cancer. Over time, if you eat too many grains and sugars, and your body is constantly releasing an abundance of insulin, your body will become resistant to it. This means you will require even more insulin to produce the same effects, and it starts you on a vicious cycle.
Many people now have insulin levels that are too high, courtesy of our modern day's sugar-laden diet and lack of exercise, and this can cause major damage to your body.
The most recognized of these is diabetes, but that is far from the only one. As Ron Rosedale, M.D. said in one of my most popular articles, Insulin and Its Metabolic Effects:
"It doesn't matter what disease you are talking about, whether you are talking about a common cold or cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis or cancer, the root is always going to be at the molecular and cellular level, and I will tell you that insulin is going to have its hand in it, if not totally control it."
The good news is that controlling your insulin levels is relatively straightforward.
First, limit your intake of processed foods, grains and sugars (particularly fructose!) as much as possible to prevent your insulin levels from becoming elevated in the first place.
Next, exercise regularly, as this will drive your insulin levels down.
Anti-Cancer Strategy # 3: Opt for a Safer, More Effective Cancer Screen
As I mentioned in the beginning, the danger inherent in radiation exposure from medical screens such as mammograms is increasingly being revealed. Yet most physicians continue to recommend yearly mammograms for women as a breast cancer screening tool.
This is to be expected, I guess, considering the fact that the American Cancer Society – one of the main proponents for mammograms -- has close financial ties to the makers of mammography equipment.
This financial bias hypes mammography, even though it is clearly a cause of breast cancer itself...
According to a recent World Wire press release:
"Routine mammography delivers an unrecognized high dose of radiation, warn Drs. Epstein and Bertell. If a woman follows the current guidelines for premenopausal screening, over a 10 year period she would receive a total dosage of about 5 rads.
This approximates the level of exposure to radiation of a Japanese woman one mile from the epicenter of atom bombs dropped on Hiroshima or Nagasaki."
The risks of mammograms far outweigh their benefit, which is why I encourage you to think for yourself and consider safer, more effective alternatives.
The option for breast screening that I most highly recommend is called thermographic breast screening, which measures the radiation of infrared heat from your body and translates this information into anatomical images.
Thermography uses no mechanical pressure or ionizing radiation, and can detect signs of breast cancer as much as 10 years earlier than either mammography or a physical exam – before a tumor has even formed!
This is made possible because it can image the early stages of angiogenesis -- the formation of a direct supply of blood to cancer cells, which is a necessary step before they can grow into tumors of size.
More men's lives could also be spared from the disease as mammography is not frequently used on men, which leads to most men with breast cancer being diagnosed at a very late stage.
To find out more about this safe and highly effective method of cancer detection, you can read my free report on the topic or visit my Thermography Diagnostics Center now.
Winning the War Against Cancer is Simpler than Anyone Might Think
There is a lot that you can do right now to significantly impact your cancer risk. Even the conservative American Cancer Society states that one-third of cancer deaths are linked to poor diet, physical inactivity, and carrying excess weight. So making healthy lifestyle changes is one of the most important ways to protect yourself from cancer.
A "cure for cancer" is not impossible -- it's mostly just common sense!
I've detailed my comprehensive list of what you can do, right now, to virtually eliminate your cancer risk many times before, but for those of you who haven't seen it, the entire list is printed at the end of this past article.
Hope this finds everyone in the holiday spirit. The TRUE spirit of the season, of course, not just grappling with all the hype and stress created by greed energies of those who see Christmas commercially and materially. I think our society has gone a little askew in terms of what the season is truly about. I always strive to focus my energies upon what I feel is the true message of the season: Love and peace are what matter, and how we treat our fellow humans... as well as the respect and love we give to all creatures, nature, all of life. For me it's a time to remember what is important and what my values and priorities are, and then to strive to behave in a way that matches my personal ethics and integrity throughout the coming new year. While I personally do not belong to an organized religion, I view Jesus as an extremely evolved being who set a selfless and beautiful example of how to love others unconditionally. He was a humble, mindful man who not only spoke from his heart, but actually lived what he spoke - he walked his talk. That's what this season reminds me to do - to walk my talk - and to be true to what my own heart and spirit tell me is the way to behave and act in this world.
Just wanted to put that out there. Erick and I both love the Christmas season for the same reasons, and so for us it is a particularly joyous time of year. We love the lights, the music, the magic, and most of all time spent with our loved ones.
This holiday season finds me feeling a WHOLE LOT BETTER than the last one! For that I am truly grateful. I am overcoming the little setback of the cruise dining, and feeling really good, overall, although I still have hives that have not run their course. For some reason, they are focused upon my hips and my chest, so at least they aren't all over my body this time. But they sure do itch.
It's good to be back in my particular rhythm again, also, as the way to work with lyme disease and the Salt/C protocol, for me, is to hold steady, which means really being focused on when and how I take the salt and vitamin c, as well as my supplements, and what/how I eat, AND working in some exercise and of course, sleeping at night on my beloved earthing sheet!
I'm starting to mull over in my head what to cook for Christmas dinner this year, since Erick and I will be out-numbered by four carnivores at the dining table. We'll probably purchase an organic turkey breast for them, and then do a traditional meal the vegan way - stuffing, mashed potatoes, greens, sweet potatos, rolls, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie... and Erick is really wanting us to try making a flourless chocolate cake. If anyone has a good recipe for any of the above that is vegan or could be converted, let me know!
I hope you are able to walk in balance during the holidays and truly enjoy what is beautiful about this time of year. I think another reason I love Christmas is that the colorful lights stand out so dramatically against the darkness, signifying a knowingness that no matter how dark things may seem, there is always light, always hope. I actually welcome the darkness and honor the Winter Solstice as a time to tuck into my dark, welcoming cave, like the bear who hibernates, to get some extra rest and relaxation so that my body, mind and spirit can rejuvenate and I can poke my head out into the sun once again come springtime and rejoice in all the flowers and signs of new life. I appreciate all four seasons even more now that I live on Whidbey Island, where the seasons are clearly delineated. I can feel the natural rhythm of things here much more easily, and I really love and appreciate that.
Before closing today, I'm going to paste-in below an article by Dr. Mercola that I feel is a must-read, whether or not you agree with some or all of these concepts, since some of it challenges what the medical world has told us to be true. I remember the old adage "Question Authority!" and I really do believe it's important to do that. Only I would say, "Question So-Called Authority!" Like any other large institution, there are pros and cons about the medical world, and we tend to think whatever a doctor says is gospel. One thing I've really learned through this process of healing through lyme disease, is how important it is to educate myself and to follow what my own inner compass guides me to do, in concert, when necessary, with healthcare providers of my choosing. I believe there is much in this article of value, so I hope you will find it useful, as well.
In the spirit of joy, peace, and unconditional love,
Sukie
CANCER IS A MAN-MADE DISEASE by Dr. Mercola
According to the latest statistics compiled by the American Heart Association, cancer surpasses heart disease as the top killer among Americans between the ages of 45 to 74. The odds are very high that you or someone you know has cancer or has died from it.Cancer rates for various types of cancer are on the rise, and environmental/lifestyle factors are increasingly being pinpointed as the culprits, such as:
•Pesticide- and other chemical exposures
•Pharmaceutical drugs
•Processed and artificial foods (plus the chemicals in the packaging)
•Wireless technologies, dirty electricity, and medical diagnostic radiation exposure
•Obesity, stress, and poor sleeping habits
•Lack of sunshine exposure and use of sunscreens
This not an all-inclusive list, of course, but as the research into the health of our ancient ancestors shows, cancer is not a "natural" disease, and genetics are not a primary factor.
What Ancient Mummies and Prehistoric Fossils Tell Us about Cancer
Cancer is, by and large, the tragic result of humans veering too far off course – avoiding health-sustaining diets and activities, while embracing a highly unnatural lifestyle and continually dousing your insides and outsides with excess chemicals.
The Daily Mail reports:
"Tumors were rare until recent times when pollution and poor diet became issues, the review of mummies, fossils and classical literature found... Despite slivers of tissue from hundreds of Egyptian mummies being rehydrated and placed under the microscope, only one case of cancer has been confirmed.
Dismissing the argument that the ancient Egyptians didn't live long enough to develop cancer, the researchers pointed out that other age-related disease such as hardening of the arteries and brittle bones did occur.
Fossil evidence of cancer is also sparse, with scientific literature providing a few dozen, mostly disputed, examples in animal fossil... Even the study of thousands of Neanderthal bones has provided only one example of a possible cancer."
According to Professor Rosalie David, co-author of the recently published study stated:
'There is nothing in the natural environment that can cause cancer. So it has to be a man-made disease, down to pollution and changes to our diet and lifestyle."
The good news is, medical science is finally starting to catch up with common sense, and studies are emerging showing the powerful potential of food and lifestyle to both prevent and treat cancer.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to take this information to heart, and apply it in your own life. Don't wait for the "definitive scientific" proof You don't have to wait to incorporate these changes into your life and benefit immediately, and save you and your family so much unnecessary grief...
The medical industry as a whole is resistant to change, and you likely will not see any major revisions to conventional cancer treatments anytime soon. Widespread adoption of many of these recommendations will take many decades at best.
Remember the words of German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer who, 200 years ago, said all truth goes through three stages:
•First it is ridiculed
•Then it is violently opposed
•Finally it is widely accepted as self evident
Are Drugs Really the Answer?
A case in point: ten of the 12 "major cancer advances" named by the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in 2008 involved drugs.
Not food, not lifestyle changes, just drugs.
They claim these drug-based "advances" have made cancer treatments and prevention "a lot better," but what are they basing that opinion on? Certainly not statistics!
That same year, about 12.4 million people from all over the world were diagnosed with some form of cancer and 7.6 million people died from the disease.
In the last 30 years of the 20th century the global cancer burden has doubled, and it will likely double again between 2000 and 2020 and nearly triple by 2030. Projected mortality estimates for 2030 range from just over 13 million, to 17 million people dying from the disease.
With statistics like these, how can anyone talk about cancer treatment "advances," particularly when they have completely overlooked the methods that can actually turn the cancer trend around!
Below I will review three major cancer strategies that, according to researchers' estimates, could have a FAR greater impact on cancer statistics than any cancer drug or treatment currently available.
I strongly recommend implementing these strategies rather than relying on the drug cartel to concoct "better drugs."
There is a Better Way
I am firmly convinced that you don't have to die from cancer if you follow a healthy lifestyle. I'm fairly convinced that cancer or heart disease will not be the cause of my death. If you follow these strategies and start at an early enough age your body will be able to limit the progression of any malignant cells.
We see dramatic reversals in so many people with advanced cancers that apply these strategies, but what we fail to see are the millions of miracles that occur every day that eliminate cancers that have yet to surface because the body's healthy immune response suppresses them.
Remember it is exponentially easier to prevent cancers than it is to treat them. So just what are some of these strategies that can insulate you from ever developing cancer?
Anti-Cancer Strategy #1: Optimize Your Vitamin D Levels Year-Round
It is estimated that if people around the world optimized their vitamin D levels, cancer deaths could be slashed by 30 percent -- which amounts to 2 million worldwide and 200,000 in the United States -- each year.
On a personal level, you can decrease your risk of cancer by MORE THAN HALF simply by optimizing your vitamin D levels with sun exposure! I can't think of any other strategy that can offer this level of protection. You may even be able to significantly boost your chances of survival if you already have cancer, by maintaining vitamin D levels of around 80-90 ng/ml.
Vitamin D has a protective effect against cancer in several ways, including:
•Increasing the self-destruction of mutated cells (which, if allowed to replicate, could lead to cancer)
•Reducing the spread and reproduction of cancer cells
•Causing cells to become differentiated (cancer cells often lack differentiation)
•Reducing the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, which is a step in the transition of dormant tumors turning cancerous
Vitamin D, which is created in your skin after exposure to sunshine, is even of extreme importance for preventing skin cancer. It's important to realize that the risk of skin cancer from the sun comes only from excessive exposure, which can damage your skin.
The fact is that countless people around the world have an increased risk of cancer – including skin cancer -- because their vitamin D levels are low or deficient due to lack of appropriate sun exposure...
For example, in the US, the late winter average vitamin D level is only about 15-18 ng/ml, which is considered a very serious deficiency state that can cause a wide variety of health problems, from an acute bout of cold or flu, to an increased risk for cancer, long-term.
In fact, low levels of vitamin D may increase your risk of dying from ANY illness by 150 percent!
If you still find this hard to believe, I highly recommend watching my one-hour vitamin D lecture to clear up any confusion you may have about this essential nutrient.
Anti-Cancer Strategy #2: Optimize Your Insulin Levels
Normalizing your insulin levels is yet another powerful action you can take to lower your risk of cancer.
Otto Warburg actually received a Nobel Prize in 1934 for his observation of cancer cell physiology, which clearly demonstrated that cancer cells require more sugar to thrive. Unfortunately, virtually no oncologists appreciate or apply this knowledge today.
Your pancreas releases insulin -- produced by beta cells -- after you eat carbohydrates, and this is why numerous studies have linked refined carbohydrates with cancer. Over time, if you eat too many grains and sugars, and your body is constantly releasing an abundance of insulin, your body will become resistant to it. This means you will require even more insulin to produce the same effects, and it starts you on a vicious cycle.
Many people now have insulin levels that are too high, courtesy of our modern day's sugar-laden diet and lack of exercise, and this can cause major damage to your body.
The most recognized of these is diabetes, but that is far from the only one. As Ron Rosedale, M.D. said in one of my most popular articles, Insulin and Its Metabolic Effects:
"It doesn't matter what disease you are talking about, whether you are talking about a common cold or cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis or cancer, the root is always going to be at the molecular and cellular level, and I will tell you that insulin is going to have its hand in it, if not totally control it."
The good news is that controlling your insulin levels is relatively straightforward.
First, limit your intake of processed foods, grains and sugars (particularly fructose!) as much as possible to prevent your insulin levels from becoming elevated in the first place.
Next, exercise regularly, as this will drive your insulin levels down.
Anti-Cancer Strategy # 3: Opt for a Safer, More Effective Cancer Screen
As I mentioned in the beginning, the danger inherent in radiation exposure from medical screens such as mammograms is increasingly being revealed. Yet most physicians continue to recommend yearly mammograms for women as a breast cancer screening tool.
This is to be expected, I guess, considering the fact that the American Cancer Society – one of the main proponents for mammograms -- has close financial ties to the makers of mammography equipment.
This financial bias hypes mammography, even though it is clearly a cause of breast cancer itself...
According to a recent World Wire press release:
"Routine mammography delivers an unrecognized high dose of radiation, warn Drs. Epstein and Bertell. If a woman follows the current guidelines for premenopausal screening, over a 10 year period she would receive a total dosage of about 5 rads.
This approximates the level of exposure to radiation of a Japanese woman one mile from the epicenter of atom bombs dropped on Hiroshima or Nagasaki."
The risks of mammograms far outweigh their benefit, which is why I encourage you to think for yourself and consider safer, more effective alternatives.
The option for breast screening that I most highly recommend is called thermographic breast screening, which measures the radiation of infrared heat from your body and translates this information into anatomical images.
Thermography uses no mechanical pressure or ionizing radiation, and can detect signs of breast cancer as much as 10 years earlier than either mammography or a physical exam – before a tumor has even formed!
This is made possible because it can image the early stages of angiogenesis -- the formation of a direct supply of blood to cancer cells, which is a necessary step before they can grow into tumors of size.
More men's lives could also be spared from the disease as mammography is not frequently used on men, which leads to most men with breast cancer being diagnosed at a very late stage.
To find out more about this safe and highly effective method of cancer detection, you can read my free report on the topic or visit my Thermography Diagnostics Center now.
Winning the War Against Cancer is Simpler than Anyone Might Think
There is a lot that you can do right now to significantly impact your cancer risk. Even the conservative American Cancer Society states that one-third of cancer deaths are linked to poor diet, physical inactivity, and carrying excess weight. So making healthy lifestyle changes is one of the most important ways to protect yourself from cancer.
A "cure for cancer" is not impossible -- it's mostly just common sense!
I've detailed my comprehensive list of what you can do, right now, to virtually eliminate your cancer risk many times before, but for those of you who haven't seen it, the entire list is printed at the end of this past article.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Aloha Spirit
Aloha, one and all.... we are home from the islands and had a fabulous time. Still feeling like I'm on a boat... attuned to a gentle rocking motion. We snorkeled with green sea turtles, played on a catamaran with dolphins all around, watched glowing red lava flowing into the ocean at night, floated past the stunningly gorgeous Napali coast, trekked through gorgeous vistas of waterfalls and rainbows, and just generally had a spectacular time. The best part of course was the time spent with family, and watching my mom's face light up with joy and delight every day at being able to share amazing experiences and quality time with all of us. She did really well on the trip, overall, though it was tiring for her, and all the commotion on the ship a bit confusing for her at times. But she had a blast, as did we all.
Let's be clear on one thing, though. Cruises are not conducive to one's health when it comes to eating, at least not if you have food sensitivities. There were virtually no gluten-free options (except one dessert that was a flourless chocolate torte, although of course it contained sugar), nor was anything organic, etc. Honestly, they do a pretty good job of feeding 2,000 people all day long, and hopefully they will do better in the future as people begin to make more requests for healthier food. I mean, they did have lots of fresh, tropical fruit, and a fairly good salad bar, and a couple of interesting veggie options here and there (mushroom turnovers one day, a veggie lasagna another time). So while I was fairly careful in what I ate, for some meals I pretty much threw in the towel and said, "here I go..." and ate the bread, the pasta, had a glass or two of sangria, a mai tai, a pina colada, a couple of decadent desserts (shared with Erick), a couple of orders of fries and.... I seem to have survived fairly well. Truthfully, my liver hasn't been happy since I left home 10 days ago, and I have hives coming back (clearly these are related to food, as my last two trips I have gotten the itchies, although not as bad this time).
Of course, I was "earthing" the whole time, as I spent a good amount of time snorkeling in salt water, and walking on beaches, so I'm sure that helped a lot, since my earthing pad wasn't much good on the ship. Salt water is the best conductor of all, though, so that was a built-in blessing. The ship did have a sauna and steam room, so I was able to keep up a bit with my sweat routine, which I'm sure also helped maintain some equilibrium.
I was also really good about taking my supplements, so I don't think I did any un-doable damage, but I can say for certain that the lyme bacteria definately got a vacation, too. I'm pretty sure the sugar and wheat cancelled out much effect from the salt and vitamin C. Conclusion? It was priceless time well spent, a great time was had by all, and now it is back to reality (organic foods, eating wheat-free, dairy-free, processed sugar and processed food-free), and let's hope my liver and my sore joints will soon forgive me. The reality is that I am not lyme-free yet, and the Salt/C protocol is going to be a part of my life for probably another year-ish...
Sending aloha spirit to you - which is much like the namaste': the spirit in me honors the spirit in you. Aloha is not only hello, good-bye and I love you, but I honor you: We share the same spirit and the same breath.
And Mahalo to you for keeping up with this journey of mine...
Sukie
p.s. for those on Facebook, I'll be posting some beautiful Hawaiian pics later today...
Let's be clear on one thing, though. Cruises are not conducive to one's health when it comes to eating, at least not if you have food sensitivities. There were virtually no gluten-free options (except one dessert that was a flourless chocolate torte, although of course it contained sugar), nor was anything organic, etc. Honestly, they do a pretty good job of feeding 2,000 people all day long, and hopefully they will do better in the future as people begin to make more requests for healthier food. I mean, they did have lots of fresh, tropical fruit, and a fairly good salad bar, and a couple of interesting veggie options here and there (mushroom turnovers one day, a veggie lasagna another time). So while I was fairly careful in what I ate, for some meals I pretty much threw in the towel and said, "here I go..." and ate the bread, the pasta, had a glass or two of sangria, a mai tai, a pina colada, a couple of decadent desserts (shared with Erick), a couple of orders of fries and.... I seem to have survived fairly well. Truthfully, my liver hasn't been happy since I left home 10 days ago, and I have hives coming back (clearly these are related to food, as my last two trips I have gotten the itchies, although not as bad this time).
Of course, I was "earthing" the whole time, as I spent a good amount of time snorkeling in salt water, and walking on beaches, so I'm sure that helped a lot, since my earthing pad wasn't much good on the ship. Salt water is the best conductor of all, though, so that was a built-in blessing. The ship did have a sauna and steam room, so I was able to keep up a bit with my sweat routine, which I'm sure also helped maintain some equilibrium.
I was also really good about taking my supplements, so I don't think I did any un-doable damage, but I can say for certain that the lyme bacteria definately got a vacation, too. I'm pretty sure the sugar and wheat cancelled out much effect from the salt and vitamin C. Conclusion? It was priceless time well spent, a great time was had by all, and now it is back to reality (organic foods, eating wheat-free, dairy-free, processed sugar and processed food-free), and let's hope my liver and my sore joints will soon forgive me. The reality is that I am not lyme-free yet, and the Salt/C protocol is going to be a part of my life for probably another year-ish...
Sending aloha spirit to you - which is much like the namaste': the spirit in me honors the spirit in you. Aloha is not only hello, good-bye and I love you, but I honor you: We share the same spirit and the same breath.
And Mahalo to you for keeping up with this journey of mine...
Sukie
p.s. for those on Facebook, I'll be posting some beautiful Hawaiian pics later today...
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The Autumn Flare
Greetings to all ~
Just a quick note before heading out the door on our trip to Hawaii.... (and YES, we are very excited!!). I wanted to note that in the literature about lyme disease it always talks about the lyme flares that happen in the spring and fall. For some reason, life-cycle-wise, these times of year encourage great activity amongst the borrelia spirochetes. I hadn't really noticed so much before, possibly because I was in such extreme pain all the time, anyway. Now, I am realizing that these past few days I have been feeling a lot of pain, as well as "movement", if you will, of the bacteria. The "movement" thing is hard to explain.... it's a sense of weakness in the bones and muscles, and an essence of motion that I've been feeling off and on for years. Kind of how I feel if I can in an elevator that drops quickly...
Anyway, as I ponder these sensations, as well as almost flu-like symptoms of aches and pains I've had for a couple of days, I am realizing it's probably the autumn lyme flare. I feel fine, otherwise. No fever or anything like that. Head is very clear. Just achey-breakey. Wonder how the borrelia will like the tropical weather of the islands? I want to be very diligent about my eating over there and stay away from sweets, so that I don't give them any encouragement to want to propogate any further than they already are. I will be keeping up with my Salt/C and supplement protocol throughout the trip, also, which will keep the critters on the run....
While we're gone I'm loaning my two earthing sheets to a couple of friends with fibromyalgia (and also taking an earthing pad along on the trip). It will be interesting to hear about whatever results they may have from using the sheets for 10 days.
Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving - so much to be grateful for! I am grateful for all of you for caring enough to check in with this blog to see what's happening. I hope it's helpful for you. It's been a fabulous experience for me...
Special LOVE shout-out today to RKay! xoxoxox
Much love, aloha, & see you soon,
Sukie
Just a quick note before heading out the door on our trip to Hawaii.... (and YES, we are very excited!!). I wanted to note that in the literature about lyme disease it always talks about the lyme flares that happen in the spring and fall. For some reason, life-cycle-wise, these times of year encourage great activity amongst the borrelia spirochetes. I hadn't really noticed so much before, possibly because I was in such extreme pain all the time, anyway. Now, I am realizing that these past few days I have been feeling a lot of pain, as well as "movement", if you will, of the bacteria. The "movement" thing is hard to explain.... it's a sense of weakness in the bones and muscles, and an essence of motion that I've been feeling off and on for years. Kind of how I feel if I can in an elevator that drops quickly...
Anyway, as I ponder these sensations, as well as almost flu-like symptoms of aches and pains I've had for a couple of days, I am realizing it's probably the autumn lyme flare. I feel fine, otherwise. No fever or anything like that. Head is very clear. Just achey-breakey. Wonder how the borrelia will like the tropical weather of the islands? I want to be very diligent about my eating over there and stay away from sweets, so that I don't give them any encouragement to want to propogate any further than they already are. I will be keeping up with my Salt/C and supplement protocol throughout the trip, also, which will keep the critters on the run....
While we're gone I'm loaning my two earthing sheets to a couple of friends with fibromyalgia (and also taking an earthing pad along on the trip). It will be interesting to hear about whatever results they may have from using the sheets for 10 days.
Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving - so much to be grateful for! I am grateful for all of you for caring enough to check in with this blog to see what's happening. I hope it's helpful for you. It's been a fabulous experience for me...
Special LOVE shout-out today to RKay! xoxoxox
Much love, aloha, & see you soon,
Sukie
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
It's all about the Herx...
Hello to you!
I've been feeling so darn good that I've gotten a bit lax on my blogging, haven't I? Well, this week I am herxing and in some pain, which reminded me to blog! The herxes these days are essentially self-imposed - meaning that I have to "up" my Salt/C intake to create a herx reaction, so on weeks when I don't have guests, travel, or major responsibilities, I ratchet up on the Salt/C so that I can herx and do more clearing of the borrelia bacteria.
What I've noticed is that the herxes, while painful, are not as severe as they used to be. Not fun still, but definately more do-able now. It never feels good to ache all over or have intense pains in your joints. This week the pain is mostly limited to my right knee (ouchhh) and the back of my neck just below the occipital ridge, and some shoulder pain. So that tells me pretty much where the critters are holed-up. Another thing I've noticed over the past few months is that generally when I start herxing, I will get little pin-head-sized red spots that will sometimes break open. Some of the literature on the Salt/C protocol postulates that these may be "exit points" for the bacteria. I have no idea if that's true, but there is some correlation between the higher doses and the phenomenon of the spots.
I continue to be grateful every day for my improving health and vitality, my wonderful, charmed life in general, including my amazing and sweet Erick, dear friends and family, beautiful island home, meaningful work and projects, and my Earthing sheet! I am so grateful for that amazingly simple little piece of fabric that helps to keep the inflammation way down. I'm including a comment here from Caroline, one of my Reiki students, who recently purchased an Earthing sheet:
While restless leg syndrome is often what sends me to bed, I no longer have the RLS while in bed. I am experiencing more clarity when I wake up in the morning. Even the morning when I woke up at 3:30 (urgh), I was clear and un-foggy. I have noticed that when I go out for my weekly shopping trips (or trips to Alderwood Mall for a play day), I am no longer exhausted at the end of the excursion. And (joy of joys!!!!) I can once again sit cross-legged. Yoga will be much easier now. And finally (or maybe not!), I'm getting all those little projects completed. I just do them. Already this sheet has more than paid for itself.
On to fun stuff: One more week until we leave for Hawaii. It'll be lovely to spend Thanksgiving with family in the tropics; we're all looking forward to that. I feel really ready for some snorkeling and hiking, and I think my body is ready to rock and roll. While I've spent time before on some of the islands, this will be an inter-island cruise, so we'll have time to sit on our deck and watch the beautiful magic of the water and Hawaiian nature pass by....then we have stops on Maui (2 days), Kauai (2 days), Hilo (1 day), and Kona (1 day), plus a couple of extra days to cavort around Oahu. Having grown up in Arizona, I always appreciate a time when I can spend my day in shorts and bare feet. My hair gets some funky waves in it from the humidity - a few years ago in Roatan my hair was so wavy I looked like a different person. And so nice that my 89-year-old mom will get to enjoy this Hawaiian interlude, as her health has been declining a bit this past year. She so deserves this special time with her loved ones in paradise.
Aloha & catch up with you again soon,
Sukie
I've been feeling so darn good that I've gotten a bit lax on my blogging, haven't I? Well, this week I am herxing and in some pain, which reminded me to blog! The herxes these days are essentially self-imposed - meaning that I have to "up" my Salt/C intake to create a herx reaction, so on weeks when I don't have guests, travel, or major responsibilities, I ratchet up on the Salt/C so that I can herx and do more clearing of the borrelia bacteria.
What I've noticed is that the herxes, while painful, are not as severe as they used to be. Not fun still, but definately more do-able now. It never feels good to ache all over or have intense pains in your joints. This week the pain is mostly limited to my right knee (ouchhh) and the back of my neck just below the occipital ridge, and some shoulder pain. So that tells me pretty much where the critters are holed-up. Another thing I've noticed over the past few months is that generally when I start herxing, I will get little pin-head-sized red spots that will sometimes break open. Some of the literature on the Salt/C protocol postulates that these may be "exit points" for the bacteria. I have no idea if that's true, but there is some correlation between the higher doses and the phenomenon of the spots.
I continue to be grateful every day for my improving health and vitality, my wonderful, charmed life in general, including my amazing and sweet Erick, dear friends and family, beautiful island home, meaningful work and projects, and my Earthing sheet! I am so grateful for that amazingly simple little piece of fabric that helps to keep the inflammation way down. I'm including a comment here from Caroline, one of my Reiki students, who recently purchased an Earthing sheet:
While restless leg syndrome is often what sends me to bed, I no longer have the RLS while in bed. I am experiencing more clarity when I wake up in the morning. Even the morning when I woke up at 3:30 (urgh), I was clear and un-foggy. I have noticed that when I go out for my weekly shopping trips (or trips to Alderwood Mall for a play day), I am no longer exhausted at the end of the excursion. And (joy of joys!!!!) I can once again sit cross-legged. Yoga will be much easier now. And finally (or maybe not!), I'm getting all those little projects completed. I just do them. Already this sheet has more than paid for itself.
On to fun stuff: One more week until we leave for Hawaii. It'll be lovely to spend Thanksgiving with family in the tropics; we're all looking forward to that. I feel really ready for some snorkeling and hiking, and I think my body is ready to rock and roll. While I've spent time before on some of the islands, this will be an inter-island cruise, so we'll have time to sit on our deck and watch the beautiful magic of the water and Hawaiian nature pass by....then we have stops on Maui (2 days), Kauai (2 days), Hilo (1 day), and Kona (1 day), plus a couple of extra days to cavort around Oahu. Having grown up in Arizona, I always appreciate a time when I can spend my day in shorts and bare feet. My hair gets some funky waves in it from the humidity - a few years ago in Roatan my hair was so wavy I looked like a different person. And so nice that my 89-year-old mom will get to enjoy this Hawaiian interlude, as her health has been declining a bit this past year. She so deserves this special time with her loved ones in paradise.
Aloha & catch up with you again soon,
Sukie
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