Let Food be Thy Medicine

If you read the last entry, you were given an idea of how a bad day looks in my world, but having cancer is not all gloom and despair. I have my moments when the sun shines through the clouds and I can see that what I am doing is probably the most courageous and transforming feat that I will encounter in my life. In order to attain the profound, encompassing healing that I seek, I must explore places of myself that I might not have found otherwise, many of which I have already uncovered in the past few months. I believe that having moments of despair are part of this journey and it is important to accept exactly where I am right now.

You may be wondering what exactly I am doing, since I am not doing chemotherapy. Whereas the majority of cancer patients try the conventional Western treatments first, then try the alternative treatments when the conventional ones don’t work, I am doing the opposite. This includes the things most people consider alternative, like acupuncture, herbs, Reiki, naturopathy, homeopathy, ayurvedic medicine, etc. But these things are just one layer of the onion when it comes to healing. I believe the foundation of wellness lies in our own lifestyle choices… So I said adios to late nights with my friends Tequila y Cerveza, and started changing my habits. All toxins had to go. This means no more coffee, alcohol, processed foods, additives, sugar, etc. Every single thing we put in our body contributes to our health now, and in years to come. If you ever question the impact of the food we put in our bodies, then go see one of the many documentaries about it (Forks Over Knives and Food Matters are a few good ones). It is said that food can be the fastest and most effective medicine, or the slowest and most painful poison. So I got serious about this medicinal nutrition. No more dairy, meat or gluten, and LOTS of fruit, vegetables, and water. Lots and lots of agua.

From this foundation, I began to build myself up with the use of spiritual practices such as study and meditation; reconstructing mental habits that no longer serve me; physical exercises, such as yoga and bike riding; and activities that feed my soul, such as singing, playing the guitar, and gardening. I quit my 9 to 5 job to start up a full time career in taking care of myself. I believe this is how healing works. 

Cancer is not just a physical problem. In fact, I think that when one has cancer, the physical body is the last place to show signs of illness. The first places are our emotional and spiritual bodies. This tumor in my throat is a symptom of a much greater problem that needs to be dealt with. It's like the idiot lights in you car; they go on only after the problem has developed. Sure, I could do the conventional slash and burn technique, and I don’t doubt that it will zap that lump right out of my body... but that only removes the tip of the iceberg, and it will come back. It will always come back until I can repair the place that truly needs healing—my spirit. So I made a vow to my body that I would pull this cancer from the roots, not just cut it at the stem. That is exactly what I am doing.