" My body, my choice, my life, my death ... "

my body, my choice, my life, my death

Waking up this morning to the news of Jessica Ainscough passing away was heart breaking.  Jessica had survived a rare cancer diagnosis for 7 years.  At 22 years old, she was diagnosed with epithelioid sarcoma in her arm and shoulder.  Jess elected not to have an amputation and instead pursued the Gerson Therapy.  I was first introduced about Jess in 2011 while visiting the Gerson Clinic in Tijuana, Mexico.  I’ve been inspired by Jess through her motivational speaking, blogging and book, Make Peace With Your Plate. 

With this sad news circulating within social media, many are quick to voice their opinions on what should and should not have done.  And loads are voicing in on their view on “alternative treatment” and the quackery behind it ...

Yet what ever happened to leaving space and time for others to heal?  How important is it to share your view on what you think when a young woman has enough courage to stand her ground in the face of adversity?  Do the “I told you so” pundits feel vindicated?  Does it feel good to “predict” a young woman’s death years ago only to dig it up in a juicy article, slamming anything other than conventional treatment?  How do you know her death could have been “prevented” or she could have been “saved” if she was more “transparent” in her life?

my body, my choice, my life, my death

I find it curious when critics say that Jess’s choices were misguided, insane and selfish.  I find it curious when the same critics have NEVER walked in her shoes ... why not ask one of us who actually live with cancer how life really is?   

Jess was one of those who lived life fully despite what reality presented itself.  Death at a young age is only tragic when those who leave us have potential to do so much more.  And although Jess was only 30, the impact that this courageous woman has left in my life is beyond words.  Whether these words silence or arouse you, for me, Jessica Ainscough was an amazing health and wellness advocate.  Her courage, conviction and love for life was, and will continue to be, incredibly inspirational.  She was a powerful example of what trusting in yourself regardless of the possibilities is all about.  She lived for what she believed in ... 

my body, my choice, my life, my death

" How Long ... "

Every time I see you and I look into your eyes 

There's a feeling that I get 

And it's way down deep inside, girl 

I've been trying to hold on, but you say that you're not sure 

I just hope you realize what my heart is going through 

How long, must this feeling go on 

How long, must I stand the pain and 

How long, must this feeling go on 

Waiting for the night 

Waiting for the right time to come 

~ Lionel Ritchie ~ How Long ~

***

Recently I was asked the question “how long are going to do this thing?” ... and I wasn’t sure how to answer as this “thing”, being the Gerson therapy, is really as long as it takes.  This is my plan going forward, pending unforeseen circumstances, and I will continue until I am in permanent remission.  Their response  .... silence and confusion.

Yet, I am wise enough to not take it personally because I know that it was coming from a place of love and compassion.  I guess I was just a bit surprised by the words used to ask the question.  And really this isn’t the first time I have heard this.  Yet usually it is via someone else ... asked to my family.  I even heard of someone saying that I took he wrong steps and this is just taking too long.

So how long is too long when dealing with cancer?  Of course the sooner the cure the better, as that is something all streams of medicine agree on.  Yet the reality is that once you have been diagnosed, you live with it for the rest of your life.  Even after being “cleared”, the fear of recurrences can live with you.  

So back to this “thing” ... as mentioned before the Gerson Therapy is a minimum of 18 months, with most staying on the programme for close to 2 years.  And if you have had prior conventional intervention, it may be longer.  There are many reasons why it takes “so long” and I would direct anyone interested to the the Gerson Institute’s website for information.  

I was happy to know that once officially off the therapy, life resumes back to normal, but it is a new type of normal.  What I mean is that the strict schedule (freshly pressed juices every hour) is modified to a few juices in the day ... the coffee enemas are recommended to once a day ... food restrictions are lifted for the most part with the choice to introduce seafood, etc.  Yet going back to eating the way you use to can surely bring you back to current health issues.  It is highly recommended to eat organic, non-processed, real food.  Using the 90/10 rule ... eat healthy 90% of the time ...

Some may argue, well is this really living?  Definitely an individual decision to make ~ maybe another question to ask is what is really living? ..... of course, the challenge is to live your life fearlessly, regardless of what the future will hold.  Oh and yes it has been pointed out to me how many people die while on alternative treatments ... but if we are being completely transparent, the mortality rate for those pursuing conventional treatment is just as depressing.  

How you manage your health is up to you, it is your right, it is your life ... my heart intention is to fully live my present life, regardless of approval of my “thing” I choose to help me do so ...

Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live  

~ Jim Rohn