why i HAVE to go raw!!

[Ireland]

Please forgive me if this isn't the right forum to talk about this here, but I wasn't sure where else...

My Dad was diagnosed with colon cancer in November of '04. He had surgery three weeks later where they took about a foot of his colon along with 15 or so lymph nodes. He just got the results back and apparently they'd been able to remove all the cancer but found cancer in one of the lymph nodes. And of course they recommended chemotherapy. At first he'd told us that he wouldn't take it, and my sisters and I were VERY happy about this. But, when it came down to the wire, he made the decision to go ahead with it.

Dad told my sisters and I that his doctor recommended that we get tested immediately as well because it is apparently a (so-called) highly hereditary direct line cancer.

My parents know about the raw and living foods diet and ate about 75% for around a year then slowly slipped back into old habits. However, they do still juice carrots and have green drinks in the morning. They eat actually quite well compared to most people on the SAD, but the organic meat, ice cream, millk, cheese, eggs, etc...sort of negates the purpose.

Needless to say, I am so scared for my Dad. 5 months ago I moved 1700 miles away from my family and it's been so difficult knowing he's sick. There are a few other family tragedies that happened in the past few months that have made this moving transition for me a not so fun experience.

To get to the point...everything that is happening with my family brings me to an even STRONGER and more URGENT resolve to make this raw thing work for me. As I mentioned in past posts, I have an eating disorder that I am overcoming. My sister also has the same thing and is (like I was) eating herself into an early grave. I know that I can "preach" at my family till the cows come home but until I am a LIVING and WALKING testimony to this way of life, it will be to no avail.

For those who pray, please believe with me that I absolutly WILL be successful in this raw and living life I'm striving to attain. I so much want to help my family and others as well. Alissa, if you're reading this, I am beginning to feel a taste of what your awesome vision to help people is. May God continue to bless your mission in life. :)

A life and death situation? Perhaps. Isn't that what eating healthy is all about? Dying an early, diseased death, or the wonderful alternative...living a long, healthy life! :)

[Pailani]

I know just what you mean about not being able to afford going back to a SAD diet! My health issues aren't as urgently life-threatening, but I know I can't go on living the way I was. I hope your example inspires your parents to get back on track, and maybe reverses your father's cancer.

[RawTruth]

Walkin'onWater -- I am so sorry for this development in someone you love. My positive thoughts and prayers will be winging their way north to you.

You have taken control of your own health and well-being, and you deserve to be proud and positive about that. However, remember that we can only influence people by results and the vitality they see in our lives -- and, even then, they themselves have to want to change. I think that we who are sharing our journey in this forum are all here because we wanted to change, not because someone else told us to.

It has to be so hard to be far away from your dad -- and whatever other sad things have occurred. However, it sounds like you've been close to your parents, so he has to know how you feel about him. Geez, life just keeps happening, doesn't it!

I'm hoping that the sense of peace you get from eating raw will help sustain you through this. Be good to yourself.

[askcassyfirst]

Walkin' I am back to work right now, but I wanted to post a quick message of support and understanding...My Dad went thru colon cancer in 1987...It was found very early due to a very stringent physical he underwent yearly. I was 3000 miles away, in my senior year of high school, and totally unaware of the seriousness of what he was experiencing. He had raised us to eat well, but like your parents, my dad also ate not so organic vegetarian foods, including much junk type food. He had also smoked since his teens.

He had surgury and a year of chemo. The illness brought my dad back to the healthy vegetarian diet. He and my step mom began a exercising together as well as yoga. He eventually retired from his high stress managerial position, and now they are life coaches, teach yoga and cook for a retreat center several times a year. He is a whole other person spiritually and physically. I believe the cancer was his eye opener.

Dad is now cancer free, and two years ago he was told he no longer needs the yearly exam from his "cancer" doctor and only sees his GM. I am proud that he has come so far, and has inspired me to continue on my journey to raw. He and my step mom do the Master Cleanse several times a year, and so despite my fear, I figured they are in their 60s, I can do it too. It is my dad's courage that has kept me on this track.

Yes, he does occasionally say "Cass, you must start taking a daily aspirin to prevent colon cancer...it runs in the family." He is right that we are genetically predisposed: My sis and I both suffer with IBS, she actually has Ulcerative Colitis which has been shown to be a precursor to bowel cancer. It strengthens my will to do raw in an even greater way. This is my life I am eating for...:)

My thoughts are with you...

Cassy.:)

[misslinda]

I'm moved by you inner thirst in wanting to live healthy and heal. Cancer struck my family as well and I hear the emotional intensity in your words and I pray that your father heals. :)

I know all too well the turmoil of ED's also...........I was a suffer of anorexia w/bulimic tendencies for 17 years but still deal with the emotional/mental challenges----yet there is hope and healing. Raw has given me a new way of feeling, thinking and being..............you will have your path to raw success! ;)


as we walk with you and beside you,
Linda :)

[Sweet lips]

W.O.W.,

You are hearing from a cancer survivior, not once but twice, and even though it is a stuggle for me right now as I recover, being raw is the right thing. My prayers and my support are here for you without any obligation and I thank you for asking for help. It is a stuggle for me and I am emotional -In all things trust God, for he wishes you to prosperous even in health. No, biblical scholars that is not the scripture, it is part of my prayers

I was given this gift 11 years of the raw life through reading a magazine article about a woman who lost an immense amount of weight and received a life of wellbeing through the Essence magazine, and did it on and off. When I started last year, it was because I knew my quality of life was dissapating, and even the little bit of raw I did, my body came through surgery better than expected. All my cancer is gone. The surgeon said he removed it, he took his time to do so, and for that I am blessed. Will I take chemo or radiation- that subject hasn't be broched to us yet? However, I know now that there is so much more to my healing than what was avail to me in the past.

I feel like I have been given another chance to Celebrate my life and this too shall pass - but only if I can stay raw, I beleive I will be healthy. So, partner up with me for the joy that life can offer to you - our bodies were made by a patient and loving God, and given the right materials, the right messages, the right thoughts, we will be healed, we will manifest perfect health.

Praise don't fear, except the messages that you recieved as your instructions to prosper and be blessed for the opportunity. Love you as we share a special relationship ;)

[Allison]

I'm sorry to hear about your dad's problems.

The thing that really stuck out to me is where you said they eat fairly healthfully compared to most people. It just shows me that "fairly healthfully" is not healthy enough, like most people think.

Allison

[Ireland]

oh my gosh, thank you soooooo much everyone for your reply's. It honestly does make me feel a lot better.
Cassy - What you told me about your Dad is a good example of how cancer doesn't always kill. I guess it's not the cancer that really scares me, it's the darn chemo.
SweetLips - You are indeed a walking example of winning the battle, aren't you. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.
Alison - You're so right. Sometimes I want to shake people but hey, but old habits die hard. My own included.
MissLinda - I'm glad you're over the worst of your ED,

[Ireland]

oh my gosh, thank you soooooo much everyone for your reply's. It honestly does make me feel a lot better.
Cassy - What you told me about your Dad is a good example of how cancer doesn't always kill. I guess it's not the cancer that really scares me, it's the darn chemo.
SweetLips - You are indeed a walking example of winning the battle, aren't you. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.
Alison - You're so right. Sometimes I want to shake people but hey, but old habits die hard. My own included.
MissLinda - I'm glad you're over the worst of your ED, not ever really over I don't think, we just learn how to cope in other ways.
RawTruth - Thank you for your kinds words.
Palaini - Thank you. Yes, that's sure my hope, that people will SEE the change in me. If I lose 100 pounds, and can run circles around them, they won't be able to help it!

[caramba]

Sorry to hear about your father's health - you know in your heart that doing Raw if the right thing. It will heal you & help you and hopefully allow your family to see the direction they too can follow to better health.

Don't be too hard on yourself if you slip on the journey sometimes - just stay clear & determined in your heart.

[SamL]

I'm sorry to hear about your father. I pray everything will work out for the best.

I think your doing the best thing by going raw, and leading by example.

Your in my prayers

[deb]

I hear you Shannon... I'm sorry to say my dad died of colon cancer. I believe he would still be alive today if I had known then what I know now. But God knows all things and was ready for him to go.

Dad was willing to do anything. We went to several alternative doctors, he was drinking carrot juice daily (this was back in '93), taking coffee enemas, etc. But he did take chemotherapy and was still eating garbage at night. (ice cream and cottage cheese especially). And we didn't know enough then. Do all you can to persuade him not to take chemotherapy. I will be praying for him and you too.

He was just one of many in my family to die of cancer (or chemo!) so I know your passion. Let's get/keep our butts in gear girl! We have a lot of passion in us to keep others from this grief.

[Sweet lips]

Thanks for me Deb :)

[deb]

Hi Sweet Lips!

My heart sunk when I read you had had cancer. I've been praying for you Darling! I'm so glad you have the knowledge to beat this thing. You're an inspiration!

[jax]

Walkin', I am definitely praying for your family. My father is in very poor health as well ( he was left quadrapalegic? from an accident about 17 yrs. ago.) He takes strong meds., has had many, many surgeries and lives in constant pain. He has serious intestinal and urinary problems that no Doctor can seem to find a reason for. I fear losing him prematurely and I can definitely understand how worried and upset you must be. I'm glad we (this group) have each other for support and it's certainly easier to handle adversity with a healthy body (getting healthy anyway), and a clear mind. ;)

Love and prayers,
Jax

[flutterfly]

I am also sorry to hear about your Dad. It takes a lot of time to regain your health and show others that you can live by what you believe. I try to do this every day.
I have had many surgerys but like the energizer bunny I just keep going.
Your family will start to see in you what you want them to.
Keep healthy, Hugs, Georgie

[Sunny]

I'm so sorry to hear about your father, I wish you all the best

[Ireland]

The blessings just keeps coming in, thanks so much Flutterfly, Caramba, Sam, Deb, Jax and Sunny. I feel so blessed to have you all as a virtual support group. It really does make a difference. I'll keep everyone posted as to how my dad's doing and in the meantime I'm going to do my best to convince him not to have the chemo. Then, if he still chooses to, at least I've shared my heart and soul with him.

God bless

[flutterfly]

Have any of you seen the video "Cancer Doesn't Scare me Anymore?" It is one of the best cancer vidios I have ever seem.

[Mishka]

Walkin~
Oh....I can so relate to everything you wrote!!!!!!!!!
I am so very sorry to hear about your dad. But at the same time...this could become one of those amazing miracle stories you hear about. If he see's what raw has done for you...and if you share some of the research done by: Dr.Day, Rev. Malkumus etc...anything is possible.
I am telling myself the same thing. My dad has lymphoma...and he has started combining alternative medicine with west. medicine, BUT at this point refuses to change his diet.
I have become so tired of myself. You know...when your a hypocrite. You know something...and are convicted of it...yet haven't changed. So that's why I am here to follow thru on my convictions...and reap what I have sown. Then my actions can speak...and my dad will see the difference. There is probably more "magic" and power behind a living testimony than anything else!
Hang in there! Stand fast to your "raw" convictions...and who knows how God can change someones heart when they see the truth presented in a LIVING example.:)
Side by side we stand,
Michelle

[FEELIN'GOOD]

I am so sorry to hear about your struggles Walkin~

I will keep you and your family in my prayers... my best to you on your journey.

Thanks for sharing...

Melissa