what about this BEvegan thing...

I sit on my back porch with my computer on my lap (it's so nice that there is a plug out there) or in my living room...searching the internet, researching that information, reading info that people have so thoughtfully sent to me, trying to learn more about renal cell carcinoma and its treatment. The searching leads me to both allopathic and homeopathic sites, suggestions, stories and hope. Some of the sites tell me that there will be statistical data, that I should be prepared. I haven't pushed that "open" button yet...

I have to address my diet...following surgery I lost about 17 pounds and have gained back about 10+. Once I could eat again, the floodgates opened and I ate anything and everything...what am I thinking? I learn from Robin, Mandy and Kristen of a woman in Rhode Island, Chris Brown--Robin and Kristen have taken a cooking class with her...she is also a nutritional consultant, including consulting and working with folks who have just received a diagnosis of heart disease or cancer. I call her and have a brief conversation and agree that we will discuss this further in a few days, when I am not driving. When we reconvene on the phone, I reluctantly tell her about my diet...suffice it to say, it doesn't include many "greens", and Chris Brown at The Natural Choice is, well--to put it simply, appalled.....well, don't forget, she is a vegan!! She tells me that, with my diagnosis, I need to go off sugar, dairy, meat and fish...that I must increase eating vegtables, especially spinach, broccoli, bok choy, collard greens, kale--the greener the better. She tells me that certain foods actually help cancer to thrive, and others fight it off. We decide that we will meet in person for a 3-hr consult on July 12th, after I return from Italy, when she will have a specific diet plan for my circumstances, one that will by PH balanced, heavier on the alkaline rather than acidic, and will be.....vegan.

After my conversation with Chris, I very quickly decide that I am not going to put another thing in my mouth that will be enabling the cancer to thrive...of course I want to starve it and enhance my immune system to help me out. I cannot wait until July 12th--I need to start the process now.

I am 6 days into this, and so far it has been fairly easy and I feel great. Confession, I have not given up the coffee with its "enhancements" as yet, but when we leave for Italy, this will go. I am eating oatmeal..not sweetened, salads without cheese or other no-no additions, light vinegrets for dressings, lots of green veggies, brown rice, beans. I am realizing that I'm actually not eating enough, I need to increase the volume. I have found, at this point anyway, that it is mind over matter, and my mind is winning. I'm off to a great start...