Precisely one year ago from the time of this writing I instinctively knew that I had symptoms of appendicitis. I spent the day completing tasks that needed to be done before a short surgery recovery and headed for the ER. As the doctor entered the exam room I jokingly told him, “Let’s get this over with. I don’t have time to be sick.”
Little did I know there was a lot more going on than the average appendicitis. After the CT scan the doctor came into my room, with social worker in tow, to say, “Well, you do have appendicitis and we will take care of that tonight. But the CT scan showed something more serious. You have a large mass on your right kidney and it is cancer. That kidney is going to have to come out.”
Suddenly I realized that not having time to heal from a minor appendectomy become a non-issue. I left the hospital minus an appendix, plus a cancerous kidney. Not quite what I had planned. Now I had something much bigger on my plate to deal with.
I share this with you because I have learned so many things about cancer, life style and living a healthier life. Though I am cancer free today, going through that experience has completely changed my perspective on how to live a healthier life, not to mention strengthening my walk with God.
Part of what I learned came from local resident and educator Phil Fons, who contacted me and provided a seemingly endless amount of information. Part of it comes from a book entitled, Eat This and Live, by Dr. Don. Colbert.
There is a direct link between diet and cancer. Some things I have given up, or at least cut way back on include soft drinks, diet and regular; processed microwave foods; processed sugar and sweeteners; caffeine, “enriched” pasta, rice and breads.
Things that I have increased or added to my diet include fresh fruits and vegetables. I have even learned to like asparagus. Alkaline water, which helps to kill cancerous cells, is my daily beverage. My doctor told me drinking alkaline water is the best thing I can do for my remaining kidney. I bought a filter. I purchase more organic foods, cook at home more and eat out less.
I no longer cook anything in the microwave in plastic wrap or plastic containers, which emit carcinogens. Dr. Colbert puts food into two categories: Dead food and live food. Live food includes fresh organic produce, grains and healthy oils, foods that remain as closely as possible to the way God created them.
I wash my vegetables in alkaline water to remove impurities. Dead foods are processed foods, fatty meats and sweets. I do enjoy and occasional ice cream cone or hamburger now and then, but those are now treats-not the norm.
My great-grandmother, two great-aunts, grandfather and two of my dad’s brothers has died of cancer, mostly related to poor life style choices. I’m the first of my generation to be diagnosed.
I believe cancer is beatable. But lifestyle change is absolutely necessary to beat it. If we were to make changes towards healthy living now, possibly within one to two generations, there would be way fewer victims of cancer. Nothing would make my happier.
Rhonda Tommer is a resident of Santa Clara and a member of The Spectrum and Daily News writers group. She can be reached at r.tommer.writersgroup@gmail.com.
