November 2000 was to be a landmark month and a turning point in my quest for greater health. I had been experiencing ever increasing weight gain and increased symptoms of the ever present Irritable Bowel Syndrome. My weight gain and the IBS symptoms had me increasingly worried; I knew I had to take health matters in hand. In one day I attended my first lecture with Michael O’Brien, and immediately decided to try a protocol of digestive enzymes and friendly bacteria. Following the Michael O’Brien lecture on a Saturday morning I attended a lecture by a Nutritionist devoted solely to persons suffering with IBS. At that lecture I was to hear information which conflicted markedly with what I had learned at Michael’s presentation. The following week I began to attend Weight Watchers where I am now a Life Member.
The weight loss began November; the IBS symptoms did subside after a month or so of taking the digestive enzymes and friendly bacteria. Friends began asking me what I was doing, as I looked so much healthier. The learning about what foods I could eat as well as trying to eat more raw veggies and fruit was going to be more difficult. I had to learn that IBS was a cellulase deficiency based illness. While the nutritionist was touting an increase in the amount of fiber intake, I knew I would have to find a more middle ground whereby I would eat some fiber but would have to be careful not to overload my digestive system with too much fiber that the body would have trouble digesting. From March of 2001 until December of 2001 I seemed to enjoy reasonably good health. Then late in 2001 came “the dropping of the health bomb” and I learned that medically I was under investigation for breast cancer. The diagnosis was confirmed in January of 2002. For the next four months I walked on the paths of scariness. One of my best friends was diagnosed with breast cancer a month ahead of me- we would be joined at the hip for the next 6 months. I consulted with doctors in the school of traditional medicine and followed whatever I was asked to do. I also consulted at length with the staff of NCP and after a core biopsy procedure and prior to a lumpectomy procedure I embarked on high doses of digestive enzymes and friendly bacteria. Initially, I was taking 100 digestive enzyme tablets and 80 friendly bacteria (Probiotics) for a two week period. I had been on HRT which promptly stopped after the core biopsy. Following the first two weeks of 180 tablets, the tablets were reduced to 50 of the digestive enzymes and 40 Probiotics. After the surgery I remained on the second dosage listed for a month. My friends were wonderful and called frequently to walk with me on the paths of scariness and unknown quantums at a time when my husband could not help me because he was dealing with his own issues. Radiation was prescribed - 16, 5 minute sessions. I was too ‘chicken’ not to undergo the radiation. Staff at NCP and Pam and Doug Collins were most supportive to me during this time. As I was in the middle of radiation a major life decision was made and my husband and I decided to separate. He did remain at home until the 16 radiation treatments were completed. He has since moved to another province. Despite the health and personal upheavals I have managed to keep the weight off. My friends challenged me about what I would do when I was on my own. When I told them I was only at the end of week one of radiation and had not given thought to what I would do “next”, two friends who did not know one another said they thought I should run a Bed and Breakfast. I consulted with a fellow B&B operator to ascertain whether this might be a good plan for me. I thought about this for a week and in mid June I began the steps to becoming a licensed B&B. By the end of July I had walked my applications and requests for permissions to all the requisite offices, had passed the Tourism Inspection and opened for business.
At this juncture my energies post radiation are slowly returning. Except for a fairly pernicious bladder infection and likely a systemic infection in the form of a serious flu in the early fall, I have been feeling fine.
I do have to follow the protocol faithfully to maintain good health with few IBS symptoms. I now take 24 digestive enzymes a day, 6 probiotics and since the fall of 2001 I take 3 tbsps of Nutritional Essentials twice a day. The weight loss has been sustained. If anything I have to be careful to eat so I am not losing more weight.
My learning about nutrition will be lifelong as there is so much to know. I still have a number of “dull guy days” when I phone Pam and Doug Collins for reinforcement about what I need to do.
The opportunity to attend home meetings with Pam and Doug and to participate as a listener in teleconference calls has been a further good learning avenue as we share knowledge and provide support to one another.
At this time in life I find I am walking on a much healthier path, am able to embrace many positive experiences in life, and especially because of the cancer I see life very differently and with a much deeper appreciation. My friends and family and my community supports are extremely important to me.
Beth McGee
