Cosmic Energy Shift

My urban farmer on his electric tractor

We had the most glorious weekend to which I equate several contributing factors:

The weather:

As native Northerners, this weekend’s temps dipping below 90 and humid in the afternoon allowed us to spend much of the day outdoors and it was so refreshing! I love the climate here but seeing a glimpse of reprieve from the summer heat was really nice.

Positive energy:

Though we were already both feeling really positive about everything, there was a renewed energy of positivity around us this weekend. If you have ever read the Celestine Prophecy – the way they describe how alive nature and the beauty around us that’s nearly palpable… that’s the way we’ve been feeling. I’m looking at you, friends high in Connectedness (Allie, Jules, Amy).

My energy level:

I felt so strong, healthy and clear-headed this weekend. We took several long walks, I did 2 long, tough Peloton rides, and still did stuff around the house and yard with very few breaks or rests. I also think that some of the holistic and diet changes are working, as we are both noticing improvements in my left side mobility and strength. It’s Shrinking!!!!!

Wins:

We received notification from my health insurance that I will be covered for the oral chemo pill – referenced in my last post. It wasn’t something keeping me up at night but such a lucky thing to not have to worry about or consider further.

Ability to rebook our Portugal trip – Brad and I had plans to hike the Portugal coast route of the Camino de Santiago for 3 weeks in late Oct/early Nov. And being the impetuous travelers we are, I booked a basic no insurance flight, but we got a notice that our booking shifted due to COVID, and I think it will give us the opportunity to use the flight credit in the future. Now that 2020 is a bit of a wash – the remainder is committed to getting well, waiting for Covid to pass, etc. It’s time to start planning adventures in 2021!

McYeckley Urban Farm and the Golden Girls:

In our pursuit of being better informed of how we are fueling our bodies and treating our planet, we had been eyeballing our large backyard for a chicken coop, in addition to our expanding organic vegetable garden. 7 chicks arrive next week to join the family! I’m so excited for this diversion, educational experience, and adventure.

Our Diet Change/Health:

Over the past 2 months of life swerve, we have shifted to a mostly plant-based/not-totally-vegan-but-close diet. This was nothing based on oncology advice, as we find most physicians don’t really talk about the way we fuel our bodies, only treating the symptoms of the illness, once they present.

This shift is based on our pursuit of knowledge for reducing inflammation in the body as it relates to nearly every ailment contributing to our collective health crisis – obesity, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, MS, arthritis. Selfishly, I’m aware that a brain tumor is not a get out of jail free card and does not preclude me from other ailments down the road. I don’t want to just survive this. I want Brad and I to both thrive and live the healthiest, best next 40 or so years.

When reflecting on how we are feeling about our diet over the past 2 months over dinner last night, we agreed that we both felt energetic, are sleeping well, and having no trouble maintaining our ideal weight without tracking food – coming from two people who have tracked food for the better part of our health-conscious adult years (though more in pursuit of a look or physical pursuit than health/wellness/longevity). That said, this is where I think the plant-based vs. Vegan distinction is important. It is challenging to binge or overeat on plant-based foods: whole grains, legumes, seeds, nuts, fruits and veg. On the other hand, you can easily overeat on Impossi-burgers and Oreos, both vegan.

Brad said it well, in reference to the reading and documentaries we have been consuming (pun intended) over the past 2 months: “The single kindest thing that you can do for your body and the planet is to stop eating factory farmed, industrialized, processed animal products. It’s killing us and the Earth at an alarming rate. Its sweet that we are recycling and turning down plastic straws, but if you’re buying a pound of meat at Walmart for $3 that required 18,000 gallons of water to produce, it really doesn’t matter. There is a reason that most people don’t spend money on sustainably raised meat – it’s expensive to produce and it should be.”

Enter the Golden Girls. We feel good about consuming sustainably raised free-range backyard chicken’s eggs. We think raising them will be good for our souls, fun, and a new educational opportunity.

I realize that the first update video we did was while mindlessly downing dozens of chicken wings. But we have the capacity for growth and change and we want to reclaim our health. Though animal agriculture lobbies would market it away, ingesting the estrogen of other mammals (i.e. dairy) greatly contributes to rates of breast cancer and animal protein thickens our blood, narrows arteries in the heart/brain, and promotes free radical/tumor growth. I get that it’s much easier to go with the societal flow and eat what is easy and tastes good. Here’s the thing, I LIKE Burgers and Wings but I LOVE living on this planet.

I know that food choices are often personal and deep-rooted, even in my own family. Change is hard for people and I’m ultimately grateful that Brad and I are both highly adaptable and willing to try shifting our habits and getting out of our comfort zone. And, one of the gifts in all of this is that it’s a really powerful perspective shift. You don’t think you are capable of giving up mass-produced animal protein? If it’s a potential difference between life and death or health and sickness, that’s a wake-up call and powerful force for change. I strongly believe that if the benefits of a plant-based diet were sold in pill form, people would line up and pay no matter the cost. But humans are hard-wired to the path of least resistence.

I also recognize that many issues exist in other parts of our food chain, including GMOs, pesticides, etc. But, this is a step in the right direction for us. We will continue to make the best possible choices with the knowledge and power that we can wield over our health and future health.

The week ahead:

I finally start on the treatment plan this week – it feels great to have some momentum building. Starting with a video consult on how to administer oral chemo and what to know in the next couple of days, a neuropsych eval. on Wednesday, Radiation and Chemo start on Thursday for the next 6 weeks, along with weekly oncologist check ins on my blood, vitals, etc. My immune system will be susceptible, so they keep an extra close eye on all of that.