I honor the place in you which the entire universe dwells. I honor the place in you which is of love, of truth, of light, and of peace. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are one. ~ Namaste

“No-no-no,” Adriana insisted with her Colombian accent. “You mustn’t do these invasive treatments… You must come see me immediately.”  Upon learning of my diagnosis in an email I initially sent out, my dear friend, Adriana, who is an orthomolecular nutritionist and energy healer, took me under her wings and began to re-educate me about the human body and its digestive process. She assured me that I had nothing to fear and that our bodies have natural abilities to heal when given the right foods and environment. She taught me about detoxification, building my immune system and alkalizing my body with raw, whole, organic Super foods. Amazingly, as healthy as I thought I was, I had never heard of the alkaline-acid balance and that the foods we ingest become either acid or alkaline in our bodies – and over-acidity can lead to or enhance diseases like cancer. I discovered that many of the foods and beverages I loved were acid-forming, such as: coffee, bread, cheese, jam, cereal, sugar, ice cream, sugar-free gum and beer. I learned that I did not have enough GOOD fat in my diet and I was probably deficient in protein and certain vitamins and minerals because I didn’t eat enough variety of fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains. Adriana took me to the health food store and showed me how to read ingredients and choose healthier versions of foods. I ate kale and chard for the first time in my life!

Adriana did not go to medical school, but she seemed to know more about cancer than the cancer doctors! She explained cancer to me from a scientific cellular level and assured me that DCIS was NOT cancer and NOTHING to be in fear of. From her perspective, it was the FEAR that was the worst part of a DCIS diagnosis.

Adriana advised me on foods and supplements specific for immunity building and breast cancer prevention. She had me put drops of chlorophyll in my water and gave me a list of foods to eat and to eliminate (see holistic health). She guided me through a two week raw food cleanse including an intensive weekend detox where she whipped up raw soups, tonics and teas round the clock! Adriana told me if I did everything she said and put off doing an MRI for a month, it would be clear.  And it was!!!

This changed the course of action I would take for treatment. I was emboldened to say “no” to my team of doctors whose options were a lumpectomy plus 7 weeks of radiation or a mastectomy.

I believe angels appear when we need them most. I wasn’t looking for an alternative path, but when Adriana spoke to me about the body-mind-spirit healing connection, I resonated with EVERYTHING she said and I was hungry to learn and live by her wisdom. Adriana lovingly gave endless hours of time to me as if I were her family. She instilled in me a new way of eating, thinking and living in peace – even with the uncertainty of a DCIS diagnosis. Her words were the calm in the storm. I am eternally grateful for her wisdom, her time and her guiding light.