We all know that Lebed is more than dance or exercise, it really changes people's lives. I had a powerful reminder of this the other day.
 
I have a young twenty-something girl in my class who was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome some years ago. She gets very tired and her whole body aches - so much that she cannot drive and cannot even take public transport. Since her diagnosis she has relied on her parents and friends to drive her wherever she needs to go. She is a very joyful person and used to do a lot of dancing before she became ill. So you can imagine how much she loves Lebed! As I drive more or less past her house, I have picked her up for class. However, in one month the class will be moving to another time and day and I cannot pick her up anymore. The other night I got a phone call from her. She was very excited and told me that I did not need to pick her up the next morning - she was going to make her own way to class on the bus. She had already tried it the day before to see whether she could do it - and she did it! Of course, she was tired and achy afterwards but most of all she was happy. She was starting to do some 'normal' things, things that we all take for granted: leave the house and take the bus. This little incident has given her the confidence to plan other excursions: She is even planning to go to a Salsa class! And all because she is determined to come to Lebed!
 
As an aside, the class have set up an 'emergency pick-up' for her, so that, on bad days -and recovery also includes those, unfortunately- when she cannot take the bus she can phone someone to ask for a lift.
  
Lots of love,

 

Kat  

 
I'm sure that all of us, as cancer survivors, sweat out every new pain or abnormality in our over-all health - fearing the worst - a re-occurrence. 
 
As a Lymphedema therapist and patient educator, a cancer survivor and someone who has more curiosity than a cat I've asked myself the question . . . over and over . . .  WHY?   Why cancer, why Lymphedema and why are we all just getting sicker?  These are the questions that drove me back to school (at age 67) to study nutrition.
 
As I got deeper into the complexities of human chemistry, the more confused I got and the deeper I dug for answers.  However, as the fog cleared away, it's all began making sense.  This information has been kept away from us for years . . .  and it would almost seem the health of our economy is more important and in complete disproportion to our overall physical health. 

There is hope, however.  Thanks to the internet and the masses of people who are asking the same question . . . of all the industrialized nations in the world, why are Americans the unhealthiest?  So, finally, the cat is working its way out of the bag, and we are hearing about Omega 3's, antioxidants, free-radicals, enzymes, and the importance of exercise.  We're learning about chronic inflammation, the basis of nearly all degenerative disease, and the culprit is our Western (or American) diet!
 
The comment that a cancer survivor should stay away from all fat" is ludicrous.  In fact, it's a good example of the hogwash we've been listening to for years.  Let's differentiate, however, between good fats and bad fats.  There is no question, we should all avoid hydrogenated oils and Tran's fats, but we HAVE TO HAVE the Omega 3's.  These are considered essential fatty acids.  They are anti-inflammatory and are essential to cell membrane integrity, brain function and optimal health.  And, no, these fats don't make us fat! The first 64 pages of Sally Fallon's book, "Nourishing Traditions", are very helpful in getting this into perspective.
 
During the time when our ancestors were hunters and gatherers, the ratio between anti-inflammatory (Omega 3) and inflammatory (Omega 6) foods was 1:1.  Now, with our modern diet of refined flour and sugar, processed foods, and bad fats, that ratio is 1:20.  For fast food eaters it's 1:40.  And we wonder why we are ALL suffering from chronic inflammation?!  Some of us may last longer, thanks to 911 and advanced life-saving technologies, but as we move into our senior years, crippled by degenerative disease (arthritis, diabetes, Alzheimer's, cancer and coronary artery disease), our quality of life is a disaster. 
 
Changing one's diet and life-style is not an easy transition, but once we make the commitment and experience the difference in the way we feel, we quickly discover we have a whole new life ahead of us. And as we realize the value of sound nutrition . . . . . the possibility of a re-occurrence pales into insignificance.  For cancer patients we need to be reminded . . . it's not about the tumor . . . . It's about the terrain.
 
My recommendations for anyone troubled by re-occurrence concerns are as follows:
1)     Read "The Inflammation Syndrome" by Jack Fallan
2)     Stop eating ALL refined sugar and white flour
3)     Understand that you CANNOT have a healthy lymphatic system, without a healthy gut!
4)     If you have to take antibiotics, be sure you understand the need to follow up with pro-biotic.
5)     Try to maintain a balance between Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids.
6)     Learn about the importance of enzymes - as they are responsible for every chemical reaction in the body.
7)     Understand the value of anti-oxidants and understand how they protect us from free radicals. 
8)     If you are not digesting well, your body is not receiving the nutrients, including minerals; it needs to support your immune system.
9)     You must stay hydrated - with filtered water we hope.  (If chlorine kills the bugs in the water, why wouldn't it kill the friendly bacteria in your gut?
10)  Remember that Coffee is not a substitute for water.  In fact, it's a diuretic.  And if you just have to drink it, NO artificial sweeteners - PLEASE! And compensate by matching every 4 ounces of coffee with 8 ounces of water.
11)  Limit your intake of (or better yet, eliminate) processed foods.  They only provide excess calories, minimal nutrition and rob you of your natural enzymes.   (Note:  Putting whole unprocessed food into your microwave will also destroy the enzymes.)
 
There are a lot of nutritional websites out there, from which I have gleaned much of this information.  They are written by Doctors who have the courage to tell the truth, and I'm sure the Food Giants who have led us astray all these years would love to string them up by their toes.
 
JoAnn Rovig,

Healthy-Steps Instructor and Lymphedema Therapist 

• A good gut-buster not only helps the spirit, it gets the blood pumping....just like jogging!
  
  
• Activates the Thoracic Lymphatic drain and enhances the immune system
  
  
• Promotes a sense of well being
  
  
• Increases endorphins, therefore, helps reduce PAIN!

"Darn... I knew I should have worn a chin strap."