Greetings Dr Cordain! Thank you for your work on nutrition and health and the Paleo diet! I find myself wanting to share my story with you!
In 2006 I was diagnosed with colon cancer. I was 46 years old. I had surgery colon resection and chemotherapy with good results. Today, I remain cancer free. I made some dietary changes at that point, eliminating alcohol, soda, red meat and peanuts from my diet. I felt extremely fortunate to have caught it before it penetrated the colon wall. Stage 2 cancer.
In 2008 at 49 years old I suffered a stroke and was immediately administered "clot busting" medicines through my groin artery into my right brain to dissolve the clot. Again I felt fortunate to have the technology available. Doctors were baffled because I had no indicators of heart disease or plaque buildup in my arteries. So, why the blood clot in my brain? After many tests, I was diagnosed with systemic lupus SLE and further complicated by antiphospho lipid syndrome, which caused my blood to hyper clot. In 2009 I was given prednisone and plaquinel to manage the lupus. I was also started on Lipitor and coumadin to prevent blood clots. I felt terrible physically and emotionally.
I started serious exercise again a year ago. Being a Division 1 volleyball scholarship recipient, and a regular exerciser my whole life, I thought spinning classes 3 days a week and some weight lifting twice a week would be helpful both physically and emotionally. I got a medical release. My bmi was 29. Since then, I have gone off the prednisone. very welcomed news. And my medicine dosing was reduced 27 percent. But I still was not feeling good. Fatigue, stiffness, digestive and bowel issues were prevalent in a daily struggle.
My trainer TJ McNiff at The Firm in Minneapolis suggested in November of 2011 that I try the Paleo diet. He has practiced Paleo for several years. So I got permission from my doctor and started Paleo 32 days ago. My weight was 169. I am 5'8 and my Bmi was 27.
I have lost 9 pounds, my cholesterol is within normal range for both the good and bad cholesterol for the first time since I began testing in 2008. My medicine dosing reduced again. Just 30 days on paleo. Total reduction now is 44 percent.
I'll see my lupus doctor late next week and I am excited to see what my labs say.
The BIGGEST news of all is that I feel great! I have not felt this good in years, probably before cancer. I do not miss the grains sugar or the dairy. My persistent fatigue is still there, but it is getting better each week. My bowels are stable and regular.
My goal is to be healthy. Completely healthy. Off medicines like coumadin and plaquinel. I am dedicating 2012 to partnering with my health care team to move toward that goal.
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the work you have done! I have looked for dietary and nutritional support since being diagnosed. Although there are some good sources, the material in your books is by far the most inclusive. Also, thank your wife from me for encouraging you to share this information and research.
You have made a huge difference in my life.
Thanks!
-Ann
