Breast Cyst Recovery by Marlene Barrera

Uterine Cancer Recovery
by Gladys Abeashie

At the end of March, 1989, after several months of noticeable decreasing strength and loss of weight, I was diagnosed by my doctor in Ghana as having uterine tumors around the cervical and fallopian areas. I had suffered menstrual difficulties and infections and was terrified by this abnormal situation. I told the gynecologist that I was psychologically upset and emotionally unstable. "Whatever you find, I want you to tell me," I insisted. He agreed and recognized that I am the kind of person who must know the score to feel in control, or at least understand the situation. He kept his word.

In view of how the tumor was beginning to block the entrance from the vulva, I was in danger of starving. The doctors hoped to remove the tumor surgically, but this was not possible because it was associated with major vital organs. The surgeon/gynecologist and pathologist rerouted the abdominal and lower G.I. tract around the tumors to allow me to absorb food. He emphasized that this was not a cure. He indicated softly and gently that I would not survive and also informed my husband that I had only had a few weeks or months to live.

The only Savior was God. The average survival time after diagnosis of uterine cancer is four to six months. So when I came home it was to die.

Then one day my husband and Dr. Ofei brought home a newsletter called One Peaceful World dedicated to "Macrobiotics for Personal and Planetary Health." There was much information and inspiration on how to recover from any form of disease--how to maintain hope and use food as medicine. Dr. Ofei told me much about the macrobiotic diet and how he uses it to help his former clients overcome lots of life failures. My husband and I went to his home office- the Macrobiotic Center of Legon -where he counseled us. There were so many people there including young ones and breast-feeding mothers. We were initially disbelieving, but a similar close associate had been helped in a case of profuse bleeding. Our attitude was that it would be better to do something than nothing.

Dr. Ofei recommended a restricted diet tailored to my needs and later, after a couple of months, increased the number of foods I could eat. The diet suited me very well, particularly in giving me strength through brown rice and greens. I found the cereal I had every morning for breakfast sustaining. Eventually eleven months after the operation, I was able once again to rejoin my group and do more exercises.

My physicians and other paramedical were amazed that I have survived now for five years and am in good health. This is not what the medical textbooks indicate. They say that the survival rate for all forms of undetected uterine cancer is 0.8 percent.

I am very much indebted and grateful to Michio Kushi, Alex Jack, and Dr. Ofei and think that because of the macrobiotic diet, my general health has been so good that my own system has managed to prevent any secondary appearing in the bowels.

Sometimes members of the village communities in my country ask me how I would eat if I were totally healed tomorrow. My only answer is that Father God works through One Peaceful World, Michio Kushi, Alex Jack, and Dr. Ofei. I tell them I will continue to eat macrobiotically because, having learned to cook in this way, I find it delicious as well as health-giving.

At the time of writing this report to you, our members have gone to a camp meeting and all greet you from my church at Jasmen.