Diane, Diagnosed with MS Has Now Been Out of
Her Wheel Chair for 25 Years!
But
the MRI doctor said it had progressed?? “That’s when I decided to walk away.”
I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1982 while
majoring in music at McGill University.
That was my original life passion and dream.
I landed in hospital paralyzed from my shoulder to my toes
on the right side, considerable speech loss due to facial paralysis, little
colon/bladder function and 90% vision loss in one eye. That was just the beginning … Looking back, I
had no idea I faced many challenging years on my journey back from those Multiple
Sclerosis Symptoms to good health …
The prognosis of the doctors, neurologists, psychologists
and psychiatrists was at best a 50-75% MS recovery to a cane, no children, no
career … over the next 10 years, I would regain my health for short periods,
but I could never stay healthy for any meaningful length of time. My doctors said with MS, it was simply the
nature of the disease … so just accept it.
During my final crisis in 1991-2 there were too many weeks I
could not drive my car, walk properly without holding to walls, could not even
climb up or down the stairs, … eating, getting dressed was difficult, you name it.
I had tried everything that western medicine had to offer … and more. I decided I could not wait for a miracle and
I would not wait for the Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms to consume me, I resolved
to continue, no matter what. I remember refusing the offer of a handicap
license; I did not believe I was. For
me, accepting it, would have meant I gave up hope of recovery.
I remember I was so scared that I would never come back from
those debilitating Multiple Sclerosis symptoms that I consciously decided never
to be put in a situation like that again – I did not ever want to have another
crisis. I chose not to be at the mercy
of this disease ... living with the fear that some mornings I could not walk,
drive my car or even hold my child.
In looking
at my health conditions during those years, I began to question medical
proficiency because surly there are cause and effect relationships to be drawn
when a series of events happen! By the way, I ended up being diagnosed with 4
other significant diseases before the age of 30:
Erythema
Noueux
Sarcoidosis
Fibromyalgia
Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome
I remember asking a specialist “if there could be a
connection between the 5 diseases, because I simply could not believe that
somebody could be so doomed” and I was told “No, no connection at all – that is
the way it is”.
Well it didn’t make sense to me at all, they had given me so
many labels. I was much more tired than
the typical MS patient – so CFS made the list”.
“I had tremendous pain and according to their book, MS is not painful,
so Fibromyalgia was another label” And on they went …
I pointed out to them that 8 out of 10 people in the waiting
room were in pain … so who said MS is not painful? – By that time, I’d had it
with the medical system and got very angry/frustrated by that 5th label
So, I Began Researching Natural Remedies
When we get sick, it is usually not overnight - often it is
just the final drop that makes the vase go overboard. And it usually happens
over time, even years … one symptom, then another one … then another … until
they call it a disease.
My research led me to eastern philosophies, nutritional
strategies, herbal medicines, mental visualizations, alternative therapies and
so on. The more I studied them, the
better all these pieces of the puzzle seemed to fit. When I finally started to
get well, they all mysteriously disappeared …the MS, Sarcoidosis, Erythem
noueux, CFS and Fibromyalgia.
My family doctor was a staunch supporter and simply said
“whatever you’re doing Diane, don’t stop!” and my neurologist finally threw up
his hands and said it’s gone, I don’t know why, but it’s gone, check-in
annually so I can document this… and I did, though I stopped going several
years ago…
I believe people need to know they have choices ...
You do have options and choice ... and they are a powerful
combination
I had finally decided to take ownership for my own
recovery!
I did not think or say if … I said once I would come back
... this is a very important point and I believe crucial to successfully
fighting any illness or disease (or achieving any goal for that matter). You
see, in my mind and in my heart - there were no doubts.
I did not know how long it would take
I did not know what I would have to do
I did not know how much money it would cost.
My one burning desire was to get well, then stay well.
I wanted to enjoy life without depending on others - I
wanted and still want to do everything I choose, when I want, as long as I want,
and I still do whatever it takes to stay healthy.
The years of nutritional support I required to get my body
functioning normally included a clean diet with lots of whole foods plus large
quantities and correct formulations of nutrient dense herbal medicines and nutritional
supplements. Through early trial and error with a number of herbal product
lines, I eventually found the correct formulations in Nature's Sunshine
Products and today, they remain a part of my maintenance program and my natural
health practice. These were core products I took:
Bod-e-Detox to
heal my chronic intestinal problem, to heal my liver and to heal my colon.
I-X; it is
fantastic for numbness and tingling, for circulation, for energy and circulation
to the head.
Stress Formula:
it has lots of B’s, C’s bioflavonoids and herbs to heal the nerves.
Super Oil; it has
6 good fats with lecithin and vitamin E to heal the myelin sheath.
Herbal Ca; a
herbal combination loaded with calcium and magnesium and great for spasms.
K; it healed my
bladder; I would get up 10 times a night to go to the bathroom and I took high amounts
about 12 a day
Perfect Eyes: as
I had lost sight in one eye and this is an excellent formula for eyes.
Over the next 8 months I took over 30 different products.
You need to start somewhere. Just trust them and use the tools like the Zyto
Scan or the Body Systems Questionnaire to help you decide which ones to use.
I owe a debt of
gratitude to Nature's Sunshine Products for my recovery and ongoing good
health. They have put the science,
research and quality into an exceptionally complete line of herbal products
which is why I recommend Nature's Sunshine to others. Used appropriately and
properly, their nutrient dense all-natural plant sourced herbal products simply
work.
Good health is a proactive, individual choice. The human
body requires basic elements consistent with its long evolution, yet western
society imposes inconsistent and incompatible influences on our ability to be
and stay healthy.
Today I'm playing the piano again, have 2 healthy grown
children, travel and own my own wellness centres. I am continuing my education and pursuing my
passion of helping others avoid what I had to endure through my counselling and
education programs.
2018 Update
It's now over 30 years since the crisis that landed me in
the hospital. Yes, the doctors diagnosed
Multiple Sclerosis in 1982 and the other diseases were to follow but I never took ownership of them, they were simply names of conditions I
worked very hard at healing naturally "Your
body has the amazing ability to naturally realign and heal itself, if you’d
just give it some basic attention!".
Questions:
Did you have people that
discouraged you from doing your herbal program?
Many people insisted that I go to the doctor. Some of my
best friends told me I was being taken for a ride by using herbal products to
heal. I decided that if they were not supportive of my choices I would just cut
ties.
Did you take pharmaceutical
drugs?
At first, I didn’t know any better, so I took them and they
just made me worse. I had to give them up. After taking them for 5 days my bed
would be turning, I had to crawl to the bathroom. The doctor told me it would
take 3 months for the drugs to work. My thought was that if it causes so many side
effects then how it could heal my body.
Did you feel improvement?
Very little. But I would celebrate my victories. If I had
spasms, then I would time them and find that they would not last as long as the
last time. So that was a victory. I did reflexology, I did ankle rotations and I
went to the chiropractor. I now work with one lady who could just now barely
move her toe, but she could move it and that is a victory.
How much did it cost?
For me there is no cost. We borrowed the money, so I could
do this program. I can’t put a price on it. If I am not healthy I can’t do
anything. I could not work without
health. I could not look after children without health. I would be a burden
without health. There is no cost. You are
never too old, you are never too young. And you need to stick to it. I decided
to do the program until it worked. I made a decision and I became involved in
taking control of my own health. I took courses and I got to know that nobody
could help me to get healthy but me. Money was not going to stop me from
getting healthy.
One day after doing the program for many months and still
seeing no results I called my Mom and I cried. I had spent all my money. I had
taken all my supplements. I was ready to give up. I cried all night. Then
something happened. During the night I got this inspiration. I would not quit,
I would not give up. Where would I be if I quit. I would do the program until
it worked.
What about taking drugs
for bladder and colon control like I do? Can you take herbs with them?
You just keep taking the drugs and add the herbs. As you
start to feel better you can decrease the drugs and increase the herbs. Herbs rebuild
your body. Its like mending a sock. It takes time for the herbs to build.
What about fear?
Feeling fear is normal. You really don’t know fear until you
are in a crisis. Its like going out in the night. You can’t see ahead, and you
don’t know what is coming. But just know one thing. If you are doing the right
thing your body will heal!
How long did it take?
From the time I was in a wheel chair it took a year to get
out of my wheel chair. During that time I took about 30 different products some
in very high doses..
Have you ever had an
MRI?
Yes, the last time I had an MRI was about 4 years ago for a totally
different reason. The doctor told me that my MS was progressing! Progressing???
I had been out of my wheel chair and walking for 20 year and he told me my MS
was progressing! That is when I decided to “walk
away!”
Sequel by Lorene
I know of someone who was diagnosed with MS just after Diane
was. She had been travelling and had a full slate of vaccinations; tetanus, cholera,
etc. She smoked and drank. Contrary to Diane she decided to take the medical
route. Today she could barely walk with no quality of life. Honor to Diane who took
charge of her own vision and today does have quality of life and is helping all
kinds of people overcome MS. Diane today owns 2 clinics.
Comment by Jean
Donna is a treasure. It had taken me 4 years of healing and
its always bit by bit. We’ve been taught to get a quick fix. Sometimes it’s just
a very slight change. I am not going backwards, I am 79 years old and bit by
bit I am getting there. I can’t expect it to happen overnight.
