What is Polycythemia vera?
Polycythemia vera (PV, PCV) (also known as erythremia, primary polycythemia and polycythemia rubra vera) is a myeloproliferative blood cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many red blood cells. It may also result in the overproduction of white blood cells and platelets.
Most of the health concerns associated with polycythemia vera are caused by the blood being thicker as a result of the increased red blood cells.
The Healing Process:
I was totally backed into a corner~ take a daily chemotherapy pill for the rest of my life or change my diet. And, while I knew I didn’t want to go the path of chemo, changing my foods sounded just as awful. My sister found a macrobiotic counselor who had healed her own blood disease through food, and deep down, I really knew it made sense. I left my first appointment with this counselor though, telling her I didn’t want to change my food. It took me over a year of really feeling sick and desperate, to make my way back to her, begging for her help.
My first meal was so simple. Brown rice, lentils with onions and wakame and kale, and surprisingly, I loved it! It made me realize how much my body needed REAL food, and I knew I could do this. At that time, I didn’t know how to cook and didn’t particularly want to, but this was what I had to do. Sugar was my biggest obstacle, but each day, I made my own desserts with brown rice syrup and only ate them at night after dinner. It took a long time to feel detached from my sugar addiction, but I really loved my new desserts, and they kept me completely satisfied and comforted.
Healing was all about detoxing and even though I knew I was getting better, it was difficult. Within just a couple of weeks though, it felt like a fog was lifted from my brain, and while it took longer to fully recover and change my health, it happened! After only 4 months, my blood counts were significantly lower and I knew I was on the right path. Becoming sick doesn’t happen overnight, and unfortunately, neither does our healing. My new food choices allowed my brain the clarity to see what things in my life needed my attention, and it was the first time in my life that I really felt great.
Getting “Me” Back:
It’s been over 16 years since I was diagnosed with Polycythemia vera, and truthfully, I only wanted to change my diet until I got better. My diet is much more open now, but I NEVER wanted to go back to the processed foods of my past. Real food empowers your body and brain, and it makes you centered and happy. It made me a different person and healed my body! I want to help show others the power of the foods we eat and how they truly create our health.
