Success Story by Diane diagnosed with MS
Has Now Been Out of Her Wheel Chair for 36 Years!
The MRI doctor said it had progressed?? “That’s when I decided to walk away.”
Transcript of Conference call August 13th, 2018
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 onto 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, it was not the help I needed and I was afraid that accepting it would have meant I gave up hope of recovery. I felt that as difficult as walking was, I was better to try – at least this would keep my body moving.
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 surely 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 Nodosum
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 my neurologist that specializes only in MS, 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 and frustrated by that 5th label!
So, I began researching natural modalities and remedies.
When we get sick, it is usually not overnight – often it is just the final drop that makes the vase overflow. 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, Erythema nodosum, 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 critical part of my maintenance program and my natural health practice. These were core products I took:
Bod-e-Detox to support my chronic intestinal problem, my liver and my colon.
I-X: it is fantastic for numbness and tingling, for energy and for circulation, especially to the head.
Stress Formula: it has lots of B’s in proper ratio, C’s with bioflavonoids and herbs to nourish the nervous system.
Super Oil: is a balanced blend of good fats: including even primrose, linseed (flax), cold pressed salmon, lecithin, vitamin E, and lemon, all combined to heal the myelin sheath.
Herbal Ca: a herbal combination very high in calcium and magnesium and all the minerals required for better absorption; it is also great for spasms.
K: to strengthen and tone my bladder; I would get up 10 times a night to go to the bathroom and I took high amounts about 12 a day, then I lowered dose as improvement continued. To this day, I do not need any for maintenance.
Perfect Eyes: as I had lost sight in one eye and this is an excellent formula for eyes.
During the last crisis, 1991-92, for 18 months I took over 30 different products, at different times. You need to start somewhere. Just trust the herbs and use the tools that an NSP specialist can offer, like the Zyto Compass 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.
I also owe an immense debt of gratitude to my friend and mentor Gail Pyke, the lady who guided me in 1991-92. She was extremely strong in her convictions and what she believed. She helped me, motivated me, and even inspired me to re-train and do what I do today.
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 , teach others how to be healthy 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 36 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 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. I had done everything that the doctors had asked of me with no success – doctors had nothing more to offer me at that point, except a dismal future. 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. As difficult as that was, I felt it was necessary.
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 question of 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 long as you experience no interactions. 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 do the right thing and come back to health and balance!
What did Diane mean by “clean diet”?
No processed foods. Eat as close to nature as you can. Organic, non-GMO. Lots of vegies. The dietary suggestions in Lorene’s book for healing cancer is an excellent resource for healing all conditions. This article gives a summary: Optimum Diet for Health
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 as expected! Progressing??? I had been out of my wheel chair and walking for 20 years and he told me my MS was progressing! That is when I decided to “walk away!”
Comment by Lorene
A person I know 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 and followed the SAD diet. Contrary to Diane, she decided to take the medical route, including drugs. She tried a few herbs, but with little commitment. Today she is so structurally deformed she can barely walk even with a walker, is mostly in a wheelchair. Although she has a very positive attitude, she has low quality of life. Honour 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 and so many other health challenges.
Comment by Jean :
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 79 years old and bit by bit I am getting there. I can’t expect it to happen overnight. “It is never too late! ”
Please contact Lorene Benoit if you wish to start improving your health. She has worked as a herbalist since 1982 and specialized in Nature’s Sunshine herbs, those used by Diane, since 1991. She promotes staying well and following basic health programs for your wellness insurance.
As Diane says, “I can’t put a price on it. If I am not healthy I can’t do anything.” Health needs to be our Number ONE Priority!
Our gratitude to Diane for sharing her personal experience. I have had the honour of staying with Diane many times when teaching Tree of Light Herbal Certification in Mississauga, where Diane has one of her Healthy You Naturally clinics. I have seen her healthy lifestyle, met her two beautiful daughters and her husband. Thanks also to Donna Roth for arranging this interview with Diane.