My Story - Part 2

After I came home from the hospital, my parents started gathering information on natural remedies that could help me. One of the family friends recommended a naturapath that, she claimed, cured her mother from diabetes. We didn't have anything to lose at that point and went to see him. He was a very interesting person; I don't even remember his name now. He got involved in natural remedies and "alternative" medicine, because at one point in his life he was diagnosed with incurable cancer. He developed his own treatment program and cured himself of cancer. At least the xrays showed no malignant growth when he came back for his check ups.

He suggested that I should do several things. First, he asked that I stop eating sugar, salt and fried foods. He told me to eat lots of seafood, fruits, vegetables and juices. Any other meat had to be baked or boiled (as well as other foods). He also told me to take "moomiyo". I don't know how to correctly translate it from Russian, but it's a brownish, sap like subsance. It occurs naturally in the mountains in certain regions of Russia and it is believed to possess many healing properties. I took it internally and used in poltices. He also recommended that I apply clay poltices on my knees and ankles. We used white bentonite clay and mixed it with horsetail tincture.

So I started my regiment following that man's advice. We went to see him periodically, and I also went for some physical therapy at the local hospital. It didn't happen right away, but after 2 - 3 months the swelling in my joints started to go down. My blood work also improved and all markers started returning to normal. I stayed at home that whole time, but in the Spring, around April I remember going back to school. It took a while for the swelling to disappear completely and to regain most of my mobility. I remember it was such a joy to start running again. After months of being quite immobile, I almost forgot how to do it. My parents discouraged me to play any sports; they tool a look better care of my knees than I did. From then on I always had to keep in mind that I had to take care of my joints, my health.

I also remember having a lot of faith in myself and my parents and everyone that helped me. I had faith that I would get better. I just had to and there was no other way. I never doubted that I wouldn't...