The elephant in the room.

     We have been vegetarian for 17 years now, thanks to our daughter, Kate, who nudged us in this direction.  We had been vegan back in the 1970s for a year, but work, kids, and the lack of easily available sources of tofu, tempeh, soymilk, etc. discouraged us then.  We tried veganism off and on over the last 17 years, but believed the common lore about the value of probiotics in yogurt and Vit. B12 in eggs. 
     What has changed?   In August, 2010, my husband Dean had an emergency cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal) and was diagnosed with gall bladder cancer.   In Sept. he had major abdominal surgery followed by complications.  In Oct. we went to University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center for a 2nd opinion.  He had radiation therapy in Nov./Dec.  and is currently receiving chemotherapy which should last until sometime in May of this year.  He is doing pretty well; occasionally queasy, often tired, but maintaining his weight.  This is an uncommon cancer.  It doesn't respond well to available radiation and chemotherapies, but it has a high recurrence level, so Dean opted for both treatments anyway at his Doctor's recommendation.
     He is being treated at a Regional Cancer center.  We are really disappointed.  No one, not a single doctor or nurse, has made any recommendations for diet, exercise, or alternative therapies.  "Eat whatever you want, exercise however you want".   Apparently, there is no money to be made in patient education, nutrition, or stress reduction.  Thus we began our own search for answers.
     We have been eating a plant-based, whole food, nutritarian diet since Nov. 2010.  No white sugar, no white flour, no processed food.  Lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans.   It feels good to have the sweets monkey off of our backs...no more cravings.  Also, it feels good to take health back into our own hands, to play an active part in Dean's recovery, to do the most we can.  We were shell-shocked for 3 months, but the time for passivity is long gone. 
     The best book we've found is "The China Study" by Dr. T. Colin Campbell.  It is well researched, easy to read, and concise.   Also good were "Eat to Live" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman, and "Anti-Cancer: A New Way of Life" by Dr. David Servan-Schreiber.  Other authors to read are Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, Jr.,  Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr Neal Barnard, and Dr. John McDougall. 
     Their research results all agree...a plant based, whole foods diet is best.  It can prevent and even reverse many of the American diseases of affluence.  The SAD (standard American diet) is harming all of us.  But when relatives ask, "what's with the diet?" and we try to explain, they just get a glazed look in their eyes and change the subject.  I don't know why the American public is not getting any of this information.  It isn't just because they don't want to know.  Much blame can be laid on the  lobbying power of American agribusiness.
     I believe everyone should read Dr. Campbell's book to make educated decisions.   Maybe President Bill Clinton's change to this type of diet will have some influence.  We hope we can affect the dietary habits of our near and dear just a little, as well. 
     So, the elephant hiding in our lives is cancer.  But the elephant hiding in the living rooms of  America is just SAD.  (Standard American Diet).