I wanted to bring you this interview with Ella Zibitsker, a relative of mine who, when diagnosed with terminal cancer 11 years ago, used macrobiotics to restore her health. She has been an inspiration to us and I hope Ella’s story will provide some insight into macrobiotics and the power of alternative medicine. Jolanta Sonkin
Can you tell us a little about your terminal cancer diagnosis?
On August 6th, 1998 I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. At that time I didn’t even know that there was such a thing as cancer of the immune system. My family was stunned when 10 days later after a battery of tests the doctors concluded that my cancer had progressed to 4th stage and behaved aggressively. I was not offered any treatments and was told that I don’t have a chance; a pretty frightful prognosis…
Why did you choose macrobiotics over other alternative therapies?
I knew very little about alternative medicine, but I had a few of Andrew Weil’s books and tapes. In one of his books, Spontaneous Healing on page 54, there was a story about Al who had recovered from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma through macrobiotics. I thought I should learn more about it, so I immediately bought Michio Kushi’s book The Macrobiotic Way. I felt like I had discovered a new world, a world with logic and common sense. I began practicing macrobiotics and my health started coming back. It was incredible to experience the power of food and see how the disease changes into health. I realized that simple things such as a healthy appetite, regular body functions, and a good night's sleep actually are the major signs of health.
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