Sometimes I’m so angry about the state of health in this country. I live in Washington, D.C., so keep in mind that when you read my blog, it’s American based. I understand that most western countries are in the same boat.
I notice a lady on the other side of the coffee shop and she has me thinking about my boyfriend’s mom, Maria, who passed away in March. I write this post with tears in my eyes because if it weren’t for multiple experiences with cancer, his mother would probably still be here.
His dad also had cancer. As did my stepmom. In addition, my daughter’s father’s parents both have cancer (and got it at the same time last year).
Cancer is rampant. But why?
The lady in the shop has short gray hair, glasses, blue sneakers, and endless gestures as she talks to two women a couple decades younger than her. They arrived with gift bags and excitement. I’m happy for them.
Health is my favorite topic to learn about and discuss. Sharing nutrition and health tips with other humans is why I think I’m alive. But when I heavy-heartedly remember those who suffered the most raging disease in the country, and one of the most horrifically treated diseases, thinking about health becomes a dense and ugly topic, where writing about it feels like stabbing myself in the heart.
I never got the pleasure of meeting my boyfriend’s dad, and when I met his mom, she’d already been through the ringer of treatments and was suffering their long-term effects.
According to the National Cancer Institute, “Cancer is a disease caused when cells divide uncontrollably and spread into surrounding tissues. Cancer is caused by changes to DNA. Most cancer-causing DNA changes occur in sections of DNA called genes.”
In Mexico, you can get B vitamins injected into your veins, and it cures cancer. That treatment is banned in America. Economists say that if the American cancer treatment industry went under, America’s economy would crash.
I have no doubt that’s one of the reasons so many people are diagnosed with cancer. I also have no doubt that’s why various industries (food, medicine, cigarette/alcohol etc.) that are known to cause cancer hardly have any regulations. Can’t buy cigs till you’re 21 now? That’s great. Get one from someone else.
If this country cared about its citizen’s health, they wouldn’t have given out free donuts and cheeseburgers in exchange for biceps during the Covid vaccine era.
I thought this post would turn into some type of helpful tool, but I think it more so helped me connect deeper with my sadness for the state of health in America, which is my Why- my reason for wanting to help humans with their health.
My Why is also the reason for starting this blog, and my reason for living. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m in a lifetime committed relationship with health. There will be ups and downs, deep sad emotions for where we are, alongside elated emotions whenever I help a client, coworker, or loved one have a healthy win.
I look at this lady from across the room and have no doubt that Maria would still be here had she not been ill so many times, smiling and gesturing the beautiful day away.