Darleen Dannenberg
Hagerstown, MD
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*Editor's Note: Many people have asked us if the Diet works for lupus. We have had a
few cases of "Yes". This lady has been on the Diet since the
since the late 1970's. If you wish to contact her: 11014 Coffman
Ave. Hagerstown, MD 21740-7617
I started with Arthritis in my late twenties. I thought I would end up in
a nursing home before 35 years. I was bed-ridden and my young husband had
to work two jobs to pay for my medicine. The doctors talked of replacing
my joints in my hands and knees, but I would not hear of it. I would drag
myself with my elbows to let my two small dogs out. They seemed to be my
only friends at that time. It is funny, but when one is so very sick it
seems no one wants to have anything to do with you. I assume they think
all you will do is talk about your pains. The doctors from Baltimore said
I had about ten years to live, the lupus was progressing so rapidly. Then
one day a farmer gentleman in our congregation told me about Dr. Childers in the
Organic Gardening magazine. I read the article (about 1977) and sent for
more information. Dr. Childers sent me a nice letter and a questionnaire
to complete. Right away I went "cold turkey". I gave up
the nightshades, stayed away from any smoking (I never did myself), and started
to exercise even though I hurt. In two weeks I was walking around clumsily
and doing a little cleaning around the house. Then, gradually I started
doing more. As the months passed, I noticed the red butterfly rash
disappeared, my hands started to straighten up and I could walk down to the
mailbox (about 60 ft) without having to stop and hold onto the fence. Then
one day one of my little dogs grabbed something and ran away from me as he
usually did, but this time without thinking, for the first time in his life, I
chased him. You should have seen the look on his face and mine.
Then, I turned around and walked into the house and threw away all my
pills. From then on, I painted the inside of the house (I never did like
the colors), I worked on the landscape, and just couldn't stop working. I
was so happy to be able to do things. Gradually, over the years I have
learned which foods bother me and which foods bother me and which foods have
nightshades in them as well as vitamins D3 and palmitate ester A and
everything you talk about in your Newsletters. I can't wait for your
Newsletters to learn what is new. It is encouraging to read the stories of
others. I also have learned that sugar bothers me and the chemicals in
meat, cheese, fowl, and prepared foods. Now, I basically eat beans,
legumes, vegetables, fruits, grains and nuts. People put me down for the
way I eat and my discipline, my daily exercising- but if I don't do it, I feel
it. Besides, I am much more healthful now than they are. I am past
menopause and do not take estrogen. I refuse to take any medicine unless
it is absolutely necessary. I have adopted a big dog that needs exercise
so I have to walk with him every day and my husband gets with us and eats like
me most of the time. I know I live life as disciplined as in the Army, but
the other way is not a life, it is a "living death" for me. I
know I cannot eat what I would like just for its pleasure, but the pleasure of
life for me is a long walk, a beautiful sunset, a twig you plant and it grows
into a big beautiful tree you get under for shade, your pets who stay with you
and love you even when you are all crippled up. But the most pleasure I
get in life is the finding of Dr. Childers who saved my life, then telling
others about it and later watching them start walking without a can and run with
their grandchildren. Somebody up there loves me.
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