My name is Jess Ainscough and I am an Australian writer, blogger and certified holistic health coach. Each day I use this online soapbox to preach all about natural health and healing, organic beauty, meditation, inspirational bits and pieces and delicious, healthy organic plant-based wholefoods.

 

What gives me the right to get all preachy, you say? Well it’s a long story. Hands up who wants to hear it? I can’t actually see you, so for the sake of this post I’m just going to assume you raised your hand and get on with it. Alrighty then …

 

Almost four years ago I was diagnosed with a very aggressive, rare form of cancer called Epithelioid Sarcoma, in my left hand and arm. After having a high dose of chemo pumped through my arm following scans showed I was clear of cancer. Little did I know it would come back, not even a year after going into remission. After being told by the scary men in white coats that my only real chance of long-term survival would be to have my arm amputated at the shoulder I decided to take matters into my own hands (excuse the pun). I politely refused their offers of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation and began searching for natural, alternative cancer treatments.

 

The way I saw it I had two choices. I could rely on the slash, poison and burn method offered to me by the medical profession and become stuck in the ‘cancer patient’ category for who knows how long, or I could take responsibility for my illness and bring my body to optimum health so that it can heal itself. For me it was an easy decision. Chemo and radiation do not have great success on the type of cancer I have, and there is no way I’m going to let them cut my arm off.

 

The good news: I will be healthy, happy and have two arms. The catch: everything about life as I know it would change dramatically. I quit my magazine job in Sydney, swapping a lifestyle of back-to-back parties for one of relaxation and meditation. Ditching a diet that consisted mostly of champagne, canapés and late night Lean Cuisine I became a carrot juice guzzling, lentil-loving vego. I packed up and moved back to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland to live with my family and began devoting all my time and energy to restoring my health.

 

My reasons for starting this here blog are four fold:

1. It will give me something to break up my monotonous daily routine of juicing, eating and meditating.
2. It’s an efficient way to keep my family and friends posted on my progress.
3. To share the things I’m learning about health and healing with those in a similar situation.
4. As a personal favour to his holiness the Dalai Lama. *

* This is a lie, clearly.

 

Being told you have cancer is a massive shock and it is incredibly difficult at times, but it is also a huge wake up call. As tough as it is, dealing with a serious illness gives you the unique opportunity to make the most of the here and now. As someone very wise once said to me, “Cancer is a gift wrapped in a shitty package.” The only way to get through it is to keep smiling and take one day at a time.

 

Now add me to your favourites, subscribe to my newsletter, follow me on Facebook and Twitter and check in whenever you get a chance.

Happy healing!

 

 

 

 

Want to know more about me?

Read Bringing Us Closer: 20 Little Known Things About Me.

 

DISCLAIMER

This blog is based on my personal healing journey which I am sharing for educational and informational purposes only. Please consult your own doctor or healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment for you.