Doug's Story

Doug’s wife Liz phoned on Saturday night wondering whether they should still travel to Cedarvale the following day. He had taken another turn. Doug had been told he had end stage ischaemic cardiomyopathy. Having had his first heart attack at age 49 and a subsequent quadruple bypass followed by a coronary artery stent, Doug had been told there was nothing else that could be done for him. Struggling with obesity, diabetes, osteoarthritis, gout, depression and chronic pain Doug had all but given up on life. His funeral plan had been put in order and he had done his best to make sure his beloved wife Liz would be taken care of after he passed away.

I spoke to Doug at length. Earlier in the day his oxygen saturation levels had been dropping down as low as 88% but he was now feeling better and able to hold a conversation. Could we possibility still help him? After a detailed conversation I felt Doug was about as stable as he was ever going to be to make the journey to Cedarvale. Both Doug and Liz knew the risks. They felt our program was his only hope.

On meeting Doug, it was clear that his hold on life was tenuous. He had a plethoric complexion, walked slowly with forearm crutches and became breathless with exertion. Doug was unable to sleep in a bed but had to lie in a recliner sitting up. His large abdominal girth and heart failure caused him to feel breathless when lying down.

Doug’s first supervised walk was around the car park. That was enough for one day. I encouraged him to work on gradually building up during his stay with us. Doug loved to cook and eat. Up to this point the kind of foods he had been eating had been his downfall. Doug realized a significant change was needed and with great enthusiasm embraced a whole foods plant-based diet. He set about learning how to prepare heart healthy recipes under the patient tuition of Greg, our chef. The food was a real winner as far as Doug and his wife were concerned. They couldn’t believe it tasted so good!

As the days went by some incredible changes began to take place. Doug got rid of his forearm crutches and began to walk independently. His blood oxygen levels returned to normal and his blood sugar levels began to drop. During his three-week stay Doug’s insulin levels were reduced to less than a third of what they had been. Then Doug began to get woozy. This was somewhat unnerving for Doug and Liz after he had been doing so well. His blood pressure was too low, a positive side effect of Doug’s weight loss. Medications were reviewed. Two needed to be ceased and another two needed to be reduced. Doug and Liz were amazed that such dramatic changes could take place in such a short time.

When Doug left Cedarvale after his three week stay he was 8 kg lighter, able to take an afternoon nap on a bed and was walking up to 1 km a day. Doug’s pain levels had reduced dramatically, he reported he was thinking much more clearly and his complexion was now ruddy rather than being plethoric.

Doug and Liz left Cedarvale with hope, inspired by the dramatic changes that can occur when simple lifestyle changes are made in accordance with our design.

 

Three month progress report:

Doug and Liz recently returned 3 months later for a weekend at Cedarvale. At this point Doug was 24 kg lighter, his blood pressure was now normal, his angina had resolved and he had stopped 5 medications. Along with this, Doug’s kidney function was back to normal, his liver function tests had greatly improved and his cholesterol was excellent. Doug visited his cardiologist for an echocardiogram and was told his heart was now pumping normally.

 

Ten month progress report:

Doug’s is now 35 kg lighter, has stopped all diabetes medications and has been advised by his GP that he no longer meets the diagnostic criteria for diabetes. His vascular surgeon recently advised him that the blocked arteries in his legs are now opening up again. Previously no one would operate on Doug. Recently Doug had surgery on his feet to treat Charcot’s arthropathy – a complication of his previously advanced diabetes. He has made a great recovery and is looking forward to improved mobility. Doug’s next goal now is to get his driver’s license back – something that had been taken away due to concerns he might drop dead at any moment.

- by Dr. Paul Wood

A phone call with Doug and Liz on the 9/11/2017 to see how Doug is going - now 17 months since Doug first arrived at Cedarvale, has Doug saying he is going really well. He had surgery to stabilise his right foot in April of this year and this went really well. In October this year Doug has finally had surgery on his left foot - and again this is going well. He loves to garden every day, spend time with his family, and is even doing some part-time ministry work again. 

Doug is still hoping to receive back his drivers licence and is having an echocardiograph on the 23rd Nov which will determine if this is possible. The progress of Doug is still on-going and is cetainly exciting to follow and clearly highlights the amazing healing properties which God has placed in whole plant foods as well as the healing found in living an holistic lifestyle.

To God be the Glory!

Julie Higgins

Registered Nurse

Lifestyle Consultant