Elizabeth DiLiberto (form completed by mother)
Staten Island, NY
Elizabeth was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) in July 2006 by a colonoscopy. Symptoms included daily rectal bleeding (anywhere from one to four times a day – with each bowel movement), severe joint pain, abdominal distress, headaches, fevers, nausea. She had been administered a “cocktail” of drugs in a variety of forms – liquid, pills, and enemas. So far we have had no success in getting her into remission to date. She had symptoms in September that were briefly or seemingly under control (for a month) by prednisone that spiraled out of control shortly after. Since December 1, 2007, she once again is bleeding rectally every day. The drugs are awful. They had an effect mentally, emotionally, and physically on my child (Elizabeth).
We are currently trying macrobiotics: a change of food has provided some initial relief from the pain. The meditation and soft music is relaxing. The tape of “how to chew your food” is an excellent way of slowing someone down and getting them to digest most of the meal before it hits the intestines and they have to do all the difficult work! She (Elizabeth) is currently taking prednisone, but at a lower dosage. The goal is to eliminate the drugs from her body altogether.
One particular change happened within the 2nd day, although very briefly, I was extremely pleased. My daughter had some color on her face. She’s been pale for over six months. I would definitely recommend this to others.
When a person gets sick in the house, everyone’s life is affected! Not just that person. Concrete plans should be made and followed through. When changes are made with diet etc. everyone should attempt to join in to make it (at least initially) easier for the sick individual. Give them support, encouragement. Tell them how difficult this is and they’re doing a terrific job in attempting to get better naturally.
I came to Ki of Life Learning Center in TN with my daughter Elizabeth, age 7, on January 12, 2007. It is now January 24, 2007 – 2 weeks later, and we are leaving to go back to Staten Island, NY. My daughter Elizabeth has ulcerative colitis and before we came here we tried two different gastro doctors, a variety of drugs including prednisone, alfuzosin, and rectal enema and she did not seem to be getting any better. She would have ended up back in the hospital getting another colonoscopy and perhaps getting higher doses of prednisone through an IV to get the rectal bleeding under control (which may cause damage to the organs). As a parent I did NOT want this for my daughter. Since she was diagnosed in July 2006, I watched my little girl’s body change : weight loss, pale skin, and sunken eyes were some of the physical changes but the internal changes that no one could see were worse. Debilitating pain in the abdomen, joints (knees, ankles, and elbows), fevers and headaches. In addition she spent a good portion of the day in the bathroom. In the two weeks we have been here, Ginny Harper, Ki of Life Learning Center (KOLLC) Founder, as well as author of “Controlling Crohn’s Disease”, which addresses IBS diseases such as Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s, has helped my daughter’s health by using a macrobiotic diet. The results were truly remarkable. She looks well and feels really good! Her (Ginny’s) staff is warm and attentive to the needs of not only the patient but the parents as well. Macrobiotics is just not about food. It’s a way of life!
