Update 12/11/09

Hi everyone,

We are now home from our ten day retreat at Ian Gawler's Yarra Valley Living Centre. We are refreshed, energised, well informed and......almost vegan! Each day was jam packed full of interesting and dynamic concepts, discussions and tutorials. Our days began at 7:45 am with meditation and ended in the same way at almost 9pm! In between was filled with tutorials covering all of the following topics; meditation, diet & nutrition, brain training, pain management, food preparation, causes of cancer, dynamic contemplation, cracking the medical code, living & dying, forgiveness, healing the past, healing & imagery, spirituality & healing, mind- body medicine, connections through voice and awareness through movement. It was extremely 'full on' and confronting, but at the same time so engaging and completely fascinating. As you can imagine, from all the information given to us, not only did we learn so much about cancer (causes, treatments, management & prevention) but also so much about ourselves. Luckily Tim and I have no problem being open and willing to share so much of ourselves. This enabled us to gain maximum benefit from all the group discussions and come to some massive realisations.

Other features of the residential program included yoga, deep relaxation, massage, yoga breathing, qigong ( tai chi), garden tours ( featuring a demonstration of constructing a 'no dig' vegetable garden) and of course the main focus meditation (which we were guided through several times a day).

The property is spectacular and we were so fortunate to have beautiful weather to stroll around the gardens and see the wildlife up close and personal, namely a mob of kangaroos, a couple of deer and the resident wombat and koala. The bird life was magical and everyday I spotted a bunny hopping across the lane. We really did feel like we had escaped the 'real world'. It is hard to believe that we survived 10 days without meat or any animal products, no tv, no newspapers, no alcohol, no caffeine and no children!!!!! Funnily enough we did it well.....however we did sneak in a phone call to the kids everyday!

We met wonderful people, from all the facilitators to the other sufferers and support people. There were 40 of us in total. Tim and I were the youngest after a lovely man from N.Z (aged 26) had to leave on day 4 as he was in severe pain. Like us, he too had two little boys, 3 and 15 months. Unfortunately his health was not good and we found out later that his terrible pain was in fact a spread to his jaw and shoulder. The group felt so sad to see him go, however it was obvious in the end that he needed urgent medical attention. Most of the participants were from interstate and N.Z and all at various stages with their disease, some currently cancer free, some with active cancer but under control, some palliative. The people were so friendly, happy and fun loving that at times you did forget that everyone was sick. But then a wig was removed and a painful grimace revealed to remind us of why we were all there....

So what will change in the lives of Mr. Tim and Andrea Hamilton??????

Firstly, would have to be the importance of finding the space and time everyday to still the mind through meditation. We have learnt that time put aside for this everyday has enormous benefits, especially for boosting the immune system, creating a natural balance within and giving the mind a rest. This deep stillness where the mind is free of reaction and free of judgement creates a clear mind, where stress levels decrease and good choices are more likely to be made.

Since living in the real world again, we have not been able to meditate as frequently as we had hoped ( which was twice a day) so once a day is a more realistic goal, given we have such a busy life with the children.

Secondly, is the importance of a nutritional wholefood diet. The diet at Gawler's is essentially vegan, with a few extra restrictions including salt, refined sugar and most oils ( except flaxseed and a tiny amount of olive oil). It is an incredibly restrictive diet, however, if your body is dealing with active cancer, there is a very good reason for it. Off the menu was beef, chicken, fish, eggs, butter or marg, black tea, coffee, yogurt, cream, cows milk ,cheese, alcohol and very little fruit. So really, what ate for 10 days was rolled oats, dark rye spelt flour bread, brown rice and pasta, vegetables and salads. Added to this was the vital part of the Gawler diet, being 7 fresh vegetable juices a day. The idea behind such a diet is to create a cancer unfriendly environment within the body. Cancer apparently feeds off fats and sugars, so it was made very important to us to have next to none in your diet when dealing with active cancer. Cancer is hindered by high cellular oxygen levels (which can be found in juices ), high potassium/low sodium levels ( bananas are good and no salt) and a high alkaline/ low acid balance ( caution with oranges and acid foods). Foods that have anti cancer properties include: (there are loads more) cabbage, pomegranate, raspberries, turmeric, tomato and broccoli, so it is important to add as many of these in as possible.

Tim found the diet very difficult to begin with, but I am very pleased to say having been home one week now, that he has maintained a very healthy diet and has maintained the dramatic changes that were made on the retreat. For the most part we intend to adopt a vegetable based, whole food diet, however we do intend to still eat a small amount of meat as long as it is not processed like some sausages and salami.

Tim starts the day now with an organic home made wholegrain muesli that includes rye flakes, rolled barley, rolled oats, almonds and sultanas with oat milk and a carrot juice. Lunch has varied from salad sandwiches on organic spelt rye bread to rice paper rolls to sushi to miso soup with a pomegranate juice and dinner usually a consists of a pasta, rice or noodle based dish with vegetables and/or tofu. These changes are big for Tim who prior to getting sick, had no breakfast, a coffee at 7.30am, a couple of dim sims at 10.30, lunch varied from a pie, sandwich or schnitzel burger, a couple of beers at knock off, home for dinner and then a couple more beers. I am so pleased to see Tim care for himself in such a healthier way and make these changes to ensure he gives himself the best opportunity to kick cancer for good.

We sincerely hope that you won't be too scared to invite us for a meal again!! We still feel it is important to live life and enjoy and indulge from time to time!

There is no doubt that our experience at Yarra Junction was life changing and has left a remarkable impression on us both. Dr Ian Gawler is truly inspirational, unique and the most disciplined human being I have ever encountered. He speaks with such honesty and insight that you feel compelled to record everything he says. It is no wonder he defied the odds to go on to live a long, healthy and enriching life. His positive, calm, intuitive and extremely determined persona is inspirational and a force to be reckoned with. Cancer had no chance with him and I am feeling very positive that Tim will find himself in a very similar position. Blood tests on Monday revealed a rise in all counts which really validates the integrated approach.

Tim has recommenced chemo this week and I am also very happy to let you all know that he has had another great bone marrow biopsy result!

Hope you like the photos below. The boys didn't miss us one little bit!!!!