Back from Europe

Hello again. Sorry about the long silence, but I've been away in Europe (Germany and Greece), and upon my return, I needed some time to get back to normal before sitting down in front of my laptop to continue this blog.
Southern Germany was lush, green, and orderly. What I enjoyed most: Early morning walks along the edge of the forest (the birds were incredibly vocal!); biking on dedicated bike paths; walking a short section of the Jakobsweg (a pilgrims' route that eventually spills into the well-known Camino de Santiago); the huge salad bar at Bio-Hotel Eggensberger (www.eggensberger.de) in Bavaria, singing folk songs with my friend Rita, who accompanied us on her guitar; mom saving the first ripe strawberry from the garden for me; dad lighting a candle for me in a church in Bavaria; swimming in the Freibad (outdoor pool) in Schwaebisch Gmuend (50-metre, eight lane pool, plus a separate recreational pool, a diving pool, lazy river and waterslide -- all stainless steel!)
What I struggled with: compromised diet (not as many fruits and veggies as I would have liked. Mom's garden wasn't ready yet to yield its goodies except for lettuce and strawberries.) Having to find alternatives to breads, pastries, and cold cuts (my substitutes: pumpernickel bread, cheese, tomatoes, radishes, and sometimes green salad). I admit that this dilemma was partially my fault. I found it too much effort to acquire the ingredients necessary to cook my own recipes, especially since the local food store had a limited selection on fruits and produce.
I enjoyed Greece, even though my experience was limited to one island: Samos. What I liked the most: Swimming in the Mediterranean at Kokkari (refreshing!), the profusion of flowers; the white-washed houses with blue shutters; the pedestrian-friendly towns (many streets and alleys could only accommodate pedestrians or a motorscooter); Greek salad with a slab of feta on top; hiking to mountain villages; the beautiful Greek Orthodox churches; the Greek word Kalimera (Good Morning).
Now I am glad to be back in the Rockies (spring has finally arrived), and to my green smoothies and yummy low-glycemic foods. The kale in the garden is growing, and we already harvested some awesome spinach. At a later date, I hope to talk a bit more about nutrition and cancer.
On June 12 I had a meeting with my oncologist to find out the results of some diagnostic tests I had right after my return from Europe. Well, the results were not exactly what I had hoped for, but I am feeling well, eating well, sleeping well, so it's best not too worry too much.
I've probably said this before, but I say it again: do not give cancer too much power (I now call my cancer "the little wake-up puppy that barks once in a while to keep me on my toes). Don't spend too much time thinking about it, and mulling over medical test results. Of course it is important to research your options, and to make a treatment decision that's right for you, but once that's done, then let it go and move on. Recently, I have been feeling impatient to get the medical stuff and the treatment decisions out of the way, so that I can focus on things that have become much more important, and rewarding for me: doing inner work (I'm starting a book called The Presence Process -- more about it at a later date), meditating, connecting with God (I am re-reading Thomas Keating's books on Centering Prayer), and sharing experiences and insights with wise and inspiring individuals, some of them cancer survivors themselves.
What else have I learnt so far? That my body is like a newborn baby that needs lots of TLC. I need to feed it properly, treat it with kindness, and listen to and respond to its voice, no compromises allowed. I am convinced that complete healing from cancer is possible. I've heard enough stories now of people who have done it. This is encouraging and comforting. Wow, I don't even need to be a pioneer. However, for most of the"cured" individuals, healing did not occur from medical treatment. They had to find their own path, requiring lifestyle and diet changes, and doing deep inner work that led to emotional and spiritual transformation. I know this sounds esoteric to most people, but living with cancer has definitely enabled me to stretch my beliefs.
So, I keep moving along on this winding road, trusting in the Creator, and acknowledging the speed bumps and potholes as necessary signs that occasionally new decisions need to be made, and new lessons to be learnt.