Trying
to stay true to my natural, vegan beliefs is challenging when it comes to
western medicine. There seems to be a pill or shot readily available for even
the most minor of discomforts. In America, we counter the side effects of drugs
with other drugs, and we’re never meant to endure any aches or irritations, no
matter how small (or how useful in sending signals to your brain to act
accordingly). Sadly, many of the drugs we use are derived from animals, and
most of them have been tested on animals. And just in case you imagine these
unfortunate animals enjoying picturesque blissful lives where their
fluids/parts are nicely taken from them—that’s not even close to reality. I
invite you to educate yourself on the truth.
Just
like a Christian who walks a path of kindness, forgiveness, sin-free actions
and church-filled Sundays, I too hold my beliefs close to my heart and clenched
tight as a guide for every decision. And just like any other set of values,
they are challenged at times more than others. For me, this is one of those
times. With this new diagnosis (and consequent new direction of my life), I
find myself pulling my beliefs in, holding them close and fiercely embracing
them (seriously—if PETA called me up and asked me to exploit myself and my
illness in some grand display to educate people on animal testing, I’d ask, “Which
sign do I hold?”).
Usually
asking a western-minded professional about animal testing or animal ingredients,
triggers eye-rolling and disrespectful dismissing. But, so far voicing my
wishes to avoid any medications/supplements that are derived from animals with
the 4 oncologists I’ve seen, has been met with due concern and assistance in
research. When my original oncologist prescribed vitamin D3 to boost my immune
system strength, I called the nurse back and asked for D2 (ergocalciferol, derived from fungi) instead since D3 (cholecalciferol) is extracted from sheep. Below average levels of Vitamin D are quite common in the Pacific Northwest and two doctors have told me recently that they have never seen normal Vitamin D levels in their patients in all their respective years practicing medicine here. Most doctors will prescribe Vitamin D3 first because it has a better absorption rate. But with a simple request to the doctor (and a side of educating their nursing staff), you can get the supplement you need while sparing the animals.
Apparently,
oncologists have a checklist of things that a patient recently diagnosed with
breast cancer must do. And when mine said I needed a flu shot “today” so I don’t
get the flu during chemotherapy, I immediately protested. I don’t get sick, I
never get the flu, I’ve avoided the flu shot for years, and I’m healthy (says
the cancer patient). But she insisted. I said no, and that the flu vaccine
contains animal derived ingredients. She said that can’t be right, that other
countries who oppose eating animals use this flu vaccine. I pushed and she eventually
looked it up in front of us and sure enough—the flu vaccine is made from eggs
and their suffering hosts, chickens. HA—I knew it! Not that this is anything to
celebrate. Chickens are abused by the billions for meat, eggs, and apparently
flu vaccines. I was just happy that for once, I schooled someone who is far
more educated and intelligent than me. So that was it, no further discussion.
She knew she had lost and that this “patient” wasn’t receiving the vaccine. In
her defeat, she cautioned, “but you better not get the flu during chemotherapy!”
No
one is a purist and no one (certainly not in America) can exist without causing
some measurement of harm to others. But that shouldn’t stop us from standing
up, educating and avoiding known suffering when we can. Each day is a challenge
to not only dodge products and practices that hurt animals (although, I find
that extremely easy and natural), but to stand up and—not to sound cliché—be their
voice. It’s not always easy to be the single weirdo who refuses a piece of cake
at a birthday celebration because it’s made of animal secretions. But at the
end of the day, I am empowered and proud of who I am.
Your bravery is astonishing.
ReplyDeleteI'm proud of Amy, too!
ReplyDeleteThat was badass
ReplyDelete
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