No Animal Ingredients For Me

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.