CHAPTER 3

A Detour in My Journey

I came across a book written by Dr. John R Lee titled "What the Doctors May Not Tell You About HRT" and it was mind altering. At this time I was taking a medication apparently manufactured from pregnant mares urine, and hence the drugs name Premarin - I kid you not, pregnant horses urine - and which Dr Lee strongly advised anyone against taking. I urge you to grab a copy of this book or any books written by Dr Lee on HRT if you need information on what is happening to your body, first chance you can get. Press here for all John R Lee books.

I actually read it over a weekend and it impacted on me so much so that I struggled every night there after to put a Premarin tablet in my mouth. It was like swallowing poison. I dreaded the night after night battle to swallow that tablet until in the end I just couldn't do it any more. I consulted my doctor, told him how I felt about the Premarin and asked him if there was any way I could purchase the natural medicines Dr Lee recommended. His answer was not what I wanted to hear. Basically it was a 'no'.

Dr. Lee and his medication were in America. The Australian TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) did not authorise its importation - it did not meet the stringent Australian testing codes of manufacture. The only way I possibly could get my hands on the medication would be to get a 'friend' in New Zealand to import it there as their import restrictions on natural medications are not as strict, and then get the 'friend' to send it to me personally. This was not something I wanted to do, as apart from being highly unethical, it also placed my New Zealand 'friend' in the rather precarious position of being an accomplice to an illegal trade into Australia of a forbidden product - and besides that, I had another issue..... I didn't even have a New Zealand 'friend' to start with.

So I had no choice but to continue with the line of drugs that Dr Lee advised against, or take nothing at all. My doctor strongly encouraged me to continue with the synthetic drugs and trial yet another brand rather than take nothing at all. It was probably one of the most difficult medications I have ever been required to swallow to date I so abhorred what I believed it was doing to me. I really struggled with it, and yet more headaches, moods, fluid retention, and weight gain.

If you know me well, you will appreciate that once I start a mission, it takes way more than a simple 'no' to stop me. This was my life, my health that was at the centre of everything here. There just had to be another option to take. I just could not accept that there wasn't an alternative. It was pre-Internet days, so research was difficult to achieve at any speed if at all sometimes especially when you live in North Queensland. But research I did where and when I could. I purchased books and medical journals, attended gynaecology lectures, listened to broadcasts, talked to doctors, consulted specialists, listened to anyone who had anything to say on the subject.

One day, a nursing friend encouraged me to read a book just published by Sandra Cabot titled 'Hormones: Don't Let Them Ruin Your Life". Sandra Cabot is a Sydney medical doctor who with her team of naturopaths has extensive clinical experience in treating patients with weight problems, chronic medical problems, liver problems and hormonal imbalances. My nursing friend loved her books and felt I may also be interested in reading what Sandra Cabot had to say. She was so right - I loved it. And then as life sometimes goes, I had the opportunity to actually attend a seminar by Sandra Cabot in person not long after my read. Following her lecture, I spoke with Sandra about her book and how it agreed in content with what Dr. Lee wrote. I spoke of my frustrations at wanting to willingly trial what Dr Lee had suggested but came against a wall in procuring it. Sandra Cabit is a very knowledgeable, lovely lady with a huge heart. I really felt she heard my cries for help. Personally she couldn't supply me with the medications I required, but she was able to supply me with a list of doctors in Queensland I could consult and who 'just may be able to help me'.

And so starts the alternate route in my life.