FASTING RESOLVES SINUSITIS & NASAL POLYPS OF WRITER, 47; AVOIDS SURGERY & BREATHES/SMELLS NASALLY AGAIN!

     [NOTE: A surprising number of prospective clients approach FCI suffering nasal polyps, along with many of the problems which also can attend these--sinusitis, allergies, asthma, et.al. In this case, a Portland, OR (USA), writer, 47, approached FCI with the following: "I'm interested in fasting. I was first attracted by a testimonial of a woman whose FCI fast cleared up her nasal problems. I have a very similar problem to hers: about a year of sinus infection, for which nothing--traditional or alternative--has given permanent help. This week, as I have quite the case of nasal polyps, an allergist told me that surgery might be the way to go. I'd like to avoid this, if possible. Clearing away these problems would be a great result of a fast, but I'm also excited about improving clarity and sense of purpose, plus drawing closer to the Spirit. I've done a few 3-day fasts and one 7-day, all juice-fasts." Taking advantage of FCI's 'Couples' Discount' by fasting with a friend, Graham Russell began with our 40-day Program (30 days of actual fasting), later extending it 10 additional fasting days. Here, then, is his report, three weeks after completeing his 50-day FCI Program:]

     "Here's a recounting of my fasting experience. I got interested in a fast, primarily, because I'd had an 'intractable' nasal problem for over a year. My diagnosis was nasal passages full of nasal polyps. I couldn't breathe through my nose, nor smell anything. What's more, I had a constant nasal infection, and was always hawking phlegm. I was having increasing trouble talking, because I was so stopped up. I couldn't blow my nose without the back-pressure rattling my brain. Nothing moved.

     "My family doctor, and later an allergist and an ENT doctor [ear, nose and throat specialist], were moving me along through the usual nasal/sinus problem treatments: nasal steroids, antibiotics, then stronger doses of the same taken for longer periods. In the early months, I had some clearing, followed by a quick relapse. Just before my fast, the ENT doctor recommended six weeks of systemic steroids, also accompanied by six weeks of antibiotics, with no promise that this would work; only that we could then do a CT scan and see how things looked. Surgery was the next step.

     "Not too thrilled about this, I did an Internet search on 'nasal polyps,' and the first page that came up was a testimonial by a woman whose nose problems were strikingly similar to mine, and who had had them mostly resolved by an FCI fast. I followed her lead to their large website. I was definitely intrigued and attracted, but also skeptical and somewhat scared of what seemed like a huge, long fast. The Founder/Director, Dennis Paulson, and I exchanged several emailings, and I became comfortable with him. As is obvious, I took the plunge, originally signing up for a 40-day Program (30 actual fasting days), which I later extended by 10 fasting days.

     "As Dennis promised, the results of my fast exceeded my expectations. Not only did my nasal passages significantly clear--so that now I can breathe through my nose, smell some things, live a phlegm-free life, and speak easily with a far-less-nasal voice--but I have also gotten much, much clearer about what I want to do with my work life, and my relationships, and my overall attitude. I think I have become stronger, truer, and more confident.

     "Additionally, in a very natural way, I emerged from the fast with a desire to eat different foods. I've been eating again for about three weeks now. It's easy to pass on caffeine, chocolate, fat-saturated chips, meat, fowl, dairy products, and most wheat and sugar. These are the main foods that give my body, whose responses I'm now more aware and respectful of, the most trouble. I happily eat lots of cereal, seed, veggies, soy bean products, and grains that don't mess with me.

     "I was a compulsive eater prior to the fast, and those tendencies are still strong. I do give in. I haven't been perfected, but still, I feel much more responsible about my eating compulsion, and am now willing to let it play out (without too much self-condemnation), watching what it does and having good confidence that I can accept my frailty and use my strength.

     "After about a week of the fast, I began to think that this is really an elegant program, which is to say that it's finely-honed, without waste in what you consume or do. And the coup de grace (?) is Dennis' support. He responds amazingly quickly to your questions and concerns, usually sending a combination of direct response to you, pertinent information pulled from FCI's data base, and many interesting queries and comments from fasters around the world who are (or just were) on the same fasting day as when you sent your email.

     "I began to sense that I was part of a global fasting community, mediated through the Internet and Dennis/FCI. I found this very cool. Likewise, I found Dennis to be a knowledgeable, truthful, responsive, and encouraging fasting guru. As he does have more confidence in the process than you do, at least initially, you may find what he says to be breezily certain, while you want to mull over your fears or difficulties. If this ever happens, I'd advise you just to Dennis about it. Develop the dialog.

     "I think it's important to remember that you are responsible for yourself, and you have to do the things that make you comfortable as you do your fast. For example, I have hypothyroidism, and have to take thyroid hormone supplement. I did some research and learned that while fasting, you typically reduce your need for supplement. I worked with my doctor to monitor my hormone level. Sure enough, about three weeks into the fast, when I had my first hormone check, I was running high and cut my supplement in half. Two weeks after starting to eat again, I had another check and have since doubled my supplement, going back to my original dose.

     "I did my FCI fast with a friend, and we supported each other with email and phone conversations throughout our fasts. That was a tremendous help, and it is still paying benefits. We're better friends, easily able to be clear and honest about what we got from the fast. We've decided to be a mutual support group as we go forward, trying to develop some of the insights that the fast inspired.

     "When you do a long fast, after the break-in period of more intense detox, you open out into life's experience with much more clarity. It's as if the fog which normally covers awareness, lifts. On the relative scale of one's years, this lifting comes very quickly, but I experienced it as gradual, gentle. I just became more aware of my life-force, my energy. Insights came to me, and I had easy access to language to describe my experiences. I was just more 'here'. As everyone says, post-fast, you dull a little bit, but you're still way ahead of the game.

     "To sum up: if you want a great life experience, expertly supervised, do a long fast with FCI. The fast was great, and I'll do it again. And thank you, Dennis, for guiding me through this wonderful physical and spiritual exercise. I really enjoyed being part of this community, with you at the center. In fact, part of me did not want to let go of that, especially of your encouragement and wisdom. But, hey, it's always time to check out of something. Thanks for all and may you enjoy all the blessings that must surely come your way.--Graham Russell"

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Any questions, email or phone FCI. Email: FastMaster@fasting.com; phone: 818-590-2536 (know that the best time to catch Founder/Director Dennis Paulson, himself, with the least interruption, is between 10-4, California time). For the Fasting Center International home page, click here: www.fasting.com

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