By Denise Sharon Cahill, Western Suburbs Weekly
OVARIAN cancer has put Shirley Lienert’s once fit and healthy body through hell since she was diagnosed in September 2008, but the 64-year-old is feeling re-energised.
This could be attributed to her positive outlook, new diet and lifestyle regime, and the South Australian doctors who are providing her with an alternative to chemotherapy.
Shirley and her husband Graeme’s lives were turned upside down when a simple CA125 test after a fall from her bike detected stage four ovarian cancer.
She was forced to quit her teaching career and Graeme retired from the WA Police after 44 years, including a stint as Assistant Commissioner.
“Coming to terms with the diagnosis is the difficult part… when they mention that word cancer it comes across as a death sentence,” Shirley said.
“The oncologist I saw gave me a finite time line and I had difficulty accepting that because I had not done any research.”
After a major operation that resulted in complications and two rounds of chemotherapy, the Lienerts have turned to two doctors in Adelaide who have experience in medicine, chiropractics, herbal medicine, body analysis and acupuncture.
Shirley follows an alkaline diet that involves eating fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh juices, prescribed vitamin and herbal supplements and no salt, sugar or preservatives. She also follows a vegetarian and gluten-free diet.
Graeme said he loosely followed the diet advice and had never felt better. He has lost weight at a time of life when he may have gained kilos enjoying the benefits of retirement.
The aim of the diet is to boost Shirley’s immune system so it can overcome the cancer without treatments like chemotherapy.
The Lienerts are big supporters of Ovarian Council Australia and want to spread the message about early detection and support services, such as SolarisCare.
Ovarian Cancer Australia will host a fundraiser – Cocktails for Ovarian Cancer – on Friday, May 7 at the University of WA’s Winthrop Hall.
Tickets are $100. Visit www.ovariancancer.net.au or call 0419 206 414.