As I look back over the past 5 or so years that I have really been battling this disease, I realize it has changed me in substantial ways.

At the most basic level, I take much better care of my body. Eliminating smoking is, of course, the biggie. But I eat very differently and watch like a hawk what I eat and where it comes from.

Portland is a big center for "locavores". We have a store chain (New Seasons if any of you are lucky enough to be in Portland some day) and all of their produce and meat is identified as to the source. The majority of their offerings are organic and I choose them, despite the slightly higher cost. And then there are the farmers' markets where you buy from the producers.

Vitamins. Supplements. Regular physical exercise.

PN may have given me pain which I must wrestle into submission nightly, but it also kicked my butt into taking much better care of this "temple" as it is called in the Bible.

Thanks for reading.

Cowboy