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Yesterday I had a consultation with the nurtitionist from the Dana Farber. Roxy had recommended her -- and she was right -- it was extremely helpful. We discussed protein, vitamin D, B12, iron, fluids and phytonutrients. Did you know that adding tumeric and black pepper makes for a super combination of phytonutrients? (image: tumeric). My main question was whether this is the time to follow some sort of vegetarian diet. She said that lacto-ovo is fine -- the more plan-based the better, but advised against vegan, macrobiotic or raw food. The problem with lacto-ovo is getting enough protein. For cancer patients (is that really me?) research suggests 77-100 grams of protein per day. That's an enormous amount of cheese, eggs, soy (I should avoid it as much as possible), beans, nuts. I would have to eat 4.5 cups of beans per day to get enough protein. This can be solved by adding fish -- which is good for omega-3 as well as protein. She also recommended organic for dairy products.

Another surprising thing is she said I should drink more water. I already drink 2 liters a day -- she said more, more, more. And to make a daily tea of fresh ginger and fresh lemon in hot water to aid digestion. I went to the market with a huge list of new items to have on hand. So what I'll do is supplement with whey protein and fish 3 times per week.

She said my body mass index is within "optimal" range. Just barely. But I was glad to hear that. It will take a while to incorporate some of these recommendations and I don't want to get too radical on this.

No wonder I had a hard time sustaining a vegetarian diet since college -- I had the mistaken idea that some beans or tofu or peanut butter each day would be enough.

Today I saw the radiation oncologist and she says it's looking good.

This evening I went out with Lucy and Ann to dinner, then to a dharma talk at the meditation center given by Narayan. She is so delightful. The topic was "caring for the heart". I'll write more about that tomorrow. She closed with the following poem:

Out of the Mouths of a Thousand Birds

Listen -
Listen more carefully to what is around you
Right now.

In my world
There are the bells from the clanks
Of the morning milk drums,

And a wagon wheel outside my window
Just hit a bump

Which turned into an ecstatic chorus
Of the Beloved's Name.

There is the Prayer Call
Rising up like the sun
Out of the mouths of a thousand birds.

There is an astonishing vastness
Of movement and Life

Emanating sound and light
From my folded hands

And my even quieter simple being and heart.

My dear,
Is it true that your mind
Is sometimes like a battering
Ram

Running all through the city,
Shouting so madly inside and out

About the ten thousand things
That do not matter?

Hafiz, too,
For many years beat his head in youth

And thought himself at a great distance,
Far from an armistice
With God.

But that is why this scarred old pilgrim
Has now become such a sweet rare vintage
Who weeps and sings for you.

O listen -
Listen more carefully
To what is inside of you right now.

In my world
All that remains is the wondrous call to
Dance and prayer

Rising up like a thousand suns
Out of the mouth of a
Single bird.

~ Hafiz ~