You've dragged your ailing, aching body to yet another doctor. This one is different. You know he's going to be the one to listen. He does. He examines you. He tells you the laboratory tests will take three weeks to come back, and you secretly wonder if you can survive that long. You've already survived two years of feeling your body fall apart. You've seen umpteen medical doctors. Each one gave you a strange look as you rattled off your symptoms. Then they referred you to somebody else. This environmental doctor is your last resort.

      After the history and physical, he tells you: "I'm certain the lab tests will confirm my opinion. You have multiple chemical sensitivities. It seems to have involved most of your biological systems, if not all." He explains the condition and answers your questions. As you listen to his words, you weep tears of joy. You know you've found a medical professional who understands your plight exactly. The doctor's plan includes immunologic testing, testing for autoimmune disease, complete evaluation for allergies, and nutritional evaluation.

      You reach home in record time and start devouring the information in the portfolio. It contains information you didn't know existed, from how to convert your home into a totally chemical-free environment, to information on common consumer products and their chemical content. There's information on the selection of personal care products, household products, clothing and food. Information on many commonly used chemicals and pesticides, their health hazards and how they affect the individual who is chemically sensitive. In short, all the facts you need to begin coping with your chemical allergies.

      The doctor advised you to eat only fresh, organically grown food. Your water source should be free from harmful chemicals. You'll have to develop a new mindset aimed at cutting down exposure to irritants. You'll have to learn what the irritants are and in what products, places, or areas they're to be found. You'll have to exert control over your surroundings from now on, and reeducate your family and friends concerning your new lifestyle.

      Ignorance is bliss but knowledge is power. Your environment has been harming you and you didn't know it. Now you understand why, for weeks at a time, sometimes months at a time, you're barely able to move about the house. Whenever you feel better you sigh with relief, though not knowing why you feel better. The improvement doesn't last long and you don't understand the reason for slipping back. Then the depression sets in. The cycle never varies.

      The dark no longer claims you. Like a whirlwind, you spin into action. You set up a plan. You start by converting your home into a "safe house." You get rid of everything in and around your home that remotely has a wisp of chemical odor: your personal products, your household cleaners and deodorizers, your laundry detergents and softeners, even your gardening powders and solutions. Next you go out and shop for natural, organic household cleaners and deodorizers, fragrance - free, dye - free washing powder, and all - natural cosmetics. You gradually introduce your relatives and friends to your new chemical - free lifestyle.

       Now you have a "safe place," but the real work has just begun. Next you focus on your diet. The doctor didn't have the opportunity to do a nutritional evaluation as planned. Your health insurance was canceled. The doctor's fees are high. Here's the ultimate test of your ability. You go within yourself for direction and guidance. You come out with the assurance you can direct your own healing. With your belief in the Healing Power of God, you will reverse the serious conditions this disease has inflicted upon you - the heart arrhythmia, the overactive thyroid gland, the autoimmune disease, the high blood pressure.

      The knowledge is given to you of the urgent need for purifying the blood and the organs, for rebuilding the immune system, and for dietary changes you must make in order to convert your body temple back to harmony with nature. It's all to be accomplished with fresh, raw foods, raw vegetable juices, raw fruits, and a change in dietary habits. You are told to stop eating meat. You will use this knowledge with wisdom and reverence. You start a seven - day cleansing and immune - building fast, using the freshly made juices of turnips, cabbage, beetroots, broccoli, celery and carrots. You use a completely safe, organic solution to wash away all traces of chemicals from the food. You wash all your fruits and vegetables with the organic wash, even raisins.

      You will use this knowledge with wisdom and reverence. You start a seven-day cleansing and immune-building fast, using the freshly made juices of turnips, cabbage, beetroots, broccoli, celery and carrots. You use a completely safe, organic solution to wash away all traces of chemicals from the food. You wash all your fruits and vegetables with the organic wash, even raisins.

      Along with three or four glasses of raw vegetable juices each day, you take a quality protein from a vegetable source, and nutritional supplements. By the end of the fast you are reborn. It's nothing short of a 'miracle.' Most of the swelling in the joints has disappeared and the pains have eased considerably. The headaches have improved. You've become clear-headed and mentally alert. You've lost pounds and look years younger. You're on your way to a holistic healing of gargantuan proportions.