IT WAS LIKE HAVING A CRAPPY JOB THAT I HAD TO TURN UP FOR EVERY WEEK BUT NEVER GOT PAID FOR!
Life does not always work out the way we plan, having Breast Cancer at the age of 33 with three young children to look after was not part of where I saw my life heading. But this was my reality in 2015 and for the following 18 months’ hospital visits became a huge part of my weekly routine. It was like having a crappy job that I had to turn up to every week but never got paid for.
Going through the struggle of endless rounds of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgeries I stumbled across something quite unexpected, an inner strength and a passion to change my life and the lives of those around me for the better. By the time my treatment was finished I referred to myself as hospital as AXZ2571, my NHI number I was just another number is the system. Along with my NHI number I could also recite the names of about 20 drugs off the top of my head and what they were used for, as my body had been pumped full of them. It was time to start thinking about recovery and detoxing my body.
Eating food that nourished my body and cells was the first place I started. With help from Sarah at The Self Heal Clinic in Masterton who conducted some allergy testing to help eliminate foods that may cause inflammation in the body. A long list came up, some I already knew about like my dairy allergy, but she also picked up nitrates, sugar, MSG, wheat (but not gluten), petrochemicals and perfumes. I can’t say I am perfect about sticking to this but I try to follow the 80/20 rule, 80% off the time I eat within these guidelines and 20% of the time I eat what I like.
IT WAS TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT WHAT MY FAMILY WAS EXPOSED TO DAILY IN OUR HOME
Exercise was something I tried to carry on with during chemo, I would go running with my head scarf on, but after 18 months of treatment, which included have some major surgery. Mastectomy of my left breast and reconstruction using part of the Latissimus Dorsi muscle from my back, I had a lot of work to do building up my strength and stamina again. Red Star Squash Club is a huge part of my life now it has provided me with exercise, friendships and smacking a ball around is great for my mental health as well. I am quite terrible at squash but no one cares, at this place they welcome you with open arms no matter what your ability. Getting out and exercising has probably been the biggest factor in my recovery, if I am having a bad day this will always turn my negative thoughts around.
Eliminating toxic chemicals from my life was also part of my recovery, this started with finding out my allergies to petrochemicals and perfume. But also, stemmed from a conversation I had with a genetic counselor about genetic cancers verses environmental cancers. With over 80,000 new chemicals introduced globally in the last 50 years only about 200 have been tested for their long-term effects on human health. This hit home a bit for me as I grew up in Martinborough next to a vineyard and the mill, where 30 years ago, chemicals and sprays were not as well monitored as they are today. It was time to start thinking about what my family was exposed to daily in our home.
A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR OUR FAMILIES AND FOR OUR PLANET
After doing some research I wanted to eliminate products containing parabens, phthalates, SLS, SLES, Perfumes and other nasties. A good friend of mine introduced me to Norwex who have a company mission to improve quality of life by radically reducing chemicals in our homes by providing us with a range of cleaning and body care products which are safer, healthier and better for the environment. After using their products in my home for a couple of months I fell in love with how easy it was to now clean my home without breathing in toxic chemicals daily.
A big wow moment for me was cleaning the oven for the first time with their enzyme based spray without gloves, mask or any fumes.
I have now spent the last 15 months sharing Norwex and converting Wairarapa homes to Safe Havens. My passion for sharing what I have learnt has turned into a great business and a promise of a brighter future…
… A brighter future for our families, who will live happier, healthier lives as we create safe havens by radically reducing chemicals in our homes with simple cost-effective solutions that truly work.
… A brighter future for the consultants that I work with, who have the opportunity to empower themselves and others as they build their own businesses and live the life of their dreams in a community founded on integrity, trust and respect.
… And a brighter future for our planet, as we share our mission with others by showing them how to reduce the chemicals and waste that challenge the health of our environment.
Working for Norwex while going through treatment helped me focus on something else, it also meant I have met hundreds of beautiful amazing ladies (and some men) across the Wairarapa. The warmth and kindness these people have shown by welcoming into their homes is incredible. I can’t wait to see where my second year of business takes me and I look forward to introducing Norwex into more homes in Martinborough.
YOU'RE ALLOWED TO SCREAM, YOU'RE ALLOWED TO CRY, WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH IS SHIT
For those of you starting treatment for Cancer or in the middle of it, you are allowed to SCREAM, you are allowed to CRY, what you are going through is SHIT. I won’t say that life will get back to how it was before because you will never be the same person you once were. I don’t think anyone can experience that type of trauma and not come out of it changed. But you can create a better version of what your life once was, don’t put things off to next week or next year. I get up each morning and think what if I only had today, WHY WAIT to do the things you love, get out there today and make your second chance at life an incredible one.
For more info check out Jasmine's Website
Trish Higginson & Karina Hailwood
Creative Directors Martinborough Village
"Let us show you the magic of our region"
enquiries to karina@martinborough-village.co.nz
Copyright MV 2017
