Well, here I am, up at 5:30 a.m. That's an improvement right there. I've figured out that I'll never have time to get everything done before work unless I get up at 5:00 a.m. and that means going to bed by 8:30 p.m.

Day 3 and 4 (the weekend): crashed, then regrouped. Did a lot of meditating and praying about emotional issues, read some of the old posts at this forum (which were very inspiring) and resisted temptations pretty well (did not buy Milky Way Dark when I was at Smart N Final, like I usually do).

Day 5 (Monday): Drank some l/g flush drink, detox tea, tinctures. At lunch I did not add the ususally stablizing foods to my salad (cheese, meat, croutons). Salad was OK but I'd like to try just staying on liquids today. Did really well until I got home and there was a crisis. Afterwards I went on a chocolate binge. I hope to have Wed. and Thurs. off from work, which will give me a chance to set my new routine and do more of the steps.

Casandra, thanks for your ongoing encouragement. I too believe that this is the only way for me. As for my Torrance friend, since she works at a breast center for an oncologist, I have mixed feelings about whether now is the right time for you to see her. But she used to know of a hands-on-healing group in the L.A. area. I need to contact her and find out if she knows anything that could help you at this point.

Thanks all. I'll keep you posted. Really appreciate having people to report back to. It makes all the difference.

Scottie

P.S. Does anyone know nutrients or substances one could take to increase the blood platelet count? My poor landlady has a low platelet count. Scraped her arm last night and it wouldn't stop bleeding for almost half an hour. Very frightening for her. Her doctors have no suggestions. I keep thinking that some liquid iron mixture might help but she says that iron is bad for post-menopausal women. So we're at an impasse at the moment with no plan.