Jilla's Story

I am a 64-year-old Persian woman, living in a U.S. territory (American Samoa) the middle of the Pacific Ocean.  I have always loved to cook, bake, and garden.  Living in Iran for 27 years, and eating Persian food, would not label me as one brought up with a typical American diet.  I always had pride in my Persian cuisine with lots of fresh greens at every meal, however, meat was part of our regular meal. I had a stroke in December 2016 and since then I am constantly aware of my health.  I believe the stress of the last three years at my work was the main thing that cause this.  The satisfaction of tasty food and reliance on my good Persian genes was not a good combination for my health.  I was diagnosed with high blood pressure during my second pregnancy in 1995 and with pre-diabetes mid-2012.  I was always told my cholesterol was okay (low 200 range) but I know now that it never was.  I believe that I have been in the pre-diabetic range for a long time stating about 2008, (glucose level of low 100), but I know now that even that was not a good enough condition.  My A1C was around 6 to 6.2, but it started picking up in 2013, when things got worse at my work; in July 2015 it was 7.5, and the stroke happened on December 28 2016 at work.

The health facilities in American Samoa is not the best, to say it diplomatically. Also, the lifestyle, here, after American ways was introduced in 1900, created a surge of diabetes with no end in sight.  The first McDonald started in this region around 2004 and it has been one of the most profitable in the world.  In fact, I believe that the obesity and the level of diabetes in American Samoa has created the best testing site for a complete change in lifestyle.   The Island population is in need of help, and if one could show them how simple it is to get healthier you could save at least three generations of Samoans.

When I had my stroke, I had a side job of operating a small fast food, with healthy Persian and international meals.  After my stroke, I was determined to promote healthy eating having my fist exposure books written by Dr. Barnard, Dr. Fuhrman, Dr. Ornish and Dr. Gregger.  I would advertise the benefits of a vegan diet through my business, and I am proud to say that at least a couple of Samoans changed their diet, and one customer followed Dr. Fuhrman's Eat to Live diet.  Within 6 months of my stroke, in 2017, I lost 50 pounds and my A1C went to 5.8. However, my love for people and efforts to promote healthy eating through my fast food operation distracted me and I gained 22 pounds with a A1C of 6.6 by February 2020.  Actually, the coronavirus brought my focus back and since February 2020 I have focused on reversing all my health issues.  I weighed 245 pounds on 2/19/20, with an A1C of 6.6, cholesterol of 151, triglycerides 155, HDL 48, and LDL 72.  Currently I weigh 211 pounds, and on 6/19/20 My A1c was 6.2, cholesterol 151, triglycerides 60, HDL 43, and LDL 72. Now I am focusing on healing with meals that promote health, not just vegan, but whole plant-based food.  I signed up for Dr. Fuhrman's Boot Camp that started on 8/3/2020 and am extremely excited about my progress.

Because of the deficiency in health system in American Samoa, I always see my doctors off island, in Oregon.  However, since the coronavirus situation in the U.S., I decided to stay in American Samoa until 2021 and give myself time to reverse my health problems as much as possible before traveling to the U.S.  American Samoa boarders have been closed since my flight back to the island on 3/26/2020, which has left American Samoa with no coronavirus cases now.  For the first time I feel that my lifestyle plans are supported by higher powers in the world and I am determined to follow through and be the healthiest I could be at 64 years old, maybe better than when I was 20 or 30 years younger.

 

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