Heading To The Farm ... And The Doctor

No, Farmageddon didn't involve exploding cows or catapulting attack chickens. There was no war between sheep and pigs.

While that might have been more fun, the aim of the movie Sunday at the Rafael Theater in San Rafael was to expose the "highjacking of the American dairy industry." The director, Kristin Canty, seemed to target the U.S. Dairy Association and its actions against independent producers of raw milk. The movie is showing Tuesday at the Roxie in San Francisco.

I admit, I'm still unconvinced the potential benefits of raw, unpasteurized milk outweigh the potential problems of drinking it. I am open to experimenting with it, though. I might buy a little raw milk and try it for a month or two, although I'd want to check with my doctors first. This could be a major step in taking control of my diet and my health.

I've been to The Farm (Stanford) for surgery, but maybe I just need to visit my local dairy farmer.

I'm not really looking for an alternative to the monthly Sandostatin LAR injections I get, although they are a pain in the butt. Every four weeks I head over to the Marin Cancer Institute, the nurse tells me to drop 'em and bend over and that "this won't hurt too much." Then I limp out of the office.

I've got to tell you, if I didn't have health insurance there's no way I could afford these shots, which are hopefully keeping any residual carcinoid cancer at bay.

Members of the audience during the screening of Farmageddon told convincing stories of how consuming raw milk and other foods saved their lives. One woman listed five ailments from which she was suffering and said she thought at the time she was dying. She says she is now healthier than she's ever been ever since giving raw milk a try.

So, here's a question, where do you put your faith? Science and the FDA? Or nature? Which has the power to cure what ails us?

I just figure there has to be a balance between institutional medicine and experimenting with natural herbs and foods. Either way, there have to be common-sense lifestyle choices. For me, at least, that's about eating right, exercising and staying positive.