" The path to fighting your disease requires an understanding of your body. "

- Sheng-Li Wang -

Recovery Road

To say that nicotine addiction was a problem for me--I smoked 3 packs of Marlboros a day--was an understatement.

Coffee, the telephone, the computer and cigarettes were a bundled package. Together, they dominated my life and fogged my thinking. As I approached menopause, I reached a point where it was no longer glamorous to French inhale, as my Mother did; blow smoke rings as my Aunt did; or, field strip a cigarette as my Dad taught me when fishing in Northeastern Indiana's lake country during my childhood.

Decades later, my job as convention producer/writer and stage manger for an international service organization was demanding--living out of a suitcase and eating on the run was finally taking its toll.

Home from assignment, I was asked to help lead a contingent of hospitality industry colleagues to Washington, D. C. for a lobbying event. My heart wasn't really in it--I felt absolutely horrid. After many hours of work to prepare the kits and coach attendees, my energy was sapped as I fell into bed.

The next day, my pillow was damp from tears and I was in pain all over….all the time.

My sciatica had kicked in. My throat hurt. My head hurt and I felt terrible. My body was talking to me and I wasn't listening. "No problem," I said to myself. "I'll just take some Advil. During dinner, I drank a beer followed by wine. Yes, that was part of the bundled package, too. I didn't feel any better the next day and I sobbed into the telephone to my dear friend, Mary Ellen, saying I don't have a clue what is wrong with me.

She suggested acupuncture and discussed the long ago TV news clips of President Nixon's visit to China. In one clip, a woman was delivering a child via acupuncture while eating an apple. I promised my friend that I'd explore acupuncture.

I saw Sheng Li-Wang the next day, asked for help, and was treated for nicotine addiction. Within a week, I had stopped smoking. That was nearly 12 years ago, and I've never craved nicotine since those treatments. Over the years, he has cured my sciatica and back problems, along with those pesky hot flashes (or power surges as many of us call them). And, after Christmas, I had treatments to stop drinking alcohol. They, too, have worked--and I am happy being alcohol and nicotine free without cravings.

Today, with a clearer mind and balanced body, I'm writing again, and looking forward to a longer, more fulfilling life with my husband, children, grandchildren and friends.

Thank you, Sheng Li-Wang!

Judy Brady, Chicago