The Ojai Post

From Kathleen herself:

"My name is Kathleen Macgregor. I have lived and worked as an acupuncturist in Ojai and Ventura since 1991. On September 3, 2008 I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph system. Like most people who receive a diagnosis like this I was shocked and scared. Now almost a year into fighting this disease, it’s no longer raw but is much more complicated.

"At first I just wanted to understand what might have caused this cancer after I had led a relatively clean and healthy lifestyle. I learned Lymphoma is often linked to environmental toxins. I believe growing up with second hand smoke and also being exposed to Malathion during the San Fernando Valley spraying in the 80s were two risks. I’m sure given the state of our environment I have had, like most people, unknown exposures as well.
It turns out my disease is pretty advanced. One reason my cancer wasn’t diagnosed earlier was my insurance. At first I was underinsured then my premiums went up and my status changed to uninsured. When my first symptoms arose I could not afford the expense of testing that may have given me an earlier diagnosis.

"At this point a stem cell transplant at City of Hope is my best chance for survival. It breaks my heart to know that many people are in the same situation due to our broken health care system.

"Well that’s the bad news.

"Now for the good news. This cancer journey has been a wonderful experience of community, something that has always been close to my heart. My experience started off under the care of the community of nurses and doctors who work in public health. The staff of the Ventura County Medical Center and oncology clinic are an enormously kind, compassionate, and skilled group of people. They have taken such good care of me over the last year.

"Then there is my home community. A community that includes my daughter, friends, patients, and neighbors who are all a strong support system. I live alone and believe me going through chemo is impossible to do by yourself. I had no big family to jump in so my friends became my care givers. They have brought over food, gone shopping for essentials, driven me to appointments, cleaned, done kitty care and listened, offering spiritual support and love which is the most important survival ingredient.

"On that list of community are my patients, a group who has stuck with me through the ups and downs of treatment and my uneven availability. They love the Five Element Acupuncture that I do and continue to let me know how much they feel they benefit from their treatments. This keeps me connected to how valuable my life work is and that really keeps me fighting!

"Now, as my illness and the coming stem cell transplant make it difficult to work, my community is coming to together once again to have a fundraiser for me. The proceeds raised will help me get through this, providing necessary funds until I am well enough to work full time again

"Sunday Sept 27th will be an afternoon of music and laughter, a celebration of life and community. I hope you’ll join us."