Mark Finley, DD
Uchee Pines: A Patient’s Perspective
Recently I faced a rather serious health challenge. The diagnosis was MGUS. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance is a condition in which paraproteins are found in the blood during standard laboratory tests. It resembles multiple myeloma and similar diseases, but the levels of antibody are lower and the number of plasma cells (white blood cells that secrete antibodies) in the bone marrow is lower. There is no immediate treatment necessary but careful monitoring of the condition necessitates regular visits to a Multiple Myeloma Specialist since a small fraction of MGUS cases do progress to the disease. The cause for MGUS is still unknown.
Once I discovered that this was indeed my diagnosis, after earnestly praying about it, my wife and I decided we would confront this challenge on three levels. First, we would face it in faith believing my life was in God’s hands and trust Him completely. Although I have prayed for healing, my prime purpose is to glorify God in every aspect of my life. Secondly, we determined we would learn as much as we could about MGUS and Multiple Myeloma and take advantage of every God given scientific medical treatment possible if and when it was necessary. Thirdly, we would carefully follow the counsels of the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy and continue to live as healthfully as possible. We have eaten a vegan diet for years, tried to walk for at least an hour a day, and generally have followed Heaven’s laws of health. Still we knew there were areas we could certainly improve our lifestyle practices. We have always viewed Heaven’s health principles as instructions from a loving God to preserve our health and enhance our lives, not as some legalistic requirement to placate God.
There is one other piece in this puzzle of health that was important to us. After forty five years of incessant travel and intense evangelism, we sensed we needed to get away for a few weeks to rest and attempt to build our immune systems. We chose Uchee Pines in Seale, Alabama because of its rural, peaceful location; it’s well-trained, professional medical staff, its modern facilities, and its balanced, comprehensive treatment program.
Our Arrival
Although I had never been to Uchee Pines before, driving on to the campus down a windy paved road that meandered through the Georgia pines to the Lifestyle Center, I had a sense of inner peace. My conviction deepened that God had arranged this reprieve. The staff at the Lifestyle Center welcomed us warmly and assured us that they would do everything possible to protect our privacy. Throughout our three week stay, the Uchee Pines staff exhibited the Christ-like attitude of service revealed in Jesus words in Matthew 20:27-28 “… whoever desires to be great among you, let him be your servant… just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve…” Probably the one thing that impressed me most during my stay at Uchee Pines was this attitude of self-sacrificial service. From the physicians to the Lifestyle Counselors to the kitchen and cleaning staff, to the front desk personnel, the entire staff was there to serve. This attitude of loving, sacrificial service that pervaded the Lifestyle Center not only impacted our lives but the lives of each one of the guests.
When we first arrived, I wondered how I would survive three weeks of self-imposed isolation from the majority of my work at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and my daily contact with the ever-changing landscape of world affairs both within and without the church. I soon learned that both the church and the world carried on quite well without me and was impressed that God brought me to Uchee Pines for a special reason – to build up my health and I should take advantage of this unique opportunity. Furthermore, I was kept so busy caring for and building up my health that is about all I had time to do. The morning waking bell rings about 6:00am and for an evangelist who preaches each evening and often visits people after the meetings and is used to going to bed quite late, 6:00am is early, really early. From early morning until bedtime (around 9:00pm) activities are scheduled throughout the day. There is little time to be bored.
The First Full Day
The first full day at Uchee Pines begins with an early morning blood draw, worship, and then breakfast followed by a comprehensive personal health survey, and an extensive visit with Uchee Pines physicians. I was impressed that these godly, professionally trained physicians were not only extremely knowledgeable in natural remedies but also were on the cutting edge of the latest scientific research. They listened sensitively to my concerns, asked appropriate questions, researched and made practical, intelligent suggestions. They were honest in acknowledging that there was no known cure for MGUS but together we would explore all possibilities and specifically work to build my immune system. This medical integrity gave me confidence that although we did not have all the answers about MGUS we could confidently work to build up my immune system which would certainly benefit my overall health. My health journey at Uchee Pines was about to begin.
Diet, Exercise and Hydrotherapy
I quickly discovered that the food was simple, natural, plentiful and extremely healthful and yet it was quite tasty. Although the diet was limited in salt, fat and sugar content, the abundance of fruits, vegetables, fresh salads, and healthy proteins were more than adequate. Each day after breakfast my wife Teenie and I spent an hour walking the hilly trails winding through the woods. The air was fresh and clean. Often I was reminded of Ellen White’s counsel to those whose work is extremely mentally taxing and whose health is in jeopardy that, “Roaming through the fields and the woods, picking the flowers, listening to the songs of the birds, will do far more than any other agency toward their recovery.” (Ministry of Healing Page 236) As we walked in the stillness of the morning listening to the occasional songs of the birds, I sensed a renewing of my mind, body and spirit. Each day after breakfast and lunch and in the early evening we walked. During the three weeks at Uchee Pines we walked and walked and walked some more for a total of nearly 200 miles.
Hydrotherapy treatments and the use of water are a significant part of the Uchee Pines health restorative program. Each morning I experienced hydrotherapy at its best – Russian steam baths, contrast showers, infrared sauna’s and hot and cold fever therapy. I particularly enjoyed the contrast shower with the water gradually raised to one hundred ten degrees Fahrenheit for three minutes and then rapidly dropped to sixty-five degrees. This forty-five degree drop in temperature stimulates the immune system and activates white blood cells. Although it is rather fatiguing initially, it is a real energy booster. The hydrotherapy treatments really encouraged me to drink much more water than I am used to drinking. On an average I was drinking ten to twelve eight ounce glasses a day, which also allowed me to get some extra exercise as I hastened to the restroom.
A Complete Program
Each guest is assigned a Lifestyle Counselor to administer the hydrotherapy treatments and serve as a health guide throughout their stay. Before each treatment we prayed together and shared God’s Word. During the three weeks my health counselor and I really bonded. I treasured our visits together and deeply appreciated his encouragement. At Uchee Pines we also experienced a bonding with the other guests that were there. An ever deepening friendship and care for one another developed. We shared our stories and health challenges around the table at mealtime. We walked together, prayed together and encouraged one another on our health journey.
Medical lectures, cooking demonstrations and video presentations on varying health topics are conducted in the morning and afternoon. Suppers are light. Generally it includes a fruit sauce or some type of fresh fruit, whole-wheat bread, and popcorn. Throughout the day I discovered I would often have a couple of hours before or after treatments to study God’s Word, meditate and pray. Sabbaths were a special blessing as the entire the faculty, staff, guests, and students gathered either at the Campus Chapel or the area churches to worship together.
As I reminisce about my experience at Uchee Pines, I thank God for a dedicated staff committed to following Heaven’s health principles and applying them in the light of the latest scientific research to improve the health of their guests. But I am most grateful for an institution that integrates all dimensions of health to treat the whole person with the God given mission of leading people to Jesus and His end time message.
<< | Table of Contents | >>