Day 9 - A Full Day & Graduation Night!

For all intents and purposes, Day 9 is really the final day of the 10-day session.  After the graduation dinner on Monday night all that remains is a 7:15am breakfast and then the bus arrives at 8:30am to cart folks off to their various destinations (airports, mostly).

Today was actually the busiest day of the entire program for Tammy.  After her usual protein shake breakfast at 8:00am we headed down to the naturopath's building for a counselling session with Joanne at 9am.  I intended to work out, so went to the gym, but it was too soon after breakfast... okay, I wimped out and read instead : )  Good book, though: the story of Hudson Taylor, 19th century missionary to inland China, by Janet & Geoff Benge.

Next, we headed off to Treatment room #10, just up the hill from our room and adjacent to the steam baths, where Tammy was given a good old fashioned massage by June (also her colonic therapist).  Tammy commented afterwards on how surprisingly strong June's fingers were!

After the massage, we headed back down to the naturopath's building for our 12:00pm consult with Toby.  Each guest has three such consults scheduled during the 10 days.  The first is called the "Individual Health Assessment" - we had a jump start on this because we'd consulted with Toby over the phone before coming, meaning he had a lot of info on Tammy's history and current condition.  During this first consult, the week's program is individualized in regards to special dietary needs, supplements that may be useful and which therapies might be emphasized or excluded.

The second consult is the "Mid Program Review" and, as the name implies, it's a time to review how the detox and other therapies are going to see what adjustments need to be made.

The final consult, which we had today, is the "Lifestyle Planning Consultation" where guests are given forward-looking advice on strategies or changes they can apply to continue improving their health and to maintain ground gained while at LVS.  Our consult was a bit different in that we're staying through another 10 day program, so today was more like a 2nd mid-program review.

Gary joined in for this consult and it was especially advantageous to have both he and Toby reviewing and discussing Tammy's status and adjusting her nutrition plan for the next 10-day phase.  We also had a chance to ask more questions and get some good answers.

As a special bonus, Toby showed us several photos of the LVS property over 22 years ago when Gary and his family first bought and began preparing it.  It wasn't quite a bush property, but it wasn't far off.  Turns out that the building we're going to be moving into for the next program (Room 1) was Gary's home until about 12 or 13 years ago!

Lunch was the first meal for all of the guests following the second fasting phase and once again featured a wonderful buffet of salads and condiments.

Post lunch, we headed back to our room and then Tammy walked three doors down to Treatment Room 6 for her third and final colonic irrigation this go round.  This time the treatment was especially fruitful!  The special laxative herb that Gary provided Tammy last night didn't actually do anything by morning (much to Gary's surprise) but it did seem to have loosened things up for the irrigation!

I went for a quick steam bath at 4:30 and we were ready for the graduation supper at 6pm - and what a supper it was!  Nita, the head of the LVS kitchen, explained what all of the dishes were (Lebanese theme) and then we were at it!  It was truly a beautiful meal and a worthy celebration of the time and effort that both guests and staff have put into the past 9 days.

Nita providing an orientation to the night's feast so no one would get lost - it was that big!

After the meal there were 'diplomas' for all of the participants and each one was asked to say just a few words in front of the gathering of guests and staff.


After all of the more formal program Allen showed the DVD and pictures from the Mt. Cooroora climb and gave out certificates.


Finally, Gary addressed the group for a few minutes recounting a few hilarious stories from the past and also telling how Living Valley Springs came to be - in short, it was the story of Divine guidance and a vision to take LVS from no more than a concept to the world class retreat that it's become today!


We'll be sad to say good bye to this group after Tuesday's breakfast, but as for Tammy's health, we're looking forward to the 2nd half of our healing journey with LVS and all of the new guests who'll be arriving next Sunday for lunch!

P.S.  Please consider this limited time offer: if you book a 10-day stay at Living Valley Springs and use one of our coupons below, you'll receive $500 off the cost of your program!  [Offer not valid for residents of Quebec : ) ]  Once we've accumulated four (4) referrals, we'll then be eligible to cash in the dark coupon at the bottom for a 500 clam discount for ourselves!  ; )