Harold and Ruth... One Vivacious Couple! Interviewed by Donna Wine

Today, Harold F. Miller, 86, and Ruth Bird-Miller, 83, of New York and Florida, are spirited, vigorous, and energetic thanks, in large measure, to the support, guidance, and advice they have received from YFH.  Twenty years ago, that was not necessarily the case.

Two decades ago, Harold, then 65, was suffering from what he refers to as  “a big problem” with lack of energy.  He was also experiencing debilitating swelling in his legs.  He needed some help.  A phone call away, YFH was a tremendous resource for “where to go and what to do.”  They began with clinical blood tests and used the results to tailor a personal health improvement program specifically for Harold.  Harold utilized his YFH HealthPrint suggestions to make dietary and other changes.  Once implemented, these changes helped Harold regain and sustain the vitality and stamina needed to tackle the demands of his work as a landlord for Hilton Hotel.  Over the years, Harold has faithfully maintained a schedule of blood tests, which he has then used to continually review and revise, where necessary, his plan for optimum nutrition and health.

Along the way, there have, of course, been ups and downs.  For example, Harold noticed that his PSA blood test level, an indicator of prostate health, was higher than his normal level.  While his PSA was within the “normal” clinical lab reference range, it was not normal for Harold. He had an archive of years of blood test results which provided him with historical information about his personal normal PSA levels.  Subsequently, Harold went to see his physician because his PSA was more elevated than it should have been for him.  Unfortunately, because his PSA was clinically within the “normal lab range,” his physician told him that there was nothing to worry about. However, Harold’s next blood test revealed a PSA that had risen dramatically to 12.8. Having been told that this was not unusual for a man his age, Harold made it his mission to find a  physician who would recognize and understand that the current high PSA level was unusual for him. With help from his new physician and diet and lifestyle changes recommended by his HealthPrint, Harold was able to lower his PSA from 12.8 to 4.2. Although, at one point, Harold was told that he might possibly have prostate cancer, he has not developed cancer. He has not had to undergo prostate surgery and is, instead, anticipating a marvelous PSA level well below 4.0! Considering that 0-4 is normal for a much younger man, Harold is elated!

Ruth, a retired professional social worker, has a different, but no less compelling, story. Ruth remembers having agonizing migraines and being overweight as a child.  Because she never again wanted to be fat, as an adult Ruth was prudent about what she ate and how she exercised.  She maintained her weight, but continued to have serious migraine headaches. Then, the unexpected happened.  She developed colon cancer, and later cancer of the uterus, and skin cancer.

After her battle with cancer, Ruth acknowledges that she became “more conscientious than ever” about her red blood cell counts, which were very low, and wanted advice about what to do to stay well.  She began consulting with YFH about her diet and taking vitamins and supplements to improve and maintain her health.  Over the last twenty years, Ruth has been diligent about doing her routine blood work two or three times a year.  She has worked to refine her nutrition program to ensure that she has the best opportunity to stay young at heart and healthy.  Ruth is delighted that, since working with YFH, her red blood cell count has improved, her migraines have disappeared, she has been cancer free, and she plays doubles tennis twice a week!  Equally important, she has documented, over the last twenty years, what is “normal” for her.  If her lab results are outside of her “normal,”  Ruth can take her lab results to a physician who will listen to her and seek medical advice and treatment, if warranted.