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Musings, Memoir and Medicine from Erica Elliott
medical posts, travel posts, healthy recipes, memoir
Hello Erica
I heard your recent interview on MFTIC podcast. It thrilled me and I have just listened to the audiobook of Medicine and Miracles…”.
I Really enjoyed it. I’ve shared it to a fair few friends.
I live in Somerset, England and have long been fascinated by Native Americans. I studied their culture at university in US and ever since and was lucky to travel to Dakota, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico In my twenties .
Your storytelling was compulsive listening and I’ve now subscribed to your blog.
I released a lockdown project music and audio mix that was about and featured Indigenous music and words. It’s a 6hr mix features indigenous authors like Robin Wall Kimmerer and Tyson Yunkaporta.
https://www.mixcloud.com/james-parker3/alie-nation/
Keep up the good work.
Respect and best wishes
James
What a pleasant surprise to hear from you, James—–all the way from England!! A group from the UK reached out to me two years ago to give a webinar. The group is called Scientific and Medical Network. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tLHWeI5cWM You might enjoy it. I tried to open your link but wasn’t able to for some reason. in any case, I sure appreciate your comments. Sending you many blessings, Erica
Hi Erica,
I was a US Peace Corps in The Gambia from 2002 to 2005. I have been living in Santa Fe for the past five months and bought your book at Travel Bugs. I understand your original timidity in wanting to share your experiences with the world (in particular the peyote experiences).
I have an interest in learning more about Native American culture and perhaps you have some suggestions for me… Also, I was wondering if you told your Native American friends about the desert flowers you observed outside the teepee after the rain ceremony and if so, what they thought they were? Also, were you able to speak and understand Navajo in all the ceremonies or was it just in the one you described in your book?
I’ll be in Santa Fe for the next 5 weeks and then I’ll be returning to West Africa where I’m helping my former community in The Gambia; here is a link to my GoFundme: https://gofund.me/590d8274
Also, I don’t have a primary care doctor; and so, perhaps you could help me with getting malaria medication and some antibiotics for the 5 months I’ll be in Africa… Thank you,
I look forward to reading more about your experiences.
Sincerely,
Jeff Weege
Hi Jeff, it sounds like you are leading a very meaningful life with your work in The Gambia. I think the best way to learn about Native Americans would be to volunteer for some sort of project on the Navajo Reservation. I’m sorry I can’t take you on as a patient. I haven’t taken new patients in over five years. I have 1,200 patients which is way too many. You can get your malaria medication at the travel clinic. https://www.passporthealthusa.com/locations/nm/santa-fe/213/ Thank you for your feedback on my book. I’m working on memoir # 2 about my time in the Peace Corps. It will be called “From Mountains to Medicine: My Search for Purpose.” I’m hoping it will be out in a year. Many blessings to you, Erica.
Jeff,
Local doctors and medicines should still be affordable in the capital. You can also try a Thai pharmacy online before you go. Try to find the Chinese drug for malaria — the one that the doctor got the Nobel prize for developing — it does not have the adverse psychiatric effects of the others. Artequick, I think. I believe it performed well against resistant strains of malaria
Erica — 1200 patients?!!! My 200+ keep me busy in semi-retirement.
The plant that the Chinese used for malaria as Artemesia Annua, or Wormwood. It is very powerful.
Dr. Elliot,
My name is Travis Frazier
Tł’ízí łání nishłį́
Hooghan łání báshíshchíín
Tábaahá dashicheii
Tsé nahabiłnii dashinalí
I just finished your book Medicine and Miracles in the High Desert. I am in awe about your experiences! Thank you so much for all you do for the Diné. It’s people like you that remind me how great our native culture is and how important it is to keep our traditions going.
I am saddened because I just graduated from UNM’s School of Medicine and am now doing my Family Medicine residency in Maine. I would’ve have loved to see your clinic in Santa Fe. Perhaps in the future I will have the pleasure of meeting you!
Ya’at’ééh Travis, Hatʼíísh baa naniná? Thank you for your kind note. I love the way you introduced yourself with the name of your mother’s and your father’s clans. So you are Many Goats on you mom’s side. What does Tábaahá mean?
Congratulations on completing medical school and now doing your residency in Family Medicine. We need more native doctors!
I’m wondering how you came across my book. I donated 4,000 copies, spread among three school districts—-Chinle, Window Rock, and Shiprock. Did someone from one of those districts give you a copy?
Hagóoné Shiyáázh
Erica
Ya’at’ééh shi’kis!
That’s so cool you donated all those books! I wish someone would have shown me.
More recently, my older brother Bud sparked an interest in me to learn more about our Navajo traditions, specially Navajo medicine. We both were perusing audible and found your book! I will have to buy one and get your autograph in the future!
My brother has been a great influence to me. He recently started a nonprofit organization called NavajoStrong in response to the pandemic. Please check out navajostrong.org sometime!
It’s great to hear from you!
-Travis
I checked out NavajoStrong. Your brother, Bud, is amazing!! What a kind man and such a strong force for goodness! I imagine he’s had a very positive influence on you. I think it’s great that you want to learn more about Navajo traditions and Navajo ways of healing. As you could see from my book, my time with the Navajo people powerfully impacted my life. I wonder where you’ll decide to practice medicine once you finish your residency.
Many blessings to you,
Erica
Yes, your book was very uplifting and powerful! I’d like to learn more about your practice and what areas of medicine you like to do. One of the reasons I chose this program out in the east is their focus on integrative medication and their osteopathy training for MDs.
I will be heading back to the four corners area after residency. IHS was kind enough to pay for all of med school, as long as I work for them as repayment. I am looking to work for Utah Navajo Health System in Blanding, UT, my hometown. They are a 638 organization and will fulfill my IHS requirement.
Your plans sound very exciting, Travis! i think the people you treat will be very grateful for your care. The National Health Service paid for my education–not that different from what the IHS did for you. That’s how I ended up in Cuba, NM.
If you want to get a little bit of an idea how I practice medicine, you could visit an old website that I have not maintained in 13 years because I no longer accept new patients, given that I have 1,200 patients, which is way too many for a solo practitioner. Here is the link: http://www.ericaelliottmd.com I left mainstream medicine after 10 years because I found it too limiting for me. Since practicing out of the system, my work became extremely fulfilling and meaningful. I see patients from all over the country who have problems that mainstream doctors don’t know how to diagnose (like mold toxicity, food sensitivities, chemical sensitivities, for example) and/or don’t know how to treat. I’m like a medical detective. I love my work so much that I have no intention of retiring, even though I’m 73.
I wish you many blessings. You are on a good path.
Erica
Oh and Tábaahá (maybe spelled Tábaghá) is Waters Edge!
I very much enjoyed meeting you via zoom yesterday at our RPCV Bookclub. You continue to do great things for the world with Native American healing and caring for people. I look forward to your upcoming book on patient stories. I’m so glad you had the foresight to take good notes in so many ways over the years so that you can write books that are fun to read and inspiring to healthcare practitioners as myself.
Thank you for your kind words, Lisa. I thoroughly enjoyed talking to you and your group yesterday. It sounds like you are providing valuable services to your patients as well. I’ve been posting over the years some of the patient stories that I referred to, the ones I hope to compile into a book sometime to demonstrate to the readers how I find the underlying cause of previously undiagnosed—or misdiagnosed—medical problems. I hope our paths cross again. Warmly, Erica.
Hi Erica, My husband was going through my recipe box yesterday and he pulled out a wrinkled, yellowing recipe for “Fruit Cake a la Erica” on a small piece of paper in your handwriting. He commented on it and I said, “Give that to me. That’s a great recipe.” It immediately brought back memories of our times together in Denver and the Colorado Rockies. And of that delicious fruitcake. I googled you and saw that you wrote a book. So I ordered it and am excited to read it. Sending you Holiday greetings and wishes for a healthy 2021. ( For you and for all our weary world!)
How exciting to hear from you, Karen. I have such fond memories of our adventures together in Denver while I was doing my residency training. We hiked, shared meals together, shared recipes, shared our respective stories. You and your beautiful daughter actually came to Santa Fe to visit me. You stayed at a hotel on a hill, now called Santa Fe Spa. Everytime I drive by it, I think of you and your daughter. When you and she came to my house, my son Barrett and your daughter played together. What is she doing these days? And where does she live? And you? Five years ago an old friend invited me to the Telluride Film Festival. I ran into Jim Balog! We had a nice little reminiscing session. Are you and he still in touch much? In any case, it’s a thrill for me to hear from you. I hope you enjoy the book. Much love, Erica
Dr. Erica. Hoping you could give referral for natural health practitioner in Michigan. I have many clients that are suffering and not getting worthwhile health results from their current practitioners. Many live in daily physical pain and anxiety.
Hi Barbara, It’s challenging finding good doctors. I suggest you contact the Institute for Functional Medicine and check out who is recommended in your area. Here is the link: https://www.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/ Good luck in your search. Many blessings, Erica.
I enjoyed your book immensely and look forward to the next book in your series. As a practicing physician myself I especially appreciate that you remind us that our western way of seeing is but one of the manifold realities available to all seekers. Thank you for work
How nice to hear from you, Mark! I appreciated your comments about the manifold healing possibilities. Yes, definitely true. I love having access to more than one path. You are a family practitioner, I assume. I bet you could relate to some of the stories about my time in Cuba, New Mexico. Sending many good wishes during these challenging times. Erica
Dear Dr. Elliot, I finished your Medicine and Miracles a few days ago. During this time in our country, your book was a bright star in the morning sky. It made me feel young reading about your adventures and friendships in your life. Looking forward to your next book! Jen
Your comment put a smile on my face, Jen! I’m so happy you enjoyed the book. Many blessings, Erica
I am in awe of your service to all on the planet ! Thank you for your book which our local book club is reading for future discussion,
Dear Molly, thank you so much for your comment. I’m excited that your book club is reading my book. I would love to know how it impacted the group. With many blessings to you, Erica
Dr. Erica,
Today Laura Bacon recommended I speak with you, if possible. Ten years ago, I had anterior cervical disc replacement (2 discs) and fusion with a titanium plate. They said the plate can never be removed. I think I’m allergic to it and have constant cranial and throat issues since. Also, it seems they damaged a nerve in my neck and left me with constant spasms since then. I’ve tried the whole gamut of treatments up to Botox injections last year that left me barely able to swallow. Do you have any recommendations for new alternative treatments that might alleviate constant pain management. Laura has been working on me every week for a good while to help me manage. I might add that half my body was first broken at age 23 from which I healed, including a fractured neck. After being told I would be an invalid for life, little use of my right arm, I was tested and found I had healing gifts and then healed it all. I’ve had an extremely active life until the last vehicle hit me around age 60 and broke my neck yet again. I’m still young at heart and am told I’m in amazing shape for my age. Now, if I can just get my neck/head to listen to me and heal as it once did, I’d be a happy girl. Somehow it’s not working, and this plate is in my way big time. Any ideas on the matter?
Dear Sharon, I’m terribly sorry that you are suffering. I don’t give individual medical advice on my blog posts. And sadly, I’m not able to take on any more patients, due to my already overflowing medical practice. I will say that you could consult with an orthopedist who specializes in the cervical spine and see if it’s possible to have the plate removed–in spite of what you were told. And you could apply twice a day topical magnesium oil and medical cannabis salve to the spasming area in your neck. All the best to you, Erica
Let known that you heard me !
Dr. Elliott,
I saw you probably more than 35 years ago and I don’t remember why – – I only remember you. My friend greatly benefited by seeing you soon there after due to environmental issues. Now I have just seen you again on Santa Fe Reports and am so taken by your story – – your faith in miracles and your amazing brave willingness to encounter the world of healing. I have a very precious story of my daughter’s struggle with MS and her death 5 years ago. I never knew where to find you, and would have sought your wisdom if I had. I will write you her story because in the end her caregiver was Navajo. As a warrior he was in training as a shaman and he brought his eagle feather to be with her in the end. He gave “She walks in beauty” at her service – – both in English and in Navajo. Is there any way an “old patient” might have an appointment with you?? Is there any way to heal my loss?? Maybe there is no healing for loss, but maybe there is a way to make it more bearable?? I am so glad you are in the world. Thank you for sharing the hope you believe in.
Dear Edi, Thank you for sharing your story about the loss of your daughter. I don’t think a parent ever “gets over” such a big loss. But it is possible to make peace with the grief. I suggest you contact the Navajo caregiver and see if he will do a healing ceremony for you. If he won’t or can’t do that, ask him if there is a medicine man who would do a healing ceremony for your broken heart. With many blessings and healing thoughts, Erica
Dr. Elliott, if you agree to testify for me , but , only in am affidavit , I will not disagree to put you in touch with me , not many physicians , well none at all even agree to recognize me , in fact , Oncologist Richard Furman quit talking to me flat out , and
my wife, when he discovered I was a serious plaintiff in Applegate v. Monsanto , I am going to be a winner , unless things continue on its evil process ! Ask all you like because I know it all ?
Hi Ralph, I am pleased to see that you are taking on Monsanto. You are doing a big public service. I was an expert witness on behalf of my patients for 25 years. A few years ago I stopped all legal activities after a serious snowboarding accident which deeply impacted my health. Have you tried Howard Schwartz? Or Russ Canfield? I think they would be happy to get involved on your behalf. Many blessings, Erica
I very much enjoyed your talk at the Winter of Wellness. I learned a lot and am motivated to read your blog posts.
Thank you.
Thank you for your feedback, Lilly. I hope you find the medical blog posts useful. You’re welcome to use them as handouts if you want. I wrote a post about chronic sinusitis that you might like, even though it’s information you’re already familiar with. Best wishes to you. Erica