SUNDAY WORLD, MARCH 2013

We first met Patricia in March 2015, shortly after our daughter (age 3) had finished two and a half years of chemotherapy treatment for a brain tumour at Our Ladys Childrens Hospital, Crumlin.

Initially we had concerns regarding the efficacy and appropriateness of the ketogenic diet, especially for such a young child, and given her medical history. However, we found that Patricia was able respond to our questions and concerns in a knowledgeable, professional, balanced and compassionate manner. She provided us with a wealth of information into this field and prepared a synopsis of the current research to present to our daughter’s Oncology Team.

The transitioning period onto the diet was managed in a very pragmatic and thoughtful way, with glucose and carbohydrate rich foods being phased out whilst introducing new keto foods gradually. Patricia’s lovely recipe book became our ‘bible’, providing lots of great family recipes along with guidance on sourcing of ingredients and equipment to make life easier. And although we had been sceptical about how our daughter would adjust to her diet being radically overhauled, she has responded better than we could have imagined: her appetite is healthy, her skin is now clear and bright, and her digestive system has improved dramatically.

We cannot begin to express our gratitude for the positive impact that Patricia has had on our family. She is a truly unique individual, whose dedication and commitment to helping others is beyond compare. Our forever thanks.