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After Diagnosing Lung Cancer, My doctor Gave me Six Months to Live: That was 30 Years ago and I used Alternative Holistic Treatment.
Currently there is an interesting court case in Virginia involving a 16 year-old boy with Hodgkin who wants to use alternative treatments because the traditional therapy he started was so debilitating. Despite the support of his parents the courts ruled three days ago that he must receive traditional therapy. One question raised by this nationally reported court case is the efficacy of alternative treatment for cancer. My successful case study follows.
In 1976 a dream warned me to receive a chest x-ray. Following x-rays, physical exams and a biopsy, I was diagnosed with lung cancer, a fast progressing form of cancer. When I refused surgery my doctor told me I would be dead in 6 months. I told him that was my decision and his responsibility was to tell me the pros and cons of surgery.
As a doctorally prepared nurse with over 55 years in nursing practice and education helping thousands of clients improve their health I have always used a holistic approach. The life experience of being diagnosed Cancer gave me one of my first opportunities to apply these concepts in my own life. Using an alternative approach allowed me to continue working and avoid the debilitating effects experienced by traditional treatment for cancer.
Initially I visited a physician who had previously used Laetrile successfully with patients at the National Institute of Health. He prescribed and told me where I could obtain Laetrile. He also prescribed a special diet of low protein foods and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, seeds and nuts. He also prescribed a variety of vitamins and pancreatic enzymes. He was vague about other aspects of care but with my nursing background I was able to develop a holistic approach.
Thus, in the spiritual arena I contacted several church prayer groups and asked to be on prayer lists. I also contacted Olga Worrell, a now deceased nationally known psychic healer and asked for her daily prayers. I continued my daily prayer and meditation and applying spiritual concepts such as love, faith and patience in my daily life. I also focused on being of service to others.
In the mental realm I used frequent affirmations throughout the day such as “I release the past and focus on love and joy. I am healed.” I also had two daily sessions of visualization where I would visualize the cancer cells leaving the body via the gastrointestinal tract and being replaced by health red and white cells entering through the mouth. Last, the most important part of treatment was remaining positive and knowing that I would recover based upon my faith and assurance from God. A friend told me she was always available to talk whenever I had doubts and although I almost never needed this, it was reassuring to know someone was there for me who understood my need to use alternative treatment.
I have since learned that God speaks and helps with my health and other problems if I listen. He speaks through dreams, intuition, friends and other methods. Increasing one’s sensitivity to God Speaking is the outcome of prayer, meditation and the other spiritual activities discussed above.
My doctor continued to see me every 3 months for x-ray and other diagnostic tests but without the knowledge of my alternative treatment. After two years he declared me free of cancer and said, “he guessed he had made the wrong diagnosis.” However, another physician friend who reviewed all of the data confirmed my diagnosis. It had now been 30 years since my initial diagnosis and “at age 74 I am one of the 11 percent of the population over age 65 who are not on any prescription medications.” (Helvie, 2007) I believe this speaks well for alternative holistic health prevention and treatment.
The above is an abbreviated version of “Alternative Treatment for Lung Cancer and Irregular heart Beat: Two Case Studies” published in Alternative Health Practitioner in 1997 with Dr. Charles Thomas Cayce with the goal of offering encouragement to others who were told they had only a short time to live. The interested reader will find more information in this article.
Helvie, C. (2007) Healthy Holistic Aging: A Blueprint for Success. Minneapolis: Minnesota: Syren Book Co.
About the Author: Carl Helvie, R.N., Dr.P.H. is Professor Emeritus of Nursing and author of 6 books and 110 articles and research reports. Additional information can be found by a google search. His website is under construction. He can be reached at carlhelvie@cox.net.
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