I'm presently writing a book about my cancer journey, but more specifically, it is about how my treatments in Mexico were so vastly different from the options I was given here in Canada. This has been a real challenge as I have never written a book before, but I felt this overwhelming need to share my experiences with other cancer patients.
This need became really acute once I was immersed in my treatments at a hospital in Mexico, and I then had the opportunity to meet patients from around the world. A very large number of these patients are from Canada and the United States, and their reasons for travelling to Mexico for treatment awakened me to the great need among cancer patients for encouragement and information.
I don't have the discipline of a seasoned writer, because I find myself taking several days off in a row, rather than relegating my work to specific hours each day, but I have made a lot of progress in the past few months. As I near the end of my book, however, I am overwhelmed by the details to which I have given little thought until recently: bibliography, endnotes, copyright permission, kinds of publishing, photographs, cover picture, title, back cover comments etc..
The other day, I was researching publishing online and one best-selling author said that new writers need to develop a tough exterior shell as there will be lots of rejection along the way.
That was not encouraging!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Why Would You Go To Mexico For Cancer Treatment???
It's been nine months since my last cancer diagnosis, and presently I am in remission, or should I say the cancer is in remission? I chose to have my treatment in Mexico and I have not regretted this decision for a second.
People's reactions to my decision have been varied, funny and even weird. One woman said to me, "Oh, I am so sorry". She later admitted this comment evolved from her belief that people go to Mexico only as a last resort, and I suppose there might have been a time when this was a popular belief, but nowadays, folks are simply recognizing the benefit of escaping a medical system bent on the use of drugs to the exclusion of natural, logical treatments.
Three doctors here in Ontario have asked me with disdain, "Why would you go to Mexico?" Well, if they have to ask, then I recognize immediately that they have done very little research, because the answer is all over the internet and in hundreds of books available to anyone. The main reason is that I wanted to live.
One oncologist, here in Ontario when looking at the list of treatments I was receiving in Mexico said, "Well, it looks to me that all you got was a bunch of homeopathy". Interesting comment which tells me he either can't read, or chooses not to, because I listed not only the alternative adjunctive therapies I had received, but also the traditional ones.
Aother oncologist here at home asked me how I rated having my own private little hospital in Mexico. Weird comment from a so-called professional. Then he asked why I went there. As I was responding to this question, he yawned and got that "glazed over" look.
Yup, that's why I went to Mexico...
People's reactions to my decision have been varied, funny and even weird. One woman said to me, "Oh, I am so sorry". She later admitted this comment evolved from her belief that people go to Mexico only as a last resort, and I suppose there might have been a time when this was a popular belief, but nowadays, folks are simply recognizing the benefit of escaping a medical system bent on the use of drugs to the exclusion of natural, logical treatments.
Three doctors here in Ontario have asked me with disdain, "Why would you go to Mexico?" Well, if they have to ask, then I recognize immediately that they have done very little research, because the answer is all over the internet and in hundreds of books available to anyone. The main reason is that I wanted to live.
One oncologist, here in Ontario when looking at the list of treatments I was receiving in Mexico said, "Well, it looks to me that all you got was a bunch of homeopathy". Interesting comment which tells me he either can't read, or chooses not to, because I listed not only the alternative adjunctive therapies I had received, but also the traditional ones.
Aother oncologist here at home asked me how I rated having my own private little hospital in Mexico. Weird comment from a so-called professional. Then he asked why I went there. As I was responding to this question, he yawned and got that "glazed over" look.
Yup, that's why I went to Mexico...
Sunday, December 28, 2008
It's Only Cancer
Why this title?
I believe that cancer must be respected rather than feared. And it is really that simple. Cancer is an opportunistic disease that must be understood in order for us to outsmart it. By using this title, I am in no way trivializing the challenge that it presents to those of us who presently have cancer, or have had it in the past. Cancer is cancer, and it cannot be ignored. I am instead, suggesting that we replace the images and concepts we have been conditioned to accept regarding cancer, such as the notion that cancer must be "beaten", or that "a war on cancer" must be waged. These are violent images that perpetuate our fear of cancer, and war implies harsh measures with devastating results. We can replace these images once we gain insight into the causes of cancer. For it is only then, that we can implement prevention. Through this understanding of the causes of cancer, fear will be replaced by hope and we can then develop the belief that we can do something to eliminate cancer, and we can do it gently, lovingly and respectfully.
It also helps to understand the reasons why these violent images have been planted in our minds. When a public fears a disease such as cancer, it is all the more easily manipulated by the economic powers that be. When millions of dollars are donated by an unassuming public that believes their contributions are going toward a "cure" for cancer ", Big Pharma in fact, is able to continue to use this money to develop more and more drugs that will deal only with the symptoms of cancer, for that is all drugs do. Big Pharma does not want a cure. That would mark the end of decades of economic success. The drug industry benefits financially whenever a cancer patient permits the medical system to apply bolus chemotherapy or surgery or radiation in order to deal with his cancer. It does not benefit when a patient becomes empowered to seek alternatives. Big Pharma cannot make a single penny when a patient changes to an organic, raw, or nearly raw vegtable-based diet supplemented with high quality vitamins and minerals. It cannot profit from a patient who uses energy medicine to help his body function properly. Big Pharma realizes no benefit if a cancer patient understands the power of "thought" in his healing. Neither can it increase its coffers when a cancer patient learns to meditate and visualize. When a cancer patient researches and discovers that there are many cancer cures available and that there are hundreds more that have been suppressed by the drug industry and the medical industry over the past six or seven decades, then they are not as likely to be so easily manipulated and brainwashed by the "system".
I am not suggesting that there is no place in all of this for chemotherapy, surgery or radiation, because my personal paradigm for cancer consists of an integrative approach utilizing the best of medicine and the best of alternatives. My own cancer journey has taught me this. I am suggesting that we take the power away from cancer and give it to ourselves. Clear our screens by deleting the systemic images that have been uploaded by the drug industry, and reprogram, research and reset our beliefs until we realize that it is "only cancer" after all.
I believe that cancer must be respected rather than feared. And it is really that simple. Cancer is an opportunistic disease that must be understood in order for us to outsmart it. By using this title, I am in no way trivializing the challenge that it presents to those of us who presently have cancer, or have had it in the past. Cancer is cancer, and it cannot be ignored. I am instead, suggesting that we replace the images and concepts we have been conditioned to accept regarding cancer, such as the notion that cancer must be "beaten", or that "a war on cancer" must be waged. These are violent images that perpetuate our fear of cancer, and war implies harsh measures with devastating results. We can replace these images once we gain insight into the causes of cancer. For it is only then, that we can implement prevention. Through this understanding of the causes of cancer, fear will be replaced by hope and we can then develop the belief that we can do something to eliminate cancer, and we can do it gently, lovingly and respectfully.
It also helps to understand the reasons why these violent images have been planted in our minds. When a public fears a disease such as cancer, it is all the more easily manipulated by the economic powers that be. When millions of dollars are donated by an unassuming public that believes their contributions are going toward a "cure" for cancer ", Big Pharma in fact, is able to continue to use this money to develop more and more drugs that will deal only with the symptoms of cancer, for that is all drugs do. Big Pharma does not want a cure. That would mark the end of decades of economic success. The drug industry benefits financially whenever a cancer patient permits the medical system to apply bolus chemotherapy or surgery or radiation in order to deal with his cancer. It does not benefit when a patient becomes empowered to seek alternatives. Big Pharma cannot make a single penny when a patient changes to an organic, raw, or nearly raw vegtable-based diet supplemented with high quality vitamins and minerals. It cannot profit from a patient who uses energy medicine to help his body function properly. Big Pharma realizes no benefit if a cancer patient understands the power of "thought" in his healing. Neither can it increase its coffers when a cancer patient learns to meditate and visualize. When a cancer patient researches and discovers that there are many cancer cures available and that there are hundreds more that have been suppressed by the drug industry and the medical industry over the past six or seven decades, then they are not as likely to be so easily manipulated and brainwashed by the "system".
I am not suggesting that there is no place in all of this for chemotherapy, surgery or radiation, because my personal paradigm for cancer consists of an integrative approach utilizing the best of medicine and the best of alternatives. My own cancer journey has taught me this. I am suggesting that we take the power away from cancer and give it to ourselves. Clear our screens by deleting the systemic images that have been uploaded by the drug industry, and reprogram, research and reset our beliefs until we realize that it is "only cancer" after all.
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