CHOICES AND CHANGES ON THE CANCER JOURNEY

by Ruth Hanna, M.Ed., LPC

As promised in the last issue of Spirit Seeker, I return to write more about my travels down the road called breast cancer, a journey which first mandated my participation last December. Let me share a variety of thoughts and reflections that give a picture of this experience.

On Choosing Alternative Rather Than Conventional Treatment: Soon after the excisional biopsy in early January, when the malignant lump was removed, I began to doubt that I would follow the usual protocol of radiation and chemotherapy. In some ways it wasn't a difficult choice to make, since I have been squarely in the holistic health arena for more than 30 years.

For example, back in the 1970s as an avid reader of Prevention magazine, I particularly enjoyed the accounts of folks who tried this or that vitamin or food or practice and found good results that enhanced their health and well-being. When reading articles about laetrile, a substance made from apricot kernels which has been used to fight cancer, I recall saying to myself, "If I ever have cancer, I will search out something like that, rather than do chemotherapy or radiation."

So the seeds of my orientation to nonconventional approaches were sown decades ago. They were nourished further in the early 1980s when I was on the board of directors of the Holistic Health Center of St. Louis, also editing its newsletter. That educational group held classes and workshops on a variety of topics, from yoga to reflexology to homeopathy and more. Since then, interest in such modalities has grown immensely.

Through the years my primary form of health care has been chiropractic, so it was natural for me to enlist the help of my chiropractor when I learned that cancer was a possibility. Using clinical kinesiology (muscle testing) we determined which supplements and substances would be most needed and appropriate.

In addition to this "tailor-made-for-my-body" nutrition, in the past three months I have continued regular pranic healing sessions, received light beam therapy for the lymphatic system, looked at the cellular activity and composition of my blood with darkfield microscopy, done additional types of blood tests, had a hair analysis to determine mineral and heavy metal status, received NET for neuro-emotional support, taken a number of homeopathic substances, drunk Mary's Tea (Essiac), had medical intuitive consultations, read from many sources on cancer and its treatment, used my rebounder mini-trampoline to assist the lymph in its immune function, incorporated aromatherapy, received acupuncture and massage, done imagery and visualization and Focusing, prayed, meditated, and communed with my body and my inner self. Oh, yes, and braved multiple visits to my holistic dentist to have the amalgam fillings removed from more than a dozen teeth because of mercury toxicity.

Using an alternative approach is not a half-way measure.

Are techniques and practices like these necessary for me, as someone who has recently received a cancer diagnosis? For my body, I believe so, since cancer is a message that something is malfunctioning on the physical level and needs to be investigated thoroughly. For my spirit (including the level of the mind and its beliefs which my spiritual teaching says are crucial and causative for conditions in the body), the in-depth inner work will be ongoing and life-long.

Some of the supplements and dietary approaches I am using are similar to those recommended by Dr. Nicholas Gonzalez, a New York City physician whose work with cancer patients is now being researched by the National Cancer Institute (see The New Yorker, Feb. 5, 2001, issue). What is important to know is that alternative treatment, though at this point the less frequent choice of cancer patients, is not far-fetched. In fact, I foresee the day when an alternative or integrative approach will be the norm, when detoxifying the body and rebuilding the immune system will be automatic and rightful steps in addressing cancer.

Until then, many people with a cancer diagnosis will follow conventional protocols, bringing to their radiation and chemotherapy treatments as much courage and stamina and hope as they can muster. I respect their choice, and I believe their physicians help them with the best that they know how to offer. But it is not the right choice for me.

My hope is that, if at all possible, anyone using conventional treatment would also incorporate complementary protocols to alleviate the more arduous aspects, using an integrative approach. I believe that it is not sufficient to receive radiation and chemotherapy, get it over with, and then return to life as it was before. I would urge every cancer patient to investigate methods which not only detoxify the effects of these treatments, but contribute to changing the body's cellular environment by supporting the immune system. It is essential to work with one's mental and emotional environment as well.

Why Travel to Germany? I write this just days before leaving for treatment at an alternative cancer clinic in the Bavarian Alps of south central Germany, where I will be for the better part of March and into April. The treatment protocols offered at the Hufeland Clinic for Holistic Immunotherapy (www.hufeland-klinik.de) are varied and wide-ranging. They include stimulation of the detoxifying functions of the liver, kidneys, and intestines using the healing springs of Bad Mergentheim, "bloodwash" with ozone therapy, optimizing metabolism by oxygen therapy, proteolytic enzymes to eliminate pathologic immune complexes, active fever therapy or hyperthermia to induce production of interferons and other modifiers of the immune system, colon hydro-therapy, regeneration of the intestinal flora with special diet and microbiological therapy, therapies with biological response modifiers and homeopathic medicines or medicines made from plants, and regeneration and activation of the body's defense system by means of thymus extract, mistletoe extract infusions, administering of antigens, trace elements, vitamins, and minerals.

Additional therapies are used to strengthen the individual's will to heal, including psycho-spiritual stabilization by individual and group dialogue, depth relaxation, respiratory biofeedback, group meditation, visualization, color and art therapy including painting, blindfolded sculpting in clay, group singing, and dance. For some patients, low-dose chemotherapy or hormones are used, if urgently needed to halt tumor growth. Radiation is rarely used.

Dr. Wolfgang Woeppel, described as "serious and dedicated," opened the Hufeland Clinic in 1985. He presents scientific papers on his work at cancer conferences and has treated more than 3,000 patients. Ralph Moss, Ph.D., a researcher of cancer therapies for more than 25 years, says of him, "My respect for the quiet and modest Dr. Woeppel could not be higher." (My husband and I invested in Dr. Moss' 500-page Moss Reports to help us in our decision of which clinic we would ultimately choose; see www.cancerdecisions.com. It is an excellent resource.)

But why Germany? Many of the therapies noted above are offered at clinics in Mexico, just across the border from San Diego. Some I can do here in the U.S., a few even in St. Louis. However, Germany is the world leader in nonconventional cancer treatment, and there are dozens of cancer-oriented clinics, most of them located in spa towns where the healing waters of mineral springs are readily employed as part of the treatment. In fact, it is less expensive to go to Germany than to Mexico for treatment, or to scout out similar treatment at U.S. facilities. But more specifically, the answer to "why Germany" lies in my felt sense not only about Dr. Woeppel, but about Germany itself.

In this voyage I am taking a pilgrimage to my ethnic source – my maternal grandparents and paternal great-grandparents immigrated to America from Germany. I am wholly German by blood and ancestry, but there were times in years past when I wanted to disown my heritage, especially those aspects of German culture that seemed hard and rigid and narrow-minded. To go now to Germany for treatment is a healing in itself – I am happy to reclaim the wisdom and richness and kindliness that is also part of my ethnic ancestry.

In addition, because my husband and I have traveled frequently to Germany's neighboring country of France, to go abroad for alternative treatment is fitting. We will preface the trip to Germany with a stop at Taizé in France, an ecumenical community where prayer services three times daily bring a thousand voices together in simple chants suffused with the Love and Light of God. For me, that is healing of the highest order for body, mind, and heart.

Should Everyone Choose Alternative Treatment for Cancer? No, not at all, and though I share my choice with you here in some detail, I am not suggesting this choice for anyone unless that person feels guided to do so and has appropriate help in making good and sound decisions each step of the way. That help and support includes one's inner counsel, consultations with health care professionals, and a great deal of reading and research and continued self-education. Some aspects of the alternative choice also require a certain level of financial resources in lieu of insurance coverage.

Speaking here of choices, I am aware that this choice I am making – like any major life choice – has its unknown elements. Though a number of subjective diagnostic assessments indicate that my body is already moving toward healing, this kind of experience still presents many opportunities to acknowledge the uncertainty that is the very nature of a cancer journey. I do not know the future. But I can say with confidence that I am making a choice that resonates with my heart and soul as good and right for me, whatever the outcome. In the end, these kinds of choices emerge from the innermost spirit, though their result at the moment be unknown. I am reminded again of the Rilke poem which suggests that when we have unresolved matters in our hearts, we are to love and live each question until we live into its answer. That is my intention and my desire.

What Is the Importance of Friends and Family for the One on a Cancer Journey? Immeasurable! As I walk this road I am humbly appreciative of all the prayers said on my behalf, the gifts given, the messages sent, the healing energies transmitted, the healing services offered, the love shared. To receive this abundance is an experience of grace and gratitude, a heart lesson of the greatest worth. It represents a change for my very nature, where being self-sufficient and the helper of others so often overshadowed the ability to receive.

Once years ago during a meditation I heard within a spontaneous affirmation: "I accept all blessings." I liked hearing those words then, but today I realize more fully what they mean than ever before – and it is good. I wish for everyone, cancer journey or not, that the kind of love I am experiencing be given and received freely and fully.

You and I are ready now to live open-heartedly. It is surely time for us to bless one another, affirm one another, encourage one another. It is time to heal and be whole. It is time to live in Light.