Radical Remission

Sorry for the long silence. The side effects of chemo and treatment continue. I think the immunotherapy does have one side effect of making me very tired most of the time. I have now had 6 treatments, every two to three weeks, and with the oncologist's permission, taking a break until August 20 when I will have a CT scan to determine if the three tumours on my spine have receded, and whether continued immunotherapy treatments are necessary.

Most of the time since my last entry I have felt nausea, and no appetite. I have been eating enough purposely to keep my weight constant, but do have problems feeling flu symptoms from time to time. So when I consider the mind-body-emotion-spirit continuum of healing I haven't been able to do much on the mind-emotion-spirit side of things.

I am reading a wonderful book on cancer survivors who have chosen alternative medicine over traditional western medical treatment (radiation, chemo, immunotherapy). I can see my own experience echoed here over and over. Here is the reference: Radical Remission: surviving cancer against all odds, Turner, Kelly A., HarperCollins (2015).

Kelly emphasises the following "9 key factors that can make a real difference:"

• Radically changing your diet
• Taking control of your health
• Following your intuition
• Using herbs and supplements
• Releasing suppressed emotions
• Increasing positive emotions
• Embracing social support
• Deepening your spiritual connection
• Having strong reasons for living

The only one of these that I have not utilised is "using herbs and supplements." I believe that I can get excellent nutrition from real ordinary food as the first bullet stipulates.

The two factors following emotions are the ones that I need to work hardest on, but I haven't got to those chapters in the book yet. By the time of my next entry I will have finished the book.

Sandra and I are travelling, starting off on Cortes Island, BC, where Sandra is taking a week of training, in this quiet paradise known as Hollyhock. Then next week we will spend with Bob and Sharon Cook in Warren, Illinois. Then on to Seneca, IL for our annual Christian convention, four days of peace and rest.

So goodbye until next time. All for now.