Today I am grateful for the many wonderful things I have in life and just for life in general. I am thankful for each day that I have with the wonderful people in my life. This may not be a completely happy story but hopefully inspires you to be grateful for what you have today.
My sister was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer in 2008. Stage 4 means that it has spread throughout most or a good portion of the body. In her case it had spread to the bones and many other areas. Fortunately her brain remained healthy.
A well respected cancer institute said she probably would not live through 2009.
She began what became quite a journey.
After some research, prayer and meditation, she began working with a holistic doctor and gathering tons of information about healing naturally.
While she did have occasional low-dose oral chemotherapy, she mostly took it on through holistic/alternative healing methods. One of these included a month long trip to Germany. This is because they can do treatments that are illegal in the USA, but still safe and effective. (I’ll let you check that out for yourself) Even some clinics in the USA can do certain types of treatments that are illegal in some states. Any treatment can have a risk or a side effect, but that doesn’t mean it will. I am not an expert on any of this but I encourage you to look around at options if you or someone you love is in a similar situation.
The emotional and mental aspects of letting her job go, letting her former husband take care of the kids, and allowing others to do more for her than she did for them was, I believe harder than any physical discomfort she had.
A lot of her ‘treatment’ was switching to a diet made up mostly of organic vegetables and LOTs of juicing of vegetables and some select fruits.
Well, she lived through 2009. In 2010 she seemed really good including the time she went on a vacation to Lake Tahoe with our extended family and rode a bike and played like an average person would. To be fair, I will say that she was not ‘cancer-free’ at that time, but she seemed to be making great progress! Hey, she lived through 2009! (And the photo on this post is of her jumping into Lake Tahoe 🙂
Over this past winter she’s had a lot of pain and was recently admitted to a hospital for it where they discovered that the blood tests that implied the cancer was leaving her bones was not fully accurate. A scan showed that was cancer in pretty much every vertebra in her back and one tumor was trying to crush two vertebrae. (That’s what was causing so much pain in her body.)
She had radiation treatment on that one spot, and has agreed to have a heavy dose of chemotherapy while continues to support her body with super healthy foods.
This has reminded me of a few things.
One, we each get to choose how we deal with the challenges of life. There is no one-size-fits-all fix. (However, there are certain principles that are important follow, like meditation and intuition and taking inspired action)
Two, what every any ‘expert’ says, it doesn’t mean it will for sure happen, especially if you have a strong will and, again, take inspired action.
Third, every day we have is a gift. I am so grateful for the time I have had and still have with my sister. I am so grateful for the time I have with my wife and our two wonderful children. I am so grateful for the happy times I have with so many other people in my life.
Thank you for reading this and please take some time today and everyday to say thank you and give some gratitude for the things in your life. Many of which others don’t have. Come up with something new to be grateful for everyday. It could be as simple as a flower or plant you like that you pass or the green light you came through easily. Whatever is fine. Just be grateful please.
If there is anything I may do for you please let me know.
I wish you success, joy, peace and love always.
Shane
Leave a Reply