Margaret's Story
Margaret was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia] (CLL) in 1987. This disease consists of an abnormal increase in white blood cells that is considered to be a kind of cancer, as it is characterized by uncontrolled and unnatural cell growth. Her doctor informed her that CLL generally worsens slowly and there was no medical treatment that would retard the progression of the disorder. However, he stated, medical treatment including both chemotherapy and radiation would be available when complications such as swollen lymph nodes, an enlarged Striate] breathing became a problem.

Relieved to know that the progress of the disease would be slow and alarmed that there was no medical solution, Margaret began to explore alternative strategies for health enhancement. She looked into nutritional and herbal support, and she began to practice some self-healing methods. Here is Margaret's story.

I began to refine my diet, use vitamin and herbal supplements, and become more focused with my exercise and self--care practices. An inner, almost spiritual kind of intuition directed me. I felt that anything I would do to increase my health generally would slow the progress of the disease. My physician did not confirm this idea, but it felt right to me. I had gained tremendous support from prayer and the study material from my church over the years, so I deepened my spiritual practice as well.

I was always a healthy person overall so I didn't really expect to feel much different. I did have a sense of well-being, particularly when I did my self-healing practices. My lab tests showed that the CLL was indeed progressing slowly. The doctor seemed pleased that the white cell count was stable. Apparently CLL was progressing even slower than the doctor had expected.

During 1991 and 1992 I began experiencing swelling in the lymph nodes of my neck. Eventually they got quite large, and it scared me. One, at the base of my tongue, was beginning to affect my eating and swallowing. The physician recommended a course of chemotherapy. Against my inner guidance, I agreed. I had a severe negative reaction to the chemotherapy. It was really awful.

The drugs, or maybe something else-I still don't quite know-caused a radical drop in my red blood cell count so I became extremely fatigued. I had a very strange rash and became horribly depressed. I immediately discontinued the chemotherapy but eventually had to be hospitalized for complications. Suddenly, all in just a few days, I had the frightening experience of being hospitalized, having a bone marrow biopsy, and needing to receive a blood transfusion.

I really thought I might die. My family began to send a powerful increase of prayers for me. Plus, a special drug for my kidneys helped to regenerate the red blood cell count. After a very scary experience I felt safe again. The fatigue continued for a long time, and the swelling in my neck was unchanged. A second doctor claimed that the chemotherapy dose was too large. I don't know about that, but I definitely felt poisoned.

Almost a year later I agreed to have a series of radiation treatments to try to reduce the swelling in my neck, which still was causing me difficulty when breathing and swallowing. That was scary too, but it did not cause such a horribly toxic reaction. The swelling did reduce, and I was very relieved. The doctor stated that the swelling would return in time. I was content just to feel less constrained in the neck area. That was three years ago, and my swelling has not returned.

I feel my case is a great testimony to three things that should be added to the benefits of modem medicine. First, I was amazed at how I felt immediate benefit from the increase of prayer from my family. It was very notable to me and boosted my faith. Second, I feel sure that nutrition and herbal tonics have helped me to recover my energy after the chemotherapy. Third, throughout this whole experience I have faithfully applied self-healing practices every day and felt the power of their assistance all along the way.

I believe I almost died. I wonder sometimes, "Was it just the medicine that helped me to recover?" Well, even my doctors said there is no medical therapy to improve this disorder. Yet I have had periods of what has seemed like remission. So if medicine can offer no health improvement, I must believe that the prayer and spiritual practice, the focus on nutrition, and the self-healing methods have served me very well.

Recently, I had a blood check where my white and red cell counts had returned almost to nominal. Two separate doctors commented that knowing my case, they would not have expected to see such readings this many years after the diagnosis. I take that as a very positive sign.

My theory is that everything you do to heal yourself, including self-healing methods and the prayers that you send or receive, is at least as powerful as the medicine that doctors have to offer. These can work together. The healing capacity within complements and reinforces the medicine from outside. That's what they call complementary medicine, isn't it? I very definitely benefited from the radiation treatments. The chemotherapy, I still think, was a poor choice for me. My daily self-healing practice and my spiritual practice are the rock on which I have built my healing and mental calm.

Every morning I spend at least an hour doing self-healing and reading inspirational material from the Bible, and the Daily Word. I really believe that it is because I combine my self-healing with my practice of faith and the treatment from my doctors that I am alive today.

Margaret's program with page numbers from THE HEALER WITHIN: (Start Practices in Bed)

Night:
Essential Breaths, pg 86
a few moments of one of the deep relaxation practices, pg 99

Morning:
Essential Breaths, pg 86
"Tummy rub" (similar to the Colon rub), Pg 72
"Several "made up" methods
Right and Left Bending of the Spine, lying down, pg 40

Then sitting:
Right and left hand-to-shoulder massage, pg 69
Massage of both sides of the neck with extended finger tips, pg 68
Hand massage, pg 61
Foot massage, pg 63
Ear massage, pg 65

Standing or moving about:
Put tea water on to boil
Front to Back Bending of the Spine, pg 44
Flowing Motion, pg 37
Cup of tea or some hot water with lemon
Study spiritual reading
Walk, natural setting when possible
In, In, Out Breathing, pg 93
Tai Chi movements