Radical Remission Book Club by Kelly A. Turner, Ph.D.

Stephanie: Thank you so much for your post on stress and the hands, etc. I will search out those resources. Stress and worry are my two biggest "healthy lifestyle" challenges going forward. I can't avoid most of the things that stress me, but I am trying to learn how to handle it all differently. Thank you so much.

Stephanie, I especially like the flowchart!

"Fear – love – kidneys – forefinger" is interesting to me because it seems like I remember sitting, frightened, at the table with a support group the first week of my first diagnosis, holding my forefinger without knowing why.

Has anyone here connected with Dr. Michael Finkelstein, The Slow Medicine Doctor®? Or his book Slow Medicine: Hope and Healing for Chronic Illness? A used copy was only $.01 at Amazon, so I ordered it.

As recommended by Jan Adrian, MSW, Founder and Executive Director, www.healingjourneys.org, in her letter below:

Dear Friends,

There are two basic methods to respond to cancer in our bodies. The one that Western medicine predominantly focuses on is to fight the disease. Integrative medicine also addresses the terrain of the body/mind/spirit in which the cancer is growing. The metaphor of a garden is often used. We plant a seed, but the terrain in which it is planted determines whether or not it will grow. The soil is as important as the seed.

In July and September, we offered a workshop with Dr. Michael Finkelstein, The Slow Medicine Doctor®, called Loving Your Body. Dr. Finkelstein focused on how to make the terrain conducive to health. Central to the definition of Integrative Medicine is the body's innate ability to heal. Our bodies know how to get rid of intruders, and often do so without us even knowing about it. Our Parasympathetic Nervous System is where rest, rejuvenation, digestion, and healing happen.

The Sympathetic Nervous System in the body is designed to be a quick response mobilizing system that promotes a "fight or flight" response, corresponding with arousal and energy generation, and inhibits digestion. It is very useful when we are being attacked by a bear and need to get away. But in our modern world many of us respond as if we are being attacked all the time. We live our lives in Sympathetic Overdrive.

We live in a time when anxiety is a collective issue and doesn't just come from us. But we also contribute to the anxiety when we are in fear or worry. And who isn't in fear when you receive a cancer diagnosis? I have heard that the most important thing a person can do when diagnosed with cancer is to learn stress reduction techniques, because a cancer diagnosis can put us into Sympathetic Overdrive where healing can't happen.

Dr. Finkelstein began the workshop by saying that we probably expected him to add to the list of things we should do to eliminate cancer in our bodies. He said he wanted to do the opposite. He wanted us to let go of the burden of having to do everything right. He wanted us to learn how to relax and not be so hard on ourselves.

The Slow Medicine way is to first of all slow down and look at where we can increase the balance in our lives. The way we are out of balance can be different for each of us. He gave us the 77 questions from his book, Slow Medicine: Hope and Healing for Chronic Illness, that can help us in knowing where we need balance.

Much of this information wasn't new to me, but it was the reminder I needed that I can make a difference in the progression of my cancer. I also like that there is so much overlap between the Slow Medicine way and the Radical Remission way, which I have been writing about in my blog for the past 4 years. The terrain is up to me, and there is increasing evidence and acknowledgment that it makes a difference.

Jan Adrian, MSW
Founder and Executive Director
www.healingjourneys.org

Has anyone here read "A cancer battle plan" by Anne E. Frahm? I don't think that radical remission has given me false hopes. These books have given me hope and without hope is only death. I have given this disease to myself I believe this. By how I lived ate and remained dormant. What I was unknowingly exposed to as far as toxins etc. I will never relax ....never. I will continue to fight this war till it is done. Now off to the gym😊

Wendy, I read A Cancer Battle Plan years ago, back when Anne Frahm was somewhat of a lone voice for food as medicine. I actually read it before I was dx'd with bc -- just b'cuz I've always been interested in natural healing. As I recall, Anne did succumb to her cancer several years after she wrote the book, but I'm sure her advice still holds much wisdom, and might be interesting vis-a-vis what we know now, 20+ years later.

Stephanie, thanks for telling us about Slow Medicine. I haven't read it, but from the recommendation, it sounds right up my alley, as I very much believe that stress is hugely related to developing cancer, and that "fighting" what's happening in our body is counterproductive to healing. I'm also going to order it, although I must admit to not always doing well at finishing books I start, thanks to chemo brain.

Editing to add: I just found and ordered Slow Medicine on AbeBooks (my go-to for used books) for $1.00.

Deanna - I did an intensive energy work session this week and quiet changes followed. A sense that some things I tend to push for are now pulling me is one way to put it. Things somehow got easier. God Thing? Whatever, I'll take it. Interesting stuff. Glad you found that mediation class. Let us know how it goes.

>Z<

Delvzy - every time we have progression we get to relive the shock panic and trauma of diagnosis, but you've been at this for quite some time so you know the drill. take some care to get the diagnosis right (is it the same cancer?), get at least two opinions, make you treatment decision based on the best information you can and go for it. As time marches forward, we have all kinds of new tools. The standard medical tools advance and so do the alternative therapies.

If you want to chat about the details of your situation and options, it would helpful to update your signature with your current diagnostics and treatment history. We'll lode you up with options and questions to consider with your medical team.

The ladies on the bone mets thread will be the best resource. You'll find many who have been through progression and are still doing well. Bone mets are beatable.

Sending you peace and healing. Is there anything you have access to that grounds you like grooming cats or walking or energy work?

>Z<

Glad to see this thread reinvigorated I loved the book too what's not to love hope is always a good thing. I agree for me diet was a no brainer, supplementing was easy as well once I informed myself. However the brain and the mental attitudes we all have was far harder. I know many woman now with stage four cancer and many of them can't seriously look into the mirror and say I love you unconditionally I know I can't.

So it's a huge learning task for me to get my mind on board with my healing journey (yes a stage fourer just said healing). For me this will be the biggest challenge I did pick up a Louise Haye Cd about just this , it's a great before sleep audio on mindset and healing one self. The placebo is a real phenomenon and if that's true I believe we can all heal.