I once attended a cancer support group at a hospital in my hometown. I didn’t know what to expect, as during my actual cancer struggles I had done no such thing. At that time, I was being treated at a much better hospital—with better oncologists—about 50 miles away. It was too far to go for a support group, when you’re feeling beat up by cancer and chemotherapy. Read more...
What’s the difference between Western exercise and Chinese qigong (energy work)?
They share some of the same goals, such as gaining better health. Western exercises—lifting weights, running, etc.—also are designed to enhance the appearance of the body. Not really so with most qigong exercises, except the so called “hard” qigong, dynamic tension exercises designed to improve one’s martial arts skills. Read more...
When I was diagnosed with Stage Four lymphoma cancer in 1991, it was basically a death sentence. I was only 32, married to my beautiful wife and had two infant sons. In addition, we had just built a huge house on a lake. We had everything. And then cancer. Read more...
About thirty years ago a good friend I used to train with in the martial arts had a horrific accident: He was navigating the waves at a beach in Florida, laid back into a wave, fell into the “void” behind it and struck the back of his neck on a hard ridge of sand under the water’s surface. He’s been a quadriplegic ever since. And his wife has stuck by him for all these years, putting her own aspirations and ego aside. Magnificent! Read more...
During the declining years of my marriage, my ex-wife was searching for some philosophy in which she could express her spirituality. My best friend’s wife was going through the same sort of crisis. They found Wicca, the nature religion based on ancient rituals and ceremonies. Read more...
Cancer is a monster—make no mistake about it. Unfortunately, it is not a monster you can shoot an arrow or a bullet into. It is within you. Something went wrong—either a genetic mishap or exposure to chemicals or some type of radiation.
It is the monster that is eating you: Cells gone wrong, infiltrating your tissues and consuming them. It is in effect a kamikaze mission: cancer cells are on a mission to destroy their own host—which will kill them in the long run. Read more...
The part of your body affected by cancer is a sandy beach. Littered on the beach are jellyfish eggs—soft and weak. As a wave flows onto the beach, it takes back into the ocean some of the jellyfish eggs. As the wave comes in inhale. As the wave retracts, exhale. This coordinates the action of your breath with your mind’s intent. Continue until the waves bring all the cancer cells into the ocean to be harmlessly filtered away. Read more...
“If I practice, am I guaranteed to survive?”
The woman who asked the question was on of an audience of three attending the introduction to my “Qigong for Cancer” course at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut. Turnout was small; but qigong, Chinese for “energy work” was not exactly a household word. For me, it had a vital component in utilizing the mind/body connection to help me beat my four bouts of cancer. Read more...
How did I get cancer? What could I have done differently? I wish I had taken that trip while I was healthy.
Life expectancy for my cancer isn’t long; what will happen to my wife and kids? I knew I should’ve taken out more insurance.
These types of questions haunt cancer patients. Their minds drift to the past and are haunted by it. They think about the future and are consumed by it. Read more...
A woman I met at a cancer clinic used to arrive for her chemotherapy treatments dressed in combat fatigues complete with high-top soldier’s boots. I admired her attitude. I never went that far, as I was more concerned with what was going on inside. Read more...