In 1991, Glenn Sabin was a 28-year-old newlywed diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), an incurable cancer.
Glenn began his own, medically monitored and carefully researched lifestyle changes. He would conduct his own, informal, single patient clinical trial, through which he chronicled remarkable success.
A biopsy in 2012 confirmed that Glenn’s bone marrow contains no CLL cells. This Radical Remission was achieved without any conventional cancer treatment. His Harvard-documented case is part of the medical literature.
Today, Glenn is alive and thriving. He is a nationally recognized expert in integrative oncology, and an in-demand cancer coach, specializing in lifestyle changes to best prevent cancer, manage active disease, and to help ensure long-term survival.
Presently recognized as an expert in integrative oncology, Glenn employed dietary changes, also supplements, yoga, acupuncture, stress reduction and other integrative cancer therapies to heal himself. 21 years after his initial diagnosis, the Harvard team studying him took a bone marrow sample that showed no signs of the cancer cells that were supposed to kill him. Glenn’s astonishing recovery is an incredible example of how persistence, tenacity and optimism can open doors to healing where there were only walls. https://radicalremission.com/impact-of-exercise-on-cancer/
Those familiar with my healing story know that I cleared my bone marrow of an incurable leukemia—chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in 2012, after 21 years of persistent disease. This was achieved without conventional therapy of any kind, now documented in the medical literture.
During those decades I overcame several challenges, and managed to maintain a good quality of life, learning lifelong coping skills along the journey. Today, a Harvard pathologist examining my marrow under a microscope. . . .cannot see active disease or evidence that I ever had an ‘incurable’ blood cancer. In medical-speak, this is called ‘no evidence of disease’ (NED) by phenotype or morphology.
So am I cured?
The oncology community considers a patient cured after no sign of disease for five years after achieving a complete remission. It’s an arbitrary number since several types of cancers can return after 5, 10 or even 20 years.
In my book n of 1, I refer to myself as ‘cured’ exactly zero times.
Healing Versus Curing
I don’t have much use for the term ‘cure’. To me it’s a meaningless descriptor, full of caveats.
Healing, however, is a responsible term with a progressive definition.
I believe that some level of healing is possible for every cancer patient.
Currently there are over 14 million cancer survivors in the U.S. alone. Some are also in remission and many live full lives with cancer as a treatable, manageable chronic disease. While active cancer treatment can be debilitating, with numerous harmful side effects, many patients at different stages of care and recovery can create an environment conducive to healing.
Healing Takes Many Forms
Many think of cancer healing. . . as the recovery process from invasive interventions such as surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. It’s a common mindset of ‘I’ll endure the conventional treatment then heal from it’. While that’s certainly a true form of physical healing, there are numerous ways in which healing takes place.
The emotional, psychological and psychosocial features of healing should not be separated from the physical aspects.
A 360 degree approach to cancer healing—one that comprehensively provides an environment in which true healing can occur—ought to be the overarching goal for those that provide and receive cancer care.
Of the many paths to healing, quality of life with emphasis on positive relationships is crucial. Regular physical activity, tailored to a patient’s condition, ability and interest can greatly affect one’s ability to heal at all levels. Nutritious meals, sufficient hydration, stress-reducing exercise and activities, and restorative sleep, are essential combinations for healing mind, body and spirit.
With the help of their friends, families, and caregivers, patients can participate in healing activities that may include journaling, listening to music, nature walks, and regularly spending time with family and friends. Even interaction with pets can be powerfully therapeutic for those who are animal lovers.
Psycho-oncology, Stress Reduction and Living in the Present
Many cancer survivors will find solace working with psychotherapists and psychologists trained in oncology patient care. This can help patients gain and develop specific tools with which to deal with the uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis and the continuum of care along the journey into survivorship.
Notably, mind-body stress reduction therapies, under the guidance of a qualified practitioner, promote ‘living fully in the present’, where deep healing can occur.
Equally important is resolution within relationships. Addressing longstanding interpersonal issues can result in a healthier and more ‘settled’ mind; a tremendous healing benefit.
In summary, most qualitative lifestyle enhancing therapies, applied synergistically, can create a less toxic physical and emotional environment. Less toxicity equals a stronger base from which to deal with the challenge of underlying disease.
While not everyone can be cured, we can all, at some level, be healed.
Back to my story … so am I cured?
Modern science only identifies active disease once there are enough cancer cells to be picked up in a CT or PET scan, a blood test or, in my case, a bone marrow biopsy. However, cancer stem cells are immortal; they can divide forever.
I go about my life as if micro-metastatic disease still exists. But of emphasis: this is not a fatalistic approach. We all have cancer cells in our bodies—it’s the job of our immune system to kill cancer cells around the clock. I endeavor to keep my system perpetually supercharged by closely adhering to my integrative health regimen.
I do not live as if I’m cured. I behave as if I am healed.
Cure is an outmoded, useless word to describe disease-free survivors. This is why I do not use the ‘cure’ word when describing my personal course with an ‘incurable’ cancer and the remarkable outcomes I have achieved with only natural approaches. It is not because I am afraid to tempt fate; it is based upon my intimate experiences with and understanding of healing.
If I am deemed disease-free via advanced medical technology and the trained eyes of a Harvard pathologist a decade or two from now, I will still not use the word ‘cured’ to describe my outcome.
I experience healing every day. Restorative therapies are available to us all.
It’s time to reframe our thoughts and focus our actions.
http://jeanninewalston.com/
27 Ways to Help Balance and Settle the Mind
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
- Gentle Stretching
- Deep Breathing
- Guide Imagery
- Yoga
- Tai Chi
- Qigong
- Healing Touch
- Prayer
- Social Connections (spending time with family, friends)
- Aerobic Exercise (walking, biking, running, swimming)
- Sports (participating, not spectating)
- Spending Time Outdoors
- Gardening
- Massage (professional therapeutic massage, and/or by spouse/partner/friend)
- Reiki
- Acupuncture
- Reading
- Cooking (including group cooking; anticancer recipes, of course)
- Art
- Music
- Laughter
- Writing (general reading, therapeutic writing – journaling)
- Drinking Tea
- Pets
- Long Baths
- Support or Social Groups (in support of your diagnosis or your hobbies and interests)
There is no one-size-fits-all to creating ‘calm’.
Never underestimate the power of a well-nourished, well-rested, well-exercised, and intellectually stimulated brain to help increase contentment, relaxation, and the opportunity to increase your innate capacity to heal.
This one thing can radically change your health and your Life if you will open your heart and mind to It’s healing potential.
https://winningthewaroncancer.com/resources/
You are not Sick because you have Cancer,
you have Cancer because you are Sick.
