We can learn from true survivors. It does not have be a cancer crisis – any crisis will do! When we learn from true survivors; we make deposits into our “Life Bank Account”. When in “credit” we have either acquired or learned skills as resources to help us navigate life’s crisis maze. Marala Scott is a storyteller and recently she authored the story of David Tuccaro Jr in Bad to the Bone whom I interviewed on Navigating the Cancer Maze Voice America Radio. Marala Scott has also shared her unimaginable life story to help others learn to forgive, accept challenges and adapt to changes in life, chronicled in her bestselling memoir, In Our House: Perception vs. Reality (an Amazon Best Seller).
What can we learn from true survivors? It does not have be a cancer crisis – any crisis will do!
David Tuccaro Jr and Marala Scott Oprah’s Ambassador for Hope
When we learn from true survivors; we are enabled and empowered to make deposits into our “Life Bank Account”. Crises can occur at any time in our life. We are often unprepared. When our “Life Bank Account” is in “credit”; we have either acquired or learned skills that we can access and utilize as resources, if and when we need to navigate life’s crisis maze. Without these skills, crises can become deep seated traumas that affect quality of life.
Marala Scott is a storyteller and recently she authored the story of David Tuccaro Jr in Bad to the Bone. If you missed the interview with David on Voice America Radio CLICK HERE TO LISTEN:
Marala Scott is a Multi Award-winning Author, Motivational Speaker, Ghostwriter and Oprah’s Ambassador of Hope who shares powerful words of inspiration wherever she goes.
Marala has shared her unimaginable life story to help others learn to forgive, accept challenges and adapt to changes in life, chronicled in her bestselling memoir, In Our House: Perception vs. Reality (an Amazon Best Seller) and Surrounded By Inspiration. The newly released book, Bad to the Bone: The True Story of David Tuccaro Jr. (an Amazon Best Seller) is a heart-wrenching story that inspires you to believe when there is no evidence of hope.
Marala Scott speaks from the heart with her life-changing words of faith and strength. Her efforts caught the attention of Oprah Winfrey, who honored her as one of her five Ambassadors of Hope in 2009 and stated, “A childhood of abuse almost kept Marala Scott from a life of happiness…until she discovered how to use her story to help others.” Ms. Scott is also a recipient of a Congressional award, among many others, for her humanitarian efforts for sharing her prolific life story in efforts to help and inspire others. Ms. Scott is a widely sought after Ghostwriter at Seraph Books that helps share the inspiration others have experienced with their power and passion.
Cancer is a Marathon and not a Sprint says Dr Julie Crews whom today, November 3rd 2013, is running in the New York Marathon on behalf of The Grace Gawler Institute (Australia). The Grace Gawler Institute represents a special group of cancer patients – Those who are told there is nothing more to be done…no other treatment is available for their condition. This is not always the absolute truth. The institute believes that every ‘drop of life’ is precious and that cancer patients and their families – if they desire – deserve the tight to try to find solutions to extend their life! They deserve options to extend life with good life quality.
Cancer is a Marathon and not a Sprintsays Dr Julie Crews. November 3rd 2013, Dr Julie is running in the New York Marathon on behalf of The Grace Gawler Institute (Australia). The Grace Gawler Institute represents a special group of cancer patients – Those who are told there is nothing more to be done…no other treatment is available for their condition.This is not always the absolute truth
Dr Julie Crews in training NY Marathon
The institute believes that every ‘drop of life’ is precious and that cancer patients – if they desire – deserve the right to try to find solutions to extend their life! They deserve options to extend life for as long as possible with good life quality.
Today’s marathon fundraiser via your donations, enables us to do the work that few want to do in helping late stage cancer patients – so please consider a donation no matter how small – it will help our services – support and education wheels to turn.
With a distance of 26.2 miles of road, the NY Marathon is not only a demanding event, but Dr Julie has shown her resolve and commitment to travel to another country to support a cause that is dear to her heart. As well we know, these days being a part of a major world event is also not without personal risk.
Dr Julie Crews running in today’s New York Marathon 3 Nov 2013
Dr Julie is just one of 47,000 runners who, as I write; are racing through five boroughs of NY for the first time since the now famous Boston Marathon bombing, which left three people dead and more than 260 injured in April.
New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said: “Prior to taking their starting positions on Staten Island, even runners were screened and their bags inspected.” This comment brings home to us the commitment that Dr Julie has shown and we are very grateful for her tremendous effort today.
Dr Julie’s passion to assist cancer patients through the vehicle of our institute has been a wonderful experience. We are grateful for her generosity of spirit and wish her well in The NY Marathon – her first ever Marathon.
It is not too late to recognise & support Dr Julie’s efforts to help cancer patients. You can visit our donation pageat the Grace Gawler Institute – a registered not for profit Health promotion Charity. Donations are eligible for a tax deduction as we have DGR status – receipts will be sent or emailed.
To make a donation – and support Dr Julie ( all her sponsorship funds go to the Grace Gawler Institute) – You will be helping to make the cancer world a more informed and user – friendly place.
Dr Julie Crews, a long time supporter of the Grace Gawler Institute is running today to raise funds for our cancer education programs. 100% of funds raised from Dr Julies efforts today will go directly to fund these programs. Each week for the past year the Grace Gawler Institute has presented a consistent line-up of cancer experts, researchers and recovered patients plus knowledge learned from helping patients to Navigate the Cancer Maze for almost 40 years.
The radio show goes to air via Voice America and is titled Navigating the Cancer Maze and is live each Friday 12 noon Arizona US time – early Saturday morning in Australia. The show is archived and catalogued by the month and topic for each week. You can listen to archived programs and live programs and download shows that you want to hear again. All material on the show is carefully prepared and authentic. There is no fee required for listening on Voice America and we consider the show a major contribution to awareness and education to the global cancer community.
Navigating the Cancer Maze is a unique show; helping many thousands of cancer patients and families. Join the many thousands of cancer patients around the world who listen regularly to The Show each week. http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2125/navigating-the-cancer-maze
Two weeks into our Hallwang Clinic trip; the Grace Gawler Institute’s “Patients without Borders Medi-Tour”, we have witnessed a delightful and significant event. I have no awkwardness in terming this patient’s experience as a small miracle thanks to smart conventional and targeted complementary medicine.
German Cancer Treatments Black Forest Germany
Two weeks into our German Clinic experience and we have witnessed a delightful and significant event. I have no awkwardness in terming this patient’s experience as a small miracle thanks to smart conventional and targeted complementary medicine. For the patient it is a large miracle and far more than he expected! The patient (we will call him Vernon to protect his identity) attended out last Medi -tour in March April 2013; he decided to come back for more treatment this June-July. Although his results were very good, when he returned home to Australia in April – friends and family saw that the lump had changed, but it was still very evident. They thought his life was still going to be taken by this tumour. At times his pain levels had been 10 out of 10. Everyone was hopeful – however he knew that as long as the lump remained – he would have to use a lot of energy to convince people that he could recover. However – even though they may have doubted the possibility of a recovery; it was thanks to the generosity of his friends and family that he was given another opportunity to return to Germany.
Vernon was putting a lot of energy into trying to recover with plans to return to Germany for more treatment when he was immobilised and near death due to a clostridium infection that could have killed him. He believes it came from organically raised eggs he had bought at a local market or it could have been from yoghurt made with raw milk. Not wise with a compromised immune system. He made a protein eggnog in his blender; soon after, he collapsed . Within hours he was fighting for his life on life support……Seeing his obvious large tumour, when vaguely conscious; they asked him if it was his time to die – to literally pull the plug. He was not expected to survive. Vernon chose and demanded life!!
Although weak – he recovered enough to join us in Germany. Vernon has worked hard for his recovery. Around the time this first image on the left was taken – with no hope and horrendous pain he thought he life was over.
He was deemed palliative earlier this year when his large and invasive head and neck tumour, squamous cell carcinoma, was treated with high dose radiotherapy; high dose because he wasn’t expected to survive. The tumour continued to grow and pain reduction was of short duration. Now that he has outlasted his prognosis, and his tumour is fast disappearing, he faces the uphill battle of recovering from radiation damage that extended his life and temporarily reduced his pain-but came at a cost.
The innovative treatments liquefied the solid tumour which was then removed by syringe after 10 days. Since this photo was taken, more dead liquefied dead tumour has been removed. The Patient has given me permission to use his images and his name – however I have chosen to protect his identity as he needs to stay focused on his recovery and regain energy.
There are many difficult issues that arise whilst navigating the German Cancer Treatment Maze. The journey is not to be taken lightly and there are many aspects to be considered regarding suitability for treatment etc
If you have any inquiries about treatment options in Germany please contact me via the contact page on this blog.
Cancer survival – the Power of Story; the story of Zheng Cao’s recovery and control of her cancer. Treated for 24 metastatic brain tumours by cyberknife; she remains a testament to the effectiveness of modern medicine.
Today I sat in my room at Hallwang Private Oncology Clinic, misty rain, autumn leaves, red squirrels playing in the tree branches – an idyllic place for cancer patients to begin a cancerrecovery experience.
Hallwang Private Oncology Clinic
For some it will be the beginning of a long journey and for most who come here; hope is offered where there was none. The Hallwang Clinic accesses some of the best medical brains in Europe if not the world. Here in Germany large numbers of patients are treated due to population density therefore medical therapies have the opportunity to be extensively trialled – even the more important, rare cancers diagnosed in Australia are to be found here in far greater numbers – hence greater experience and therefore improved success in treatment outcomes. Now to the USA….
I shared this moving story of Opera Singer Zheng Cao with a client who came today for counselling. Diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme Stage 4 – although the tumour was removed surgically – in Australia she was given a 6 month prognosis with no hope for wellbeing or life extension. In shock she withdrew from life. A small recurrence has been detected here in Germany. Today this patient became alive again through the Power of Story; the story of Zheng Cao’s recovery and control of her cancer. Treated for 24 metastatic brain tumours by cyberknife; Zheng Cao remains a testament to the effectiveness of modern medicine. My patient is also about to undergo the amazing cyberknife treatment here in Germany…seeing this video dispeled her fear and helped restore her passion to live again and to heal. I am sure that you too will be inspired. Select the link belowto see how modern medicine and love saved a life! Enjoy!
Grace Gawler is a prominent advocate for helping guide patients through the cancer maze by assisting them to create a health restoration plan that teaches patients how to access the best of conventional medicine while using complementary medicine as an adjuct to their compassionate care.
Meditation or I prefer to use the name relaxation can be a useful adjunct to a health restoration plan; however many patients expect more from meditation or relaxation than it can deliver. The Grace Gawler Institute assists cancer patients to discover and take advantage of authentic cancer therapies i.e. the best of conventional medicine whilst using proven complementary medicine. Relaxation methods are a helpful aaddition to a patient’s recovery program. Please pass on this blog’s URL address on so that we can spread the word about helping cancer patients.
Each week, large numbers of clientele approach the Grace Gawler Institute for help after they have taken an exclusive Alternative Medicine role; sometimes for years, in order to treat their cancer. As a result,we see some horrendous cases of physical tissue destruction; where self-help and self empowerment in combination with the internet, books or workshops including the thought that meditation alone can cure their cancer; has led to self destruction.
By that stage often afraid to visit a doctor/oncologist, these patients often fall though the gaps in all systems of care and spend their final moments in palliative care, often in pain, isolated from friends or family and wondering where it all went wrong for them. People often ask me if working with cancer patients is sad or depressing – I have always said an emphatic no! However during the past 10 -12 years with the tremendous shift in how patients choose to treat their cancer & information available to them, I have found new feelings arising. Not depresssion – but anger towards those who influence patients down such a self destructive path in the name of healing. Yes – anger is an appropriate action- even for a meditator!
This brings me to the subject of today’s blog which is dedicated to the subject of the role of meditation in cancer recovery. In response to patients questions on my email since the Melbourne Age’s recent article “Too Good to be True“- that challenged the fact that Ian did not have secondary cancer; primary bone cancer yes…but secondary cancer no! I offer the following which will answer the majority of questions.
For several months now I have been trying to convince a woman from the Sunshine Coast to seek a surgical solution for her advancing breast cancer. We have never met, but she maintains contact and occasionally sends a photograph of her suppurating breast: swollen, red, about to fungate and as tight as a basketball; she has had faith for 2 years that meditation in particular, and alternative medicine will cure her. Sadly she has reached a point where she can no longer cope with the pain! As well the cancer has likely spread internally.
Why do some cancer patients make ideological choices that override rationale? Many patients tell us they are inspired by the late Ainslie Meares work with cancer patients and most patients who come to see me believe strongly in Ian Gawler’s story – of how he conquered his cancer using meditation, diet and positive thinking. But patients do not know the necessary details of this now famous story. So they can make wise choices about what meditation or relaxation can achieve in reality; it is important to examine Ian’s case history – first published by Meares in an October 1978 MJA Abstract, 1978 Meares article Although the article launched the idea that intensive meditation could influence the growth of cancer – the information that Meares published was severely flawed. He may not have been aware of this when the article went to print.
A important timeline had been reversed – an error 19 months in the clinical timeline gave an impression that the patient, Ian Gawler had more disease than he actually had. When he “first saw Meares”- Dcember 1975 – there were no visible tumours as had been reported in the MJA – these “bony lumps” were in fact in line with the date on “famous chest wall photos” photographs published for the first time in the same article and labelled July 7 1977. Meares did not mention that at that stage Ian had advanced TB-likely he did not know or thought it incidental or post chemotherapy immune deficiency as Ian had not formerly had sessions with Meares since February 1976.
This error – obvious if you do the maths; has never been challenged but has dangerously been a factor in creating the myth that meditation was a pivotal factor in Ian’s Gawler’s cancer being cured. The Meares Abstract title “Regression of osteogenic sarcoma associated with intensive meditation” says it all. This has had a huge influence in promoting unrealistic benefits of meditation. No wonder patients not privy to Ian’s actual story have been misled – believing if Ian can do it then they can do it too!
Only recently (published in the Australian Doctor), did Ian agree that Meares had indeed been wrong with timelines and that he saw no need to correct it!
Has anyone thought to ask that if Ian Gawler actually had lethal secondary bone cancer… and it went away…then why didn’t the meditation also influence the TB to disappear? Even a quote in A Dragon’s Blessing – Ian’s Biography-Page 164 states that when he had his “all clear” – June 1978, when the TB was first discovered; that the TB was visible on x-rays for at least 2 years prior! i.e it was at least visible June 1976 – meaning Ian would have definitely had TB before his chemotherapywhich began in October 1976. Now IMJ 2012 Haines and Lowenthal, two oncologists suggest that there was no secondary cancer – just advanced TB creating calcified abscesses mimicking bone cancer. With no biopsy- they are likely right! Many health professionals now have no doubt including prof Alex Herzog from famous integrative oncologist from Germany.
Grace Gawler is a prominent advocate for helping guide patients through the cancer maze by assisting them to create a health restoration plan that teaches patients how to access the best of conventional medicine while using complementary medicine as an adjuct to their compassionate care.
Meditation or I prefer to use the name relaxation can be a useful adjunct to a health restoration plan; however many patients expect more from meditation or relaxation than it can deliver. The Grace Gawler Institute assists cancer patients to discover and take advantage of authentic cancer therapies i.e. the best of conventional medicine whilst using proven complementary medicine. Relaxation methods are a helpful aaddition to a patient’s recovery program. Please pass on this blog’s URL address on so that we can spread the word about helping cancer patients.
Each week, large numbers of clientele approach the Grace Gawler Institute for help after they have taken an exclusive Alternative Medicine role; sometimes for years, in order to treat their cancer. As a result,we see some horrendous cases of physical tissue destruction; where self-help and self empowerment in combination with the internet, books or workshops including the thought that meditation alone can cure their cancer; has led to self destruction.
By that stage often afraid to visit a doctor/oncologist, these patients often fall though the gaps in all systems of care and spend their final moments in palliative care, often in pain, isolated from friends or family and wondering where it all went wrong for them. People often ask me if working with cancer patients is sad or depressing – I have always said an emphatic no! However during the past 10 -12 years with the tremendous shift in how patients choose to treat their cancer & information available to them, I have found new feelings arising. Not depresssion – but anger towards those who influence patients down such a self destructive path in the name of healing. Yes – anger is an appropriate action- even for a meditator!
This brings me to the subject of today’s blog which is dedicated to the subject of the role of meditation in cancer recovery. In response to patients questions on my email since the Melbourne Age’s recent article “Too Good to be True“- that challenged the fact that Ian did not have secondary cancer; primary bone cancer yes…but secondary cancer no! I offer the following which will answer the majority of questions.
For several months now I have been trying to convince a woman from the Sunshine Coast to seek a surgical solution for her advancing breast cancer. We have never met, but she maintains contact and occasionally sends a photograph of her suppurating breast: swollen, red, about to fungate and as tight as a basketball; she has had faith for 2 years that meditation in particular, and alternative medicine will cure her. Sadly she has reached a point where she can no longer cope with the pain! As well the cancer has likely spread internally.
Why do some cancer patients make ideological choices that override rationale? Many patients tell us they are inspired by the late Ainslie Meares work with cancer patients and most patients who come to see me believe strongly in Ian Gawler’s story – of how he conquered his cancer using meditation, diet and positive thinking. But patients do not know the necessary details of this now famous story. So they can make wise choices about what meditation or relaxation can achieve in reality; it is important to examine Ian’s case history – first published by Meares in an October 1978 MJA Abstract, 1978 Meares article Although the article launched the idea that intensive meditation could influence the growth of cancer – the information that Meares published was severely flawed. He may not have been aware of this when the article went to print.
A important timeline had been reversed – an error 19 months in the clinical timeline gave an impression that the patient, Ian Gawler had more disease than he actually had. When he “first saw Meares”- Dcember 1975 – there were no visible tumours as had been reported in the MJA – these “bony lumps” were in fact in line with the date on “famous chest wall photos” photographs published for the first time in the same article and labelled July 7 1977. Meares did not mention that at that stage Ian had advanced TB-likely he did not know or thought it incidental or post chemotherapy immune deficiency as Ian had not formerly had sessions with Meares since February 1976.
This error – obvious if you do the maths; has never been challenged but has dangerously been a factor in creating the myth that meditation was a pivotal factor in Ian’s Gawler’s cancer being cured. The Meares Abstract title “Regression of osteogenic sarcoma associated with intensive meditation” says it all. This has had a huge influence in promoting unrealistic benefits of meditation. No wonder patients not privy to Ian’s actual story have been misled – believing if Ian can do it then they can do it too!
Only recently (published in the Australian Doctor), did Ian agree that Meares had indeed been wrong with timelines and that he saw no need to correct it!
Has anyone thought to ask that if Ian Gawler actually had lethal secondary bone cancer… and it went away…then why didn’t the meditation also influence the TB to disappear? Even a quote in A Dragon’s Blessing – Ian’s Biography-Page 164 states that when he had his “all clear” – June 1978, when the TB was first discovered; that the TB was visible on x-rays for at least 2 years prior! i.e it was at least visible June 1976 – meaning Ian would have definitely had TB before his chemotherapywhich began in October 1976. Now IMJ 2012 Haines and Lowenthal, two oncologists suggest that there was no secondary cancer – just advanced TB creating calcified abscesses mimicking bone cancer. With no biopsy- they are likely right! Many health professionals now have no doubt including prof Alex Herzog from famous integrative oncologist from Germany.
