Fear is often the first and highest hurdle standing in the way of healing.
When somebody first receives a cancer diagnosis, they may begin living through a mental and emotional blackout. Hampered by fear, helplessness, and hopelessness, they work through some very difficult decisions – usually with little information.
All too often, someone is told they’ve got cancer, then less than a week later, they’re receiving their first dose of chemo. It’s okay to make quick decisions with confidence, rather than from a place of fear or desperation. But I’ve seen too many people fall into the latter category. It’s hard to watch.
So today, I’m sharing a framework to help people determine which healing approaches might provide them with the most benefit.
Step 1: Breathe.
Remember, cancer usually takes years to develop to the point where it can be detected!! The moment someone is diagnosed, enormous pressure is placed on them to make an immediate decision. Why not give yourself time to process the situation and find your best way forward?
Of course, if you decide NOT to rush into treatment, people may think you’re crazy. Remind them you are gathering important information and carefully weighing options. These things will make your subsequent journey much easier and much, much more effective. It’s time well spent.
In some cases, immediate medical intervention is necessary to save a life. For the majority of cancer patients, this is not the situation. Listen to your doctor, but also trust your intuition.
Step 2: Define Success.
What do you want to get out of treatment? What quality of life do you desire?
As you answer these questions, don’t concern yourself with expectations or logistics. Listen to your heart. Figuring out the exact “what, where, and how” comes next.
Step 3: Review Conventional Medical Options
I usually suggest reviewing conventional options first- even if you may end up choosing alternative medicine- because it’s often easiest to find solid clinical data on conventional treatments.
Determine exactly what your medical doctor is proposing. Get specifics on the treatment plan, including at a minimum:
– any expected surgeries?
– any radiation proposed?
– the exact name of any drugs, and how they are administered
– the expected outcome of treatment
– the expected out-of-pocket cost
Consider using this printable list of oncology visit questions.
Then, compare your definition of success (from Step 2 above) to the expected outcome of the medical treatment plan. Do your own research. Review the prescribing information for any drug proposed.
If a conventional treatment plan doesn’t align with your goals, look elsewhere.
Fortunately, there are instances where the expected outcome of medical treatment is success, perhaps 35%, 50% or 85% of the time. I suggest raising your personal odds of success as close to 100% as possible. How?
For that, I humbly yet highly recommend working with a coach. Which brings us to Step 4.
Step 4: Work With a Holistic Cancer Coach
A good holistic coach can help you:
- evaluate and select a medical treatment plan
- increase the effectiveness of that plan
- minimize side-effects
- naturally strengthen your immune system
- keep a positive mindset
- work past any major doubts or fears
- manage stress
- heal on an energetic & spiritual level
- boost your body’s many natural defenses against cancer
- evaluate and select alternative or integrative treatments
- adopt an anti-cancer lifestyle that suits your needs
It’s great to have a coach when you are:
- first diagnosed
- dealing with advanced or metastatic cancer
- seeking a more natural approach to healing
- dealing with difficult side effects
- facing any major decision
I’m here to help!
Wishing you success,
– Brandon Novogradac
Career Earth Scientist, Certified Holistic Cancer Coach, Reiki Master
(This post is shared information and perspective, and is not medical advice!)