At the age of 47, I was diagnosed with 2 cancers: uterine and ovarian. With great fortune, the uterine cancer is what brought attention to the ovarian cancer! And, both were found at the early stage of 1b and 1a respectively.

Regardless of the early stages for discovery, the ovarian cancer was very aggressive and I underwent a full hysterectomy and full chemotherapy treatments.

The treatment period was accompanied with many of the difficulties, pain, stresses, and worries, which most - if not all - cancer patients endure.

I was surprised how my body reacted to each chemo session. I was surprised at how I felt defeated and immobile, unable to perform the simplest of tasks. I was surprised at how my body felt battered and beaten and achy throughout. I was surprised at how the tips of my fingers and toes were impacted by neuropathy. I was surprised at how my body rebounded. I was surprise that I was able to go through another round of chemo and experience the same effects over and over again.

I discovered that when I was at my sickest and weakest that I was also receptive to many forms of healing therapies, such as: the healing touch - through acupressure and massage; acupuncture (even though needles and I never were compatible); meditation and deep breathing focus exercises; and visualization techniques. These healing therapies were of immense help to me not only in calming me and in alleviating nervousness and anxiety but also in my over-all well being.

Specific examples from my experience that demonstrates the relevance and significance of complementary therapies were shown immediately after my surgery and later, in reducing and ultimately eliminating my neuropathy. Immediately after my surgery, I did not need pain medication for several hours as a result of focusing on breathing and visualization techniques and having therapeutic, acupressure, healing touch massages in the hospital. Later, as a result of chemo, I was experiencing neuropathy and my oncologist told me I may have to stop my chemotherapy treatments if my neuropathy persisted or got worse. I attribute my acupuncture sessions to reducing the neuropathy and I was able to complete the full chemo treatment as a result.

The healing therapies complemented my Western medicine and became an integral component before, during, and after my surgery and throughout my chemotherapy treatment.

Certainly busyness and things that took energy and time were placed in a different hierarchy as my focus became that of appreciating all that I had experienced in my life and appreciating all that I have in my life. Mindfulness and incorporating positive thoughts and energy were a huge part of my healing process. My attention was given to my ailing body to get through the cancer period and heal.

I was especially fortunate to have a loving partner whose energy and strength pulled me through this period. My care-giver, my spouse, was intent and determined to find and obtain healing therapies that would alleviate my discomfort and help me to stay positive in thought and mind.

Today, at age 49, I know that I am fortunate to be alive and I believe I went through these cancers and treatments so that I would be able to help others seeking healing and complementary treatments.

This foundation is established for all cancer patients.

This Foundation Explained

I was fortunate, that although my insurance did not pay for the complementary healing techniques, my spouse and I were able to pay for the services. The healing techniques of visualization, acupressure, massage, deep breathing meditation, calming meditation, and acupuncture made a huge difference in alleviating pain, in helping my mobility, and in giving me the strength to fight the fight.

There are many people living with cancer who could and should benefit from complementary healing techniques and cannot afford and/or do not feel comfortable in seeking help.

Cancer not only brings emotional strains it also brings financial strains. The elimination of a paycheck or financial losses should be the least of priorities. Unfortunately, financial worries can override the more important focus of healing. Often, the cancer patient does not have any energy, motivation, or ability to contact our organization. It is, therefore, important that the care-giver contact our foundation. If you are a care-giver we want to help. Please contact us.

This foundation is established to offer support and lift some of the financial burden so that a cancer patient can experience healing therapy comfort throughout his/her treatment.