The human body is a magnificent
creation. Infinitely complex in
all its systems, yet we humans somehow believe we understand how to deal with
it when things go wrong. Cancer is
a leading cause of death, according to the World Health Organization, causing
18% of deaths worldwide. The
search for a cancer cure appears unending. As James “Rhio” O’Connor, seemed to believe, perhaps we
should trust less in medical science and more in understanding nature’s science. His courageous battle against
mesothelioma, a vicious cancer with poor outlook, is inspiration to us all in
everyday life to learn everything possible and apply our knowledge, hoping for the
best.
I
do not have cancer. I do not know
anyone that has cancer. I know one
survivor and I knew one who succumbed.
The closest experience I have in terms of a bad prognosis is my battle
with Cluster Headaches, nicknamed “suicide headaches” for good reason. Cluster Headaches are sharp, sudden,
and severe. They may come and go
before medicine has time to take effect.
They occur daily at the same time each day for an unspecified period of
time. They cause shooting pain on
one side of the face, temple, and jaw, and are accompanied by a bloodshot,
droopy, watery eye and stuffy nose.
It feels like Lord Voldemort screaming through Harry Potter’s scar.
I experienced headaches of this
intensity for three periods of several months with the misdiagnosis of migraine,
tension headache, and food allergy before I did my own research and discovered
what doctors could not pinpoint: Cluster Headaches. I had already begun take preventive medication, symptomatic
medication, chiropractic care, massage therapy, and physical therapy as
directed by my doctor. With enough
research already under my belt to have diagnosed myself, I moved toward other
alternative treatments. I asked for a prescription for pure oxygen to treat the
sudden symptoms of my headaches if and when they should occur. I learned that Cluster Headaches are
traditionally caused by an irregularity in the hypothalamus, which is the home
of the mysterious “body clock.” Having
three family members with sleep-related disorders, I felt like this held some
validity. I established a
consistent wake-sleep cycle and ate meals at regular intervals throughout the
day. By establishing a healthy
sleeping and eating cycle, in combination with at least 64 ounces of water per
day, I have not had to use my oxygen tank for three years. I quit my “preventive” anti-seizure
medication and got rid of my narcotic muscle relaxants that were prescribed to
treat symptoms. I refused to be
medicated for the rest of my life and have been freed from my condition because
of my willingness to research and experiment on myself.
James “Rhio” O’Connor’s story of
empowerment through knowledge inspires me by his courageousness in the face of
death. I wholeheartedly agree that
medicine does not hold all the answers.
If I were diagnosed with such a terminal condition, I would certainly
consider surgery as an option, but I don’t believe I would attempt chemotherapy
or radiation. The terrible
weakening of the body’s natural systems cannot be avoided or denied with such
harsh treatments. The human body
is made to heal itself given the proper resources. I would seek lifestyle and nutritional changes alongside
alternative therapy in order to improve my outlook and outcome as Rhio did. I would aim for a great quality of life
over a large quantity of life and make sure every moment counts.
Knowing all there is to know about
the condition is vital. Rhio’s
endurance against cancer can be largely attributed to the information he
gathered about his cancer and how he applied it to his life. I have found this true in my own
experience as well. In this
technological age, the obvious starting point for research is with the
Internet. I would start with a
basic understanding of the condition from a site such as WebMD or MayoClinic
and proceed by digging into resources used in those articles. I would visit libraries to read memoirs
and search medical journals for current research. I would seek non-government
organizations that aim to serve people with cancer and use every resource they
could give me. Most importantly, I
would make sure my oncologist is one who truly cares for my well being and will
take time to listen to my questions and run as many tests as necessary to
answer them. I would request a
social worker to help me obtain all the resources and services that could
possibly be helpful in my situation.
I fully believe that knowledge is power and would use all of the
information I am able to gather in conjunction with my physicians’ guidance in
order to form my ideal treatment plan.
Chemotherapy, radiation, and
surgery are not the only ways to battle cancer. Chemotherapy and radiation
attempt to destroy the cancerous cells at the expense of many other normal
cells. Surgery attempts to remove
the cancerous cells from the body.
In my opinion, there is every reason to avoid chemotherapy and radiation
as treatments for cancer, while there is absolutely no reason to avoid
alternative treatments. Despite
the likely lack of evidence for their effectiveness in the treatment of cancer,
few would attempt to argue that methods such as acupuncture, aromatherapy,
biofeedback, exercise, hypnosis, massage, meditation, music therapy, nutrition,
relaxation techniques, tai chi, and yoga could cause any harm. Most of these treatments are available
without doctor’s orders or can even be practiced without the care of a licensed
professional, such as yoga, meditation, and relaxation techniques.
I believe that the current medical
system encourages the use of pharmaceuticals and expensive medical treatments
because they are profitable.
Alternative treatments are rarely considered because they are not
profitable. I think that awareness
should be raised to encourage the use of holistic health practitioners who will
review all of the body’s systems, not only the system that shows signs of a
problem. Perhaps insurance plans
could even cover visits to holistic health and alternative doctors for
individuals with certain systemic conditions. Alternative treatments are, by their nature, not clinically
tested; they involve the whole person, which makes variables impossible to
control. With this challenge and
the fact that alternative treatments are frequently used in combination with
traditional treatments, it is difficult to obtain data to prove what treatment
is actually effective. Few people,
in the face of a fatal condition such as mesothelioma, will attempt only one
type of treatment. They will try
anything that hints at a promise of improvement.
Awareness of the variety of
possible approaches is key to improving progress in curing or preventing
cancer. I believe that people are
more likely to improve their chance of survival by seeking the power of
knowledge and participating in alternative treatment approaches. Treatments that destroy the body should
be avoided; those that empower the body should be sought with all
fortitude. Healthy bodies fight
disease and illness; nature provides the elements for a healthy body. More alternative methods and lifestyle
changes such as nutrition and exercise should be used to improve the odds of
cancer survival. It only makes
sense that nature would hold the solution for fighting cancer. James “Rhio” O’Connor is inspirational
for seeking a better life than his doctors could promise and for obtaining it
by his own efforts. He fought for
himself and his life when nobody else would. His survival beyond all odds should be motivation enough for
countless others to do the same.
For more information on James "Rhio" O'Connor and his remarkable story, visit http://www.survivingmesothelioma.com/rhiooconnor.cfm
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