Hello dear readers,
A little more than a year ago, a loved one was diagnosed with a serious illness. I’ll call her Ruth. She embarked on a quest for healing, using a blend of traditional, allopathic options and less traditional, “alternative” options.
They seemed to be working, and life went on as usual.
A few months ago, a scan revealed that they were no longer keeping things in check. Both options had no more suggestions for her. Ruth was at a loss; what now?
Three weeks ago, I reconnected with a former NYS neighbor, who is now living in FL. I’ll call her Cathy.
Cathy told me the story of being diagnosed with breast cancer while she was still our neighbor in New York, how she had a double mastectomy but refused chemotherapy because she was pregnant, how she moved to Florida and lived for years in remission… until a year ago, when she started having back and side pain.
Doctors here in FL ordered a scan, then diagnosed her with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. She had a huge tumor on her spine that wrapped around into her ribcage, cracking a rib.
Surgeons were able to remove the tumor from her spine, though they had to insert two permanent rods to replace what they excised. The tumor that intertwined with her ribs, however, was inoperable. They recommended chemo and radiation. She wanted neither.
Cathy’s sister-in-law told her about an intense alternative treatment program in Clearwater, FL that uses a mind-boggling array of therapies to address all sorts of “uncurable” illnesses. The clinic was 12 minutes from her house.
Cathy enrolled in the program immediately, and her mother took care of her young son so that she could throw herself in fully: Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm — and sometimes 9am to 9pm. Healing herself became her full-time job.
Five months later, she had no trace of cancer.
You’ve probably guessed by now… Ruth has embarked on the same program in Clearwater. She’s staying with me and my family, because we’re only 30 minutes from the clinic, and I’m turning my attention to her care and recovery.
I’ve talked with her about writing about her healing journey, but she’s on the fence; it’s only been a week so far and it’s a LOT to take in. We’ll both have a better idea in a few more weeks.
In the meantime, I’m pausing all paid subscriptions. If I have the space to write (about anything, including or excluding Ruth), I will. But I wanted to let you know in advance if I remain mum for a while.
Please know I’m grateful for all the ways you support me and The Art of Freedom. Your support — through paid subscriptions, regular subscriptions, comments, follows, and likes — feel like the ultra-trite “wind beneath my wings.”
But I think I’m most grateful for the time you spend reading the stuff I write. There is no more precious commodity than your time, and I’m always honored when you choose to spend a portion of it in my company.
See you soon.
xox
M
Thank you for the update, Mary. I wish 'Ruth' a speedy restoration to health, and know she could not be in better care. XOX
Best to you both.🙏 💝 😘
Thanks for the update, dear heart. We’re with you and Ruth in spirit and await a much welcomed feel good outcome of all this.
Caring for a loved one, what appears to be an intimate and micro gesture in the grand realm of the universe, echoes through the morphic field on a macro scale. Through helping her heal, you help heal the world. May the blessing of all the healers come upon you.
We’ll be here when you’ve completed this adventure. ❤️