Hola Caminos!
It has been a difficult day today. My scan unfortunately showed that my cancer is back. I had a strong inkling it was from my blood results a week ago. It’s in a couple of lymph nodes.
However Dr Tan doesn’t want to treat as I have no symptoms. In fact I feel more well than I have in months! So it’s watch and wait. Next scan in March.
It’s a strange feeling to know it’s back and to be receiving less treatment than ever. Less medical treatment that is…. I can walk. I can pray. I can do mindfulness practise. I can live…
After the appointment, I walked into Maggies (the support centres for cancer in the uk). To my astonishment I found a group of people talking about the Camino. I found myself a respected elder talking about places, accommodation, routes. It felt like the best treatment ever. Talking put me back in my joy-in-Spain… the walking, the folks I met, the Beauty. Ahhhh
Pouring out Camino salve onto my sad heart.
Karen
Thank You Karen for sharing your story.
You are a lady of great Courage.
I have no doubt your positive mind will be an asset as you journey on.
I also find that taking time to reflect and share our Camino experience with others is extremely beneficial.
Buen Camino.
Karen—
You are so brave. I love the picture of you telling people about the Camino, sharing your joy and expertise in the face of your own sadness. You are a spunky lady. I am praying for you, as are your many friends and fellow pilgrims here in the Pacific NW of USA, and all over the world. You are surrounded by prayer. Thank you for sharing your story.
Henriette Anne Klauser
Edmonds, WA, USA
Dear Karen,
I often think on which side of medicine someone stands when making a decision… even when I work in the very much controlled environment of the clinical trials for new drugs, it is more than clear to me (and all of us!) that the drugs don’t do all the work. That is a reality proved by the many trials in placebo effect. Nobody questions that happens, and we call it an outlier, but the reality is simpler than that: drugs alone don’t do all the work.
So, your words are so accurate: “less medical treatment” (I would say “less treatment with drugs”!) but you have quite a few of other therapeutics you are using and they are sooo powerful. Have no doubt of it, it is scientifically proved.
I would prescribe you to go more often to Maggies, and that you come more often here. We are quite good at administering non-drug therapies for all sort of ailments of the body and spirit with awesome results, under scientific protocols and by an international committee of experts! 🙂 <3 🙂
Much love from Argentina.
Cris
Dear Karen and Cris!
Anyone needing uplifting and “therapeutic” conversation need go no further than this marvelous Blog! I feel so fortunate just to know all you amazing people, and to revel in the goodness and light shined by you all. A so admire your courage, Karen, and like Cris, hope that you spend more time at Maggies. I tell all of my widely world-flung friends about the “magic” of Phil’s Camino/Cancer experience. It is such a tale of unheard of events that many find it hard to believe. But we, fellow Caminoheads, know the truth and beauty of it all.
Wishing my very best to you both as the birth of our Savior approaches. Your presence in my life is a continuous gift.
PFJ
Hey Karen,
You see???!!! Farmer John is our renowned expert from the Midlands in the United States of America, and if he also prescribes you to go to Maggies and to come to Caminoheads daily, I think you will have to trust us… !!! But know you are not our Guinea Pig, our treatments, as said, are scientifically proved!!! They are patented in Raven Ranch and in the Camino de Santiago route :)!!!
Looking forward to seeing you more often here!!!
Cris