Dr. Daniel - The Cancer Directory

As a spiritual woman, Penny was also constantly aware of the power of prayer and the immense benefits that could be available through spiritual healing and seeking spiritual guidance.

Penny’s amazingly comprehensive view of the nature of illness and healing sparked a revolution in cancer care. At first, it was explosive, as doctors feared that alternative doctors and practitioners would harm patients, taking them away from potentially effective medical treatment while fleecing them financially. Later, during the 1980s and 1990s, a truce was declared as many practitioners positioned themselves and their approaches as being complementary to medicine rather than alternative. But since the late 1990s, a new medical movement has emerged, led by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and his Foundation for Integrated Health, to help pull down the walls dividing care for the body from care for the mind and spirit, and help remove the conflict for patients between choosing between orthodox, complementary or alternative medicines. The aim has been to foster a climate in which people with cancer and their carers can be helped to obtain the best of all worlds – individually tailored treatment to meet their needs at all the different stages of cancer and its treatment.

This is vital, as one thing is certain – your needs will change. Sometimes you will feel strong, independent and entirely in control through the use of your self-help approaches. At other times you may feel ill, vulnerable and tempted to become dependent on the professional help of others. This was another of Penny’s great teachings for her doctors – to recognize the changes in her state and needs so that they were able to perform a complicated but perfect tango with her as she explored her options, defined her needs, made her negotiations, and flowed between fear and certainty.

To help you make sense of your reactions, needs and choices, you will find three main types of information in the pages that follow. The first type is emotionally based to help you recognize your state, define your needs and determine the kind of support you will need before embarking upon your healing journey. The second type of information is descriptive, giving you an overview of the kinds of approaches available so that you can define your healthcare values, and make your own choices as to what approach, or blend of approaches, is right for you. These two levels of information are found in Part 1 of this volume. The third type of information is factual, and is contained in Part 2. Once you have defined your needs and values, and made your choices, this Directory will help you to find the best resources that you need.

My goal in writing this book has been to share with you my understanding of the emotional map of the cancer experience for both those with cancer and their carers, which has come as a result of more than 20 years of working with people with cancer. I have also wanted to convey the theory, practice and benefits of each dimension of the integrated medicine model. Finally, I have wanted to act like a truffle hound, rooting out the treasures buried within the immensely complex terrain of alternative, complementary and self-help approaches to cancer to guide you directly to what I believe works.

Many people with cancer have said to me that they felt like they had to get a PhD in the subject within six weeks of their diagnosis. They have had to learn about their disease, the treatments and all the possible alternatives in a very short period of time to make their choices. In many cases, the Internet made things worse as the array of options has become so mind-boggling. So, the intention of this Directory is to share with you the pearls of wisdom I have gained over many years of sorting the wheat from the chaff, learning from the experience of the 20,000 or so people I have worked with. These individuals, like Penny, have by trial and error found their own way to fight cancer and heal themselves effectively, and their hope and mine is that you will be able with this book to ‘cut to the chase’, and avoid weeks of research and worry. I hope that, in the pages of this book, you will find everything you need but, if you do not, then both I and my team of Health Creation Mentors are available for consultation to coach you through getting the best treatments, the best treatment outcomes and getting yourself fully established on the road to recovery. I am available personally to help you through my Bath clinic (tel: 01225 423333) and through my interactive Cancer Lifeline Kit and supportive Health Creation Mentor Service, with backup from my three Health Creation doctor partners (contact the Health Creation Helpline on 0845 009 3366).

Most important of all, please be reassured that there are people living today who have survived every single kind of cancer. It is clear that the ones who do best are those who truly face their situation, go through their feelings, and then set about taking a positive course of action to become proactive in their own defence.

My love and very best wishes go with you as you embark upon your road to recovery, and I hope that this Directory will guide you to many exciting and fulfilling sources of invaluable help. Meanwhile, please be aware that this is a living document. I would be extremely grateful for your feedback, input, ideas and corrections. All possible efforts have been made to make this Cancer Directory as comprehensive and accurate as possible, but your help in improving it further for future readers will be much appreciated.

Please send your ideas and feedback to:

Dr Rosy Daniel,

Health Creation,

77a Alma Road,

Clifton,

Bristol BS8 2DP

Right now, if you are newly diagnosed or have been re-diagnosed with cancer, you may be feeling dispirited, frightened and confused. It is vital that you consider the following encouraging facts:

Continue re-reading this list of facts until the message sinks in!