PATIENT AWARENESS ►
Cancer
Physical , Mental & Spiritual Healing
Part 3 by Lana Sterling , contributing writer
Editor ’ s Note : Sadly , our friend and beautiful , kind-hearted women , Lana , has taken a turn for the worst . As we go to press with this issue in mid-February . We continue to pray for her miracle and that when this issue hits the streets by March 1 , Lana is able to see her work to help others in print . We will keep praying and update you in the April issue .
With cancer , early detection is one of the keys to successful prevention . I should know because , in early 2021 , doctors told me my colon cancer was back and at stage four . Please read my story and how THC is helping me in the January and February 2023 issues of The EVOLUTION Magazine . For me and anyone , understanding cancer helps . This month let ’ s explore the journey ’ s physical , mental , and spiritual healing elements .
Most of us think of cancer only in its physical form . After all , it ’ s something we can see , touch , and feel . Cancer is definitely not welcome in our bodies , and we want to get rid of it .
After being on my cancer path for nearly two years , I realized that healing from cancer takes physical caretaking , mental wellness , and spiritual enlightenment . Now , the latter two seem far-fetched , but let me explain .
Taking care of our physical bodies comes naturally . We all know to eat our vegetables and fruit and cut back on sugar and red meat . However , even the most vigilant of human beings can have cancer . There are no absolutes in avoiding it . It seems like a real downer , I know . But at least there is plenty of data and scientific research to rely on .
There are many theories and facts as to why we have cancer . Some are hereditary , some are environmental , some relate to our diet , and some are caused by bacteria and viruses . One of the best natural defenses against it is to keep an excellent immune system in our bodies .
There are several methods to fight cancer , depending on which form of cancer you have and what your doctors suggest based on your particular needs . Most commonly , in the USA , we use chemotherapy , radiation , and surgery .
Chemotherapy
I underwent eight rounds of chemo for my colon cancer early in 2021 . Afterward , my CT scan did not show any improvements . Actually , some of the tumors grew larger , which was very alarming . So , my oncologist and I decided to stop chemo and go straight to surgery to try to remove the tumors on my liver . ( I have stage 4 cancer , so it has
36 March 2023 spread to my liver and lungs ). Then later in mid-2022 , we decided to try chemo again . This time , it worked ! I showed marked improvements in all my numbers . However , it was so toxic I had to stop after six months ( 12 rounds ).
Radiation
This can be minimally invasive , or it can be a big deal . It was a minor procedure when I was first offered radiation for the small tumors in my lungs . Outpatient . Few side effects , if any . But alas , we waited too long because I opted to do the liver surgery instead , and the lung tumors grew too large to be radiated .
Surgery
Surgeries are commonly used for solid tumors . From personal experience , I came to find out that sometimes I was not told the entire story . When I agreed to my liver surgery , I was not told that if the surgeon found any new evidence of cancer , they would not operate , which was the case with me . Instead , they put my organs back , sewed me back up , and sent me home without removing any cancerous tumors at all . You can understand , I was very upset when I woke from that surgery . Not only did I still have all my tumors , I also wasted all that time to preparing for the surgery and spent months recovering without any cancer treatment at all . That episode certainly pushed me behind schedule for several months . Time that I did not have to waste .
Besides the physical traumas , mental wellness and spiritual enlightenment are more difficult to manage . I firmly believe that without all three elements in alignment , a person cannot completely heal . More on that in the next two articles .
Footnote by Lana : Even though there are only four stages of cancer , being in stage four does not make a patient terminal . I personally know of two “ miracle ” survival stories , and I plan to be the third . So , even with a detrimental cancer diagnosis , don ’ t despair . Do your research , talk to doctors , seek alternative practitioners , and stay informed about your decisions . Lastly , medical cannabis has helped me . You can read about the cannabis products that helped me with pain in the January 2023 issue of this magazine found at www . TheEvolutionMag . com .
Lana Sterling lives in Lee ’ s Summit , MO , with her husband , two daughters , and two dogs . She is 49 years old and currently a cancer patient going through stage four colon cancer . Lana is helpful and willing to share her cancer journey but also appreciates her privacy during her challenging journey .