- L
- V
- C
Dear family, friends, and friends of family and friends,
As most of you know, it has been nearly three years since I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic gastric (stomach) cancer. Since that time, I have done a combination of conventional, complimentary, and unconventional treatments. My health necessitated that I stop working, and thanks to the wonderful, over-the-top outpouring of love and support from community near and far, I was able to meet my financial obligations. While not easy, treatment served me fairly well for the first 2 years. I felt deeply blessed and was able to stay connected to a state of love, gratitude, joy, and grace much of the time. By the end of 2018 the cancer started to progress, and my conventional treatment was stepped up: 6 months of immunotherapy infusions, 5 more months of chemotherapy and a drug to cut off the blood supply to tumors, and several other medical interventions. During this time I have had more days of feeling bad than good. So far these more recent conventional treatments have not been able to stop the disease progression and they have taken a huge toll on my health and well-being. It has always been my nature to proactively take charge of my own health and to seek out avenues of healing beyond what western medicine can offer me (which at this time seems quite limited).
In February of this year I was introduced to a teacher and a practice of Wisdom Healing Qigong. This is an ancient Chinese healing modality which was used to treat very serious illnesses at the only “medicineless” hospital in the world. Thousands were treated successfully until the hospital was shut down about 20 years ago by the Chinese government for political reasons. The practice was brought to the western world by Master Mingtong Gu, who has since helped many people heal from serious physical diseases, including cancer, Lyme, Parkinson, autoimmune conditions and emotional trauma. I have now met many of these people. Their stories are remarkable and inspiring. You can hear some of them yourself at http://chicenter.com-videos-retreat-graduates.pages.ontraport.net/. .
With the help of a few dear friends and some scholarships I have been able to attend 2 different week-long retreats at The Chi Center. This most recent one I barely made it to because I was feeling so sick, but I managed to get myself there. Wow! I could not believe how my stamina improved day by day from deeply engaging in this practice, which includes movements that awaken vitality, sound healing that vibrates into the various organ systems, and meditation, connecting to the quantum field of energy where all possibilities exist. I am convinced that in the bigger picture, this practice can serve my healing in ways that western medicine cannot.
I am not abandoning western treatment, in fact I am about to begin another round of, yet another, chemotherapy. It is my hope and vision that this will shrink the cancer, but the treatments are very taxing. At the same time, I am committed to stepping up my qigong practice and would love to participate in an intensive coaching program which lasts for 1 year. I have met several people with stage 4 cancers who have experienced significant improvement and/or complete healing when engaging in this practice for 3 hours daily. This is not a quick fix. It takes time and dedication, and eventually becomes a lifelong practice. I can do these practices on my own, but it is so much more powerful to engage with the teachers and community regularly.
Additionally, there are a few other alternative treatments that are costly and not covered by insurance that I would like to explore.
It is very humbling to ask for help, especially when many of you have already helped me in more ways than I could have ever imagined. I have felt deeply loved and supported and have been so blessed and moved by your outpouring. Now, I am asking for help again. I cannot engage in this practice with the gusto and to the level I want without financial assistance. The Chi Center has been and continues to be very generous with me, providing me significant scholarships, but I am still responsible for my share which exceeds my limited budget. If you feel moved to contribute to my healing with whatever amount you can comfortably manage, I would be most grateful. Regardless of whether or not you are able to help out financially, I still need all your prayers and love. I have a big uphill climb. The universe is providing me with some significant challenges and lessons, but I believe I am up to the task, with the intention of giving back in large and small ways as I am able. I will be posting updates in this campaign for those who want to follow my healing process.
With deepest love and gratitude,
Joanna
As most of you know, it has been nearly three years since I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic gastric (stomach) cancer. Since that time, I have done a combination of conventional, complimentary, and unconventional treatments. My health necessitated that I stop working, and thanks to the wonderful, over-the-top outpouring of love and support from community near and far, I was able to meet my financial obligations. While not easy, treatment served me fairly well for the first 2 years. I felt deeply blessed and was able to stay connected to a state of love, gratitude, joy, and grace much of the time. By the end of 2018 the cancer started to progress, and my conventional treatment was stepped up: 6 months of immunotherapy infusions, 5 more months of chemotherapy and a drug to cut off the blood supply to tumors, and several other medical interventions. During this time I have had more days of feeling bad than good. So far these more recent conventional treatments have not been able to stop the disease progression and they have taken a huge toll on my health and well-being. It has always been my nature to proactively take charge of my own health and to seek out avenues of healing beyond what western medicine can offer me (which at this time seems quite limited).
In February of this year I was introduced to a teacher and a practice of Wisdom Healing Qigong. This is an ancient Chinese healing modality which was used to treat very serious illnesses at the only “medicineless” hospital in the world. Thousands were treated successfully until the hospital was shut down about 20 years ago by the Chinese government for political reasons. The practice was brought to the western world by Master Mingtong Gu, who has since helped many people heal from serious physical diseases, including cancer, Lyme, Parkinson, autoimmune conditions and emotional trauma. I have now met many of these people. Their stories are remarkable and inspiring. You can hear some of them yourself at http://chicenter.com-videos-retreat-graduates.pages.ontraport.net/. .
With the help of a few dear friends and some scholarships I have been able to attend 2 different week-long retreats at The Chi Center. This most recent one I barely made it to because I was feeling so sick, but I managed to get myself there. Wow! I could not believe how my stamina improved day by day from deeply engaging in this practice, which includes movements that awaken vitality, sound healing that vibrates into the various organ systems, and meditation, connecting to the quantum field of energy where all possibilities exist. I am convinced that in the bigger picture, this practice can serve my healing in ways that western medicine cannot.
I am not abandoning western treatment, in fact I am about to begin another round of, yet another, chemotherapy. It is my hope and vision that this will shrink the cancer, but the treatments are very taxing. At the same time, I am committed to stepping up my qigong practice and would love to participate in an intensive coaching program which lasts for 1 year. I have met several people with stage 4 cancers who have experienced significant improvement and/or complete healing when engaging in this practice for 3 hours daily. This is not a quick fix. It takes time and dedication, and eventually becomes a lifelong practice. I can do these practices on my own, but it is so much more powerful to engage with the teachers and community regularly.
Additionally, there are a few other alternative treatments that are costly and not covered by insurance that I would like to explore.
It is very humbling to ask for help, especially when many of you have already helped me in more ways than I could have ever imagined. I have felt deeply loved and supported and have been so blessed and moved by your outpouring. Now, I am asking for help again. I cannot engage in this practice with the gusto and to the level I want without financial assistance. The Chi Center has been and continues to be very generous with me, providing me significant scholarships, but I am still responsible for my share which exceeds my limited budget. If you feel moved to contribute to my healing with whatever amount you can comfortably manage, I would be most grateful. Regardless of whether or not you are able to help out financially, I still need all your prayers and love. I have a big uphill climb. The universe is providing me with some significant challenges and lessons, but I believe I am up to the task, with the intention of giving back in large and small ways as I am able. I will be posting updates in this campaign for those who want to follow my healing process.
With deepest love and gratitude,
Joanna