Visudha's Creative Cell (Cancer) Dance!
Anyone who knows Visudha De Los Santos knows what an incredible, magical, powerful, loving woman she is. Through her teaching, sacred offerings, friendship, support and love, Visudha has touched the lives of so many people around the world, and continues to do so.
Just a few weeks ago, our beloved Visudha received some unexpected and challenging news. She learned that she has Stage 2 bladder cancer.
Visudha says:
"Crazily, my life has been completely turned upside down and inside out. I am taking a bend in the road I was not at all expecting. I was just doing what I do, and BAM, suddenly I was going on a whole other path. As a woman who has traveled the globe for the last decade supporting others in their journeys toward healing and consciousness, I suddenly and quite abruptly now find myself in dire need of support for my own journey - which at this time is about staying alive in this body. I find that this journey thus far has been both terrifying and uplifting, and has literally stretched me to the edges of my knowing, of my life, - it has humbled and brought me to my knees in ways I cannot verbally express.
I'm an international teacher and I'm also an ordinary person - I have children, and grandchildren. I love being a mother and grandmother. I am also a sister, daughter, friend, and student of life. I play with kiddos small and large; eat well, and love good food; I go hiking, kayaking, and traipse about in nature; I pray, make music and art, lead ritual and ceremonies; and right now, I'm healing cancer. I've not been a health nut, but I have eaten organically and naturally for most of my adult life. I make good health choices and don't drink or smoke, I've never had a job in the chemical industry: all things that are often indicators of cancer growth. Seems I rolled the wrong dice with genetics and environmental toxins.
So here's what happened - in November 2018, I was doing what I do - this time teaching and and dancing in Greece, as part of a greater European tour. I began having some symptoms that led me to medical care which revealed tumor growth.
In December 2018, I had the tumors taken out. They were diagnosed to be Stage 2 Transitional Cell Cancer of the Bladder, which I call, and invite you to call, "Creative Cell Growth". This is when things started to be a little surreal. Because of complications, I was in and out of the hospital with a second surgery, blood transfusions, and a staph infection. I realized from this challenging start that I needed to re-frame and take charge of my experience. Step by step, I found myself reluctantly needing to cancel all of my upcoming workshops for most of the next year (yes I was booked that far out in advance), and land back in Taos, New Mexico, creating a home base for the first time in many years, as I had been living out of a suitcase traveling to my many and myriad and beloved communities offering my workshops and retreats. These cancellations of course are a huge hit, as this is my sole financial support, but even more so, it is also a large part of my soul support. It gives me such life force to witness the growth and transformation you have experienced, and that I have been privileged to guide and bear witness too.
I have learned from past life experiences that there is always a gift from difficult situations which has allowed me to enter this territory a bit more gracefully, and little less kicking and fighting my way through it. In many ways, I am taking this as an invitation to come closer to my body and to spirit. I'm taking this journey as a way to deepen my trust into life, its support, and its dynamic natural force. It's a culling, an initiation, and invitation. It's a way for me to transcend even more into the light and a deeper wisdom. I trust when I re-emerge that I will have even more to share when I get back on my traveling, teaching circuit."
Visudha's doctors have advised her that the allopathic (traditional Western) approach to curing this is a course of chemotherapy, which Visudha has reframed as "Chrysopoeia Elixir," followed by surgery. This approach is mostly financed through Visudha's insurance. The treatment plan which Visudha must undergo in order to heal is:
Chrysopoeia Elixir Phase: This is scheduled for 12 weeks, once a week, and has begun already. It includes travel to Santa Fe, and some possible overnights.
Surgery Phase: The surgery is highly intense and invasive, which will likely include some possible complications. Visudha's bladder will be removed, along with part of her internal reproductive system. Hopefully, the bladder will be replaced with a neo-bladder made from Visudha's intestines. There are other alternatives as well, but this is the method that will allow Visudha to engage with life most closely to the way she has been.
Recovery phase: This will take many months to first heal Visudha's body, and then retrain it.
Visudha is supplementing the allopathic approach with integrative approaches (which fall outside of the purview of Western medicine, and are not covered by insurance). These include hydrotherapy, thermotherapy, & immunotherapy, to support her natural immune response.
The full costs of treatment and recovery are not known at this time.
On the most basic, practical level, we estimate that Visudha's expenses will include:
BASIC COSTS (needed ASAP):
Housing/rent = $8000
Living expenses (food, utilities, transportation) = $6000
Total: $14,000 for 1 year
INTEGRATIVE TREATMENTS (not covered by insurance):
Mistletoe therapy (proven to be a highly effective European modality that stimulates the body's immune system to attack cancer cells) = $6,000
Thermotherapy: Far Infared Mats (Helps body to heal, prevents metastatic cells, & strengthens immunity) = $2,365
Angel Farm Treatment (known for cancer healing, cleansing, detoxing metals, colonics) = $6000
Supplements not covered by insurance to support healing; $6,000.00
ESTIMATED GRAND TOTAL: $34,365.00
Visudha will need a lot of support over the next few months, both financially and also emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. If you are one of the many people whose lives Visudha has touched in a lasting way, please consider giving as much and as often as you are able. Also, please SHARE as widely as you can!!! Thanks so much in advance for your help.
OTHER WAYS TO HELP: If you are unable to give financially, please consider these alternative ways to support V. (A good place to sign up to help and to organize services is here: https://my.lotsahelpinghands.com/community/visudha-healing-community )
-- Transportation. V. needs a regular ride from Taos to Santa Fe every week (Typically Mondays) for her chemo treatments. She also needs local rides to Holy Cross Hospital for Kidney Hydration, and to her integrative appointments. Please reach out if you think you might be able to help.
-- Fasting for emotional support. If you feel called, fast with Visudha as she undergoes chemo treatments each week. As part of her preparation process, she will begin fasting on Saturday at noon, and will break her fast on Tuesday at noon. You can also, simply pray with your water!
-- Surgery support. When the time comes for V.'s surgery, she will need people to stay with her and assist her while she heals.
-- Prayer, ritual, blessings! Hold Visudha in your thoughts and prayers regularly as she dances through this wild journey!
FUNDRAISING TEAM: This GoFundMe is created and managed by a fundraising team of Visudha's friends, including Annie Lewkowicz, Kristin and Brandon Swim, and Wendy Shuey. The funds are available for Visudha to access and withdraw as needed.
