I beat the odds: when the doctor said my chance of surviving the brain cancer was only 2 percent, I knew I had to overhaul my life - One Reader's Success

MY HEADACHES WERE worse than usual that winter, but I chalked it up to the high-stress life I was living as a record producer in Los Angeles. Then, one morning in March of 1995, I was startled awake by a rhythmic contraction in my left leg; two days later the same thing happened, only my face and left hand also started twitching. A week later, Host all feeling in my left shoulder and foot for several minutes.

Soon the contractions and twitching disappeared, but my headaches worsened and my left side grew weak. I finally consulted my internist, who referred me to a neurologist, who sent me for an MRI. As soon as I got home from the scan, my neurologist called with the results. I had a large mass in the right side of my brain; it was later confirmed by a biopsy to be a glioblastoma multiforme, the most deadly of all brain tumors. "But I'm only 25," I thought.

A Blessing In Disguise

Thus began a flurry of visits to oncologists, neurosurgeons, and other specialists. I was devastated to learn that a glioblastoma multiforme is virtually impossible to cure: Even if it's surgically removed, there's a 98 percent rate of recurrence.

I left my job and devoted my time to finding out everything I could about my illness. Over the next few months I consulted experts in healing, both complementary and conventional, including a shaman named Jade Wah'oo Grigori, who had been recommended to me by a trusted friend. I called Jade and described my symptoms to him. He replied by asking me if I was "committed to the path of my spirit." I wasn't able to answer him and our conversation ended. But the question started me on a journey of self-discovery.

What I learned about my illness helped me decide on a treatment plan. Because of my poor prognosis and the advanced state of the disease, I opted for a rigorous but unproven approach that involved surgery, high-dose chemotherapy, stem cell rescue, gamma-knife radiotherapy, and a second surgery to ensure removal of the entire tumor. This radical regimen was risky and potentially fatal.

To protect myself from the side effects and to maintain a reasonable quality of life both during and after the treatment, I adopted a number of complementary therapies. To support my white blood cell count and keep my energy levels high during chemo, I took nutritional supplements and herbs. To manage my pain and nausea, I used acupuncture and yoga, and to keep my muscles from wasting, I lifted light weights and did qi gong. To keep myself from getting discouraged, I kept reminding myself that all this was only temporary.

I wanted my body to devote itself to getting better, not digesting unhealthy food, so I worked out a diet based on macrobiotic and Ayurvedic principles and ate only organically grown food. However, during chemotherapy I allowed myself to eat whatever I could keep down, so pizza and other favorites were often on the menu.

Listening to My Tumor

As a Jew, I found it beneficial to work with a rabbi who specializes in the mystical aspects of Judaism, which are often used for healing purposes. And I meditated twice a day to keep my fear at bay and my mind clear.

I began to practice guided imagery daily with the assistance of David Bresler, Ph.D., co-founder of the Academy for Guided Imagery in Los Angeles and a pioneer in the field. I would sit in a chair, breathe deeply, and picture my tumor, and then David would guide me as I "talked" with it. I eventually stopped seeing it as a foe and was able to learn from it. It taught me many different lessons, but they all had the same essence--that I needed to learn how to listen more closely to my feelings.

During these searches for spiritual meaning, I kept being drawn back to Jade, and when I felt strong enough, I went to visit him in Arizona. Sitting with him for two days in a tepee, I came to recognize the spiritual origins of my illness. My life had been totally out of balance. Lacking purpose, I'd been making decisions only with my mind, totally ignoring my heart's desires. Jade said that if I were to recover fully, I'd have to start listening to my heart, making choices based on passion and not just on reason. I promised Jade, at his request, that if I recovered I would find a way to be of service to humanity.

I chose to follow my heart and proposed to my girlfriend. Because of Jade, I was able to acknowledge that it was her love, our love for each other, as much as any chemotherapy or diet, that had kept me alive during my treatment. Following my heart also led me to change my profession to one in which I could help others. I went to acupuncture school and now use my skills to treat patients with cancer.

I've been in remission for six years now. When I look back, I remember that when at last the time came for me to have the second surgery to remove the remains of the tumor, oddly enough, I had trouble letting it go. I was afraid that without it I'd forget what it had taught me. However, not a day goes by that I don't remember those precious lessons or feel a deep appreciation for my second chance at life.