Comments on: Fighting cancer with the mind’s eye

By: Gloria O'Connell

Gloria O'Connell — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:40:24 +0000

Dear Kevyn,
I wish I could upload a picture. I took one of a license plate on a car ahead of me that said BURGER. You couldn’t have been driving because I was listening to you at the moment. I’ve kept it in my camera for months, knowing that some day I would give it to you. But a lot of time has passed. It’s hard to reach out when one is treading water. It’s hard to start a conversation if you’re not sure you have the energy to continue it. Thank you for articulating your experience. You have opened the path for many of us who will ultimately repeat your experience.
Thinking of you always,
Gloria

By: claudia

claudia — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:07:19 +0000

My experience with visualization is much less “high stakes” than Kevyn’s. I have periodically gotten savage headaches (since late teens) but have never sought to have them classified as migraines - my friends who have migraines say no way are mine in that league. Anyway, they can be debilitating. Though I’ve been known to pop ibuprofen if one hits in the middle of the workday, if I have more time I try this first - I lie in a cool, dark room with my eyes closed and imagine the most complex knotted rope I can conjure. Slowly I unknot the rope - the knot represents the pain. I am not kidding - very often I feel the pain dissipating as the rope loosens and the knots unravel. It really has been a tremendous way to relieve headache pain for more than twenty years. So I can somewhat relate to Kevyn’s visualizing the “collapsing and dissolving” cells. Kudos on your victory, Kevyn!!

By: Josephine Marcotty

Josephine Marcotty — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:18:17 +0000

Marc, this is not news or a news story. It is a personal story, one person’s experience. And yes, chemo and medicine works. There is, however, also a growing body of research indicating that the mind and belief can influence health as well. JM

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:03:47 +0000

For someone who has a loved one that went through this experience, Marc, I would think you would be a little more compassionate. She wasn’t discrediting the chemo. She simply said she tried this alternative medicine to help her deal with pain and fear and how it has helped her. There are just as many doctors that say this works as there are many doctors who say it does not; so who do you believe? For the people who do believe in it and if it actually has helped them deal with their cancer such as Kevyn, don’t belittle them

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:55:33 +0000

Wonderful article Kevyn. I know it will inspire and encourage others going through tough times. Battling those feelings of helplessness and fear do make a real difference in our healing. Thank you for your story.

By: Beth

Beth — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:37:29 +0000

I believe Kevyn did give credit to her doctors. But I also belive that your state of mind and willings to standup be strong and fight for life. Pray will never hurt you and can only help.

By: Marc

Marc — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:04:16 +0000

Oh, please, give a little credit to the chemotherapy. Crediting her visualizations with killing the cancer cells is neither realistic nor plausible. Studies have laid to rest the power of prayer, positive thinking and spoon bending.

I am glad that she survived, I hope it lasts. My wife has been cancer free for 14 years and we hope for many more.

The Star Tribune is doing no one a service by publishing this in the guise of news.

By: Colleen

Colleen — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:12:26 +0000

Kevyn - your story has been truly inspriring to me! I was diagnosed with DCIS in April of this year and had a lumpectomy about 6 weeks ago. I have been very lucky and blessed so far. When I first heard the diagnosis I was devastated and I wanted to read as much as I could about this disease and other women’s experiences with it. My sister steered me to your blog and I read it. It gave me hope. Thank you so much for sharing your story with others. I believe prayer and visualization can heal! May you stay cancer-free!

By: Carol Palmer

Carol Palmer — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:31:43 +0000

This is absolutely beautiful, Kevyn. I truly believe that the type of guided imagery you are doing and the frequent Relaxation Response can work in keeping your disease in check. Best of luck to you and may you have many, many healthy years ahead of you.

By: Audrey

Audrey — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:30:14 +0000

HOORAY for you Kevyn. You have a lot to give with your experience and how to truly deal with it.

Audrey