InspireHealth is an integrated cancer care community in Vancouver, BC. I’ve mentioned them in previous posts back in 2007. They have an excellent model for approaching the healing of cancer as illustrated in the "Foundations of Healing" figure below .
(click picture to enlarge)
Note that at the very base of the pyramid is “Will to Live”, followed by “Hope”, “Spiritual Connection”, “Personal Autonomy”, “Mind-Body Awareness”, and so on. This model emphasizes a holistic approach towards healing cancer. An approach which affirms the whole person, body, mind, soul, and spirit rather than just focussing on the disease or tumour.
A strictly "tumour based" approach disregards most of the basic foundations and targets only the tumour with either radiation, chemo, or surgery. Important as these conventional therapies are, they are not the whole story and it is questionable as to how effective they are in the long run in the absence of the other foundations. Without the underpinnings of a strong will to live, hope, emotional and spiritual connections, healthful diet and water, exercise, and stress reduction conventional therapies are easily undermined.
(click picture to enlarge)
A strictly "tumour based" approach disregards most of the basic foundations and targets only the tumour with either radiation, chemo, or surgery. Important as these conventional therapies are, they are not the whole story and it is questionable as to how effective they are in the long run in the absence of the other foundations. Without the underpinnings of a strong will to live, hope, emotional and spiritual connections, healthful diet and water, exercise, and stress reduction conventional therapies are easily undermined.
Over the next while I'd like to reflect on those "Foundations of Healing" that have been significant to me in my personal journey with cancer.
Be Well... Rob; in Vancouver
"Everyone has a doctor in him or her; we just have to help it in its work. The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well. Our food should be our medicine. Our medicine should be our food." Hippocrates
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