Hypnotherapy

I went to see a hypnotherapist on Thursday, all the way in Castro Valley (50 minutes drive). I left with mixed feelings.

The talk before the hypnosis was interesting, about the body-mind connection, and the subconscious that may have formed wrong ideas in childhood with the intention of protecting me, but it turns out to hurt me instead. The power of thoughts, beliefs etc.

During the hypnosis I could "hear" the my mind chatter, couldn't get rid of it. Some issues came up, nothing in the sort of hidden memories. I did make some new connections and understandings. Yet, it felt somewhat shallow. Perhaps I just expected too much. The therapist also said I resisted, so perhaps I'm just not the type for this kind of treatment.

When it was over, the therapist told me we were more than an hour over time, and asked that I pay for the extra hour. It left me feeling cheated; I knew ahead of time her hourly rate, which isn't cheap, and I knew first meeting was going to be two hours. What I wasn't told is that the meeting may be longer. Since, for obvious reasons, she was the one keeping track of time, I have to wonder...

In any case, my homework assignment is to visualize the tumor dissolving, disappearing and totally gone by my next MRI. Also to relax and make it a top priority.
While I don't visualize myself going to see her again, I think the above ideas are good. In fact, it gives me an idea for a short animation!

School, Neddles and Science

Voices of reason around me suggested I finish the teaching credentials, as planned, since I don't have to go through radiation now. But I feel that with full time student teaching I won't have time for the healing process. Instead, I'm going to try to take a class or two.

Yesterday I saw a Chinese doctor at Five Branches institute, who treated me with acupuncture and herbs. It took a long time to cook the herbs into tea last night, and the taste is (as promised) terrible. I need to drink the poison, sorry, tea, two or three time a day, and see the doctor once or twice a week.

In the afternoon we went to the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, which is the new nature museum. It's very impressive! and also very crowded; We didn't know it, but every third Wednesday of the month the entry is free.

We're still enjoying my mom's visit; she's leaving on Sunday. My brother, Michael, will stay until beginning of April; Yay!

Good News!

I'm off the hook!

I saw Dr. Horton, from the laboratory for visual neuroscience and he concluded the tumor is not affecting my eye. yet.

With this new information, both my radiologist, Dr. Sneed and I, and even Ilan, feel it is reasonable to postpone radiation treatment, and in the meantime keep following the tumor with MRIs and periodic eye exams.

I'm planning to explore alternative methods to deal with the recurring tumors, so if you have any suggestions and miracle stories - please share them with me!
My first goal in this era is to confront my tongue. In the Chinese medicine the tongue is believed to reflect a person's health. In my case, oy, the tongue looks very unhealthy.
I also keep experimenting with eating meat (still very difficult) and avoiding stress.


links:
Dr. Horton
Dr. Sneed
I should also mention Dr. McDermott, my responsible neurosurgent.