FSB Author Article
The Journey
Through Cancer
Healing and Transforming the Whole Person
By
Jeremy Geffen, MD
Published by Three Rivers Press
May 2006;$14.00US/$18.95CAN; 0-307-34181-X
The Most Important Cancer Book You Will Ever Read
What do you do when your world is turned upside-down by a diagnosis of cancer? How do you sort through the dizzying array of conventional and nonconventional treatment options while also searching for meaningful ways of embracing the mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of healing?
The Journey Through Cancer answers these questions and more. Board-certified oncologist Jeremy Geffen, MD, has spent more than fifteen years providing treatment, guidance, and care for thousands of cancer patients and their families. In this groundbreaking work, he offers real and inspiring solutions to the unique challenges encountered on the cancer journey, while honoring and caring for the whole person -- and his or her entire family -- at every step along the way.
Full of practical guidance, The Journey Through Cancer will help you to:
- Understand the essential aspects of conventional diagnosis, staging, and treatment.
- Make informed and intelligent choices about the most effective, safe, and reliable complementary and alternative therapies.
- Discover new possibilities for physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Author
Jeremy R. Geffen, MD, FACP, is a board-certified medical
oncologist, a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, and the
founder of Geffen Visions International,
Inc. (www.geffenvisions.com).
A pioneer in the field of integrative medicine and oncology, he also
has more than thirty years' experience exploring the great spiritual
and healing traditions of the East.
Reviews
"A timely addition to the medical bookshelf . . . Dr. Geffen lauds
the benefits of complementary practices in treating the person as a
whole. But he does not advocate swallowing these notions and potions
instead of proven treatments. [He tries]
. . . to address the emotional and spiritual needs of his patients and
provide traditional care. These efforts will sound refreshing for
cancer patients, many of whom feel they are simply cases being run
through a
treatment mill."
--New York Times
"When a sixty-nine-year-old friend was recently diagnosed [with
cancer] . . .
his family and friends wondered how he would manage his late-stage
disease. Dr. Geffen's
The Journey Through Cancer will be my gift to him to help him
on his journey
. . . Dr. Geffen's calm, balanced voice of experience convinced me that
he is on to something."
--Journal of the National Cancer Institute
"Oncologist Jeremy R. Geffen, MD, has done medicine -- physicians,
nurses, allied health providers, patients, and their
families -- an extraordinary service in giving us this sensitive,
thoughtful, beautifully written book."
--The Integrative Medicine Consult
"Dr. Jeremy Geffen is an oncologist of the future, one who
integrates the best of traditional and nontraditional approaches. He
addresses the physical as well as the psychosocial, emotional, and
spiritual dimensions of health and healing. It is unfortunate that all
people who are concerned with cancer can't have Dr. Geffen as their
doctor; this book is the next best thing."
--Dean Ornish, MD, president of the Preventive Medicine Research
Institute and author of
Dr. Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease and
Love and Survival
"I finished The Journey Through Cancer and immediately
thought, 'The world is a better place because Jeremy Geffen is in it.'
To find an oncologist who combines the latest medical knowledge with
the wisdom of the heart is a miracle. Step-by-step he leads the reader
through every dimension of cancer and healing, from the
nitty-gritty of the physical to the importance of the spiritual. This
is the single best book ever written for those with cancer and those
who love them."
--Joan Borysenko, PhD, author of Minding the Body, Mending the Mind
"The Journey Through Cancer is a priceless gift. With love
and grace, Dr. Jeremy Geffen creates a practical guide that stepwise
builds enduring, complete healing of the body, mind, heart, spirit, and
community. It can transform your
very next day in the clinic to one of wholeness, joy, and
endless possibility, and will in time reclaim for cancer medicine its
fullest potential."
--John W. Rieke, MD, FACP, Medical Director, Multicare Regional Cancer
Center, Tacoma, Washington
"Dr. Geffen's vast knowledge, experience, insight, and compassion in
the treatment of cancer patients shine radiantly through in
The Journey Through Cancer. This is a useful book for anyone
facing this serious challenge."
--Deepak Chopra, MD, author of Quantum Healing and
Ageless Body, Timeless Mind
"The Journey Through Cancer is an extraordinary book -- a
must-read for anyone facing cancer. Dr. Geffen's understanding of
oncology and healing, combined with his compassion and caring, raise
the bar for oncology care."
--Congressman Dan Burton
"This is a superb contribution to the literature on integrating the
best of conventional and alternative cancer therapies."
--Michael Lerner, president of Commonweal and author of Choices in
Healing
"Dr. Jeremy Geffen offers all of us a wise, warm, and deeply
informed vision of the kind of care that everyone with cancer should
have. If you have cancer, buy this book."
--James S. Gordon, MD, director of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine
and author of
Comprehensive Cancer Care: Integrating Alternative, Complementary,
and Conventional Therapies
"The Journey Through Cancer is an invaluable contribution for
patients, families, physicians, nurses, and others involved in living
with, treating, and caring for cancer patients. In this wonderfully
engaging book, Dr. Jeremy Geffen provides both a practical guide and a
range of choices through his seven-level program that will greatly
enhance the lives of persons with cancer."
--Philip R. Lee, MD, professor of social medicine, emeritus, senior
staff, Institute of Health Policy Studies, UCSF School of Medicine
"The Journey Through Cancer is written by a compassionate
physician from the depths of his heart. The book captures, in a
wonderful way, the importance of
'body, mind, heart, and spirit' as dimensions of ourselves and
illuminates their roles in the healing process. It is a brilliant piece
of work that undoubtedly will have an enormously positive impact on the
lives of people with cancer and their families."
--Fawzy I. Fawzy, MD, professor of psychiatry, UCLA School of Medicine
"The Journey Through Cancer is a profound and deeply inspired
guide for anyone dealing with cancer. Dr. Geffen skillfully leads you
through every aspect of healing and transformation in a completely
unique and practical way. His vision of multidimensional medicine is
remarkable, real, and urgently needed. Don't miss this important book."
--Shirley Watson, DC, CCN, VoiceAmerica Network
Excerpt
The following is an excerpt from the book The Journey
Through Cancer
by Jeremy Geffen, MD
Published by Three Rivers Press; May
2006;$14.00US/$18.95CAN; 0-307-34181-X
Copyright © 2000, 2006 Jeremy R. Geffen
Some Practical Suggestions
There are so many things you can do to nurture the garden of your body. The suggestions below are just a preliminary list, and you can surely come up with more. A useful guiding principle is to think of your body as a garden that needs sunlight, water, oxygen, nourishment, and loving care and attention. Once you've embraced this idea, exercise is no longer just a matter of physical exertion; it is an opportunity for bringing oxygen to the deep soil of your being. Similarly, eating nutritious, healthy food is no longer done simply to prevent or eliminate cancer; it is a way to fertilize and nourish the garden of the self. In all your activities, try to remain aware of this powerful and profound metaphor. When you keep the idea of your body as a garden in the forefront of your consciousness, you will naturally begin to live in ways that ensure your garden's continuing healthy growth.
- Look at your diet. Are you eating healthy foods every day?
- Eat foods that you enjoy. Try to become aware of the difference between satisfying a momentary craving for a particular food and eating something that is genuinely nourishing and satisfying to you -- and your body.
- Consider giving yourself the gift of a massage at least once a week, more if you are able. Encourage your caregivers to do so as well.
- Begin an exercise program, but use common sense. If you are tired, consider a simple walk for a few minutes each day, or for a longer time if comfortable.
- Join a yoga class. Experience the joys of gentle stretching and deep relaxation.
- Drink six: to eight glasses of spring water a day. Remember, it is important to water the garden of your being daily if you want it to be healthy.
- Make sure that your bowels are moving regularly. Eliminating toxins from your body is very important. If you are having any difficulties in this area, discuss it immediately with your physician.
- Breathe deeply for ten breaths, at least three times a day. Inhale for a count of two, hold for a count of eight, and exhale for a count of four. On the exhalation, push all of the air out of your lungs. This will deeply oxygenate your blood, improve the flow of lymph throughout the body, and help you to relax, think more clearly, and become more focused.
- Consider seeing an acupuncturist for a general evaluation.
- Explore the benefits of therapeutic touch, Reiki therapy, or other forms of energy healing.
- Remember that the garden of your being needs sunshine! Spend some time each day in nature. Even if you live in a city, take at least a few minutes a day to appreciate the sun, the sky, and whatever trees and plants are around you.
- Get a journal and spend at least five to ten minutes a day writing down your thoughts, feelings, and impressions. Keep a record of important events, questions, ideas, or inspirations that come to you as well.
- Take time every day to rest and relax. Explore the benefits of deep relaxation on a consistent basis.
- Try some guided imagery audio programs and discover new resources of healing, creativity, intuition, and inner wisdom.
Copyright © 2000, 2006 Jeremy R. Geffen