In January, I had heart failure and was probably not too far from being propelled into the spirit world. Contrarian that I am, I was not afraid of death. But I did fear being on life support.
While some of my treatment felt barbaric, thankfully I was never put on life support. In fact, I refused to be resuscitated or put on a ventilator. Side benefit: My refusal was to force my doctors to remember that they could not mess up and revive me. Revival was not an option. Give me a china shop — I am the bull. 😀
I am a true a contrarian: During and since my hospital stay, I’d rate my compliance with the doctor’s orders as A+. It doesn’t mean that I will accept the status quo forever. But even creative non-traditional thinking geniuses like me know when not to rock the boat. 😀
I will stay on my meds and follow a routine. I found a new cardiologist to hopefully work with me on alternatives to my current pharmaceuticals. I’d be happy living on fewer meds.
My two-week stay in the hospital was a barrage of worst case scenarios – the final straw was a cardiologist talking about a heart transplant on the panoply of treatment options. Doom and gloom was not on my radar.
Fact check TRUE, but for Pete’s sake (whomever Pete is) I could have done without hearing about a heart transplant! How about focusing on getting well first? I wanted to recover and return home to my spouse and pets.
Just the other day I told my primary physician about my heart transplant discussion with my cardiologist. He said the usual “It’s on the menu” defense of his colleague and the CYA medical system. I looked him straight in the eye and said “…but you would not have said that to me.” He’s a great doctor and grudgingly said, “Probably not.”
My spouse Dr. Pet Mom (Dr. Bessie DiDomenica) will have surgery shortly and received the same doom and gloom/ CYA routine. Her care is state of the art for which we are very grateful.
Her condition COULD BE something very gnarly, but pre-operation tests say otherwise (likely full recovery after surgery). Despite the barrage of worst case scenarios, we both feel very upbeat and optimistic. We wish that her surgeon and her primary care doctor shared our bubbly optimism. We love them none the less.
Upbeat optimism has strong healing powers. What the hell is wrong with that? Good feelings set the stage for wellness. When you feel good, you attract more good. With belief and practice, you are what you feel you are.
After our family discussions about doom and gloom in medicine, I woke up today and I came up with some innovations that humanity may wish to pursue. Here is my outline of innovations.
One thing for certain, mind over matter medicine is not common where I live in Boston. We have some of the finest medical facilities in the world:
- Hospitals
- Research
- Testing
- Manufacturing
- Educational
For this, I am grateful. But I believe we need to incorporate the mind and spirit into the healing process.
My top 10 recommendations to transform our medical system toward wellness centered healing and less doom and gloom:
- Hospitals are no longer stage one of a hospice. Rename hospitals Wellness Restoration Centers (WRC) or Wellness Creation Centers (WCC).
- Healthcare systems end the doom and gloom worst case/end result CYA mindset.
- Physicians learn to understand the power of positive energy in the healing process. Transfer this positive energy to their patients via prayer, thought or meditation.
- Reality can manifest based on feelings and thought. Teach patients about the benefits of imagining their wellness, meditation, positive thought/prayer.
- Groups can amplify the healing process. A group of employees trained to encourage patient wellness work at every WRC/WCC. Group prayer is very powerful.
- Atheists can think positively in groups given the science that reality is created based on thought. This thought process is hard-wired into the universe. Faith and religion need not be part of the process but are helpful.
- Explain the placebo effect and how it works. Don’t worry that science can’t explain it (yet).
- Heal into how you convince yourself that you feel: upbeat and optimistic in the short, medium and long term.
- Remain patient during serious wellness restoration challenges.
- Physicians and nurses need to be trained in all aspects of manifesting reality from feelings, thought or prayer. Thing of beauty – all can do this no matter what belief system you have.
What I propose does not exist yet. But during a medical crises, do what your doctor tells you in the short term. Try working with them over the longer-haul towards Nature’s remedies and using positive energy. If your current doctor has no interest, other doctors can help you.
Dr. Pet Mom and I are using the hybrid traditional and alternative medicine combo. It’s the best option given the status quo and what our insurance plan will cover.
Towards the end of my hospital stay in January, I told Dr. Pet Mom that I would do very well and surprise my doctors. At the time I thought I was being intuitive. In hindsight, I was beginning the process of feeling, thinking and becoming well.
If you would like to leave a gift towards helping with our mounting medical bills, you can safely and securely do so here.
Important Disclaimer: I am NOT suggesting that people toss their doctor and pharmaceuticals aside. I hope that my thoughts will start a robust discussion on the need to feel and think wellness, not illness. Creative thinking can fundamentally transform our entire healthcare system. If you are having symptoms or medical concerns, see a qualified medical professional right away.
Be well,
@SocialClaude
