Occupational and alternative therapy help change a life

I thought I pulled a muscle in my back, or maybe that I had a kidney stone" says Marsha Alverson. "It was the most severe pain I had ever been in, even worse than giving birth to two children." After a trip to ER at Lexington Medical Center, and every kind of scan you can imagine, this sixty-one year old wife and mother found herself in the middle of a fight against breast cancer. With no family history of breast cancer, she was shocked to learn that it had metastasized in three places on her spine at the time of discovery. Her treatment began almost immediately with twelve rounds of radiology over the next ten days. It was early September of 2009 that she began seeing Dr. Lal where she began chemo which caused

uncontrollable nausea resulting in weight loss of thirty-two pounds within about two months. As she shared her story, she took very special care to mention the amazing treatment she received from Lexington Medical Center by Dr. Lal and his fellow chemo nurses. "It turned my world upside down," Marsha said. One of the most emotional times over the last year was the loss of hair after chemo. "It becomes real." For Marsha, her self-esteem really took a hit

with her loss of hair. "As a woman, that was probably the most emotional thing I had to deal with." Even though she knew it would eventually grow back, it was one of the toughest times in her treatment.

There is, however, clarity which comes with any hardship in life. Sometimes it's clarity of thinking or maybe sometimes it is clarity of priorities. With Marsha, it was the clarity of the people who were most important in her life. Her "rock," as she refers to chemo, her husband, was able to work from home to be with her. Neighbors would show up with bags of "things you need."
Marsha also realized it was the small things, and gestures, that meant the most. "As horrible as this has been, it has really been a blessing," Marsha said of the new friends she had discovered, even in the nursing staff that take the time to hug her each time she comes in.

It was in the pages of Lexington Woman magazine that she found Hima Dalal of Vital Energy. Within the ad, there was a reference to breast cancer treatment available through Vital Energy. Marsha began her treatment right away and has found great comfort with Reiki treatment and the aqua detox foot spa. After just one treatment of Aqua Detox, Marsha found her feet were smooth. It was within a few days that the burning, "fire in your feet", which comes from chemo, was almost gone. Marsha says that working with Dr. Lal combined with her treatments at Vital Energy have become two of her relationship with Hima, she finds herself more alert, energetic, and having clarity that she hadn't known for the better part of a year. Part of her treatment separates the tumor tissue from the soft tissue, which creates a peace on the inside. Her stiffness has given way to more limber joints and less neck and back pain. She can't say enough about the new friend she has found in Hima, and the impact the treatments have had on her body in its fight. "Even my blood pressure" has been affected with the treatment!

A little over a year after being diagnosed, Marsha is still on oral chemo, a regular patient of Vital Energy's, an avid reader of Lexington Woman, and stronger than she has ever been. As for her self-image, "I feel much better now that I have hair..." Marsha says with a smile, although she did point out she found some really cute wigs.

Marsha said that when you feel better on the inside, you can feel better on the inside; you can feel better on the outside. Her spunk has returned, and thanks to a recipe from her mom that includes cider vinegar and Hima's suggestion of rosewater, her overall wellness continues to improve. Marsha always remembers the small things in life. Those are the ones that mean the most. When you are faced with something that some might call catastrophic, in the words of Hima, "Don't accept it. Overcome it".

Marsha pointed out that once you are feeling better; personally seek out things that will help you. Don't wait for them to find you. As for the interview, Marsha told me that if her article can help "one person feel better sooner" it's worth it.