I am a 57 year old anesthesiologist, and I had never had a major illness until July of 1994, when I was diagnosed with hepatoma liver cancer. I determined that with the Lord’s help and guidance I would triumph over this condition. I realized that I would have to forge my own way through the thickets of conventional and alternative treatments, in effect, play both doctor and patient as I designed my own cancer healing program. What pulled me through was a combination of visualization, magnetic therapy, megavitamins, and herbs.

As I left the hospital after my diagnosis, I started on the first phase of my recovery. Recalling the verse in Mark 11:24 ("Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you will receive it"), this was made the focal point of my program. A life-threatening illness such as cancer can cause a person to dramatically alter his lifestyle, thought processes, and personality. As part of this first phase of healing, after work each day I would lie down and then focus my mind on just two things. First, I visualized that my body was consuming the cancer cells. This would be alternated with a mental picture of Jesus Christ standing close to me amidst a blue light that seemed to surround him. I felt that if I could stand in that blue light I would be healed. I would lie there for long periods of time, constantly focusing on these two images. For the first month, this was my only therapy.

Meanwhile, my physician believed I had a hepatoma, The initial lab results showed elevations of my liver enzymes and an increased alpha fetal protein; in my case this was 87.7 while the normal is 1-3. Each and every day, whether at work, at the hospital, driving, or during whatever else I might be doing, I would concentrate on that number coming down when the next test was run. The number I focused on was 67, 67, 67. Day after day, I focused on the test result being 67.

When I returned for another blood evaluation 3 weeks later, my alpha fetal protein was now 61, 6 points lower than I had visualized. This was the turning point, for I was convinced that I had been heard and that my faith in Mark 11:24 was being answered.

I knew that there were alternative methods for treating cancer, but I did not know where to find them. While walking through the book section in a store one day, I saw a book called Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide. I believe this was not a chance encounter, but that I was guided in my search for alternative healing methods to find this book. That night I sat down and devoured The Definitive Guide’s chapters on cancer, herbs, and magnetic field therapy.

The second phase of my healing process started when I purchased several ceramic magnets and started sleeping on them at night. As I used the magnets, I noticed positive changes. My energy level, which had been almost nil, started increasing. As my abdominal distention receded, I was able to eat and not feel bloated. I started taking large quantities of vitamins, herbs, and amino acids. I continued with special tests in order to pinpoint the liver tumor. The tests all came back negative – no evidence of cancer.

Then I began phase three of my recovery. Up to this point, I hadn’t told anyone outside of my family of my condition or the diagnosis. I recalled a passage in James 5:14, 15 that said if any are sick among you, have the elder of the church lay on hands, anoint with oil, and pray for them. I spoke to my pastor and asked him if he and the elders would pray for my healing. They did this after services on a Sabbath morning. It was a humbling experience. I felt nothing at the time, but later while at home, I had a sudden sense of total well-being and complete peace of mind. I believed most firmly that the Lord was reassuring me that I would triumph over the cancer.

It seemed that every time I turned around, another door was opening. I started reading up on herbs and took many different ones, including milk thistle, kyolic garlic, dandelion root, gingko bilboa, goldenseal root, beta carotene and alfalfa tablets. I also considerably changed my diet. I no longer touch red meat, and I eat chicken and fish only occasionally. I eat lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and garlic.

The illness was both a physical and spiritual experience for me. Today, I continue to improve and all tests remain negative. I find myself more tolerant and compassionate to others and their problems. The role that emotions have in health cannot be ignored. I believe that a positive, optimistic attitude will strengthen the immune system while negative feelings decrease the immune system’s ability to respond to a disease process.

I hope that my story will help someone else with cancer who may have lost all hope and given up. Explore the alternatives, ask the Lord’s help, and take charge of your healing.

by Joseph Needham, MD