Health & Balance

Health and Balance Spiritual Ministry

Healing story from Cathy Bacquet: When I was diagnosed in 1997 at age 40 with inflammatory breast cancer, I was so scared my thoughts could only scream. My husband had died two years earlier after a long illness. My mother had died of breast cancer at age 43. I was desperate, but I was determined to break this legacy for both my daughter and myself. We had suffered enough! I immediately called the registered nurse who had helped my husband to control the pain of rheumatoid arthritis when drugs no longer helped him. At Scripps Pain Center, she taught a Japanese form of acupressure called Jin Shin Jyutsu to patients (www.jinshinjyutsu.com). She taught me how to do Jin Shin Jyutsu to help myself.

A dear friend introduced me to Seaside Church, where I learned meditation techniques. I also learned how to let go of the worry and tension of everyday concerns and past regrets. I found that focusing on healing in meditation had profound effects on my everyday life as well as my health. I learned Viniyoga, a simple yoga technique that links gentle movements with breathing. I substituted this form of exercise for the aerobics I'd done for the past 20 years. As a result of practicing each of these healing techniques, the tightness in my shoulders receded and the chronic back pain disappeared for the first time in my life.

Soon after my diagnosis, I called “long term survivors” to find out what they had done. I called phone numbers from the “buddy box” at the Wellness Community in San Diego (www.thewellnesscommunity.org). Each person explained how she had endured radiation, surgery, and massive amounts of chemotherapy. What struck me was that each person also added a combination of healing techniques for the mind and spirit. Some did hypnosis or visualization. Some focused on journaling, art, or music. All of them went to support groups or counseling. None of them said anything like, “I left it up to the doctors to cure me.”

I took their advice. I am grateful for the excellent medical care I received at Scripps (www.scrippshealth.org). From April 1997 to March 1998, I had chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, mastectomy, and free flap breast reconstruction involving microsurgery, and last of all, radiation. I have been symptom-free since my recovery. I am even more thankful to my friends and family who taught me how to care for myself in countless loving ways. Now I can offer so much more to everyone I love.

At Seaside, I learned words for what I had experienced. “The opposite of fear is not faith. It’s love.” Everything falls into place when I focus on loving who I’m with, doing what I love, and acknowledging that this love is Spirit expressing as me.

I began attending the Seaside Cancer Support Group before I became a practitioner, and I received so much from the experience. Lyne Bledsoe, a Seaside Cancer Support Group member, began Moonlight Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization that assists people with cancer who need emergency financial help (www.moonlightcancerfoundation.org). We honor her legacy with the annual Harmony Harvest Concert Fundraiser.

I invite those with cancer challenges to share your thoughts and ideas on your healing journey at the Health and Balance Spiritual Circle webpage. Please call me for details at 760-753-2498.