The Cancer Odyssey: Discovering Truth and Inspiration on the Way to Wellness

by Margaret Brennan Bermel, MBA (aka Scoopdig)

“…there exists in the universe…the ‘Physics of the Quest’ – a force of nature governed by laws as real as …gravity or momentum. Quest Physics…goes like this: If you are brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting…and set out on a truth-seeking journey, and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue, and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher, and if you are prepared…to face…some very difficult realities about yourself…then truth will not be withheld from you.” (from the movie Eat, Pray, Love).

Last year was a very scary year for me. I was entering uncharted territory. The term “Quest Physics” is the best way to describe my approach to this situation. I am learning to live in the moment. It is natural to reflect backward or to project forward. Like most people, I like to think about where I’ve been and where I am going. But looking back now makes me shudder. I am NOT going back there. Ever. I can’t even bear to wear the sweat suits I wore during post-surgical visits because of their strong association with that ordeal. I had to suspend everything I thought I knew about chemotherapy in order to find the truth. I had to be brave. And then I started out on my “truth-seeking journey.” I was very aware of everything; I was searching for clues to this great life puzzle.

Since unintentionally venturing into the oncology world in late 2009, I discovered that chemotherapy is the greatest fraud ever perpetrated upon the American public. My hope is that this fact will reach the public consciousness, and that the Big Pharma-FDA complex will be exposed for what it is: a cartel that colludes with a focus, not on curing cancer, but on generating profits for the bottom line. Does chemotherapy work? Maybe, sometimes, with some specific cancers. But very often, it does not work. The collateral damage that comes with the “best weapon” used in the "war on cancer," a treatment that traces its genesis to mustard gas, is people’s lives. Approximately 600,000 Americans die each year ostensibly from "cancer"—but are they actually dying from the treatment? A very provocative question.

The intention of this book is to help people realize exactly that: that this is a provocative question that they must examine. They must ask questions of their treatment team, they must do their own research. They must provoke the answers that they need to find their way back to wellness. They must not put blinders on and simply follow along with the “standard of care.” If they do, they very well may become just another statistic. Chemotherapy may be the correct choice in a particular situation, but it should be a “choice” and not a “given.” The choice should be made only after a thorough review of all facts and all options. The oncologist, much like a salesman, will try to create a sense of urgency in order to make the sale. Recognize this as a sales tactic and don’t succumb to it. Insist upon taking the time to do your research.

Who is the FDA protecting us from? If no one was dying in this country from cancer and cancer treatment, then it might be appropriate for the FDA to block other treatments from the marketplace. We would say that cancer treatment is efficacious. There would be no need to search for an alternate treatment. There would be no need for this book. But 600,000 deaths annually? These people all took the treatment, and we know that they took the treatment because the statistics don’t track the people who decline treatment. Something is very wrong here. It doesn’t add up. It must be challenged. The actions of the FDA must be scrutinized.

In October 2009, the surgeon leaned over me in the recovery room and shouted, “It was malignant.” My husband then leaned over me and whispered gently, but with conviction, “We WILL grow old together.” That day was the start of my journey through the labyrinth of the cancer industry.

“The Cancer Odyssey: Discovering Truth and Inspiration on the Way to Wellness” chronicles my journey, searching both for truth about the cancer industry, and for inspiration about the purpose of life. This book is a blueprint to help others overcome the fear of cancer and return to wellness, by finding their own truth and their own inspiration. It offers an approach to dealing with cancer from a new viewpoint: it empowers people to challenge the medical advice of chemotherapy that most people have unquestioningly accepted as the only option. It reveals that chemotherapy is NOT the solution that people believe it is. The Cancer Odyssey explores the relationship between the medical profession, the pharmaceutical industry, and the FDA, and it reaches the only logical conclusion about the cancer industry: it is driven by the profit motive. The Cancer Odyssey encourages people to question and research, and to take their health care decisions into their own hands, because survival depends upon making the right decision. Through my own health circumstances, I was forced to research this issue. I am grateful every day that I was able to sift through the deception and misleading statistics, and decline the highly toxic "standard of care" which I believe would have led to certain death. Many people do not do this; they succumb to the scare tactics; they are too afraid not to go along with the conventional recommendation.

My search led me to many books, websites, and DVDs. The Cancer Odyssey brings all that research into just one book, and lists all these resources as a guide for the reader to explore the data in more detail. The Cancer Odyssey is a user-friendly guide for navigating cancer. It intersperses stories of truth with stories of inspiration, making it very readable; it is not just all hard facts and data points. It is a glimpse into my very personal struggle—my thoughts and feelings as I confronted this beast. I wrote this book to help others who suddenly find themselves caught in the same situation that I suddenly found myself in over a year ago: the cancer trap.

I believe that people have the right to know, and the right to choose their own health care. It is only a matter of time before you or a loved one will hear the words, “It was malignant.” Early detection is a mixed blessing: it can sometimes lead to unnecessary treatment for a condition that may be indolent or even self-resolving. Early detection should alert the patient to an imbalance in the body that needs to be addressed. But it can also lead to more profits for the cancer industry. Cancer treatment is the Rolls-Royce of the medical profession. This is where the real money is. Oncologists are the Rolls-Royce sales team of the cancer industry. What will it take to get you into this car today? What will it take to get you to sign up for chemotherapy today? Very strong sales tactics. A sense of urgency. Scare tactics. What are the sales goals, the Net Income projections, the P/E ratio? How many people need to be diagnosed and treated in order to break-even? In order to make a 10% profit? A 25% profit? These are the financial considerations that are made by cancer centers. It is not about altruism. It’s about “show me the money.” People need to hear this message before making the very real life and death decision about chemotherapy. The war against the cancer industry is the real “battle for truth, justice and the American way." Think of chemotherapy as kryptonite. It is toxic. It can harm healthy cells and organs. It can kill the cancer. But it can also kill the patient. Then make your decision.

If you found this book, you are searching for answers as I was a year ago. Read this first before taking chemo. Once it is understood that the cancer industry is driven by the profit motive, and not by altruism, then you have empowered yourself to ask the questions that need answers. Find out specifically HOW chemo will help YOU in your specific situation. Find out if taking chemo will make you BETTER. This is key. Most people taking chemo think that if they go through with it, if they take their medicine, that they will emerge healthy. Many people do not emerge from chemo. It turns out to be a slow, painful death. The point is: find out exactly what you are getting into, BEFORE you get into it. Keep an open mind as you read through this. A sea change in thinking takes time to grok. This will radically change the way you previously thought about chemo. Everything we thought we knew about chemo didn't come from data sources, it comes from media sources fed by the pharmaceutical companies selling their wares. Start to notice what people say at funeral services for family and friends who died from 'cancer'. People will whisper in hushed tones that they think that it was the 'chemo' and not the 'cancer' that killed the deceased. Pay attention. People are starting to realize that chemo doesn't work, and that the cancer industry has to come up with something better than this. After all, something that originated from mustard gas, from biochemical warfare, as chemo did, cannot possibly be good for anyone. Demand answers. Demand better options.

Over a year ago, I had major surgery and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I thank God first, and then my husband, and my recovery team, and support group of family and friends who brought me to THIS day, healthy and cancer-free. This has been a tremendous effort, a change in lifestyle, a change in eating habits, and a change in mental and emotional patterns--eliminating stress from my life, even in stress-producing situations. The key to recovery from cancer is the awareness of truth; this will lead to making informed choices. I learned the truth about chemotherapy and so I avoided it. Chemotherapy is the big killer, not cancer per se, but chemotherapy. One of the local cancer centers is now advertising on TV, "why go through chemotherapy if you don't have to." So there may be some recognition in the oncological world that chemo is not all that it's cracked up to be. Learn everything you can before you or your loved one agrees to it. Choose the right path for you to return to wellness.

I wrote the first story on January 1, 2010, called "Don't be Scared into Chemotherapy." On that date, I was only 2 months out from receiving a diagnosis, and on that date, I stopped reeling from the fear, panic, dread, despair, and anxiety, and took control of my life. What you are feeling today, I also felt. It is a scary place to be, but feel that I am holding your hand to guide you through this storm. You will be able to follow the progress I made by making discoveries about treatment options (what works and what doesn't work) and discoveries about life options (what we can do to save our own lives). Hopefully, you may find that some of my discoveries will help you through your own process. My focus is on healthy living, and on natural alternatives to toxic treatments. In some situations, some type of treatment may be the correct choice; however, it is very important that you ask questions and know exactly what your options are. Find a medical professional who fits your comfort level. If your gut is telling you something is wrong with what you are hearing, then it probably IS wrong for you. Don't be afraid to get a 2nd, 3rd, 4th opinion. Do not just go along with recommendations without question. Listen to your gut, listen to your heart, think this through. You are your own best resource. You are your own best healer. Do your research, read a lot. Do not panic. You have time. Take a deep breath and you will get through this. Trust. BE WELL! You can do this.
The Cancer Odyssey is available at www.thecancerodyssey.com and amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com