Stories from the Heart
R.R. - Dog with Cancer
In January of 2003 Klaus, my six-year-old Rottweiler, was diagnosed with Subungual (nail bed) Squamis Cell Sarcoma. At the same time, a suspicious spot in his lung was also identified and four weeks later an x-ray confirmed that this spot was cancer.
In the four weeks between the initial diagnosis of sarcoma, and the x-ray confirming lung cancer, Klaus had his infected toe amputated. After the surgery the oncologist recommended that I have Klaus treated with chemotherapy for the lung cancer. He could give me no guarantee that the outcome would be favorable, that I would even have Klaus one month longer than if I simply let him live with the cancer. This concerned me and as a result, before committing to the chemotherapy, I decided to speak with a number of people who treated their dog’s cancer with chemotherapy. Unfortunately, none of the people I spoke with had fond memories of this treatment, for their pets or themselves.
Discouraged and distressed, I realized I had to make some kind of a decision on the course of treatment for Klaus; whether it was to allow him to live his life to the fullest without intervention or to intervene and take the chance of being miserable during the chemotherapy. Fortunately before I had to choose one of the aforementioned options, I heard about IMT for canines experiencing health difficulties such as limited range of motion and cancer. After one treatment I knew I had made the right choice for both Klaus and myself.
Pre-amputation I had a dog who would not walk when he could run, chased everything that moved and played with and teased his brother and sister whenever possible. Post amputation I had a dog who favored the paw from which the toe was removed and one who was obviously experiencing depression. This depression was demonstrably shown by what I could only call an overall apathetic attitude. Though still loving, Klaus’s personality was 180° different from the dog I knew before the surgery. Upon one treatment with IMT, Klaus’s gait showed dramatic improvement. The improvement - the ability to walk normally - allowed Klaus to regain his energy and zest for living. The combination of the two outcomes, normal gait and increased energy, have impacted his mental health in a wonderfully positive manner.
To date I continue to take Klaus to the CenterIMT for monthly treatments and I make sure he receives the prescribed supplements on a daily basis. His condition continues to improve daily and I continue to see more of the Klaus that I knew prior to surgery. He is back to playing with his brother and sister and consistently takes delight in teasing them by stealing their toys. Every day the four of us play after I come home from work and Klaus is back to being the first one to retrieve whatever item I have thrown. His level of fatigue is now no greater than the other two dogs and his appetite has returned with a vengeance! Not bad for a dog diagnosed with terminal cancer.
There are no words that would adequately express my appreciation for what CenterIMT has done and continues to do for Klaus. I owe CenterIMT his happiness and renewed love for life. Herra and Rosie owe you their brother’s return to his former playfulness. Last, but not least, I owe CenterIMT for my happiness in knowing that Klaus and I will have wonderful experiences together for as long as he is with me. And that is a gift which is truly priceless. R.R.
Dianne Johnson - Multiple Symptoms
The date was December 29, 1994. I was 24 years old. I was walking in the mall one day, and suddenly I was dizzy and nauseous. As I walked through the Food Court, my condition seemed to dissipate. However,the next morning I awakened with such dizziness that I could not force myself from my bed. This was the beginning of what seemed like the end. The dizziness led to other symptoms such as intense vertigo, headaches, earaches, jaw stiffness, facial swelling, pressure in my head, muscle stiffness, involuntary head movements, floating spots in my visual field, and general malaise. My condition affected every area of my life from driving an automobile to working- every task was a struggle. My condition left me exhausted, tired and wondering how I would get up the next day.
The short story of my condition tracks like this. In my quest to get well prior to CenterIMT, I did the following:
- Visited 9 different physicians
- Had 9 different initial history and physicals and consultations performed
- Had at least 40 various follow-up medical appointments
- Was diagnosed at least 4-5 different times
- Was prescribed 13 different drugs to improve my condition
- Had 2 x-rays performed
- Had 9 different tests performed plus a complete blood work up and evaluation
- Had 1 surgery recommended
After all this, my physicians told me that I was perfectly normal. To me, I was sicker, more exhausted, losing hope, and no closer to feeling better. Does this sound familiar? This vicious cycle could have just continued in my life, however, after one year of searching to receive help, tired and frustrated, I discharged myself from the search.
In 1999, after 5 years of living with this condition at age 29, I was introduced to CenterIMT at Regional Physical Therapy in Bloomfield, CT. CenterIMT proved that my symptoms were not all in my head. CenterIMT has changed my health and my life forever. I have regained my health. I am no longer dizzy, I am able to drive a car, I am able to work, and I am back on the golf course, my true passion. I am not a very clinical person, however, I do understand CenterIMT's approach. Their approach was not to treat my symptoms, but to treat me as a whole person. We are all products of our circumstances and conditions. What I bring to CenterIMT is my own unique 29 years of existence, and another 29-year old will bring their own unique experiences and existence. Our treatment plans would be very different. For the first timesince 1994, I am not thinking about how to get through the next day, or survivethe next week. I am thinking bigger - I am thinking about my long-term career goals, my personal goals, and most important to me, how to continue to improve my golf game! My family and I thank the partners and staff at CenterIMT for taking me to the road to recovery!
Dianne Johnson
Wendy Bialek - Fibrous Dysplasia
My medical history began at age 7 with a diagnosis of fibrous dyplasia in my left leg and hip - a condition where spongy tissue grows instead of healthy bone. Over the course of the next several decades I underwent 7 surgeries, each time not knowing if I would ever walk again. My life was a study in pain management, uncertainty and rehabilitation. Several years ago at age 44, I began noticing acute chemical, environmental and food sensitivities in conjunction with a rapid decline in both my mobility and overall health. I had tried every kind of healing modality you can think of - and I felt like I was going to die. Then I found out about CenterIMT and scheduled a block of sessions. It was a trip that would change my life.
At first I wondered why the practitioners were spending all of this time working on other parts of my body when the problem was in my leg! I soon came to understand that their Integrated Systems Approach and Integrative Diagnostics address the cause of the problem - something that nobody had every found in my case. I had been asking myself and others a simple question for years: If our bodies rejuvenate themselves constantly, then why does mine keep growing unhealthy tissue? CenterIMT answered that question, identifying factors that traditional medicine might deem unrelated such as "leaky gut syndrome" (where the body is literally poisoning itself) and mercury toxicity. They found that all these toxins from my body had been stored in my leg. After they addressed these issues in other systems, the work they then did on my actual leg and hip was profound.
The transformation I underwent in that trip is almost impossible to put into words. I am a new woman. I have reclaimed my health, my vitality, my career and my life. I am functioning "normally" for the first in my life. My husband used to have to wait for me to poke along when I felt well enough to hike. Now I have to wait for him! Stand back, world. I am woman... hear me roar! Many heartfelt thanks to Sharon, Tom and the CenterIMT team!
Wendy Bialek
Sedona, AZ
