The Healing Power of Optimism Hits Again (HURRAY!)

B'SD

15 Shvat, 5775

I've been savoring and preparing this blogpost a few days, wondering how to put a BIG miracle into words.

I wrapped up five months of vision therapy this week, and went home crying. I've been blessed with a HUGE miracle.

When you read the EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge book, you'll learn how and why I went blind in 2004/5. A completely terrifying experience, my situation was compounded with negative prognoses by the medical people on my case. 

NONE of the professionals believed I'd survive, and even if that happened, that I'd ever see again.

I chose to envision the future, and went wa-a-a-a-y outside the medical prognoses, diagnoses and treatment box. The choice has paid off well.

My attitude remains upbeat by choice (I work on it daily). People like having me around. And over time I can see them more clearly. 

Yes, some time ago all I could make out were blurred bodies and faces. I recognized voices and walking styles, not facial features. A walk down the street was full of danger for me as I struggled to interpret street signs, traffic patterns and whatnot.

The alternative healing strategies I use (I'll need them forever to prevent regression and to continue progression) are working. Some did not help me, but most of the strategies are improving my health and sight.

One successful strategy isn't even "alternative," it's classic, but not regarded highly enough in the medical world.

I've been working with a graduate student of my phenomenal eye doctor cited in this years-ago Glimmers of Light article. 

We've pursued proven and innovative exercises that optometrists use to improve visual acuity in their patients. In my case, we're overcoming severe optic nerve damage, forcing my optic muscles to compensate for the problem. Along the way, some of my optic nerves have become more powerful.

The huge percentage of visual progress in my case these past five months is simply miraculous. The therapist and I hugged each other as the evidence was recorded onto an official report. 

She credits my intentional optimism. I credit GOD and my willingness to let The One Above work with me.

We're making medical history. Again.

Want to join the fun, no matter the diagnosis? 

Learn how in 

PS - the therapist asked me to supply her with an explanation of all the alternative healing practices I use. My entire medical team has grown to respect the reality they represent. They're learning from me how to help other people with my situation.




PPS - Today is Tu B'Shvat, the Jewish New Year for Trees (it's springtime in Israel. The air is filled with lacy new greenery, luscious scents and color!) and I'm celebrating my inner growth. 

Before my now-gone brain tumor and crushed optic nerves temporarily turned my life into a nerve-wracking vortex, I was not as insightful about change as I am today. And the medical team on my case knew nothing about the miraculous possibilities they'd observe in me over time.

All of us are relieved and excited about the phenom.

The life lesson I want to share with you is floral/tree-themed: 

"Don't be deceived by superficial appearances. Sometimes a plant appears to be dead or destroyed. 

Much is going on (under the soil) out of sight. It's life-giving goodness. Give it time to grow."

Buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge for yourself or someone else.  

   

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. Face Your Future with Optimism.

Replace fear with fun and progress.

It's Hanuka Make-a-Miracle Moment!

B'SD

25 Kislev, 5775

It's Hanuka and it's our job not to merely pray for a miracle, but to BE a miracle!

Remember the lessons in that Super-Better game? That Boo-Boo Barbie healing stunt that I pulled one Purim?

Tomorrow I'll share insight into how some life lessons helped me to deal with a shock to my medical file - and to me - this past month.

 

Buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.  

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. Face Your Future with Optimism. 

Face fear with a strategy to fight it down.


 

Want to see EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge on TV?

B'SD

12 Kislev, 5775

As I count down the days until Chanukah, a time of spiritual light, an unusual proposal came my way.

Some  business people are putting together a collection of uplifting television programs. They asked me to join the team and to launch a show about the healing plus coping possibilities in the eastern, western, and alternative healing worlds.

Why?

Because my journey from blind to sighted, from death's door to astonishingly good health, is miraculous. All the miracles came about with human effort. And with eastern, western, and alternative healing modalities.

Spirituality was a 

HUGE 

part of the picture. 

Optimism was, too. Even when I had to pretend to be upbeat.

Medical professionals eager to help patients with similar or other medical problems now take notes about all that when they examine or meet with me. 

Some of them, not on my regular medical team, schedule time with me so they can learn about my unconventional, sometimes standard, healing methods and progress.

I appreciate the opportunity to share information with the world at large.

So, I've begun preparing experimental scripts, themes and more for the proposed show.

But I need to know something as I continue my work:

What do YOU want to see and learn as you EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge on TV?

Feel free to send questions you want answered, topics you'd like to be addressed.

The launch date for the show is several months from now. You can be part of the preparation process.

I look forward to hearing from you.

 
Buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.  

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. Face Your Future with Optimism. 


 

Eat Chocolate, Lose Weight and Miracles to Make Us Laugh

B'SD

6 Cheshvan, 5773

A snarky comment to indicate skepticism goes something like this: "Eat Chocolate and LOSE Weight!" The funny thing is, I do eat a specific amount of chocolate daily, and lost weight when I needed to anyway. My dining habits are sound, and the brand of chocolate I use is low in sugar, high in theobroma/cacao. That supports heart and brain health, but not wide waistlines.

There's a Spanish saying I enjoy, "Las cosas claras y el chocolate espeso" (Ideas should be clear and chocolate thick). On that note I'll share a little miracle with you.

I was in the BIG city of Jerusalem today,
wondering which miracles 
might happen to me. 

I was surprised when I 

unintentionally met up with 

a guy who has a television show. 

He asked if he could feature me on it 
tomorrow. 

I answered "Yes, I'd be delighted!"
(as I laughed to myself 
"This is kinda miraculous!").

Let me know what you'd like to me to speak about FAST! Leave your comments below this blogpost.

The possible topics are:

• The EMPOWER Yourself book,

• The medical miracles in my life,

• How to make miracles happen (trust me, there are tried and true ways - within limits)

• Or something else.

Let's find out if talking about miracles or other medical issues can have us sharing a few laughs. Laughter is very good for health! 

Buy the E-book or print edition today for a brighter holiday season: Click on the words EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. You just might learn how to let chocolate help but not hurt you, too!

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face Your Future with Optimism.

Love + Health = Making Medical Miracles Happen

B'SD


10 Nisan 5772


There's nothing like the boredom, anger, despair and resignation that go with a medical problem or disability. Some days the sense of rage is more that you or anyone can bear. You only want to be completely well.


But coping with a medical challenge doesn't necessarily mean recovering 100% perfect health. It does mean, however, strengthening yourself in emotionally, spiritually and physically meaningful ways. You can seek ways to make your life meaningful with your condition, and sometimes even more meaningful than it was before your diagnosis. A productive perspective: That's health!


Listen to this news report about Janne Kouri's Medical Miracle. List everything that went into his optimism, tenacity and success. Then list all the things YOU can do to help yourself, and perhaps other people as well.

Love + Health = 

Making Medical Miracles Happen

If you need some help to get that can-do list and better perspective going, read a book that medical and mental health professionals plus clergy of different faiths recommend:

Please let me know how  E-book or print edition EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge  has helped you and what you've accomplished because of your efforts.

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face Your Future with Optimism. Add love and tenacity, too.

Have Some Purim Fun!

B'SD


5 Adar 5772


The headlines are hard to take. The Hormuz Straits are shaping up as a possible setting for World War 4 (I believe that WW3 has been going on throughout the Intifada years).


I believe that indulging in healthy humor can help humanity to cope with fear, pain and uncertainty. So...


Friends and I worked together to launch some Purim fun at http://purimparodypaper.com/index.html (we're still uploading content). Adar is a month of miracles. We look forward to MANY!

(shhhh!!! don't tell anyone 
I'm behind 

this Purim project and mask!)

One more thing: I'm learning of people panicking at threats against Israel and a rumor about Purim. So I ask everyone to remember: A) Rabbi Frand's Tisha B'Av video about resolving problems with people so you can protect Israel B) Hussein's Scud Missile War on Israel ended on Purim and C) This is the time to focus on the 3 lines after the aleinu prayer in Jewish prayer books/sidurim: Fear not sudden terror, Conspiracies will be annulled, and H' is with us - we'll endure and be rescued!

oh - 1 more thing: Be nicer than usual. Can't hurt!

Buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge today. Name the medical challenge or disability. It's loaded with laughter to lighten your mind and heart. 

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face Your Future with Optimism.

BIG Breakthrough in the Curing Breast Cancer World!

B'SD


8 Tevet 5772




What an inspiring way to begin 2012: Curing breast cancer in 7 days!


Let's pray together for an end to all suffering. Medical miracles and researchers are helping people as we sleep. Waking up to such wonderful news is indescribably good.






Buy the E-book or print edition today for a brighter look at your medical life: Click on the words EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. 


Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face Your Future with Optimism.

The Best Bargain for Someone with Busted Bones!

B'SD


23 Kislev 5772

Check out this nifty video http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=xMYjfb_M9wM&vq=large to get a sense of how modern medicine puts busted bones and people back together again.

Remember my Boo-Boo Barbie story? That's how my arm was saved: a locking plate was installed to hold bone fragments together and to allow new bone to grow between the cracks of my crushed elbow.

The challenge of the recovery is to regain flexibility in the connective tissues that remained unused during the weeks/months of immobile casting. That calls for physical and occupational therapy, LOTS of determination and... heck, learn what to do when you read the whole story of my astonishing recovery on pages 60-62 of

Buy the E-book or print edition today for a brighter holiday season: Click on the words EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. 

It's the best bargain for cheering up
someone with busted bones ;^ D

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face Your Future with Optimism.

Giggling at Reversal of Fortunes, Tragedies and More!

B'SD

5 Adar 2, 5771

Purim happens March 20-21! Jews around the world are in the mood for blessings of happiness & fun to benefit everyone.

Enjoy this "take" on all-inclusive blessings. Purim is a holiday about The One Above saving us from the machinations of evil people.

Learn more about Purim here.


Hear some of the Hebrew vocabulary for Purim at http://www.jr.co.il/videos/purim-videos.htm

Laughter is good for your health. Get some more Good-4-U Giggles when you read E-book EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face Your Future with Optimism.

Did Your Local Newspaper Give You HARMFUL, WRONG MEDICAL INFORMATION?

B'SD

11 Tamuz 5770



Readers, this one's a stunner.

You're already afraid of doctors and painful tests. Thoughts of deadly and disfiguring diseases leave you almost speechless. And all too often predators play on those fears, trying to hurt you. For what? Fun and profit? To sell more newspapers?

The journalism world deserves a major shakedown so that only credible, hardworking fact-checkers get the real story to you. Fantasies belong on relevant shelves in libraries.

From those conscientious doctors at MedPage:

BLOG: N.Y. Daily News Begins

Second Decade of Evading Evidence

on PSA Screening

Headlines every day in the

New York Daily News

are luring men in as part of

a mass prostate cancer screening campaign

that the American Cancer Society not only

does not endorse --

its chief medical officer recommends against.

Yet the paper brags that...

full story http://www.medpagetoday.com/Blogs/20805

As a journalist, I pride myself on the fact that never once did an editor have to publish errata about my reporting. I am proud to pursue and to share the fact-based truth with my readership, and to make complicated topics understandable the first time you read my writing.

The benefits of my reporting,
writing services and books
are hard to measure.

They're intangible:

Success,
Survival,
Transformation.

Let It's MY Crisis! And I'll Cry If I Need To: EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge (http://www.booklocker.com/books/4244.html) help you to succeed at meeting your medical and emotional goals.

Survive that medical crisis with dignity, Face your future with Optimism. Transform yourself. with autonomy, mastery of the many details you're learning and tasks you need to perform.

Build and be proud of your sense of purpose

Medical experts call me a "Medical Miracle" for a reason. And I can teach you how to have some of your own.

EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.

.

IMAGINE the Medical Possibilities!

B'SD

12 Tevet 5770


I'm away from my office but I set the timer for this post to go live while I'm on vacation.

I watch TED videos from time to time and this one blew me away. One simple concept seems to be leading to multiple miracles! IMAGINE the medical possibilities.



Now write down some inspirational ideas you're tuning in to. Plan to act on them. Your thoughts might turn into innovations that help you and/or other people. I've done that. So have some of the famous historical figures quoted in my book(s).

You just never know what can happen when you EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.

Yocheved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life

A Miracle that's Unfolding...

B'SD

5 Sivan 5769

I didn't post anything yesterday as I was in emotional shock to some extent, then quite busy on a medically related phonecall made TO me. Here's why:

I keep thanking G'D for the wonderful news I received this week: my prescription for eyewear has been LOWERED for THE 12th TIME since August 2005 emergency surgery to remove my former Petroclival Tentorial Meningioma strangling every nerve leaving my spine and entering my head.

I went into surgery BLIND and nobody quite knew if or how well I'd ever see again. I came out of surgery with one paralyzed eyelid that couldn't open and other complications.

The eyelids are now open almost equally. Strangers long ago stopped asking me why one eye seems to be at half-mast.

My vertigo seems to be significantly less as I can now run downstairs at will, even carrying heavy objects or wearing a heavy backpack. I still walk near handrails when I'm using stairs, but I'm not holding on for dear life anymore. I glide gracefully as I did years ago.

Whodathunk????????

My medical team is in so much shock at the recovery that one of the docs is now consulting with me on how I observe my organic healing diet/lifestyle and prayers so she can better help neurodegenerative patients at a major hospital for such problems (that's the phone call referenced above).

WAHOOO!! I can see better, I'm not at great risk for more sudden falls/broken bones and my sense of dizziness is markedly LESS! Just a drop left to tell me that the healing is almost 100%.

Oh - women in the 'hood wanna know how I keep my figure. I was puzzled at the recent questions until I realized that I've been walking long and longer hikes without quite realizing that... OMIGAWD I'm walking huge distances without assistance, fatigue or falls!!!! It must be toning my muscles. And I didn't have to join a gym!

MORE MIRACLES!!!!!!!!!

Readers, recoveries are possible. I'd been written off as "going to further deteriorate" by some medical professionals and now I'm showing a prestigious medical practitioner how to promote HEALING for her neuro patients!!!

I'm dancing my way into the Shavuot holiday that begins in a few hours. La da da, G'D is healing a shnook like me!!!!! What a favor!


I wanna Pay it Forward and coax all of you: Pray for dear life, do life-promoting things and hang on for the Physical and Spiritual Rollercoaster Ride of Your Life.

To your good health,

Yojeved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life



Click on I'm Buying Yocheved's Book "It's MY Crisis! And I'll Cry if I Need To" because her medical team is beginning to agree, it IS "A Life Book that Helps You to Dry Your Tears and to Cope with (and Possibly Recover From) a Medical Challenge."

Laughing My Way to Better Health

12 Adar Bet 5768


This morning I waltzed my way into another Occupational Therapy appointment in full Purim garb. The staff laughed at my choice of matpekhet (costume, in Hebrew) and my sense of humor for poking fun at my medical issues.

You can get a glimpse of me as Boo-Boo Barbie down below. I wore the red dress for Purim evening and the pink outfit during the day. In one photo I'm holding the arm brace I no longer need, and balancing the cane that once supported me. Don't I look glam as a blond bomshell with kewl shades and colorful bandaids, laughing off my troubles?






Then we began our work. The exercises soon stopped so the startled therapist could measure the vastly improved supination, pronation, flexion and extension (medicalese for forms of movement) of my affected arm and hand.

She about cried for joy with me as I thanked GOD Almighty for the miracle. The One Above let my team of medical experts help me to heal from a devastating injury.

The supervisor was immediately alerted to the fact that the classic signs and symptoms of RSD/CRPS are rapidly lessening and disappearing from my previously injured and almost pain-free limb. Two telltale signs are simply GONE!

What happened next?

The supervisor proudy displayed a copy of my book for coping with medical crises to her staff. She wants everyone who arrives at that office to learn my strategies for coping with medical crises. AND she hopes that therapy clients will learn how to overcome their challenges with the right attitude and behavior.

~*~*~*~

Suffering with a Medical Crisis?

Been there, done that (AGAIN), wrote a book about it, and going forward into the future.

Want to learn many more can-do healing/coping strategies?
Then read, benefit from, and tell others about
It's MY Crisis! And I’ll Cry if I Need To.

Give someone a copy of It's MY Crisis! And I’ll Cry if I Need To.

Order it in book stores anywhere if it’s not on the shelves.

It's MY Crisis! And I’ll Cry if I Need To can be shipped worldwide.

Specialty editions are available for large organizations.

SAVE on large orders of It's MY Crisis! athttps://secure.booklocker.com/booklocker/wholesale/order.php

To your good health,

Yojeved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life.

HIGH DRAMA with a Happy Ending

19 Adar Alef 5768

Gosh, I'd only recently hinted to you about some health issues with which I struggle and might soon reveal. Then by golly I starred in a highly dramatic emergency room scene this very morning.

In brief, the orthopedic surgeon for my broken arm had examined me and my new X-rays last week. He warned me that a dangerous accumulation of scar tissue in my arm threatened my future ability to use my arm. He prescribed aggressive physical and occupational therapy and begged me to "break" the scar tissue with physical effort, to secure a better future for my health and my arm: a "quality of life" I desperately wanted. If I were to fail to destroy the scar tissue, he warned, I'd need more surgery within 6 weeks and placement of my affected arm in a monster of a very painful brace that would prevent the formation of new scar tissue.

Well, I followed my doctor's orders as if Moses had come down the mountain with a new set of rules! And I asked loved ones to pray for me.

Then a miracle happened: my arm's flexibility improved by 12 degrees within the week.

HOWEVER: I've been experiencing complications during and after last week's miraculous improvement: swelling, severe pain, fingers turning blueish, pain meds not working and sheer sleepless misery. Things became so awful that my regular doctor sent me to the hospital by ambulance this morning. I prayed like you can't imagine for Heavenly rescue. My parting words to worried friends were that The One Above was supervising the drama and I trust GOD with every cell of my body and soul. I chose to go with the flow.

OKAY, TAKE A DEEEEEP BREATH and read on to learn what we discovered in the hospital!

I'm smiling as I type and so are my doctors! This morning's emergency room visit, X-rays included, proved that my healing is farther along than any of us had suspected. No sign of infection, no problem with metal plates/screws holding my bones together, no sign of failure to heal.

So why had I suffered such painful agony? D-uhhh....

The problem was caused by overly aggressive physical therapy, or rather, a patient extremely eager to prove how hard-working she can be. I've been doing the physical and occupational therapy routines at home to promote more recovery and flexibility of my affected arm/hand. The orthopedist in the emergency room smiled when he said, "You're trying too hard to get better. This fracture is more healed than broken. I realize that you needed to break up the scar tissue, and you apparently succeeded. Tone down the workouts and you won't suffer the consequences you've been experiencing. Gee you're strong!"

He assured me that the scar tissue does not appear in this week's picture and that it sure was clear for all to see in last week's photo shoot. It seems to have disappeared after the scarefest my surgeon and I experienced last week. Remember that I'd asked for prayers on my behalf?

WHOA! The One Above can work fast!

I'm supposed to nap now, and then take life on with a wider smile hereafter. And don't even dream of a fistfight with me. I can whup your fightin' form in a blink ;^ )

Hodu l'Hashem ki tov, ki l'olam chasdo! (I thank GOD ALMIGHTY for the enduring kindness bestowed upon me).

To wrap up the made-for-Hollywood scene, here's a direct quote from Shoshanna Harrari, my organic foods/lifestyle coach who's been supervising my post-surgical recovery since that 2005 brain surgery I had:

"Hey Yocheved,

That is wonderful news!!!! And my thoughts exactly, you were just pushing too hard. Good that your 'prescription' is to let up a little on your rigorous schedule.

But you succeeded ( once again!) to break through all barriers. This must be why these things continue to happen to you, to show other people that, yes, it can be done. That no situation is too grim or hopeless. With the right treatment, the right information and the right motivation, with prayers from friends and strangers, and especially Hashem's (GOD's) rachmanus (compassion) and blessing.

And how could He not bless you Yocheved? His holy daughter who tries harder than anyone on earth to gain the path to right all the wrongs and be a healthy person... who could resist you??

Anyway, good news, more good words for your blog and for all the people who love you, care about you and pray for you, and for those also on the edge of despair with their own problems to see that....

Yes, all is possible, b'ezrat Hashem (with GOD's help). You are the example of the possibility of the impossible...

Love to you, Shoshanna"

~*~*~*~

IMAGINE WHAT YOU MIGHT ACHIEVE WITH MY SELF-HELP COACHING SERVICES AND/OR BY READING MY BOOK!

Suffering with a Medical Crisis?
Been there, done that, wrote a book about it, and going forward into the future.

Want to learn many more can-do healing/coping strategies?

Then read, benefit from, and tell others about

It's MY Crisis! And I’ll Cry if I Need To.

Give someone a copy of It's MY Crisis! And I’ll Cry if I Need To.


Order it in book stores anywhere if it’s not on the shelves.

It's MY Crisis! And I’ll Cry if I Need To can be shipped worldwide.

Specialty editions are available for large organizations.

SAVE on large orders of It's MY Crisis! when you click https://secure.booklocker.com/booklocker/wholesale/order.php



To your good health,


Yojeved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life