Renate Sorensen
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From Vivian:
To Renate with all my Love -
GOD, Rafael, Renate, Reiki and "Dad"
A few weeks ago (April 12, 2009) I sat in Church to receive the Easter
message. Pastor Perry began the sermon by telling us he had two
statements. First, in 100 years none of us would be alive. He didn't think
any of us would have a problem agreeing to that. The second statement
was, next Easter many of us will not be here and we don't know who or
when. He felt many of us would have a problem with that statement. He
noted that all of us have an appointment and we would not be late. That
thought made me recall so many moments from the last 8 years.
August 13, 2001: "Dad" (my husband) received the diagnosis of lung
cancer - adenocarcenoma, Stage III, not curable but treatable. It was
suggested he would probably have 6 months to two years to live. That
moment, life took a very sharp left turn. Over the next 3 years he had a
metastasis to his right Adrenal gland, he had surgery to remove the gland,
the cancer metastasized to his Lymph system and he received his 4th round
of chemotherapy. In between episodes of cancer he had a heart attack
where one entire side of his heart had no blood circulation due to a
blockage, followed by two bouts of pneumonia requiring hospitalization.
After the diagnosis, while we waited to see an Oncologist, I turned to
my best ally - God. I prayed daily (often several times a day) for guidance.
Please, God, guide my direction. Show me where to look, show me what I
need to best handle this and best support Dad's journey - our journey. And
always, may God's will be done. You see, I knew I was not in control but I
would certainly follow. I spent endless hours on the internet searching for
answers. Where do we turn? What do we expect? I soon learned how to
exist on 3 or fewer hours of sleep a night.
Trying to consolidate 8 years into something brief, let me just say that
God DID take over. He led me to information on an experimental trial that
MD Anderson was conducting. I copied the protocol to take to the
Oncologist visit. He reviewed it and said he'd be interested in using it. Dad
began radiation and 2 chemo regiments all at the same time - 5 days a week
- for 2 months, September and October. He never missed a day of work;
he never lost his hair. He'd go to Radiation, go to Chemo, and then go to
work. His work colleagues, his family, and many churches in the tri-county
area and across the country had him on their prayer list. Two weeks after
that round, just before Thanksgiving, he began his 3rd chemo regiment and
that one gave him some problems. Radiation recall caused by the
treatment left radiation fibrosis and the loss of lung capacity. That period
of the journey was very difficult but we were carried through it. His lung
specialist convinced him that after 32 years in the oil industry that
environment was not what he needed and he retired in 2002.
God also directed us to information on the importance of nutrition and
supplements. I found a site discussing this that led me to a book called
Beating Cancer with Nutrition. Reading it, I knew we needed a
nutritionist. I spoke with the Oncologist and was referred to a dietician.
Neither wanted Dad to lose weight and didn't really care how he
accomplished that. Just consume whatever he could tolerate. But the book
said just the opposite. I was totally confused, but I knew with my whole
being the book was right and I was unhappy with the responses. I began
searching for a certified nutritionist.
South Carolina does not certify nutritionists and the search was
difficult - dead end after dead end. Then purely by chance, while at a
doctor visit myself, I was discussing my fatigue, my plight and the
challenges we were facing. Dr. Jones (now deceased) mentioned he knew
Marti Chitwood and knew she was a nutritionist and very caring. God had
taken us to the next step in our journey to nourish Body, Mind and Spirit.
BODY: We met with Marti frequently, taking the blood work and all
test results to each visit. By now Dad had started the treatment and was
battling the poison of the chemotherapy plus the attack of the cancer cells.
Based on the clues revealed by the blood tests Marti walked us through the
vitamins, minerals, supplements and diet Dad needed to work toward
protecting his vital organs, support the needs of his body, and maximize his
own immune system. Through the synergy of the combination we all
hoped to maximize the treatment's success and preserve and strengthen his
body.
MIND: In November of 2001 Marti asked if we would be interested in
learning about Reiki. We had no idea what Reiki was, but I knew this was
the next step we were being directed to and we were absolutely interested.
She said that while she could refer us immediately to practitioner, she
really felt Dad needed Renate. In December of 2001 we sat down with
Renate to learn more and soon began what would be a weekly visit for
treatment and an immediate affection for Renate. I won't belabor the
process, for surely if you are reading this you have already begun this
wonderful journey yourself.
SPIRIT: Dad immediately found peace and comfort in his visits and
that in and of itself was wonderful. We had no idea, however, of the
wonder to follow. We saw Renate weekly from December 2001 to May of
2002, and again from November 2003 to June 2004. As God would have
it, Dad seemed to find remission when Renate was enjoying the mountains.
Then she would return - as if just for us - when we'd find out there was a
metastasis. Certainly, Renate never altered her normal travel routine, but I
feel sure God guided Dad's health needs.
We always went together for these visits, and during the soft
peacefulness of the music, the calm and quiet of a healing atmosphere, and
the flow of healing energy through Renate to Dad, his world - our world
-had a future. He began to believe he was healing and to know with
absolute conviction he was in higher hands than any on earth.
Renate taught Dad the imagery of a journey through peaceful woods to
a shore where a kind man would pick him up in a rowboat and carry him to
a wonderful island. There he'd wind through beautiful garden rooms, rest
on a bench and enjoy nature, and find healing at a chapel. He revisited this
image through many chemotherapy treatments. Over time we all talked
together, visited together, prayed together, and healed together. Renate
became a counsel, a healer, a friend, and forever a part of our hearts. We
were so very blessed.
While Dad received Reiki, I too always felt a sense of healing. Dad
often fell into a slumber during these sessions, which was wonderful
because he rested peacefully for a brief while and that was rare. One night
in particular - in the spring of 2004, while Dad had found slumber with
Renate's healing hands over his head - I felt chills. I looked up and saw a
large image - not a solid being but rather a flowing, more translucent being.
I recall a white gown and dark hair and in just a few seconds he was gone.
At that moment, Renate said, "Rafael was with me" and I shared my vision
with her.
April of 2009 Dad and I celebrated 5 years in remission and August 13,
2009 will be 8 years since diagnosis. The MDAnderson doctors call him
the miracle man. His Oncologist calls him the magic man. I call him God's
man and thank The Almighty daily for the blessing of Rafael, Renate, and
every person and bit of information He guided us to.
As I remember some of the highlights of this journey, how could I
possibly have a problem with Pastor Perry's statement? We all have an
appointment and we will not be late. Despite the predictions of many
medical professionals, Dad did not have an appointment in 2001. But
when his time comes - as with us all - it will be God's will and on God's
schedule.
Today Dad enjoys his real journeys to the beautiful places in the
woods. He spends many hours with nature. He and his best friend love
finding the beauty of the woods and lakes - often just sitting in the woods
against a tree and listening. They have taken some amazing pictures of
God's world. ---Vivian
Renate adds: "After I had the experience of Rafael's visit, I asked a
Hebrew student about Rafael, and was told that the name 'Rafael' means:
'God heals.' Isn't it wonderful?"
To Renate with all my Love -
GOD, Rafael, Renate, Reiki and "Dad"
A few weeks ago (April 12, 2009) I sat in Church to receive the Easter
message. Pastor Perry began the sermon by telling us he had two
statements. First, in 100 years none of us would be alive. He didn't think
any of us would have a problem agreeing to that. The second statement
was, next Easter many of us will not be here and we don't know who or
when. He felt many of us would have a problem with that statement. He
noted that all of us have an appointment and we would not be late. That
thought made me recall so many moments from the last 8 years.
August 13, 2001: "Dad" (my husband) received the diagnosis of lung
cancer - adenocarcenoma, Stage III, not curable but treatable. It was
suggested he would probably have 6 months to two years to live. That
moment, life took a very sharp left turn. Over the next 3 years he had a
metastasis to his right Adrenal gland, he had surgery to remove the gland,
the cancer metastasized to his Lymph system and he received his 4th round
of chemotherapy. In between episodes of cancer he had a heart attack
where one entire side of his heart had no blood circulation due to a
blockage, followed by two bouts of pneumonia requiring hospitalization.
After the diagnosis, while we waited to see an Oncologist, I turned to
my best ally - God. I prayed daily (often several times a day) for guidance.
Please, God, guide my direction. Show me where to look, show me what I
need to best handle this and best support Dad's journey - our journey. And
always, may God's will be done. You see, I knew I was not in control but I
would certainly follow. I spent endless hours on the internet searching for
answers. Where do we turn? What do we expect? I soon learned how to
exist on 3 or fewer hours of sleep a night.
Trying to consolidate 8 years into something brief, let me just say that
God DID take over. He led me to information on an experimental trial that
MD Anderson was conducting. I copied the protocol to take to the
Oncologist visit. He reviewed it and said he'd be interested in using it. Dad
began radiation and 2 chemo regiments all at the same time - 5 days a week
- for 2 months, September and October. He never missed a day of work;
he never lost his hair. He'd go to Radiation, go to Chemo, and then go to
work. His work colleagues, his family, and many churches in the tri-county
area and across the country had him on their prayer list. Two weeks after
that round, just before Thanksgiving, he began his 3rd chemo regiment and
that one gave him some problems. Radiation recall caused by the
treatment left radiation fibrosis and the loss of lung capacity. That period
of the journey was very difficult but we were carried through it. His lung
specialist convinced him that after 32 years in the oil industry that
environment was not what he needed and he retired in 2002.
God also directed us to information on the importance of nutrition and
supplements. I found a site discussing this that led me to a book called
Beating Cancer with Nutrition. Reading it, I knew we needed a
nutritionist. I spoke with the Oncologist and was referred to a dietician.
Neither wanted Dad to lose weight and didn't really care how he
accomplished that. Just consume whatever he could tolerate. But the book
said just the opposite. I was totally confused, but I knew with my whole
being the book was right and I was unhappy with the responses. I began
searching for a certified nutritionist.
South Carolina does not certify nutritionists and the search was
difficult - dead end after dead end. Then purely by chance, while at a
doctor visit myself, I was discussing my fatigue, my plight and the
challenges we were facing. Dr. Jones (now deceased) mentioned he knew
Marti Chitwood and knew she was a nutritionist and very caring. God had
taken us to the next step in our journey to nourish Body, Mind and Spirit.
BODY: We met with Marti frequently, taking the blood work and all
test results to each visit. By now Dad had started the treatment and was
battling the poison of the chemotherapy plus the attack of the cancer cells.
Based on the clues revealed by the blood tests Marti walked us through the
vitamins, minerals, supplements and diet Dad needed to work toward
protecting his vital organs, support the needs of his body, and maximize his
own immune system. Through the synergy of the combination we all
hoped to maximize the treatment's success and preserve and strengthen his
body.
MIND: In November of 2001 Marti asked if we would be interested in
learning about Reiki. We had no idea what Reiki was, but I knew this was
the next step we were being directed to and we were absolutely interested.
She said that while she could refer us immediately to practitioner, she
really felt Dad needed Renate. In December of 2001 we sat down with
Renate to learn more and soon began what would be a weekly visit for
treatment and an immediate affection for Renate. I won't belabor the
process, for surely if you are reading this you have already begun this
wonderful journey yourself.
SPIRIT: Dad immediately found peace and comfort in his visits and
that in and of itself was wonderful. We had no idea, however, of the
wonder to follow. We saw Renate weekly from December 2001 to May of
2002, and again from November 2003 to June 2004. As God would have
it, Dad seemed to find remission when Renate was enjoying the mountains.
Then she would return - as if just for us - when we'd find out there was a
metastasis. Certainly, Renate never altered her normal travel routine, but I
feel sure God guided Dad's health needs.
We always went together for these visits, and during the soft
peacefulness of the music, the calm and quiet of a healing atmosphere, and
the flow of healing energy through Renate to Dad, his world - our world
-had a future. He began to believe he was healing and to know with
absolute conviction he was in higher hands than any on earth.
Renate taught Dad the imagery of a journey through peaceful woods to
a shore where a kind man would pick him up in a rowboat and carry him to
a wonderful island. There he'd wind through beautiful garden rooms, rest
on a bench and enjoy nature, and find healing at a chapel. He revisited this
image through many chemotherapy treatments. Over time we all talked
together, visited together, prayed together, and healed together. Renate
became a counsel, a healer, a friend, and forever a part of our hearts. We
were so very blessed.
While Dad received Reiki, I too always felt a sense of healing. Dad
often fell into a slumber during these sessions, which was wonderful
because he rested peacefully for a brief while and that was rare. One night
in particular - in the spring of 2004, while Dad had found slumber with
Renate's healing hands over his head - I felt chills. I looked up and saw a
large image - not a solid being but rather a flowing, more translucent being.
I recall a white gown and dark hair and in just a few seconds he was gone.
At that moment, Renate said, "Rafael was with me" and I shared my vision
with her.
April of 2009 Dad and I celebrated 5 years in remission and August 13,
2009 will be 8 years since diagnosis. The MDAnderson doctors call him
the miracle man. His Oncologist calls him the magic man. I call him God's
man and thank The Almighty daily for the blessing of Rafael, Renate, and
every person and bit of information He guided us to.
As I remember some of the highlights of this journey, how could I
possibly have a problem with Pastor Perry's statement? We all have an
appointment and we will not be late. Despite the predictions of many
medical professionals, Dad did not have an appointment in 2001. But
when his time comes - as with us all - it will be God's will and on God's
schedule.
Today Dad enjoys his real journeys to the beautiful places in the
woods. He spends many hours with nature. He and his best friend love
finding the beauty of the woods and lakes - often just sitting in the woods
against a tree and listening. They have taken some amazing pictures of
God's world. ---Vivian
Renate adds: "After I had the experience of Rafael's visit, I asked a
Hebrew student about Rafael, and was told that the name 'Rafael' means:
'God heals.' Isn't it wonderful?"
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