Experience Teaches Importance of Health Freedom
By Marillyn Beyer

I am a former faculty member in St. Luke's School of Nursing, teaching a High Level Wellness course which gave me an opportunity to learn about and apply multiple theories of natural healing. My experience makes me aware that without the availability of natural therapies my health outcomes would be inferior. Here are some examples:

Example 1
For two years my physician treated me for an itchy, oozing patch of skin, although no diagnosis was ever established. Drugs were ordered and taken. The symptoms disappeared and reappeared, again and again and again. Finally, in desperation, I went to a homeopath. It took one visit and three small pellets at a total cost of $79 and I was healed.

Example 2
My 2-year-old granddaughter had multiple ear infections and multiple antibiotics which progressed to infected and impacted sinus cavities. The doctor recommended surgical drainage of the sinus cavities. Again homeopathy corrected the problem.

Example 3
I was scheduled for rotator-cuff tear surgery. My doctor and others told me it was the most painful surgery there is. So, I was determined to do everything possible to ensure the best possible outcome. I took Noni juice which enables protein molecules to function perfectly -- essential to healing. I had a hypnotist hypnotize me and develop a tape to program positive responses as I listened to it during and after surgery. I also sneaked a homeopathic remedy before going into surgery and continued to use it afterward without staff awareness. My post-op experience was unbelievable! No pain! As a nurse, this seemed almost surreal–unbelievable! My doctor said my experience was well beyond two standard deviations from the norm, better than 98% of patients. It really was a miracle.

I would encourage conventional medical providers to extend and legitimize the process of a patient's self determination in plans of care. If more patients could experience the ease that I did, it would greatly improve patient outcomes at reduced costs. The availability of alternative medicine and the integration of complementary practices into our existing health care model can give us "the Best of Both Worlds."

Marillyn Beyer, M.A., R.N., is former president of the Minnesota Natural Health Coalition.