The Naturopathic Healing Road

This story, by AANP President Lise Alchuler, ND, FABNO, appeared in the AANP's November 2008 eNews.

A 67-year old man came to see me in my practice a couple of weeks ago. As he slowly shuffled down the hallway into my office, touching the wall occasionally for support, he muttered apologies for taking so long. I assured him that it was okay and to take his time. Once seated, he moved to the front edge of his chair and began his story.

He described a 20 year history of excruciating abdominal pain. His pain was so tremendous that his entire day revolved around minimizing it. It included long periods of staying perfectly still in a certain position so as not to aggravate the pain, a diet that consisted of chicken and white rice, a regimented schedule of pain medication, and sleepless nights. His days had, he said, gotten to the point where his life was not worth living. Over the years, he had consulted gastroenterologists, neurologists, rheumatologists, oncologists, and internists, and had received every conceivable test. At last, four years prior, with no options left, his gastroenterologist surgically removed his colon in an effort to relieve the pain. Unfortunately, despite the lack of his colon, his pain remained. He concluded his history with a question, "If this is in my head, can you please tell me what I need to do to get it out of my head? Is there any hope for me?"

As I listened to this man's tale of suffering, I was struck by several things: his suffering, the hope for health that still held flame within him, the harm done to him in an effort to help, and, finally, the vast potential for the principles and practices of naturopathic medicine. I assessed him naturopathically and made several suggestions. He returned a week later and the first words out of his mouth were, "I felt better over the last week than I have felt in the past five years. Each day, I had more time without pain. Yesterday, I slept for five hours without waking. I ate steamed spinach! Do you think that I might actually get well enough to move away and rejoin my family?"

Encapsulated in these declarations and his question was a compelling affirmation of the healing power of naturopathic medicine and the tenacity with which the human spirit holds onto hope and health. Listening to him, I too felt renewed and reinvigorated. As we continue down the road of his wellness, our faith in the inherent capacity for health that lies within, and in the transformative power of hope, will add spring to our step while our way will continue to be guided by the healing forces of Nature.

I carry this man's experience with me now. As our profession journeys into the arenas that we must travel into in order to grow - arenas of politics, public relations, economics, partnerships, etc. - we can call upon experiences of healing such as this in order to remember the power of our medicine. Through these remembrances, the motivation and direction for our profession's advancement is then obviously, and radiantly, clear.

Fear Not - San Girolamo Cervara

This song was recorded by Randell Kirsch and his wife LuAnn in June 2008 in a chapel in Portofino, Italy. Randell is currently the bass player for The Beach Boys.”I wanted to share this song in recognition of the courage both Lise and Konrad are sharing with us.

-Karen

Konrad Kail's Benefit Concert

Konrad Kail Benefit Concert

Dear Friends and colleagues,

We want to thank you all for your support. We have been amazed at the number of people who have contacted us with various offers of help. I am doing terrific. I feel great and my numbers (lab) are excellent. We’ll be done by the time of the concert. Other than some hair loss (they say it will return), I’m even better than before (I have a different attitude towards life).

We decided to have some fun with our fundraising efforts. People who know me, know that music is a big part of my life. If you recall the AANP Convention that we had in Phoenix, and the one following in Portland, there was a fun, live karaoke band and party. These guys (the band) are those guys. They, most graciously, agreed to get together for this event, and to have some fun. It may be a little rough (no time to practice), but it will be fun. "Concert for the Benefit of Dr. K" will held on April 3, and will be recorded and archived on Natural Partners TV. Anyone who donates $25.00 or more will receive a disc.

Our thanks to all who view this.

Namaste,

Konrad and Petie

Ann Ready, ND, MPH Diagnosed with Rare Cancer

Ann Ready, ND, MPH (Bastyr 2001) was diagnosed with uterine leiomyosarcoma in June 2008. She is currently undergoing her third chemotherapy regimen and is using everything available to her in terms of treatment and healing. Ann’s community has created a web site, www.anniesarmy.com, to provide updates and, most recently, to help people in her community make online financial gifts. The goal of Annie’s Army is to keep Ann and her family in the house they have worked so hard to purchase and make their home. Please send Ann your healing thoughts and please support Annie’s Army if at all possible. All contributions, big or small, are welcomed and greatly appreciated!

Amazing Grace.

Leading Naturopathic Physician Konrad Kail, N.M.D. Has Brain Cancer © By Peter Chowka

(February 12, 2009) Konrad Kail, P.A., N.M.D., a prominent naturopathic physician in the U.S. and for the past two decades a high profile and indefatigable ambassador on behalf of both the naturopathic profession and integrative medicine, has been telling friends that he was recently diagnosed with, and has started treatment for, brain cancer.

In an e-mail to me on February 1, 2009, Kail, who is in clinical practice in Phoenix, AZ, wrote:

I recently had to have some brain surgery. I have the most common fast-growing brain tumor, an advanced glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in left frontal lobe. This tumor affects short term memory and how the brain responds to itself. Other than mild short term memory deficits, there is little [in terms of] side effects and almost no loss of other function. So far, I’m weaning off steroids. Follow-up week starts tomorrow. Radiation starts next week.

According to an article at Medscape, “Attention was recently drawn to this form of brain cancer when Senator Ted Kennedy was diagnosed with glioblastoma.”

Kail’s February 1 e-mail continued:

The tumor hasn’t affected my work performance (although I did miss a week of [seeing] patients). No funny chart notes, although you could tell that my words were affected. Now, it’s back to work, and see how well that I do.

I have groups of people praying for me all over the world. For most people that know me, this (blog-like) interaction is perfect. I totally trust you about who to tell what about me. I’ve had lots of support from the AANP [American Association of Naturopathic Physicians] family.

Emblematic of his good natured optimism, Kail’s valediction in his e-mail was “Yours in Health.”

Speaking of the AANP, Kail was the president of the organization, which represents licensed naturopathic physicians, from 1991-‘93 and in 1997 he was named the association’s physician of the year. Some other highlights of his long and distinguished career: He is one of the founders of Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ and has a long association with the college as a teacher and an administrator, including chairing its board of directors from 1993-‘95. Outside of naturopathic medicine, Kail served on the federal government’s top CAM (complementary alternative medicine) panel as a member of the Advisory Council to the NIH National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (1999-2003). From 1999-2002, Kail was an Ex-officio Member, Cancer Advisory Panel for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, National Cancer Institute.

Before becoming a naturopath (he graduated with an N.D. degree from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, OR in 1983), Kail was educated and worked as a Physician’s Assistant. In addition to his naturopathic clinical medical practice, Kail is an expert in natural treatments for allergies. Among his writings is Allergy Free: An Alternative Medicine Definitive Guide, published in 2000 by Alternativcemedicine.com books. He has written over fifty articles published in the scientific literature and in the popular press, and he has made many presentations on natural medicine topics around the U.S. as well as in the UK, Australia, and Brazil.

As a hobby, Kail plays guitar and writes rock songs. An early source of information on Kail’s health condition in late January was Evan Zang, a natural products industry consultant and a Public Member of the Naturopathic Physicians Board of Medical Examiners in Arizona. Zang frequently plays music with Kail in bands in the Phoenix area.

Zang is one of a network of Kail’s friends and associates around the country, working to disseminate information and updates on his condition via the Internet. Announcements are expected soon about ways in which Kail’s many friends can stay informed and help, including contributing funds to help with the costs of his treatment.

Please visit this space again soon for important updates.

Interesting Reading:

Dr. Konrad Kail's Testimony Before the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics (HHS) Subcommittee on Standards and Security Regarding Coding for Naturopathic Medical Services, January 29, 2003