Testimonial

I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in August, 2001. The first oncologist with whom I consulted predicted a 2-3 year life expectancy with “standard treatment”. I was told that I would not be able to return to my teaching job in September as I needed to begin preparation for a bone marrow transplant.

A month later, I became a patient at Dana-Farber, and for the next two years was treated with a combination of Steroids, Thalidomide, Pamidronate, and a host of “support drugs” to control the pain and side effects of this regimen. I also had several appointments with 2 different acupuncturists and an herbalist, using their expertise to also help control some of the pain and side effects I was experiencing. Though my cancer was reasonably under control in the spring of 2003, I was beginning to accept the fact that I would need a transplant to improve the quality of my life.

On June 22, 2003, I met with Fr. Edward McDonough, the Catholic priest from Mission Church in Boston who is recognized as a healer. He recommended that I contact his acupuncturist, Tom Tam, who had cured his brother-in-law of Multiple Myeloma in one session. Intrigued, I set up my first appointment, and began a new life-sustaining journey. As Tom transferred Chi, used acupuncture and Tui Na, I experienced a wave of heat that traveled through my body and a healing force that infused me with energy, pain relief and a new sense of hope. Tom also convinced me to come to his Guinea Pig Class the next day. Before long, my husband was taking courses to learn Tong Ren, and we were employing Tom’s techniques at home also. Within 2 months, and for the next 7, I was able to forgo Western medicines; and while my cancer was not cured, it did remain at very low levels. I was once again able to fully enjoy my life-working, parenting and traveling. As I now arrive at the date that the first oncologist predicted I would not live to see, I believe that the combination of Tom Tam’s techniques of energy healing, Tong Ren, acupuncture, Tui Na, long distance healing and the Western medicine that I employ is what has allowed me to embrace a more hopeful future.

Lydia Smith
July 5, 2004