James “Rhio” O’Conner Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest
By Dawn E. Cangelosi
Back in July of 2009 the phone rang. The voice on the other end was familiar and asks to speak to my husband, Jacob. Surprise by the request I handed the phone over. As I watch my husband‘s face grow cold, and he looked at me with sadness, I knew that it had to be bad. While I fought all the horrible thoughts that could cross my mind, my husband hung up the phone. My husband walked over to me and said that was your mom. She wants me to tell you that your dad has cancer. My legs were weak and my eyes filled with tears. All those questions that ran through my mind. The one I couldn’t understand is why they told my husband and not me. Later after the tears and the sadness I decided to call my mom back. Once the details were clear and all had been discussed, it was time to take action. I made it a mission to make sure that he at better, had vitamins and minerals and was taking herbs to kill the cancer and regenerate the dead cells to health. My dad is a survivor, but not at first because of herbs. It was because of chemo that has totally wiped his body out. It has been my mission to correct the damage that the chemo and doctor have done.
You know when we think of life many people have a build in sound systems the whales out. “You life is what you make it”, “Your days are numbered”, ‘Live life to the fullest”! Well, you are right; life is just what you make it.
James “Rhio” O’Conner was a man who took the saying “Live life to its fullest and make it one not to forget”. Rhio was 61 when he was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. Due to the severity of the cancer and the location of it, the sentence would be death, within a year. You know, when you are faced with a doctor telling you “go home get your affairs in order, go on a vacation somewhere you always wanted to go, then go home and die”. WOW! That right there would send me into a spine of, “I don’t think so.
When I was little I would go hunting in the woods with my dad; I would spend hours looking at the different plants and different flowers, watching the animals choose one plant or flower over the other. I was fascinated with plants. You see in nature gives us one of the greatest gifts and that is life.
The Indian knew it, Africans and in biblical days, they used the power of herbs to heal and cure ailments. Rhio was a man like the Indians. He chooses to defeat the odds, and he chose to go against the medical world. Rhio sought the most reliable medical treatment around. A medical treatment that has never needed to be tested, because time has proven over and over it is works.
You know I never understood how people could get a prescription, just because the doctor says “take this; it should make you feel better”. Do you ever watch T.V. and there is an ad on, and it says if you have acid reflux, this new drug will decrease your problem? However, you might have a heart attack, or you may become nauseated, etc. Now let’s see. You give up one problem to get even worse ones, now? How is there logic in that?
The FDA sole purpose it to protect American’s from harmful drugs, and put safety warning on medication; however, I don’t see them watching out for anyone. If one thing cures, an ailment and the side effect are worse than the original problem. I mean, if they are watching out for me, I would hate to see if they weren’t!
The alternative therapies for cancer treatment I would say are acupuncture, herbal nutrition, nutritional wellness, vegetarianism, alternative medicine, and exercise. I recommend acupuncture for the pain relief and for the inner soul healing. Herbal nutrition would be the internal wellness of your body’s system to perform and function correctly, not to mention the extra boost herbs give to your overall wellness. Nutrition wellness, is just the informed teaching to people and children as to why eating right, exercising and be active in their own personal health is so important. I believe that your body is your best doctor. Listening to what your body says will always heal you. Vegan is a way of life, eating only nutritious foods from the earth that helps cleanse your body system to put it back into proper balance. Alternative medication could be homeopathic. This is another form or herbal practice just using pellets that dissolve under the tongue and not a pill form. Still effective and highly concentrate. Exercise is the largest health factor for Americans today. Everyone is too busy. We are always running but not for health, but for fast food or quick take out. We are confused as American’s as what best is for mind and body is not good for heart, lungs and arteries.
I believe as good healers you should never turn your back on what has been proven for centuries, “herbs”. I think that the Indian’s have always had the wisdom, and have shared it; it was what we chose to do with the information. They can trace cancer back to the beginning. They can tell you all the things that man has had, that they have cured with herbs, within their tribes.
American’s are getting sloppy in life. They don’t see the importance of health, or natural living. I am not saying we all need to run out into the wild and get a commune, build a safe house, and pick people who want to live forever. I think that we as people need to teach our children healthier life styles, the importance of eating right and eating clean. The importance of listening to your bodies. The journey that I have chosen for my life and my families is one that I found a great love and compassion for.
Cancer effect more people than we know. I feel that the government is not one that has done our country proud with research and advancement. They are always so quick to mock herbal medicine, yet more people are healed with herbal medicine than with Chemo. Chemo makes you weak and kills living cells that keep you well. The question is, “What is best for us”? I would say only you as a person can make a life decision as that, chemicals or natural?
We as Americans are doomed, if we do not change the way that our government and health care provides think. They all know what is best for us, yet not one can come up with a cure. We are doomed for a sad death of chemicals sudation and drug additions.
I recently saw an article in my herbal emails where the government has given 100 billion in grant money ways to study herbs and their effects on health and healing. I figure it is just a way to put limits on what we can and can’t have again. We as healers, and individuals like Rhio, who took the chance or need to take that chance to step up and say “no” to people who gave us no hope. To have the wisdom and knowledge of herbs on your side. To take a step of confidence, and make choices for ourselves and our families. To be allowed to choose our own health care options. This is my hearts desire, to learn and educate people. My heart is here to stay and share the wisdom of herbs.
I appreciate this chance to be considered for this award. I have a heart for herbs and for healing people. I am a mom of five wonderful children all under the age of 12. I have taught my children from a young age to use herbs for almost everything. I find it funny when we are in a sport even and a child gets hurt. They are quick to offer my services. However, I find that people are poorly educated and afraid to use herbs. I want to be one of the people who cause a change and make some noise. I want people have confidence in natural health care, to learn and be educated about the many uses of herbs.
Blessing
Dawn Cangelosi
Mom of Five, studying herbalist, and college student