Brazil F.M. (50 years old, male, doctor)

[Sister-in-law was diagnosed to have a life expectancy of less than five years]

　My sister-in-law, N, was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2005. She received radiation therapy and chemotherapy, and underwent surgery on her lower abdomen (partial removal of the rectum) at a cancer hospital in June.
　However, in January 2007, the recurrence of cancer was found in her vagina and rectum. After undergoing chemotherapy and surgery, the cancer had spread to both of her lungs and to her right phrenic nerve in April.
　N was told by her doctor that she had a life expectancy of less than five years. N could not accept that fact and, from anxiety and fear of death, she began to spend days filled with anger, sadness, and lethargy. She was showing a sign of mentally depressing symptom.
　Neither her husband nor her two daughters could accept the illness, and her husband also asked, “Why should my wife face such a thing?” With anger going nowhere and concern for the future, he began to treat their daughters strictly.

[Correspondence to spiritual pain]

　Even if N’s “body pain” can be temporarily relieved by medical treatment, she would still experience “mental pain” and “spiritual pain” that comes from the endless fear that her existence will disappear from the world. Even though N may have a short time to live, I wanted to work on reducing her “spiritual pain” in order for N to face the reality of death.
　To that end, I chose to share my thoughts with N, her husband and daughters. I wanted them to stop suffering anymore. I wanted to offer my support in bringing peace and comfort back into their lives.
　However, maybe because I was her brother-in-law, N did not listen to me at first, saying, “I don’t believe what you say. I will do what I want.” I thought that forcing to implement my plan would deepen their suffering, so I decided to keep a distance.

[Introducing the Okada Health and Wellness Program]

　After that, I became the responsible doctor of the MOA Health Promotion Center which celebrated its provisional opening in September 2007. I learned the concept of MOA that promotes Integrative Medicine, and I have endeavored to resolve illnesses with Western medicine and the Okada Health and Wellness Program.
When I visited N in August 2008, I explained about Integrative Medicine and the Okada Health and Wellness Program. I shared with her that “I am a physician who practices Integrative Medicine centered on the Okada Health and Wellness Program, which includes Purifying Therapy—a form of energy medicine—the Arts and Culture Program and Healthy Eating Program. The Program offers treatments that takes care of the individual and considers the wishes of the individual, and is based on the essence of human beings. The Program and its treatments are based on a holistic perspective, wishing for a physically and mentally harmonious life.”
　N confessed to me that in addition to the necessary Western medicine, she had tried everything that was said to be good, such as various alternative medicines. She was still unable to resolve her suffering. Then, I was told by N “I want to understand the Okada Health and Wellness Program.” I then recommended that she experience it firsthand. I guided her to the Health Promotion Center on August 14.
　What I was most happy about was that after receiving Purifying Therapy from the therapist, N told me that her physical pain had eased. She also told me that she felt more calm and at ease with her feelings than ever before. She also said, “Here at the Health Promotion Center it makes me feel better and relaxed.”
　Even if clients have illnesses that cannot be solved with modern medical techniques, as a physician, I want to carry out my role to support the individuals to live fully and happily. I shared my thoughts to N’s family; and, with their consent, I began to work on N.

[Changes after adopting the Okada Health and Wellness Program]

　From August 14, N received weekly Purifying Therapy at the Health Promotion Center in parallel with chemotherapy. One day, N said, “I feel that my mental and emotional aspects are getting stronger as I receive Purifying Therapy. This therapy has changed my mental and emotional aspects. I am satisfied with this health method and have high expectations.” “Since September, I’ve been taking medicine to relieve the pain in my spine and I’ve improved a little, but I’m still feeling numb. But coming here and receiving Purifying Therapy makes me feel better.” I felt that Purifying Therapy provided pain relief and mental relief.
　In addition to the ongoing administration of Purifying Therapy at the Health Promotion Center, I taught N’s family, who were mainly consuming meats, on the importance of daily food. N has begun to focus on Nature Farming method vegetables cultivated at the Zuisenkyô, which is run by MOA, and has come to cook with love for their family. Also, N tried to “enjoy art” and started to “enjoy life” by decorating her house with flowers.

[Discussion on the meaning of life and death]

　Through the home-visit care, I thoroughly listened to the thoughts and worries of N and her family so that I could face the illness together with them. I also tried to eliminate their mental anxiety.
　The theme of “death” is something many may say, “I don’t want you to touch it,” which is the same for patients and their families. I think it is a theme that is difficult for doctors involved to touch upon. However, I chose to share the meaning of life and death based on Okada’s philosophy.
　Human beings consist of an invisible spiritual body in addition to the physical body. It is sustained through both the spiritual and physical body. Human beings live eternally by repeating the birth and death cycle while accumulating virtue during their lifetime and one can gain a happier life in the next life cycle. Even if one passes away at an early age, the connection with the family continues and the deceased can work from the spiritual world to protect the family.
　N and I repeatedly talked about such a way of life as a person, the way of thinking “what is a person living for,” and “the existence of the spiritual world.”
　N’s fear of death was alleviated, and she seemed to be grateful for being born in this world. I feel that the fact that she was able to accept death as a “one passing point” helped to dispel anxiety from her.

[Resolving the fear of death]

　However, after that, N’s body became weak and she had difficulty walking. On October 2, she suffered from dyspnea and was readmitted to the hospital. However, N said, “I feel that I am in a very dangerous situation now. Even if I recover, I don’t think it will last. However, if I didn’t know the Okada Health and Wellness Program, I feel that I would be suffering more. I am in the hospital now, but I am grateful that I can receive Purifying Therapy at the hospital.”
　On October 7, N said to me “I was hospitalized and tried to recover my body, and although I had a lot of physical pain, I was able to learn a lot while I was in the hospital. With the disappearance of my anxiety, I feel that I am a different person and realized that this was my true self. I learned from you what is important for living as a person and for dying. I was encouraged by you.” “Thank you very much for bringing harmony to my family and teaching me various things. I am truly grateful.” My eyes were filled with tears as I listened to N’s gratitude toward me for the last 10 weeks.
　Then, two weeks after being discharged from the hospital on October 9, N departed peacefully on October 24, 2008 at 9:00 p.m.