Love, Medicine, and Miracles: Lessons Learned about Self-Healing from a Surgeon's Experience with Exceptional Patients

This book changed my life...forever, when I read it in 1992, when diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).

I heard words like "no cure for MS", "nothing you can do", and so on. I was only 29 years old and I decided not to believe any of the words, no matter what research showed, what well-meaning friends said, etc., etc. (lots of etc.'s) after reading this book. The book did not tell me not to face the reality of the illness but to face it in a different way.

And I have.

The first symptoms of MS started when I was 24 years old and now, in 2013, I have had the illness more than one half of my life (you can do the math). :-) I have been told by more than one doctor comments such as "you shouldn't be walking" (but I am )and "you should be in a show more nursing home" (but I am not). I live independently, have lots of goals for my life, and try to live my life one day at the time within the limits of the illness (yes, there are limits especially since I am getting older too). :-)

The illness affects every patient differently so just because they are not like me, doesn't mean that they have not done something right for themselves, or that I am doing everything right for myself. I have read many books in the field of psychoneuroimmunology (or mind-body connection to health) since then. Using Love, Medicine and Miracles I started my road in life owning my decisions, good or bad, negative or positive, and not letting outside circumstances alone own my life. show less

Doctor Siegel cites the famous hospital study which reduced type A behavior in patients, and "halved the reinfarction rate of postcoronary patients". [v] Our society continues--witness the "election" results of November 2016--to regard noisy bullies who rage with hostility as our leaders. They are not. They are suicides. Doctor Siegel spelled out the facts in this 1986 book which arrives at the evidence-based conviction that our best and healthiest guide for behavior is "love for others".

Doctor Siegel writes about the documented connection between mind and body, in our "state of consciousness". I was delighted to see that Doctor Siegel echoes the great Chaplain, Henri Nouwen, for the curative principle of compassion. "Curing" a patient show more without care, is more harmful than helpful. [vi] The fear of "letting go of childhood pain" and bad messaging, is a much larger failure than dying. Death will visit all of us, because there is really no cure. However, the meaning of life is in loving, which happily happens to cure most of our afflictions.

"The fundamental problem most patients face is an inability to love themselves, having been unloved by others during some crucial part of their lives." [4] By loving oneself, and life itself, the quality of life is improved, and in many cases prolonged.

The epilgraph is from Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's, "Cancer Ward". The "self-induced" healing, without drugs or treatments, has long been observed. "Suddenly for some unexplained reason the tumor starts off in the opposite direction! It gets smaller, resolves and finally disappears! See!"

Siegel relies upon science, with research, clinical experience, and facts. The book has two prescient sections: (I) Minding the Body, and (II) Embodying the Mind. show less

Unconditional love is the most powerful stimulant of the immune system. The truth is: love heals. Miracles happen to exceptional patients every day--patients who have the courage to love, those who have the courage to work with their doctors to participate in and influence their own recovery.

Lessons learned about self healing from a surgeon's experience with exceptional patients.In 1978, Siegel started ECaP (Exceptional Cancer Patients), a specialized form of indivual and group therapy to facilitate personal change and healing. This experience led to the desire to make everyone aware of his or her own healing potential.In this powerful and inspiring book, surgeon Bernie Siegel confronts time-honored perceptions, eloquently explores the link between mind and body and shows how you can become an exceptional patient, a survivor.

An inspiring and wonderful book for everyone, not just sceptic physicians and patients

This is a must read book for people who are dealing with a life-threatening illness.

Great book for those interested in the power of the human mind over illness