Rest In Peace, My Cousin Michael
My cousin, Michael, and I were 9 years apart, but I adored him growing up. We both loved watching Sha Na Na. He was a big Bowser fan. Life took us to different places, but when we caught up with each other as adults, I was surprised we had a lot of things in common, including parallel spiritual journeys. I followed more of a hypnosis path; he followed the teachings of Bradley Nelson and a book called The Emotion Code. He did an Emotion Code practice session with me via Zoom, which I found intriguing.
A few months after I found out I had Hashimoto's hypothyroidism, I went to Las Vegas for Hypnothoughts and we caught up for dinner. I had begun seeing a holistic osteopath, and interestingly enough, he mentioned he was also seeing a holistic health practitioner. He told me his holistic practitioner CURED his diabetes and suggested I give her a call. I’d only been with my holistic osteopath for a few months and in the midst of my research phase, so I was open to meeting other practitioners.
I called his holistic practitioner, and she immediately dominated the conversation about how amazing she was and how many people she cured of the disease. She did all the talking and barely allowed me to speak. She then proceeded to tell me what I'd need to do if I was her patient, which included calls every 6 days, a strict diet plan, and extensive journaling. She gave me direct commands like "You will do this…and you WILL do THAT…" which is not the best way to approach me. She never asked about my symptoms or any of the medications I already tried. I asked her about her education and qualifications, which she glossed over. I asked her about licensing and whether she had a website listing her services, and nothing was checked out. Too many red flags for me, and when I found an Instagram page with her name and location, I realized that the pretty girl with duck face photos and the $4000 price tag for services was not the right "holistic practitioner" for me. I didn't want to pass judgment on my cousin’s healing journey because he looked and felt great, however, my gut told me my never-married cousin, in his early 40s, might have fallen prey to a scammer. I did mention to him that she and I had spoke, and I was not going to use her for the reasons I mentioned above.
Michael and I kept in touch sporadically, until his father passed away unexpectedly in March of 2024. I knew it hit him hard because he loved his father. I hadn't heard anything else…until I got the phone call from our uncle that Michael had passed away at the age of 46. He let me know that Michael had moved to Ohio to live with his mother in September. They went golfing, and he knew immediately something was wrong because Michael was so weak. His family got him medical attention, but his doctors couldn't really tell what was wrong with him. He passed away the day before he was scheduled to receive a blood transfusion. His family is sorting through the details, but it appears a “holistic practitioner” told him he was cured of his diabetes and he believed it. As a result, he didn't take insulin for two years. It's unclear if this “holistic practitioner” is the same one I spoke with in 2022 or if he had found another one. The hardest part, is that with proper medical attention care, his life could have been significantly lengthened.
I've written before about how everyone has to be their own health advocate, especially when it comes to traditional medicine held hostage by insurance companies. But I guess I never wrote how important it is to thoroughly vet alternative medicine practitioners as well.
Finding the correct medical attention that’s appropriate for your situation is crucial, and there are many components involved besides money and insurance.
As a hypnotist, I’m the first one to tell you The Mind is very powerful. Many “miracles” have been achieved because someone believed. However, I would never want to discount alternative medicine and natural health cures, because they are often more affordable, more accessible, and less invasive. Many lives have been saved thanks to traditional medicine.
It is up to each person to thoroughly research their conditions, cures, and practitioners. It’s important to be open to all methods of healing and then choose the best solution(s) for yourself.
With my Hashimoto's, I've continued researching supplements, dietary recommendations, and health care practitioners in hopes of improving my condition. Two years ago, I found an endocrinologist who was supposed to be the best in the area for thyroid. The first appointment was awesome. During the second appointment, I found him to be disrespectful and dismissed him.
Last year, I found a local holistic chiropractor who also has Hashimoto’s. He posted several videos on his condition and some of the ways he successfully managed his health. I took a leap of faith and brought him on "Team Traci” and the results have been tremendous. I had trouble navigating a flight of stairs in 2022, and now I’m able to do a light 30-60 minute exercise routine daily.
I would love to believe I'm cured of Hashimoto's, but my blood work and body tell me otherwise. Managing my health is very time-consuming, but it’s important to me to prioritize the behaviors that make me feel well. I have found the following combination works well for me: regular visits to my family doctor (traditional medicine), acupuncture and IV treatments (alternative medicine), eating organic foods and using organic products (holistic approach,) and hypnosis to manage my stress (power of the mind).
I don't know how or why my cousin came to his health conclusions and I won’t judge his choices. I can only hope now that his death sparks my friends, clients, and family members to think carefully about their healthcare choices. Research your health team and their qualifications. Traditional medicine isn’t necessarily bad. Holistic practitioners aren’t necessarily good. The Power of the Mind can significantly improve your outcome, but alone may not be enough to turn a condition.
Michael, you are missed. Sha Na Na ended every episode singing this song, and tears are streaming down my face as I finish writing this…
Goodnight sweetheart, well, it's time to go
Goodnight sweetheart, well, it's time to go
I hate to leave you but I really must say
Goodnight, sweetheart, goodnight
(Don't forget to include Bowser's flexing fist pumps with the "de did-da, de did-da bi-dum.”)
Rest in peace, my sweet cousin, and healing thoughts to my aunt and his brother.
