Dylan's Story
by Michelle DiLauro

On January 22nd, 2004, my eighteen-month-old son Dylan was diagnosed with a brain stem glioma, an inoperable brain tumor whose prognosis is dismal. After noticing my son's right eye turning inward, we took Dylan to see a pediatric neuroophthalmologist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. After examining Dylan, the doctor ordered an MRI to be done the same day. At around 6:30 p.m., we got the worst news of our life. The results of the MRI showed that Dylan had a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. Because of the tumor's location, surgery was not an option. With the conventional treatment available (radiation and chemotherapy), the doctors still only suggested an average life expectancy of nine to fifteen more months; with no treatment, two months. We had gone to Philly for an eye exam and were sent home with hospice instead.

Dylan’s grandfather suggested developing a Web site with his story in hopes of obtaining any information on what else could be done to save our son. The Web site would also be a vehicle to ask for prayers for Dylan and share our journey with others. The outreach from others was truly amazing, and this is how we were able to develop a comprehensive, holistic treatment plan for our son. The alternative community showed us a completely different perspective enveloped in hope, healing, and the belief that the only prognosis that can be made is from the Divine Higher Power.

The tumor was so aggressive that we opted to do the radiation in order to buy some time for the alternative therapies to work. We were advised to do six weeks of radiation as well as chemotherapy; however, we only completed five weeks of radiation. This is the only conventional treatment that Dylan received. The rest of Dylan’s treatment plan consisted of a number of different supplements and enzymes, chiropractic care, an organic diet, visits to several healers, and lots and lots of Reiki and prayer.

Seeing the profound benefits of energy work I decided to go for Reiki classes myself. I was attuned to Reiki I in September 2004 and have not missed one day of channeling to my son. In April 2005 I completed the Reiki Master class with William Rand, with the International Center for Reiki Training, and I continue to pursue my studies in energy medicine.

We stumbled upon an alternative test that gives indicators of cancer levels, total body toxicity, radiation levels, and organ functions. I will be up front and state that the test is controversial even among alternative healthcare practitioners. However, after using the test a few times and speaking with some others who are utilizing it, we have come to trust its accuracy. When we first tested Dylan back in November, his numbers were not very good. They weren't completely terrible either, given the situation, and so it established a pretty good benchmark for us. Over the course of the next few months we tested Dylan two more times and his numbers were improving, albeit in small increments, but at least we were moving in the right direction. Two weeks ago we did our fourth test, and the naturopath we have been working with reported that Dylan's test results were perfect—no signs of cancer activity, no toxicity, no residual radiation, and his organ functions (liver, kidney, and pancreas) were back to normal. Dylan is currently symptom-free, and it has been eighteen months since his diagnosis. He celebrated his third birthday on July 30th.

We have chronicled our journey and the treatments we have employed on Dylan’s Web site to document his progress, be an informational source to others battling disease, and to hopefully bring about some level of awareness, hope, and faith for those who wish to read hisstory. Dylan has already touched so many hearts and has connected people all around the world. He has reminded all of us of the power of community, the kindness and good in people, and the strength of the human spirit. We know so little about how our bodies can heal and mother earth’s medicine. We are bewildered by the power of positive energy and prayer and the existence of miracles. We don’t have all the answers, so don’t accept a definitive prognosis. Life is a mystery, and this is why we can never give up hope. This is Dylan’s message to all afflicted by illness and despair. You are not alone, you need to be in control of your healthcare, and you should make the decisions that you feel are best for you.

Thank you for your love, light, and prayers,

Dylan’s parents, Michelle & Joe

This is one of the articles from the current Fall 05 Reiki News Magazine. Note that only one or two articles from the magazine is every published in the online newsletter. To read all the articles, you need to subscribe.

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A Horse Brought Reiki to My Life
by Anne-Kristina Wij

Reiki came to my life in a very strange way. Actually, a horse brought it to me. On a cold winter day in 1995 I realized that something was wrong. I had a strange feeling in my body. I also could feel that I didn’t have the strength to do as much work outside as usual. Usually every day I trained, groomed, and took care of my four horses from early morning until late evening. I didn’t want to see a doctor, as I didn’t have much confidence in doctors. On some days the strange sensations in my body were gone and my strength was back. I had been so sure that my old strength was back, but then I just collapsed of exhaustion. Now I knew the illness was back. I still refused to go to the doctor until the situation got much worse. Within days I was retaining so much water in my body that I couldn’t walk. I had suddenly become very swollen from water retention, and my legs didn’t obey me, either. My whole body was in pain, and I had trouble breathing.

Then I went to the doctor. The doctor sent me to the hospital where they medicated me heavily. I had an autoimmune disease, which means that my own body produces antibodies against my own organs like they were transplanted. The antibodies were attacking my thyroid gland and my adrenal glands. Adrenal glands produce Cortisol, and without Cortisol in your blood you die within thirty-six hours. When they got me stabilized I could go home. I had to take meds, which gave me a lot of side effects. This condition has no cure, and the meds make your life a living hell. I couldn’t work, sleep, or eat. This condition and the meds destroyed my life.

I had heard about Reiki three years before, when I still was living back home in Denmark. Here in Belgium nobody knew anything about Reiki. Then while I was so ill an Internet friend from New York sent me distance Reiki. It was like heavenly love and tranquility filled me from above. After this I was well for days. Then suddenly I received a fax from Slovenia from a friend of a friend. The fax said: find a Reiki and Karuna Reiki Master in Belgium who can help you. I began my search for Reiki, but I couldn’t find any Reiki people in Belgium at all.

Several months after, I suddenly noticed there was a loose horse galloping on the road. I didn’t know whose horse it was. Suddenly the horse stopped at my front door instead of galloping further down the road. He really stopped like somebody had pulled the hand brake! I went out and caught the horse and put him in my paddock. A minute later, a man came running. This man told me that he was a neighbor to the big farm in Wépion where the horse came from. He had seen him jump the fence and head to the main road. The man had followed the horse and had tried to catch him. The horse had galloped at least three to four kilometers and passed several fields with other horses. At one point the horse had been in between cars in traffic, but nobody could catch him. He had taken several left and right turns like he knew where he was going. I found it odd that he suddenly stopped at my door and that he let me catch him. I remember thinking that this was very strange behavior for a horse. The horse wasn’t spooked at all. He just had been very determined to reach me for some reason.

I understood everything when I found out that they regularly taught Reiki at the farm where the horse was from. Wow!!!! I have always said that animals are more close to the source than we are. And this horse really came to tell me that my long search for a Reiki teacher was over and that I could learn Reiki on his owner’s farm. I joined the Reiki I class right away. Then six months after, I followed the Reiki II training. Then my life began to change. I also felt much better physically and could lower the meds. I healed my issues one after another with distant Reiki. I also did the same for one life lesson after another as they presented themselves to me. I practiced Reiki for hours every day.

Then one day I registered for William Lee Rand’s Reiki Master class in Glastonbury. This course really was one of the highlights of my life. I received my Master attunement inside the stone ring of Stonehenge. During the attunement both sun and moon came up at the same time. Also many of us had sensed and seen the angels holding the space during the attunement. After the course I had a constant feeling like somebody was sending Reiki to me. I really felt like I was high on Reiki for months. A year after, I took William’s Karuna Reiki class. This class was also a wonderful experience! Karuna felt different than Usui Reiki, but I could feel it opening my heart more and more for unconditional love. This was exactly what I needed. Today I have been free of cortisone meds for two years. — Belgium