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Dr. Craig’s Heart Healing Journey to India: Part I
By Dr. Helen Thomas, D.C. | September 24, 2008
For the next few weeks, I’m turning over this ezine to my husband, Dr. Craig Thomas, D.C. so that he can post and share with you entries about his month-long journey to India for Ayurvedic treatment.
After recently suffering from a stroke and seeking help from Western medicine, Dr. Craig decided that more could be done to improve his condition if he went to India, the heart of Ayurvedic medicine, to work with Ayurvedic practitioners in facilities that specialize in this ancient healing science.
I’ll let him tell you more about this himself…
Hello, friends. This is Dr. Craig Thomas here, husband and partner of Dr. Helen Thomas. Over the next few weeks, I want to share with you a very personal story of healing and Ayurveda. The following is only a beginning: as you will see, the story is not finished.
On August 13, 2008, our world changed completely in an instant. I had a stroke. I was visiting our son in Puerto Rico where he is currently attending medical school. That night, I was feeling tired and decided to go to bed early. As is my usual practice, I was laying in bed meditating when suddenly, I felt as if I was hit in the back of my head with a baseball bat. I blacked out.
When I came to the next morning, I crawled out of bed and stumbled into my son’s living room. I was wobbly on my feet, the left side of my body was numb, and my speech was slurred. For a moment, my son thought I was drunk, but he soon realized that something serious had happened to me. My symptoms persisted for the day, and I decided to cut my trip short and fly back home to California.
The day before I left for Puerto Rico, I had been to see a cardiologist. I’d been feeling a little tired and short of breath for a few weeks, and the doctor scheduled me for cardio testing after my trip.
A CT scan at the local hospital confirmed our worst fears: I had indeed suffered a stroke, and that tiny part of my brain that it affected was now ischemic (dead).
For those of you not familiar with medical terminology, there are two kinds of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic, like mine, is where the blood supply to the brain is interrupted for a period. Hemorrhagic is when a blood vessel, or vessels, bursts and causes bleeding or swelling.
Over the next two weeks, I underwent a series of tests and exams. I had multiple blood tests, an echocardiogram, a stress EKG with contrast dye injections, an MRI of both my brain and brain circulatory system, and I med with a neurologist.
The medical analysis is that I have diasystolic disfunction of the heart which causes less blood, and hence, less oxygen to get to the brain, putting me at risk for strokes and further cardiac problems. This was likely caused by hypertension, and that was most likely related to my weight. I was surprised to learn that I have neither clogged arteries nor high cholesterol (although the medics wanted to put me on Statin drugs…as a precaution!).
The past month has been maybe the most challenging of my life. There is improvement: I no longer slur my words - unless I’m very tired - and the numbness on my left side is almost all gone. What I’m left with is extreme fatigue, muscle aches and pains throughout my body, and an inability to concentrate or focus. My head feels like it’s one mass of cotton, and I walk like the proverbial drunken sailor.
The doctors say that there is nothing more they can do. There is no surgery to be done on my heart, and apart from basic high blood pressure medication, there are no drugs that I can be given to help me. I was told to lose 50 pounds, exercise every day, and hope for the best. In six months, we’ll know if any of my symptoms are permanent.
Well, that’s not good enough for me! I aspire to be more in life than a potted plant! I’ve been getting great Ayurvedic herbs and world-class chiropractic adjustments, and I’m still not back to my old self.
Fortunately for me, our friend and colleague, Dr. Narendra Pendse, has offered to supervise and direct my recovery through intensive Ayurvedic treatments known as Medical Panchakarma - if I will come to his clinic in India! The reason that this treatment must be done in India is that it will be done in a hospital setting, and they do things there that aren’t done outside of India. I’ve witnessed firsthand the miracles that Ayurvedic physicians perform in India, so I’m jumping at the chance! I’m leaving on Monday, September 22nd for a month in Pune, India, so by the time you read this, I’ll already be there.
As I understand it, the goals of treatment will be several: first, lowering the blood pressure. Second, rebuilding the muscles of the heart. Finally, reworking the metabolic mechanisms so that I can lose weight and utilize food more efficiently. I’m not sure what procedures will be used, but I’m going to report back and let you know exactly what’s happening every step of the way.
The next four issues of this ezine will be devoted to my progress reports, so stay tuned!
Namaste,
Dr. Craig Thomas, D.C.
Topics: Ayurveda & Heart Health, Ayurveda and Modern Medicine, Ayurveda and Modern Times, India & Ayurveda |
22 Responses to “Dr. Craig’s Heart Healing Journey to India: Part I”
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September 24th, 2008 at 7:37 am
Thanks for posting this!! I will be awaiting the next ezine impatiently to hear about the Panchakarma treatment and how the facility at Pune is. I have a son suffering from Eczema and severa allergies and would like to contact Dr. Narendra Pendse for his Panchakarma treartment for a toddler.
September 24th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Dear Dr. Craig,
My thoughts and prayers will be with you. I am going to forward this to my father who is dealing with some of the same issues. Maybe your healing will inspire him to begin an Ayurvedic practice for his health improvement. My mother works with Dr. Helen and is thrilled with the results.
Keep bringing us life-altering ezines…THANK YOU!!!
Michelle
September 24th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Dear Dr. Craig,
My sincere best wishes and prayers to almighty for your quick and complete recovery. Looking forward to hear more of your own healing journey.
Warmly
Nitin shah
M.D.(Ayu.)
September 24th, 2008 at 8:44 am
you have my prayers and regards also — just these past few months, we’ve had 2 family members suffer from strokes, and I personally had one 7 yrs ago….
September 24th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Dr. Craig,
Light & Blessings from Chicago. I had a TIA several years ago and no ill effects since. But I will keep my eye on the ezine for details on your treatment. I have just begun exploring possibilities of Ayurveda for optimal long term health.
Best, Doug
September 24th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Dear Dr. Craig,
This certainly explains why you were not at the office Monday. Blessings on your journey with much love.
Pronams…
Sarah
September 24th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Dear Drs. Craig and Helen!
Blessings and Love from Carr Chiro! We are on High Watch with you and look forward to following your healing journey. We are in deep gratitude for your willingness to heal and to share with all of us. You are held in so many hearts full of Love! We are with you.xoxoLC
September 24th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Namaste, Dr. Graig,
Thank you for sharing this journey with me my aunt had a stroke a few years ago so I know a bit about what a person suffers. Dr. Helen is like a angel from heaven you are so lucky. I hope your healing journey will be successful and I will ask the angels to help you everyday. Looking forward to hearing from you soon. May the divine light shine brightly for you.
Kind regards
Mary
September 24th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Many Blessings, Craig,
I’m praying for your healing everyday. And I am knowing that the guidance from Dr. Pendse is perfect. I will be most anxious to hear about all the procedures and the loving care you will be experiencing. Feel the Loving essence of Spirit that always lives within you that only wants you to be healthy, in harmony with your body and living full out. Love ya, Jo
September 24th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Blessings to you Dr.Craig.
My loving thoughts and prayers are with you. I believe you will be healed. It will be interesting to read your letters regarding your progress with your healing. Relax and heal under the spiritual and medical guidance that will be given to Dr. Pendse to use for your excellent health.
With Beth Wishes,
Kathleen
September 24th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Blessings to you Dr Craig
Ayurvedic treatment and in India will be excellent. I completed 60 on the day you arrived at Pune, 22nd of September. My loving thoughts and prayers are with you. You could not be in better hands. Dr Pendse and his team will not only restore your health but will give you all the necessary information to see that you follow them to the ‘t’ so that another trip will not be necessitated. This important medical care and seeing to the financial,personal and societal health of the patient, is a hallmark of the Ayurvedic faculty. The medical tourism and travel arrangements offered by India in this connection are impeccable.
With Best Wishes
Nayanika
September 25th, 2008 at 5:22 am
Craig–
Thanks for sharing your story. We are thinking of you and wish you much healing in India.
Sarah and Emma
September 25th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Craig, our prayers and thoughts will be with you through this journey. Blessings to you.
Terry Holland
September 25th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Dear Dr. Craig,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with all of us. We are sure your healing will be helpulful, so many people wish you so.
Hoping to hear of your recovery soon, I wish you all the best.
Lilian
September 25th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Dear Dr. Craig,
Prayers and best wishes for a quick and successful recovery. You, your mad chiro skills and sense of humor are much missed at the office!
Take good care,
Marie R.
September 25th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
My best wishes to Dr Craig and family, and prayer to almighty for speed recovery.
Take care
Promila Sharma
September 26th, 2008 at 1:35 am
Dear Dr. Thomas
My best wishes for your quick n healthy recovery. May god be with you in every moment of your life n recovery process
September 27th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Dr. Craig……
We said prayers and blessings: BE WELL!!!!!
September 30th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Will be thinking of you and wishing you well. My prayers are with you.
October 1st, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Craig,
A ton of healing to you. I only recently found out about this from Narendra. Many many good wishes for you health. You and in superb hands with both Dr.Pendses!
in light,
-chanda
October 3rd, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Dear Craig and Helen, you have certainly helped me with many of my heath Issue and I hold you in my prayers daily for that! Craig you and I have shaved many talks and lots of support for each other, regauding our ageing Mother’s, for this I also thank you! You will be in my prayers, for complete healing, and I look forward to reading more on your healing. I also look forward to seeing you again, restored to health. Prayers always, Susan Chamber
October 4th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Hi Craig and Helen, Such special light beings you are! I’m forever grateful to have benefitted from your amazing healing energy. I’m seeing you surrounded with healing and light. May you be fully well and healthy. I’m looking forward to hearing about your healing journey. Love, Lynne