Steven J. Sommer - Finding Hope: When Facing Serious Disease

FINDING HOPE

Copyright 2017 Steven J Sommer, MD.

All rights reserved. Except for scholarly fair use and quotations for purposes of review, no part of this book may be reproduced without written permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-0-9954345-1-6

ISBN: 978-0-99554345-2-3 (e book)

DISCLAIMER

This book has been created to bring hope to individuals (and their families and friends), particularly those people facing serious health challenges. It is not intended in any way to replace other professional health care or mental health advice, but to support it. Readers of this publication agree that neither Dr Steven Sommer nor his publisher, or seller will be held responsible or liable for damages that may be alleged or resulting, directly, or indirectly, from their use of the information shared in this publication. All external links are provided as a resource only and are not guaranteed to remain active for any length of time. Neither the publisher, seller nor the author can be held accountable for the information provided by or actions resulting from accessing these resources.

ALSO BY DR STEVEN SOMMER

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome a doctors journey and solutions (soon-to-be-released) Restoring Balance meditation/relaxation based stress management MP3 audio recording available at www.drstevensommer.com

Formatting and cover design by The Fast Fingers Book Formatting Service.

Photo of Dr Sommer by Dianne Sommer.

This book is available on Amazon.

See Author page on Amazon Author Central.

To my wonderful wife, Tori my love, without whom this would not have been possible.

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

Finding Hope is the long-awaited book by acclaimed medical practitioner, Dr Steven Sommer. It was written whilst he was battling chronic diseases during his own personal voyage. My utmost congratulations go out to Steven for creating such an informative, well-researched, and emotionally touching piece. His words will empathize with readers who may be experiencing the inevitable challenges of chronic or life threatening disease, as well as with their healthcare professionals, families and friends.

Steven has seamlessly interwoven over 50 years of aggregated personal and professional experience into this book. It includes reflections on his early childhood, his development as a junior doctor, and later his work as a GP; empowering patients facing the perils of chronic disease. Steven commences the book by extensively recounting the qualities that research suggests help people with cancer who have made remarkable recoveries. Following this pattern throughout the book he evokes strong feelings of inspiration among people living with a wide range of serious diseases. Along the way he provides guidance and strategies for all people to take charge of their health and thus achieve the best quality of care, and most importantly, to never lose hope!

Steven generously relates his incredible life journey, including his own struggles with chronic disease. He shares his persistent search and eventual recovery from chronic fatigue syndrome and life-threatening inflammatory bowel disease through lifestyle and natural therapies. Steven also explores many of the pharmaceutical medications that can make a difference. He continues to search for solutions to Parkinsons disease and remains hopeful that research will bring relief for himself and others with this condition.

Steven describes his difficulties with medication and hospital inpatient care. When doctors experience adversities with their own health and with medical treatments, like many patients, they can experience feelings of helplessness in the medical setting. In addition, the accumulated loss of career and standing can lead to being unsupported or misunderstood by family members. In this way, he gained great insight into the experience of being a patient and is therefore an excellent guide to others in their journey to good health. Steven has articulated his recommendations, supported by evidence, with compassion, honesty, humor and authenticity.

Perhaps the greatest impact of this book for me was the eye-opening and inspirational healing stories by patients Steven was so privileged to know. There is an age-old tradition of storytelling in many cultures. Incorporating this traditional approach by giving space to the patient to tell their story is in itself healing. Patients are empowered when they find meaning in their ill-health; answering the question as to why they became unwell at a particular point in time, or why they were predisposed to their illness. Steven has so eloquently demonstrated this in his book. We know from research that when doctors spend more time with patients, to allow them to talk about their health, not only does it enhance the doctor-patient relationship, but also the healing response. This process allows patients to gain greater insight and meaning through their illness. In this way they can learn and develop from the experience and ask themselves; what in their life journey contributed to their health problems and what actions are required to generate a healing response? The answers to these questions may range from lifestyle changes to forgiveness, to healing relationships with themselves or others. From this, the individual learns to become resilient. Cure is not necessarily the goal. Feeling emotionally in-control, empowered and with an improved overall quality of life, may allow a person the strength to live well with a chronic disease.

Steven was a pioneering medical educator in Australia, teaching doctors about the role of storytelling; linking life journeys and their relation to illness as a way of healing. Stevens strategies and the role of telling healing stories may one day be part of a universally-acknowledged treatment for all patients. The healing and therapeutic potential is enormous. It makes good sense to include this in the training of all health professionals and anyone who wants to help patients on more than just a physiological level. Beyond this, his strategies can be used in every workplace through group sharing. We can learn so much from hearing peoples experiences, from the highest highs to the lowest lows.

The stories Steven shares in this book inspired me, they were heartfelt and gave me joy and insight. They taught me how I can better relate to my own patients.

Finally, I am personally indebted to Dr Steven Sommer. When I first met Steven he was a passionate, respected senior lecturer at the Monash University Department of General Practice. He was also a part time general practitioner and president of the Whole Health Institute. He was admired for his work, mentorship and leadership by many students, doctors and the public. He was my early mentor when I first started working in general practice. Steven provided me with the opportunity to speak in a public forum in the early 1990s. There, I was able to share my own life journey and healing process with an audience of health practitioners, and eventually, medical students. It was my first attempt at public speaking, and despite hearing my own voice quiver as I began; the warmth, open hearts and acceptance that exuded from the audience put me at ease. The act of telling my story was a relieving sensation. Moreover, it empowered me as an individual and allowed me to heal.

Steven planted the seed for me to embrace holistic medicine and thereby nurture the doctor-patient relationship in my own clinical practice. I was able to give patients time to share their stories, many of which continue to inspire me to this day. It also enabled me to further the development of holistic and integrative medicine within the medical profession. I am overwhelmed with pride, honor and gratefulness to Steven, my mentor thank you!