AN EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL EXPERIENCE
BY TEREN HANZ
Just before summer of 2014, I was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis. On investigation, it was determined that the fibrosis was due to inhalation of toxic nitrous oxide from living under a flight path. The deleterious effects of the NO2 were exacerbated by emotional traumas I faced during this same period of work and life, and the two stressors in time conspired to wreck my health. I gained unhealthy weight. My mobility became so impaired that I lived in an on-going state of emergency with shortness of breath, impaired digestion, increased heart rate, and a weakened immune system that compromised all other systems in my body. Medication became my food and was given between a year or two.
One Friday in late Autumn, 2015, I was rushed to the hospital, diagnosed with double pneumonia & sepsis; I thought that my remaining time to live may have elapsed. At only 57, I felt cruelly stripped of my great aspirations and bright future – that suicidal ideations abound and felt utterly alone even though was surrounded by people, including my supportive family.
At this physical, emotional, and spiritual nadir, I heard an inner voice, “This is your call, Teren, you’ve dealt with demons and seemingly insurmountable difficulties in the past, haven’t you? Well, this is just another one.” This proved to be “a guardian angel moment.”
I conjured up all my remaining strength, challenged my negative thoughts, and accepted my plight realistically. Day by day, I regained strength of body and spirit, and at the end of six debilitating weeks, I was discharged.
Although I returned home frail and feeble, but my restored positivity gave me assurance. I had always firmly believed that we begin life with a certain set of ingredients, but that what we make of life depends upon how we mix those ingredients. I had always believed that one’s future isn’t fixed, but rather is shaped by one’s outlook. And the time had come to apply those beliefs in my life. After careful evaluation, I found that the common denominator to all my ailments was significant positive lifestyle change. I challenged myself to define exactly what that change was and then, undertook the change resolutely.
I wasn’t short of any of the 5Ps: Patience, Persistence, Persistence, Passion and Purpose. Using my creative skills I designed an authentic self-help approach to life which I am at the moment writing about in a book due to be released in the New Year.
Briefly for now, what was the approach?
On 1st Jan’ 2016, at 4am, I took my formidable self “to the road.” It was dark, cold and the birds were just waking up and my inside voice said to me, look what you have been missing! Although every step I took was increasingly challenging, the bird orchestra and my positive inside voice were virtuous encouraging companions. I was determined and carried on and did so every morning thereafter.
Weeks passed, then months, then years. And am still walking. On calculation, I found I have walked around the circumference of Equator, over 40,000km. And from size 18 dropped down to 10 and besides losing weight, I have become fitter and flexible.
My self-healing journey and dramatic recovery from debilitation and dire medical prognoses back to health, testifies that one’s body is meant to heal and regenerate itself, if only it is offered the opportunity to do so.
I think, this pandemic has surfaced a lot of issues. It truly is a humbling time for mankind. I would be happy to help anyone who needs some encouragement/advise or just want to have a chat; we can always speak on zoom until such time this hiatus is upon us.