But, I won't talk only about the negative. Knowledge of what to do to help yourself recover and feel better is far too important to stay in a negative space for too long.

Let's address the subject and move on toward positive emotions that foster attitudes of health and the exciting prospects of recovery.

Many people (especially people with chronic illnesses like Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) live with mixed feelings about our medical care system. They are afraid to go to the doctor or hospital and afraid not to go. Let's study the facts and prepare you to advocate for yourself about how to obtain the best healthcare possible.

Background note: Based on the revered work of Dr. David Hawkins, fear is not a healthy emotion to nurture. It's less desired than positive emotions.

Specifically, fear measures far below love on a logarithmic scale, as the most positive and life-affirming attitude. Because there are only 2 real emotions, love and fear, the dividing line goes right between the two. Yes, fear is an emotion that you want to remove from your life and replace with emotions associated with love, such as gratitude and hope.

In his 1995 classic work, Power vs Force, Dr. Hawkins talks about these theories at length. If and when it's possible for you to read longer works, pick up a copy of this book and study these important concepts. They explain a lot about the human psyche, plus how and why we think positively or negatively. Dr. Hawkins' work is well respected and accepted in scientific circles.

(My words)

Dear One,

Please hear these words from my trembling lips. It's late in the 1980s or maybe 1990 already. I feel frightened... afraid of staying so ill that my life will be ruined forever. Afraid that I may never get well. I shudder feeling every nuance of this negative, scary place... pain, heat, bone-numbing and body-draining fatigue, loneliness, abandonment and plain ole' unadulterated fear.

Yes, I remember feeling like that. Some of the feelings lingered for months, some a bit longer, but eventually my life changed. I began to truly get well and "knew in my soul" that healing was still possible. From the Floor... Looking Up may be the title of my upcoming book, but it was also my vantage point of the world during those dark days. On the floor. Looking up. Realizing that God's will and power in my life was there for me became the vital part of an expanding reality that fueled my recovery in many areas of my life and health. Eventually, I found a way to heal.

That was my truth back when I was a virtual invalid. Today, I'm thankful for both the illness teacher and the recovery lesson. (It's what makes me be such a impassioned advocate for you!)

Let me encourage you to purposefully begin the process of replacing your fear with knowledge, forethought and planning. How you're going to get good medical care is only one part of the equation, but it's one you can take control of now. If you want to live without fear, doing this precise and purposeful work may help you deal with your emotions in a more powerful way. Doing this work can help you obtain the health results that you desire sooner rather than later.

Recently I read an article by Dr. Mercola, Hospitals are Killing ER Patients and then his follow up comments. I could relate because I'd seen reports similar to this before. If you're not aware of this problem, I encourage you to click on the link and read this article at Dr. Mercola's website.

Yet most of us know of instances where modern medical care improves and saves peoples' lives, correct? Then how do these opposing situations occur at the same time? And can they affect your life?

To research this issue, please see below:

• 1) The FDA Science and Mission at Risk Report of the Subcommittee on Science and Technology, prepared for FDA Science Board, November 2007. The report states that the venerable Federal Drug Administration has plenty of flaws and some of them are serious!
• 2) Ten years ago Prof. Bruce Pomerance of the University of Toronto came up with what may seem like a startling conclusion: pharmaceutical drugs were the 4th leading cause of death in the United States. Unfortunately, this has not been disproven to be our current circumstance.
• 3) John Hopkins Medical School went on to refine this research and concluded that medical errors and prescription drugs may be the leading cause of death, outpacing every other cause!

This is really bad because most of us take one or more prescription drugs. If this is still true today and people warn that it is, you and I need to be wary. Plain old smart, as my grandma used to say, and she was a wise woman.

Investigate these issues for yourself. Don't neglect being prepared because you feel badly or you don't want to believe that you might get less than the best medical care at some point in the future. Be your own, most-empowered health advocate. If necessary, garner the support of a relative or a good friend to help you. If you have someone involved in your healthcare like this:

1. They should know the basics of your health status and be able to gather your prescriptions, medical papers, x-rays, etc., if needed.


2. They can accompany you to doctor visits and speak for you when appropriate.


3. And finally, they can help you fill out forms, like insurance and Social Security Disability documents.

Plan for your health.

On days that are not so good, you won't end up feeling bewildered or horrified by the results of a medical encounter, be it with your favorite family doctor or some other professional.

Plus, if you're prepared for the future, you won't live in fear of it. And that's a very good, life-affirming, life-enhancing attitude to maintain. Lack of fear automatically implies that you're living in love, a positive emotion that will enhance your longterm health. You will be empowered.

Always... always... may we live our lives in love, honesty and knowledge.

PS- If you want to read Dr. Hawkins' book, Power vs Force, you can pick up a copy by going to the Cinda Recommends section and your personal Amazon store on the left side of the Health Matters Show front page. You'll be linked directly with Amazon where you can make safe and secure online purchases. Plus, it will help me out by helping to defray the costs of the Health Matters Show. I would appreciate it. And while you're in this section, see all of the other great books listed there. I've taken great care to include some fantastic resources, including CDs and DVDs.

PPS- Know that I'm here when you need me. Just ask. I hightly encourage you to post your comments to this article. This is certainly a vital and important discussion for all of us. Thank you!

Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show