Hi Mike,
Your topic heading certainly caught my eye. My initial reaction was to shift into healer mode and tell you some things to do regarding the exercises/qigong, etc., but there are several issues you mention that seem to come first. [By the way, that 'was' a very thoughtful and caring response from Claire.]
In general, westerners tend to see the world from a western perspective, and don't acknowledge the fact that mosT of the world is populated by people/cultures that are not western. Most of them have been around much longer, and some, have a wealth of knowledge and experience that we are , to a large degree, ignorant of.
The structures ,processes, and criteria we have established for analyzing and testing some of these 'new to western medicine things' are very slow and cumbersome. To get a significant size test group with the same constants and controls is extremely difficult . Data has to be accumulated over a long period of time. Western treatment is usually going on simultaneously, making it difficult to discern what did what. If you were looking at qigong from an Eastern perspective, it is science. It is natural, and it is real. There can be a spiritual aspect to qigong study and experience, but it is not a requirement, and you can practice it
purely as physical exercise if you choose to.
You will feel benefits from it.
You don't have to stop seeing a doctor to practice qigong. You have access to both. You can utilize both. You have choices, and you do have some time to work with. If I was making difficult choices, I would want to be centered and clear. Taking better care of yourself will move you in the right direction. Take one step at a time. Do something positive, you will feel better, and you can build on that. I am not a beginner in regards to qigong. I have seen many people benefit greatly from it. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
