Gain from Misfortune: Experience of a Breast Cancer Survivor

(Clearwisdom.net) My name is Liao Shuhui and I am a Falun Dafa practitioner from Taiwan. Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My condition stabilized after surgery and painful chemotherapy. After ten years, I thought it was gone for good. Unfortunately, the cancer moved to my bones, and my spine suffered serious damage. It was so painful, I could neither stand nor sit. Even lying down for a long time was painful.

It might have been because one year ago, things that happened in my family that depressed me tremendously. I tried to seek comfort in religions. However, deep in my heart, I could not let go. It was at this time that the illnesses sneaked up on me. It reminded me of the Chinese saying that misfortunes never come alone.

Then it was more tests, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, which alleviated my pain to some extent, but I was so weak that I could only lie in bed all day. Due to nerve problems in my fingers, I could not even hold chopsticks, and I needed to be fed. Life seemed so meaningless. I was a terminal patient and it was so hopeless. At that time, I would rather die earlier so I wouldn't have to suffer.

My family is small and my parents live far away in the south. During the day while my husband went to work and my children went to school, I felt so lonely, as if I were on an isolated island, waiting for them to come home in the evening and help me put on my back support and get me on my wheel chair to go to the park.

It was like this day in and day out. One morning, I said to myself, "I cannot go on like this." So I picked myself up, and walked with a cane, slowly to a park. It took me ten minutes to get to the park, which normally took 3 minutes. I found a place to sit down and heard some beautiful music. Following the music, I saw a group of people practicing, looking very peaceful with light movements. I was so excited. At this time, Ms. Jiang came over and asked if I would like to join them. I told her that I have serious illnesses and I was afraid that I would not be able to do it. She said kindly, "Don't worry." I have always been interested in Buddha teachings and Qigong, and this practice has both of them and it was free. I gave it a try.

The five exercises were very easy to learn. What was more important was to cultivate one's heart, measuring oneself by the universal characteristic of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. We needed to get rid of our attachments to self, jealousy and when conflicts happen, look inward. If we could do that, we would achieve a peaceful mind and good health. Our Teacher specifically taught us not to be involved in politics, and not to treat patients. Through our own cultivation, we would achieve good health.

Since then, I got up early every day to go to the park to practice with others. Once in a while, I skipped a day due to my laziness. It was an open door. No one was keeping an eye on you. Other practitioners only encouraged you to do better. Cultivation is really from your heart. No one can force you to do so. After I practiced for 10 days, I was able to walk to Ms. Lu's home to watch the nine-day lectures. All practitioners there clapped for me. I went to the hospital for a checkup once a month. The doctor said that I looked really well. I told him that I was practicing Falun Gong. He asked, "Could you teach me?" My cancer index has been reduced from 517 to 17 (the normal range is below 30). I was able to hold chopsticks again and now I can do housework and even write.

After I learned Falun Dafa, and following the guidance of the Teacher to improve my moral character at all times, I have become happier. I do not blame other people and do not get upset or depressed when things do not happen the way I want. Witnessing my improvement physically and mentally, my husband's bad temper also improved. We are a very happy family now.

I don't understand why such a great practice is being persecuted in China by the authorities. Had it not been for my illness, I may not have had the opportunity to learn this great practice and get to know the true purpose of life. How could I ever imagine that my misfortune could lead to something so great?

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