08/07/2025
I want to share something personal so it doesn’t spread through rumor.
I’ve been diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer (stage 1, low metabolic activity, no spread). I’ve followed all the conventional testing—CT, PET, biopsy—and consulted with specialists. I’m also working with integrative medicine and complementary treatments, and I’m planning on targeted radiation in late October after some teaching travel and additional immune support work. I’ve made significant changes to support healing, including shifts in diet, rhythm, and focus.
This diagnosis came in the middle of an ongoing journey. Since leaving Maine and moving to Charlottesville, VA, I’ve been healing from mold illness, chronic infections, and the long-term effects of environmental exposures.
This experience has deepened how I think about time, energy, and what truly matters.
That shift began during the shock and chaos that followed my husband Patrick’s su***de and my sister Sheila’s death just three months later. It was a time of emotional survival, and somehow I made it through. Cancer is a new layer, but not the beginning of the story.
I’m still traveling and teaching—but more consciously now. And with all the complementary changes I’ve made, I’m feeling surprisingly vital and alive. This path, while demanding, has also brought clarity and strength.
I know many of you may want to help, and I truly appreciate that. At this time, I’m not seeking suggestions for healing, but I deeply welcome your blessings, kind thoughts, and heartfelt support in whatever form feels right to you.
If you’re not sure whether to say something—please don’t tiptoe. I’m open to connection and conversation, even if I can’t always respond quickly.
When my husband and sister died, many people stayed silent out of not knowing what to say or how to connect—and that silence became its own kind of weight. I’d rather be asked than avoided. I appreciate your connection!
If someone is wondering what’s going on, you’re welcome to point them here.
With love,
Karen
Walking this path with grace, courage, and two beloved souls at my side. Clover and Simon keep me grounded and lifted, all at once.
