NURSE HANDLES LIFE THREATENEING PREGNANCY

Award Winning Nurse Faces Life Threatening Pregnancy Baby with cyst helped by a book

Shannon Shipp could not believe her ears--her doctor had just given her the worst possible news: her baby had a cyst on the brain and would probably not live longer than a year, if it were born alive at all.

An award-winning nurse from Texas, Shannon had been having a lot of trouble with this pregnancy: severe nausea and vomiting every day, irregular heartbeat, weight loss and feeling exhausted all the time. And now all the tests had revealed the cyst indicated a disease called Trisomy 18, which is similar to Downs syndrome.

Shannon earned the number one spot in Texas and number seven in the nation, in the Vocational and Industrial Clubs of America competition in health knowledge. She loved being a nurse and helping others--but now she was facing the most difficult time of her young life.

Diagnosed for the first time in 1960, Trisomy 18 is a chromosomal disorder resulting in specific features and organ malformation. It occurs in one in 8000 live births. Severe mental retardation and heart disease is also associated with Trisomy.

"50 percent of the babies are still born and 50 percent of those who survive the birth only live for a short time," says Shannon. "I got really depressed and upset and my husband and I started fighting all the time. It was very stressful on everybody." Some statistics show that the rate of broken marriages increases by ten times for the family with a severely impaired newborn than with a normal child.

One of the most obvious impacts on the family is the financial burden. Although it totally depends on the child's medical need, the cost of intensive care and surgery may easily go up to thousands of dollars very quickly. While insurance may cover some expenses in most cases, financial disaster for the family is unavoidable.

"I called a friend in Texas--I was in tears--and she suggested I read Dianetics: The Modern Science of Metal Health by L. Ron Hubbard," said Shannon. "After I read the book I knew this technique could help me. I found a wonderful Dianetic auditor in California and went there for two weeks."

The auditing was very easy and comfortable, says Shannon. "I walked away a new person," she enthuses. "No more stress, anxiety or unhappiness. I gained five pounds while I was there because the nausea and vomiting stopped. The heart palpitations went away--just disappeared--and I was able to stop all medication I had been taking. I felt great."

"My energy level went through the roof." Says Shannon delightedly. "Before the sessions I was sleeping 16-18 hours a day. I had no energy and the medication was affecting the baby." Shannon so much wanted to have a natural birth, but she was scared of the pain. "I didnt want to have to take drugs," she says. "Now I feel confident that I can do it without any drugs. Theres no doubt in my mind."

As soon as she returned home Shannon went to see her doctor and had another scan. "The cyst has shrunk in size--its almost gone," Shannon says excitedly. " I think Dianetics saved my life and my babys life. It was just amazing."

"My Doctor is amazed at how good I look, how much energy I have and that I have no more upset about the cyst," says Shannon. The doctor remarked that both she and the baby seem to be very healthy now.

"She said that most of her patients arent doing this well," laughs Shannon. "It is such a relief to feel this good--physically, emotionally and mentally."

The baby is due on July 16th. Shannon, her husband and her doctor are all preparing for a natural birth and a healthy baby.

Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health is available in most major bookstores, online at amazon.com and dianetics.com.

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Sally Falkow is a freelance writer specializing in alternative health care issues

www.falkowinc.com
sally@falkowinc.com