Sitting in Ken Shannon's living room, it's strange to think that if
he had not taken an alternative route to healing his cancer, I may not be looking into his smiling face and hearing about his latest mission-the Life Beyond Terminal Project.

Three years before our meeting, almost to the day, Ken was sitting across from a doctor who compassionately told him that, based on his latest test results, there was nothing more they could do for him and that he had less than five years to live.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society's 2008 statistics, one in seven men is expected to develop prostate cancer during his lifetime. One in 27 will die of the disease, but Ken is determined not to be one of them, despite his terminal diagnosis.

After being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2002, Ken experienced a series of treatments, including radiation, and a number of complications resulting in months of recovery. Ken tried some alternative therapies and did lots of research, but other than the natural medicine Salvestrol®, he says nothing seemed to make a big difference.

By 2006, a year after his terminal diagnosis, "I was told by my urologist to start palliative care treatment or go away and quit wasting his time," Ken says. He decided to go away and shortly after came to consider his doctor's comments a gift. "It was almost like he was a messenger," Ken said, with the message to stop looking for help from the medical system. Ken says he felt it was time to "look inside."

Today, Ken is far from requiring palliative care treatment. His inner search, and ultimate healing journey, brought him to detoxification, inner dialogue work, including the power of intention, lessons in love and, ultimately, to the Life Beyond Terminal Project.

The project is an opportunity for others who have experienced a terminal diagnosis to share their stories and information. Ken feels he gained much knowledge and many gifts through his experience. His hope is that by sharing, others may benefit.

Ken wants those facing a life-threatening illness to know that when a doctor delivers a terminal diagnosis, what he or she is really saying is that the medical profession has reached the limit of its knowledge and skills. "The doctor is right," Ken points out, "If you continue to live how you're currently living you can most reasonably
expect to die." But (and this is a big "but"), "we can change how we live," he points out.

Ken set up a website to gather the wisdom of as many people as possible
and invites the stories of all people including those who have chosen alternative ways of healing even if they were not given a terminal diagnosis. In the end, it comes down to "What worked for you?" he says.

Three years after being told he would die, Ken expects to live a long and healthy life. He sits in his living room, smiling, and says, "I'm here and I'm doing great."

To read more about Ken's story and the stories of others, or to add your story, visit the Life Beyond Terminal Project website (wwwlifebeyondterminal.com).

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