🕯️ Grief, Loss, and the Challenges of Mortality 🌱 Exploring Alternative Cancer Treatments in Mexico
Hospice Professional Shares Insights on the Complexities of Grieving. University of Arizona Researchers Develop Promising Glucose-Insulin Protocol
Based on the 12/2/24 Buckmaster Show on KVOI-1030AM.
🙊 Notable quotes from the show
"No one wants to talk about death, even though it's so odd when you really think about it and embrace it because death is as common as making yourself a cup of coffee in the morning." - Patrick Sheridan, hospice professional, on the cultural aversion to discussing mortality
"Grief has no rules and no timetables... it's about learning to live with loss and grief" - Patrick Sheridan, on the process of grieving rather than "getting over" loss
"Once you're a part of the folks who dress in red suits, there's no going back. It changes you." - Patrick Sheridan, on the profound impact of playing Santa Claus
"If Trump does what he says he's going to do, then we're headed for a major trauma." - Keith Rosenblum, on the potential consequences of the Trump administration's border threats
"To think that we could do anything with armaments is such folly that the rest of the will become, will become, not just, will become the court jester of the Western, not the Western world, of the entire world." - Keith Rosenblum, on the futility of sending U.S. troops to fight Mexican drug cartels
😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾
🎙️ The Buckmaster Show featured two interesting guests: 🎭 Patrick, who helps people deal with 💔 losing loved ones, and 🚔 Keith, who reports on stuff happening at the border. Patrick talked about how sadness and grief don't just go away, even if it's been a long time since someone died. 😢 He said it's important to let people feel their feelings instead of trying to "fix" their grief. 💬🕊️ Keith shared info about a new way to treat cancer 🎗️ that doctors in Mexico 🇲🇽 are trying. Overall, the show was about how life can be hard sometimes 😩, but there are ways to deal with the difficult parts and find joy 🎉, even in unexpected places like dressing up as 🎅 Santa Claus.
🗝️ Takeaways
🧠 Grief has "no rules and no timetables" - it's about learning to live with loss, not "getting over it"
❤️ Embracing roles like Santa Claus can bring profound joy and wonder, "changing you" in meaningful ways
🔬 Innovative cancer treatments using off-patent drugs are being explored outside traditional medical approaches
🤔 Threats of drastic border policies are likely more "bluster" than concrete actions, given the impracticality and counterproductivity
⏬ Jump to the 🦉 Three Sonorans Commentary based on:
📻 What They Discussed
This episode of the Buckmaster Show aired on Monday, December 2nd, 2024.
It featured two guests: Patrick Sheridan, a writer, poet, speaker, innovator, and guide for those experiencing loss, transition, and sorrow, and Keith Rosenblum, a border reporter with expertise on issues related to the U.S.-Mexico border.
🕯️ Grief, Loss, and the Challenges of Mortality
Patrick Sheridan shared his extensive experience as a hospice professional and bereavement expert over the past 43 years.
He emphasized the difficulty our culture has in openly discussing and grappling with death, stating, "No one wants to talk about death, even though it's so odd when you really think about it and embrace it because death is as common as making yourself a cup of coffee in the morning."
Sheridan explained that grief has "no rules and no timetables" and that the process is about "learning to live with loss and grief" rather than "getting over or moving on from it."
He shared personal anecdotes about grieving the loss of his father, mother, and pets, noting that the pain of those losses never entirely goes away, even decades later. Sheridan stressed the importance of allowing grief to unfold naturally rather than trying to impose timelines or expectations on the grieving process.
🎅 The Joy of Spreading Holiday Cheer as Santa Claus
In addition to his work in hospice, Patrick Sheridan has embraced the role of Santa Claus, which he described as starting in the nonprofit world and church settings where he would don a "terrible cheap suit and a fake beard."
However, one fateful night, Sheridan came across an abandoned Santa suit and decided to surprise a congregation, sparking a lifelong passion. He explained, "When I saw the delight, I mean, the pure joy...I was hooked. I thought I've got to figure out how to do this and embrace this and give people some hope and some joy."
Sheridan takes great pride in bringing happiness to children and adults through his Santa persona, noting, "It's magic. It's magic. And once you're a part of the folks who dress in red suits, there's no going back. It changes you."
🌱 Alternative Cancer Treatments in Mexico
Rosenblum also discussed an innovative cancer treatment in Mexico called the "Warburg method."
He explained that a team of researchers from the University of Arizona, including a PhD named Tom, had developed a protocol that involves reducing glucose levels in the blood and using an off-patent chemotherapy drug. Rosenblum shared that this approach has shown promising results, with Tom now operating over 50 clinics in China that offer the treatment.
Rosenblum stated, "I've seen a system that is way outside the norms of the traditional oncological treatments, lots of people and for the different cancers. And I will only say that several of them had been told to think in terms of going to hospice now, and they've come to do the treatments in Nogales."
📣 Skepticism Towards Threats of Border Closures and Military Interventions
Rosenblum expressed skepticism about the possibility of the incoming Trump administration taking drastic actions, such as imposing tariffs on Mexico or sending U.S. troops to Mexico, describing such threats as "50% bluster and 50% legitimate."
He argued that tariffs would be "a self-inflicted wound of the highest order" that would "punish [the U.S.'s] own companies" and that military intervention in Mexico would be a "huge waste of time with no real benefits" given the intractable nature of the drug cartel problem.
Rosenblum likened Trump's rhetorical approach to a Mexican mother threatening to call the police on her misbehaving child, noting, "I can't think of anything more counterproductive."
🦉 Three Sonorans Commentary
The Buckmaster Show's recent episode shed light on two vastly different yet equally compelling topics - the challenges of navigating grief and loss and the exploration of alternative cancer treatments outside the mainstream medical system.
Hospice Professional Shares Honest Insights on Grief's Enduring Impact
Patrick Sheridan, a seasoned hospice professional with over 43 years of experience, offered a sobering perspective on the cultural aversion to discussing death and the harsh realities of grief. "No one wants to talk about death, even though it's so odd when you really think about it and embrace it because death is as common as making yourself a cup of coffee in the morning," he lamented.
Sheridan emphasized that grief "has no rules and no timetables" and that the process is about "learning to live with loss and grief" rather than the unrealistic expectation of "getting over or moving on from it." He shared poignant personal anecdotes about the enduring pain of losing his father, mother, and beloved pets, noting that the sadness never entirely goes away, even decades later.
"There's never a day, much less a holiday, that I don't miss my grandparents and my parents," Sheridan revealed. "My grandfather was a huge influence and a big mentor. And I miss him terribly."
This raw honesty stands in stark contrast to the platitudes often offered to the grieving, such as the unhelpful suggestion that a departed loved one is now in a "better place." Sheridan aptly said, "For me, I've always thought that the better place that they should be is right beside me."
Innovative Cancer Treatments Offering Hope Beyond Traditional Approaches
In a stark departure from the sad discussion of grief, the episode also explored an intriguing alternative to conventional cancer treatments - the "Warburg method" being administered in clinics across Mexico.
According to border reporter Keith Rosenblum, a team of researchers from the University of Arizona, including a “PhD named Tom,” has developed a protocol that involves reducing glucose levels in the blood and using an off-patent chemotherapy drug. Rosenblum shared that this approach has shown promising results, with Tom now operating over 50 clinics in China offering the treatment.
"I've seen a system that is way outside the norms of the traditional oncological treatments, lots of people and for the different cancers," Rosenblum said. "And I will only say that several of them had been told to think in terms of going to hospice now, and they've come to do the treatments in no gals."
The fact that these alternative therapies are being sought out by patients who have been told to prepare for the end of life highlights the desperation felt by those facing terminal diagnoses within the conventional medical system. Rosenblum's enthusiasm for the "Warburg method" suggests a glimmer of hope for those exploring unconventional avenues in their fight against cancer.
Navigating the Complexities of Life, Death, and Innovation
The Buckmaster Show's exploration of these two vastly different yet deeply impactful topics - the harsh realities of grief and the promise of innovative medical treatments - underscores the profound complexities of the human experience.
As we grapple with the inevitability of loss and mortality, the show reminds us of the importance of honest dialogue, the need to allow grief to unfold naturally, and the potential for medical breakthroughs to emerge outside the confines of the traditional establishment. By shining a light on these issues, the Buckmaster team has provided a valuable service, challenging us to confront the harsh truths of life while also holding onto the hope of transformation.
👯 People Mentioned
Patrick Sheridan - Hospice professional, writer, poet, speaker, innovator, and guide for those experiencing loss, transition and sorrow
Keith Rosenblum - Border reporter, former congressional aide, and fellow at the UC San Diego Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies
Donald Trump - President-elect, discussed in the context of potential border policies
Tom - University of Arizona PhD who developed an alternative cancer treatment protocol using the "Warburg method"