Believing Along the Way

By Colleen Graves in July 2008 

      In 2003, I became pregnant with Ian and it was my second pregnancy.  After 3 months, my ultrasound showed signs of complications.  The baby had a echogenic (highlighted)  bowel and a cyst on his brain.   The doctors did further testing which confirmed that this baby carried the genetic defect Cystic Fibrosis.   Twenty years ago people with CF would live on average 18 years and today the life span has increased to 40 years old.  It was difficult news and was not ever heard of in my family or my husbands.  We were given options on several occasions to terminate my pregnancy.  It was stressful to be confronted by a healthcare professional advocating the point that this child would be very sick and would have to suffer.  These experiences did help me become more connected with my faith in God and focusing on the positive, to help my baby’s condition improve. 

      In December, at about six months into my pregnancy my mother-in-law told me about  Master Ou.  She gifted the baby and me with long distance healings once a week.   Catherine tells me now that Master Ou came into her life for the sole purpose to help Ian.   I started Pan Gu with a lot of heavy feelings and confusion.  It was a chore to keep up with the speed of the practice on the CD.  I was learning the moving form for the first time, from a packet I received in the mail.  I had never met Master Ou or read any of his lectures, but I was determined to believe in the power of healing.  I continued to do the practice two times a day. Olivia would give me guidance and I would call her after each healing and she would simply ask me how I felt.  This was a beginning for me to connect with the practice.  As a result, I had a feeling of calm that I had never felt before.  It’s interesting to reflect back on my first few months of Pan Gu. I would get very angry while doing the movements and many times need to run to the restroom, because I had diarrhea. It would feel so long and I did not enjoy it while I did it.  Still, in spite of all my resistance I received results.  The peace and calm I noticed most and after four weeks of doing the practice the cyst had disappeared in my baby’s ultrasound.  I had hope and was feeling stronger from the practice. 

     The birth of Ian was an amazing moment in time.  I was laboring through the night at 6 am I had to wake up my husband to say it was time.  As things progressed, we had an unplanned home birth.   The baby was delivered by his father in the room I would practice, meditate, and receive healings in.  My husband was there to meet his beautiful son for the first time.  The doctors were concerned throughout the pregnancy that he would be still-born.  Ian was alive and peaceful his first few days of life.  He had an interesting journey ahead and I was learning along the way.  After two days, Ian was not eating and could not pass a bowel movement.  During my prenatal visits the CF specialist mentioned the need for surgery if the meconium was unable to be passed.   Ian’s life was now being threatened if he couldn’t eat or get his intestines working.  A critical decision had to be made, because now the fear of losing a child was a matter of hours away.  I had agreed to sustain his life in an incubator.  Ian was bombarded with a new environment and separated by a plastic cage.  He was being supported by tubes, needles, and machines.  I can not imagine what Ian’s impression of this world was. 

      My understanding of Pan Gu was being  tested  and I had to consider very serious risks in a life threatening situation. I had hoped that Master Ou would perform a miracle on Ian’s intestines without me calling to communicate these intentions.  I had regretted not informing Olivia in time to make any changes possible.   Time was pressuring me to make a choice and Ian at four days old was put through a colon surgery.  Before the first surgery I began communicating with Olivia.  I had a different level of confidence in my practice at this time.  I did notice, Ian’s procedures became less stressful when I started talking to Olivia.  I noticed on one occasion he had to be x-rayed for a second surgery.  The x-ray involved a scope and die being inserted into his separated intestines because they were looking for any blockages.  The doctor admitted he had never done this procedure on an infant.  He was taking a long time and was slightly sloppy in figure things out.   The probe was inserted and he showed little discomfort.  I focused on sending Ian healing energy through the password. The second surgery Ian was 14 days old his ostomy bag was removed and he was basically closed up.    Shortly after this, the surgeons were waiting for his system to work properly.  The intestines were slow and again he was not clearing any bowels.  I called Olivia because the doctors were planning a third surgery.  I remember this night very well.  Ian received a long distance healing and I choose to hold him through the night.  The nurse woke us to say Ian had soiled his robe and me.  It is funny to mention how happy I was.  The sequence of events was difficult and I spent most of the time holding Ian’s hand only. Eventually, when he was out of an incubator I would hold him in my arms and send energy.  I was not able to practice the moving form and still the healings would work by just reciting the password in my mind. 

       I would continue to practice as I could.   Ian’s first two years of life were very demanding on me and my family.  Charles, my first child, had to live with some serious challenges too.  Ian would cry a lot and need much of my time for nursing and comforting.  Charles was at this time showing signs of stress and could not verbalize it. His preschool suggested to have him tested and the Psychologists considered him autistic due to some auditory processing issues.  It was easy to become overwhelmed by the challenges my children were facing.   Then I would see progress.  Ian would get fevers and infections, which consistently healed without the use of medication.  Charles was continuing to progress with his learning and focus.

       I have noticed in the past year my practice has become easier and I have a better sense of what Qigong is doing for me.  I wish I had known this four years ago, but I can see the time was needed to help me truly understand the meaning of the practice in my life.  In a year, my son Ian has been free of any serious illnesses and has not been hospitalized since he was 18 months old.  My son Charles has mainstreamed successfully into a public school environment staying on target for a 7 year old.  I notice I have shifted in my thinking, as well. I am less worried about Ian’s health.  I am able to encourage him to be calm when he is coughing.  CF children have a thick mucous in their lungs causing asthma like breathing and congestion.  I help him focus on his body being healthy and capable of healing.   My boys are given help through meditation, and weekly long distance healings.  In addition, they do weekly chiropractic and naturopathic methods.  I hope my children will use the practice as a strategy to reach optimum health and vitality. In the meantime, I will continue to be a loving mother who gets to share with them the benefits of Pan Gu. 

       It is hard to put into words what the practice has done for me and my family.  I feel stronger and healthier then ever.  It is wonderful to know that when I am faced with challenges the practice continues to center me with kindness and benevolence.  This all began from the love of a grandmother and the faith in healing.  I am so grateful to be surrounded by the belief that miracles do happen. My deepest gratitude to Master Ou and Olivia, as they encourage people and share these tools. I believe now that miracles do happen and Pan Gu is a path to a cure for Ian, Charles, and all people.