Customer Reviews

Peggy Huddleston's Relaxation/Healing CD plus Instructional CD

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in April and had surgery to remove the prostate in late June 2007, when I was 61. I was not particularly worried about the cancer spreading, because tests indicated that it probably was contained in the prostate. I was worried, however, about the "two I's" -- impotence and incontinence. My surgeon warned me that it could be two years before I knew whether my sexual function would fully return, and that the incontinence could take three months or so to clear up after the operation.

I bought both Huddleston's CD and the companion book, and started listening to the CD two weeks before surgery. I listened twice a day, sometimes three times. I have had training in mindfulness and stress reduction before, so the techniques were not new to me. I found that the CD proceeds through the relaxation exercises a bit more quickly than I would have wanted, but, on the other hand, you get it done in less than 25 minutes and you can get on with your day.

Within three weeks after surgery I was back to 100 percent of sexual performance. In other words, it works just like it used to. This is really remarkable, if you read the literature on prostate surgery and impotence. Of course, it could be all due to my excellent surgeon, Dr. Jim Hu of Brigham and Womens in Boston, who used the Da Vinci robotic laparoscopic treatement, and spent extra time trying to preserve the nerves. However, there's little or no evidence that this type of surgery reduces side effects more than traditional surgery. And I'm sure some of the credit goes to my wonderful wife. I doubt my mating apparatus would work as well if I were single and trying to impress women I didn't know. However, let's give credit where credit is due. I bought this CD to increase my chances of a good recovery, and I hit the jackpot. I believe the incontinence problems are less than average too, but I don't have any real way to measure that.

I would recommend the CD to anyone (and you've got to buy the paperback too, just to fully understand what she asks of you in the CD). I used it after surgery to deal with discomfort, and I continue to use it to relax and deal with everyday stress. At the very least, it will reduce your anxiety before surgery and help you deal with pain afterwards.

My hospital carries this book & CD in the gift shop and recommends it to surgery patients. Most of the Doctors and Nurses are aware of it and many are trained on the positive affirmations. I used it before and after 2 surgeries and through Chemo for Breast Cancer treatment. It helped me relax and concentrate on healing. I recommend it to anyone I know who has to have surgery or other medical procedures.

Better than other cds I've heard in this genre. She has a non-irritating voice and manner, so I could get into the relaxation. I use it every night to go to sleep, and remembering the method helps me with anxiety during the day.

We received Peggy Huddleston's book/CD from our physician prior to my husband's surgery and found it incredibly helpful. It supported his desire for sucessful healing and the CD was an excellent meditative focus. My husband even recorded it on his i-pod and listened to it during surgery. He did amazingly well post surgery. We have given it to several friends, including health care professionals, before their surgery and they have all had similar experiences.

If your looking for a well written and recorded tool from someone with a solid medical background, this CD is for you.

I discovered this book and the tape that goes with it when I was

looking through a book club's selections. I carefully took the

page that contained the information and placed it where I would

be sure to find it. When I had hip surgery in 2003, I bought the book and the, then, tape that went with it. I have used the

tape and now, the CD at other times, when I am unable to sleep, or have some ache or pain that I think needs help.

I will be rereading this book before I have hip surgery again this fall. I have shared this book with a lot of people. If nothing else, I feel that it gives one a sense of control that one seems to give up when one decides to have surgery.

Highly recommended for someone facing surgery or a close family member of such a person. The book defines the steps of the preparation process more in depth but the cd alone gives instructions in the Interview part. The relaxation part is invaluable as it guides even the restless types like myself straight into a calm and relaxed state and focuses on the goals one would like to achieve during the recovery process. The author's voice is the most relaxing and calming human voice indeed. Wonderful.

I happened to come across this book in a bookstore in 1998. I bought it, knowing that I would probably be having brain surgery one day. When the surgery was scheduled for Feb 99, I sent for the audio tape & began using it twice a day for 2½ months prior to the surgery. I believe in being an active participant, so I began to get myself in the best possible shape physically, mentally, emotionally, & spiritually.

The surgery is called Deep-Brain Stimulation surgery, which implants a device in my body, similar to a pacemaker, to control the tremors I have from essential tremor. You are awake throughout most of the surgery so the surgeon can determine if s/he is placing the electrodes in the correct location of the thalamus. ET patients do not tremor when asleep; therefore, the need to be awake.

Peggy, her book, & her CD are fabulous. I have since given it to everyone I know having surgery, from simple foot operations to major brain, neck, or back surgeries. Each person has benefited tremendously, as did I. I then began giving it to everyone I know dealing with cancer, whether surgery, chemo, radiation, or whatever.

Realizing what a powerful mind-body tool this is, I have used it for a variety of things such as walking down the aisle for my daughter's wedding so I wouldn't be sobbing with joy (I'm too emotional), preparing for public speaking events, ...

I thank God everyday for leading me to Peggy's book in the bookstore. And I'm thankful to be able to pass it on to everyone that needs it.

Shari Finsilver

I just had double lumbar fusion surgery. My nervousness leading up to the procedure was bad. This book focused me and chilled me out. It gave me piece of mind that here in this bad, helpless situation I could do some things to affect my outcome.
Now, 3 weeks post surgery I'm way ahead of predicted function. My bowels are mostly back on track, i'm sleeping better, i have no infection, good strength.
Get this book for you or you loved ones.
steven

I was going in for a laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy. I was scared to death and wanted some sort of meditation to help me get my mind prepared for the hospital visit. I used the CD and read the book for two weeks prior to the procedure. It really helped me visualize what I wanted out of this surgery. To see myself out of the hospital quickly and back to doing some of things I loved. Unfortunately, there was a complication and they ended up having to make an emergency incision into my abdomen from my belly button to my pubic bone. I was NOT prepared for this type of surgery or recovery, but with the help of reevaluating my goals, I was able to use the meditations to relax and have less pain as well as recover sooner than most with this type of incision. When my doctor came to talk to me after the surgery and explain what happened, he said that I took less anesthesia, I did amazing in the recovery room (I slept it off without any nausea or pain), and I only lost 200 CCs of blood (200 cubic centimeters = 6.762 fluid ounces). I do recommend purchasing the book to accompany the CD. There are a lot of good things in the book and they compliment each other very well. My anesthesiologist assistant read all the healing thoughts to me during the surgery and they were very happy I was trying this approach. Everyone said I did amazing throughout the procedure and stay at the hospital. I'm planning on giving my copy to my gynecologist for other women.

I find this disc very relaxing and very helpful before surgery. It also helps me fall asleep. Works every time!