Hallman’s DVD helps patients
integrate mind and body.

The resulting DVD, Visions for Cancer Recovery, recreates the experience she had used in her own recovery. Narrated by Hallman herself, it begins with a series of deep relaxation techniques, accompanied by peaceful nature images such as sun-dappled trees and rippling water. Next, animated images of apoptosis help patients imagine their own bodies ridding themselves of disease one cell at a time. Underscored with soothing original music, the program runs just under 20 minutes, making it convenient to watch at home or even to bring along to chemotherapy treatments.

Hallman is already fielding requests for a more generic version of the DVD focusing on stress reduction. But for now, her mission is clear: to get this healing tool to as many cancer patients as she can. This presents a whole new challenge. The Mayo Clinic has been an early champion; after submitting the DVD to clinical and educational review, cancer specialists there began offering it on the hospital’s video-on-demand service in 2006. The hospital has also invited Hallman to give presentations three times. As she works to find new distribution channels, word is starting to spread, and Visions is also available in several other cancer centers in the United States and Canada. The DVD is also available to the public through Hallman’s Web site.

No one knows better than Hallman how useful this tool can be. Last year, she suffered a recurrence of her cancer. Once again, she turned to visualization to complement her second round of surgery and chemo. Recently, she was given a clean bill of health: happy news that she attributes in no small measure to the mind-body-spirit connection.