Back in 1943, a man by the name of Stamatis Moraitis, a Greek war veteran, came to the US after an injury to his arm during combat.
He started living and working in the States and eventually fell in love and married a Greek-American lady.
Together, they raised three wonderful children. In 1976, Moraitis’s life changed. He started struggling with shortness of breath while climbing the stairs and doing work. He went to the hospital and had to do multiple X-rays.
The diagnosis was brutal: lung cancer. And, his prognosis was quite grim because the doctors told him he had around nine months left to live. He tried nine different doctors and tried to find different treatment options.
But, all of them told him the same: aggressive chemotherapy was the only option he had that may help prolong his life.
Man Refuses Chemo for Lung Cancer & “Forgets to Die”
Moraitis refused the chemotherapy suggested for his lung cancer.
This life-threatening disease starts developing in the lung tissues and the cells that line the air passages. It’s one of the major causes of cancer-caused deaths globally.
There are various types of lung cancer, but the two main categories are non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. The most challenging part of a lung cancer diagnosis is when it’s deemed inoperable.
This happens if the cancer is in the more advanced stages. It means it has metastasized to other parts of the body. Or, if the patient’s overall health is poor and they have other comorbidities. Other factors are also the size and the extent of the tumor, as well as its location.
After deciding to refuse chemotherapy, Moraitis wanted to look into the costs for his funeral which he wanted to take place in his hometown of Ikaria, Greece. The amount was a modest $200. He gathered his belongings and flew back to his birthplace with the desire to spend his last days there peacefully and surrounded by people he loved.
After going back home, he received so much love and support from his family and friends. He settled into a small home in a vineyard area on the north side of the island.
He discovered the joy of doing simple things like gardening. He took care of his garden and his plants and was happy about it. But, it turned out that this joy of gardening also helped his health. The exposure to the fresh air, the sunlight, and being surrounded by nature made all the difference.
He would spend his days with friends and have long conversations over locally produced wine. Being embraced by his old friends instilled a new purpose in him and a strong desire to live each moment to the fullest.
His daily gardening routine lifted his spirits and helped him connect with the earth. Believe it or not, Moraitis helped bring the family’s vineyard back to life. And, with his help, the family produced 400 gallons every year.
Moraitis Defies All Odds & Becomes Cancer-Free
Moraitis followed a diet abundant in nutrients. For breakfast, he would pick a glass of wine, sage tea, coffee, or goat’s milk with some honey and bread. For lunch, he would choose beans, potatoes, greens, or any other veggies he was growing in his garden.
For dinner, he chose something simple like bread and goat’s milk. Believe it or not, against all odds and all predictions by doctors, Moraitis’s health flourished instead of declining. He lived thirty years after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
At the age of 97, he underwent tests that showed that he didn’t just believe that he was cancer-free, he was cancer-free. To make the irony bigger, the doctor who made his initial diagnosis had passed away.
He lived a full life until the age of 102. He showed that changing the environment, mindset, and lifestyle plays a significant role in one’s health.
He passed away in 2013 but lived for three more decades after being diagnosed with inoperable cancer.
Which Factors Played a Role in Moraitis’s Survival 30 Years After a Lung Cancer Diagnosis?
Moraitis’s unique transformation journey is a combination of different factors. Let’s check out the major ones:
- Diet changes
Moraitis consumed only home-grown veggies and followed a Mediterranean diet which is known to be rich in antioxidants and nutrients and associated with stronger immunity which is crucial for cancer prevention.
- Lifestyle changes
Moraitis embraced a lifestyle full of enjoyable activities like gardening and interactions with the community. He found purpose which had a profound impact on his well-being.
- The placebo effect
The power of belief isn’t to be underestimated. Moraitis strongly believed in the power of nature, good food, and good wine and their importance in healing from diseases.
- Resilience
The strength, resilience, and adaptability of Moraitis helped him return to his roots and embrace a simpler life. Resilient people tend to have better health outcomes as they have strong coping mechanisms.
Sources: