Case Study: Stage IV Lung Carcinoma with Pleural Effusion – Healing Through Breathwork and Emotional Release

Classification: DISEASE (Life-threatening malignancy with metastatic spread and chronic emotional suffocation)

Patient Demographics

Age: 67–68 years
Gender: Female
Program Enrollment: NV Life Treatment Program
Assessment Period: February 2021 – April 2021
Brought By: Daughter (NV Life graduate)

Chief Complaint

Advanced-stage lung cancer (Stage IV) with pleural effusion, mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and vertebral lesions, accompanied by extreme breathlessness, fatigue, and hopelessness.

Clinical History

Oncological Diagnosis:

Primary Malignancy: Carcinoma of the lung
Initial Stage: Stage IV
Complications:

Pleural effusion
Mediastinal lymph node enlargement
Sclerotic vertebral lesions
Pleural thickening

Diagnostic Timeline:

February 2021 – HRCT Thorax Findings:

Ill-defined infiltrating lesion in the left lung
Pleural effusion present
Mediastinal lymph node involvement
Multiple vertebral lesions

February–April 2021 – Laboratory Results:

Mild anemia
Altered liver enzymes
Kidney and liver function within manageable parameters

April 2021 – PET-CT Findings:

Partial metabolic response compared to November 2020 baseline
Significant reduction in lung lesion size
Decrease in pleural thickening
Reduced lymph node metabolic activity

Medical Assessment:

Recovery: 70–80%

Downstaged:

From Stage IV to Stage 2B

Prognosis:

Radiation therapy considered potentially curative

Comorbidities and Background:

Diabetes and hypertension since age 42
Sleep apnea (on CPAP therapy)
Surgeries: Ovaries, uterus, and gallbladder removed
Chronic lethargy and low motivation

Psycho-Emotional Assessment

Core Emotional Patterns:

Suppressed grief from loss of close family members (brother, parents, husband)
Chronic anger and unresolved disappointment toward mother and father
Deep-seated guilt and emotional suffocation
Feelings of abandonment and companionship loss

Unresolved Trauma:

Separation from younger brother during childhood, followed by his mental illness
Loss of emotional connection and broken familial bonds
Repetitive experiences of emotional abandonment

Survival Belief System:

Core Belief: “I cannot survive alone.”
Compensatory Belief: “I can survive on my own.” (ego-based defense)
Behavioral Pattern: Aloofness in relationships as a protective mechanism

Additional Emotional States:

Helplessness and failure as a mother
Loss of faith and disbelief in life
Suppressed emotional expression and grief repression

Intervention Protocol

Medical Management:

Medication:

Osimertinib (targeted chemotherapy)

NV Life Treatment Components:

Primary Techniques:

Witnessing the breath
Meditation for emotional connection
Defrosting technique for trauma processing
Consolidation work for relationship healing

Therapeutic Focus:

Accessing and releasing suppressed grief
Processing childhood separation trauma
Confronting anger toward parents
Healing broken bonds and companionship loss
Working through guilt and survival belief systems
Dissolving relational aloofness and emotional isolation

Specific Breathwork Practices:

NV Life Science of Breathing (cotton technique and breath algorithm)
Meditation for health and emotional release
Guided introspection for suffocation and grief processing

Clinical Outcomes

Timeline: February 2021 – April 2021 (2 months)
Oncological Response:
Tumor Regression: 70–80% reduction in disease burden
Stage Change: Downstaged from Stage IV to Stage 2B
Pleural Involvement: Marked reduction in thickening
Lymph Nodes: Reduced metabolic activity in mediastinal nodes
Vertebral Lesions: Improved condition
Treatment Recommendation: Transitioned to radiation therapy with curative intent
Medical Prognosis: High probability of complete remission