Remedy code: 3-644.66.05
A 76-year-old man seeks treatment for leukemia. His upper eyelids droop, his complexion is pale, and his posture is somewhat hunched and passive. He exudes a calm demeanor, often remaining lost in his thoughts when speaking or responding, convinced in his way of thinking and without much reflection on how he might come across. His wife scheduled the appointment, and he begins recounting his symptoms methodically from his notes: “Before this, I also had gout, and my eyes are very watery.” He was diagnosed with leukemia last year, has weekly blood tests, and receives an infusion every other week, usually two bags at a time. For gout, he uses colchicine as needed. His fatigue persisted, initially thought to be a B12 deficiency, so he received folic acid and EPO, which had no effect, followed by transfusions. He has a hearing aid, seems accustomed to poor hearing, and filling in gaps. Medical testing began last year due to gout in his feet, knee pain, paleness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. The previous year, he had contracted COVID, refused vaccinations, lost 10 kg, and became increasingly tired. He has a history of high blood pressure, for which he takes medication. Up until 10 years ago, he was a heavy smoker, practically a chain smoker. He uses inhalers (salbutamol, berodual) and has an air purifier at home. For the past
Remedy code: 30 years, he has been dealing with a chronic cough. His gout started 10 years ago, around the time he retired. His feet, particularly his toes and big toe, become painful, with each flare-up lasting about a week, alternating between both feet. He frequently has swollen feet and needs to bandage them. Discussing his former work, in automation, visibly brightens him; he sits upright, and his eyes gain a sparkle. He started in office administration during summer breaks in his youth, then took an IT course and created his job, enjoying the sense of building something and solving problems. Now, he keeps himself occupied with odd jobs and gardening. Before the leukemia, everything was fine with him and his surroundings. He’s been using eye gel for years, as bright light quickly bothers him and causes blurred vision. His hearing and vision have worsened since the leukemia. He sleeps well, occasionally taking oxazepam when feeling anxious, as he often lies awake at night. When nervous, he becomes short-tempered—a rare occurrence—so it stands out. What makes him nervous: “I think about the illness, how things will go, certain things I can no longer do; sometimes you just have to accept it.” He’s open to assisting devices, like a stair lift or mobility scooter, to go out to a museum or visit the zoo with his grandchild. Physical overexertion lowers his hemoglobin. After a transfusion, he doesn’t feel noticeably better, although his wife can sense a difference. His kidney function is good. In the past, he drank a lot of red wine and was along his wife continued “tipsy”; he doesn’t drink at all now. He’s solution-focused, more oriented toward tasks than people, with little need for social interactions. His hobbies are related to his work, but he’s also creative, drawing as well. There is iron overload due to transfusions.
AnalysisFor this analysis, the repertory rubric “Blood, leukemia” was reviewed. Filtering for
Iron series, Ceanothus, Coca, Quercus, and Sarothamnus were considered. Indicators of
Iron series include his enjoyment of wine and tobacco (typical of the
Fabaceae), his orderliness, solution-oriented mindset, lack of interest in social interaction, and work-centered hobbies. The blood condition aligns with the concept of "Spleen energy" in TCM, fitting the
Fabidae. Fatigue as a primary symptom suggests
Phase 6, specifically the
Rhamnaceae sub- phase. His main concern, or most notable worry, is ‘how things will go’, marked by a lot of uncertainty. This aligns with
Stage 5.
Iron series: occupied with work and things, more then with people,
Fabidae aspects (see above).
Phase 6: no energy, no blood, no oxygen, fatigue, ailments after retiring just accept he can’t do anymore.
Stage 5: doubting how (his life will go on, or will end).
Ceanothus: spleen, anaemia, he can’t feel his own condition nor his body (his wife will tell later, a characteristic seen also in other Ceanothus casuistry).
Prescription: Ceanothus americana MK.
Follow-upAfter four weeks His eyes are now brighter, and he appears more present, though his posture remains passive, calm, and quiet, with his wife still taking much of the initiative and speaking for him. He reports, in his usual dry manner, noticing two changes: walking is easier, allowing him to walk longer distances without shortness of breath or fatigue, and his hemoglobin level was at 6.5 for the first time in a year, after consistently ranging between 4.5–5. His wife notes that he is usually insensitive to physical changes—"his senses aren’t developed"—and previously never noticed the effects of transfusions. However, he’s been more active this weeks. They went through a physically demanding week unexpectedly. His eyes
remain watery, but he’s had no gout flare-ups in the past weeks, and his breathing is better, though he snores more. His irritability has decreased, though he still occasionally takes oxazepam due to “anxious thoughts about how things will go,” although he often forgets to take it. He has lost a bit of weight, and his tongue is now dull brown with a broad red stripe down the center. After eight weeks, transfusions are no longer needed from now on. His weight remains stable. Occasionally, he experiences sensitivity in his gout-affected foot but no pain. Otherwise, he is stable, pale, and with bright eyes. He is more engaged in conversation, making jokes, and more present in discussions. Six months later, he undergoes cataract surgery, and during recovery, they again note his limited connection with his feelings, as he remains in his world. Based on this information, he receives
Victoria amazonica, which quickly boosts his interest in the world and his motivation to be more active. Now he is still on medication for his lungs.