A Cancer Death Sentence - What Would You Do?
Posted on July 23, 2008
A Death Sentence: Ovarian Cancer and How to LIVE with it!
If you were given a “death sentence” how would you react? Would this be stressful? Would you still live your life and function in a “normal” way?
If you received a diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer with an average life expectancy of less than 5 years, what would you do? You would learn that there is a possibility that you might beat the disease and live more than 5 years, but you have less than a 25% chance of this happening. You might not know exactly when you would die, but you know that your disease will eventually get you…
How will this diagnosis and situation affect the people around you or your relationship with these people? Would you feel Cheated? Will you feel free from expectations? Will you get on with your life in a different way? So, what would you do differently?
5 years ago my beautiful wife was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer. She has had two major surgeries that “gutted” her. She has had 4 rounds of chemotherapy and lost her hair as a side effect. She has been in 2 unsuccessful clinical trials. She has had good doctors and not such good doctors. She has had medical tests that you would not wish on your most disliked enemies. She has tried everything including many alternative treatments. She gets up every morning fighting this disease with everything that she has. She is alive and so far has outlived her prognosis. She lives each day with an appreciation that many people do not have. She shines as radiant light in a dark, depressing black hole of emotions. She does everything in her power to stay positive, to release negativity, and to not give in to her first surgeon’s fatalistic attitude.
Many people would have given up hope and allowed themselves to succumb to their disease process. Many people would become self-destructive and follow a path of less brightness. Many people would withdraw from their lives or develop unhealthy relationships with the people in their lives. Most people with this diagnosis would feel some bitterness, ask “why me,” and begin to “stew in their own juices.” Some people would relinquish all responsibility to their doctors, or to their religion, or to their significant others. How would you respond?
My wife wanted to participate in her healing process. Her way was to fight with knowledge and determination. This is not the path that everyone should take. It is the way she chooses and it makes her feel good. Perhaps it has even helped. 5 years into it, her cancer marker (her CA 125) is down to 10. This is a very good thing with the lower the number the better. (Before her first surgery her CA 125 was over 900.) If you want to live longer and better, then consider this option as a fighter… It may work out even better for you!
We all must pass on to another world at the end of our lives, but when our time comes will we have regrets of unfulfilled goals or aspirations? Will we celebrate the end of our mortal pains or the freedoms of our next spiritual existence? Will we be filled with fear of the unknown or adventurous as we go through our metamorphosis into the next stage? Will we try to hang on or go willingly?
We are all unique and have different situations that we will need to confront, but some consideration now may assist us in living our lives more effectively, with fewer regrets.
Please celebrate your life. My wife would say appreciate, honor, and do not squander your health. Do not miss the opportunity to tell your loved ones how much you care about them. Appreciate as many moments as you can, because you never know how many you have left.
L. John Mason, Ph.D. is the author of the best selling “Guide to Stress Reduction.” Since 1977, he has offered Success & Executive Coaching and Training.
Please visit the Stress Education Center’s website at Stress, Stress Management, Coaching, and Training for articles, free ezine signup, and learn about the new telecourses that are available. If you would like information or a targeted proposal for training or coaching, please contact us at (360) 593-3833.
If you are looking to promote your training or coaching career, please investigate the Professional Stress Management Training and Certification Program for a secondary source of income or as career path.
Article Author :L._John_Mason
Last 6 posts in Ovarian Cervical Uterine Cancer
- Cervical Cancer - What Are the Treatment Options? - August 25th, 2008
- What Are the Options on Cervical Cancer Treatment? - August 25th, 2008
- Ovarian Cysts Bleeding - August 13th, 2008
- A Real Breakthrough in the Treatment of Ovarian Cysts - August 9th, 2008
- Have Ovarian Cysts? - Don't Eat These Foods! - August 9th, 2008
- Complex Ovarian Cyst - August 9th, 2008
- Chemotherapy For Ovarian Cancer - August 9th, 2008
- Cures For Ovarian Cysts That Work - July 23rd, 2008
- The HPV Vaccine - Is it Worth Taking? - July 23rd, 2008
- Guide - Getting Through the 1st Chemotherapy - From the Perspective of the Caregiver - July 23rd, 2008
Mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the lining of the lungs. Its main cause is thought to be contact with asbestos. About 3000 new cases are reported every year in the United States, with about 8 million people having been exposed to asbestos in the last 50 years. Safety measures have been put into place in the last couple of decades so as to protect people from asbestos exposure; therefore, some think that the number of cases of mesothelioma will peak around 2020 and that it will begin to decline after that, since exposure to asbestos by then will… Continue reading
There are real, although very limited, benefits of diet and supplements in supporting mesothelioma. There’s nothing to buy that would prevent this horrible form of cancer, although eating fresh vegetables seems to tie in to a reduction in the rate of development. More recently, the medical literature suggests that one B vitamin may at least make one form of chemo for mesothelioma less toxic.
Dr. H. L Kindler of the Hematology/Oncology Section at the University of Chicago Hospitals finds that medically supervised folic acid supplementation probably decreases the toxicity of pemetrexed (Alimta). The research absolutely, positively does not suggest that anyone… Continue reading
Selecting the right mesothelioma lawyer can be a daunting task. In addition to the emotional strains and struggles you may be experiencing as a result of a mesothelioma diagnosis, it may feel like choosing an attorney for your legal case is too daunting. In this article we will explore how to find a mesothelioma attorney.
It is your responsibility and right to obtain the best legal advice you can when submitting a claim to the court for a mesothelioma negligence suit. Large sums of cash, potentially millions of dollars, are ultimately at stake and you don’t want to be unprepared for… Continue reading
Related posts
» Filed Under Ovarian Cervical Uterine Cancer
Comments
Leave a Reply
