"Cancer is a journey, but you walk the road alone. There are many places to stop along the way and get nourishment - you just have to be willing to take it." Emily Hollenberg.
Yes, cancer is a journey and you really walk the road alone. Your family and friends, all are there to encourage you, but your progress depends only on you.
It is a journey that starts from the time you are given the final diagnosis after a needle biopsy. From there starts your long journey. If you have a strong will to fight it, and then accept it with a smile, then your loved ones are relaxed to a great extent. But if it is only lamenting and complaints from either side, life becomes miserable for both. So it is better to accept the fact and move ahead with a smile and positive attitude.
The surgery (Mastectomy) and then the biopsy report decides your future. Psychologically it is a painful truth, that you cease to be a complete woman. When you decide to live with that truth, then you start your journey with a positive attitude. The emotional uplift also depends on your near and dear one, be it your family or friends.
The most exhausting part of the journey, starts with the chemotherapy. .....depending on the type of cancer.
The physical, psychological and emotional changes start there. It is very easy to coax the patient to eat and advice to be active. You realize the pain, when you go through it. A weird taste in the mouth, some start throwing up everything they eat, some get diarrhea......all this last for at least a week. Within three weeks of your chemotherapy, hair starts falling. the will to go through it, makes you shave your head, because you know it will grow back again.
The emotional effect is confusing,sometimes even for the patient. You laugh over something and then you end up crying. Sometimes you feel so low, then you fight that feeling out and smile. Your taste buds deny any taste in your mouth, still you have to eat. otherwise your blood count will deceive you. It is really an exhausting experience. You lose your balance when you walk. If you are a fighter, you are able to face it boldly. But the support of your family and friends too play a major role. Though you have to face it alone, it helps a lot, if you are not taken for granted.
The chemo and radiation snaps you of all your energy. You have to take it as a challenge and new experience. Smile at the new changes in yourself. The monthly visits to the doctor and your blood tests.....all these have to be faced with a positive attitude, only then you can be a survivor. Otherwise you end up becoming a victim. Fight it out with all the strength that you have in yourself. And when you emerge out of it, you feel, you are refreshed to live a beautiful life.....I would compare this to a pupa stage of a caterpillar. Just like the caterpillar undergoes a lot of changes and emerges out as a beautiful butterfly, you too can come out of your cocoon of the cancer treatment with a new positive change in you, like a beautiful butterfly.
A word of caution to the near and dear ones, the family and friends of the patient. If the patient has a low spirit and esteem,try to encourage them, without complaining. If they have the courage and strength to fight it out, don't take them for granted, because the encouragement is still required. However strong they are, take care not to be critical and hurtful, because emotionally they are still at a risk of breaking down, if they are pushed to the edge. Don't ridicule them. Being understanding is very vital. As a patient, however strong they are, they are also vulnerable at that time, specially when there is a threat of recurrence of cancer. It is not easy for the patient, nor the family members to cope with the threat of recurrence.
I am able to say this with such confidence because, I have taken care of cancer patients, very close ones and have also undergone everything myself. Though I have been strong enough to face it, I too have gone through the physical, psychological and emotional pain. There are times when I have felt that I have been pushed to the edge. Still I am positive, after going through a lot of emotional pain given by others. Only a person who has undergone some kind of pain, can understand how it is to be in pain. Do not judge, ridicule or push those who are fighting a battle.
A candle loses nothing, by lighting a candle. Be a candle to light and inspire another life. Be a candle of hope. Be a spark to ignite and inspire someone who needs that little spark to which it can hold on.
Yes, cancer is a journey and you really walk the road alone. Your family and friends, all are there to encourage you, but your progress depends only on you.
It is a journey that starts from the time you are given the final diagnosis after a needle biopsy. From there starts your long journey. If you have a strong will to fight it, and then accept it with a smile, then your loved ones are relaxed to a great extent. But if it is only lamenting and complaints from either side, life becomes miserable for both. So it is better to accept the fact and move ahead with a smile and positive attitude.
The surgery (Mastectomy) and then the biopsy report decides your future. Psychologically it is a painful truth, that you cease to be a complete woman. When you decide to live with that truth, then you start your journey with a positive attitude. The emotional uplift also depends on your near and dear one, be it your family or friends.
The most exhausting part of the journey, starts with the chemotherapy. .....depending on the type of cancer.
The physical, psychological and emotional changes start there. It is very easy to coax the patient to eat and advice to be active. You realize the pain, when you go through it. A weird taste in the mouth, some start throwing up everything they eat, some get diarrhea......all this last for at least a week. Within three weeks of your chemotherapy, hair starts falling. the will to go through it, makes you shave your head, because you know it will grow back again.
The emotional effect is confusing,sometimes even for the patient. You laugh over something and then you end up crying. Sometimes you feel so low, then you fight that feeling out and smile. Your taste buds deny any taste in your mouth, still you have to eat. otherwise your blood count will deceive you. It is really an exhausting experience. You lose your balance when you walk. If you are a fighter, you are able to face it boldly. But the support of your family and friends too play a major role. Though you have to face it alone, it helps a lot, if you are not taken for granted.
The chemo and radiation snaps you of all your energy. You have to take it as a challenge and new experience. Smile at the new changes in yourself. The monthly visits to the doctor and your blood tests.....all these have to be faced with a positive attitude, only then you can be a survivor. Otherwise you end up becoming a victim. Fight it out with all the strength that you have in yourself. And when you emerge out of it, you feel, you are refreshed to live a beautiful life.....I would compare this to a pupa stage of a caterpillar. Just like the caterpillar undergoes a lot of changes and emerges out as a beautiful butterfly, you too can come out of your cocoon of the cancer treatment with a new positive change in you, like a beautiful butterfly.
A word of caution to the near and dear ones, the family and friends of the patient. If the patient has a low spirit and esteem,try to encourage them, without complaining. If they have the courage and strength to fight it out, don't take them for granted, because the encouragement is still required. However strong they are, take care not to be critical and hurtful, because emotionally they are still at a risk of breaking down, if they are pushed to the edge. Don't ridicule them. Being understanding is very vital. As a patient, however strong they are, they are also vulnerable at that time, specially when there is a threat of recurrence of cancer. It is not easy for the patient, nor the family members to cope with the threat of recurrence.
I am able to say this with such confidence because, I have taken care of cancer patients, very close ones and have also undergone everything myself. Though I have been strong enough to face it, I too have gone through the physical, psychological and emotional pain. There are times when I have felt that I have been pushed to the edge. Still I am positive, after going through a lot of emotional pain given by others. Only a person who has undergone some kind of pain, can understand how it is to be in pain. Do not judge, ridicule or push those who are fighting a battle.
Try to support, encourage and inspire them with a wee bit of understanding and consideration. Try not to slice them with words. Sometimes they become so silent due to that anguish. Help them keep up their smile and positive attitude.
A candle loses nothing, by lighting a candle. Be a candle to light and inspire another life. Be a candle of hope. Be a spark to ignite and inspire someone who needs that little spark to which it can hold on.
2 comments:
Wow! This one is too good. With a positive aoproach half the battle is one and with the love, understanding and support from friends and family the walk becomes easier.thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience.
Wow! This one is too good. With a positive aoproach half the battle is one and with the love, understanding and support from friends and family the walk becomes easier.thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience.
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