I realize that the biology of cancer will dictate the course of events regardless of ones attitude and fighting spirit. However those people with positive attitudes are better able to cope with disease-related difficulties and perhaps respond, in a biologic sense, to therapy. The health care shift that has occurred over the last twenty years directs us understand that the psychological and the physical elements are not separate, isolated and unrelated but linked to the total system. Thus, there is a balance of many inputs that lead to the desire of a long and quality life span.
Bone pointing which is a phenomenon resulting in a paralytic fear, after learning the diagnosis of cancer. The person often withdraws from the world and await the inevitable end. In todays medicine, the person may often believe the diagnosis is a death sentence. However, the phenomenon of self-willed death is only as effective if the person believes in the power of the curse.
In the treatment of cancer many times people fail the first, second and third lines of therapy, then- with more advanced disease a fourth line of therapy provides a giant leap in response. In all things. one has to take risks if you want to win. to get a remission or recover with the best quality of life. Just the willingness to take a risk seems to generate hope and a positive atmosphere in which the components of the will to live are embraced.
The threat of death renews the appreciation of the importance of life, love friendship and all there is to enjoy. Often new possibilities are opened and risks are taken that there was no courage to take prior. Facing the uncertainties of living with an illness makes life more meaningful. The smallest of pleasures are intensified and much of the hypocrisy in life is eliminated.
A friend with cancer stated: "I love living, I love nature. Being outdoors, feeling the sun on my skin or the wind blowing against my body, hearing birds sing, breathing in the spray of the ocean. I never lose hope that I may somehow stumble upon or be graced with a victory against this disease."
