A Response to Cancer

The diagnosis is a moderately aggressive prostate cancer. The treatment involves two preparatory procedures and then forty-two radiation treatments 25 miles away. The question that arises is how to respond to the diagnosis and the following treatment.

Approach

A Harvard study was conducted with a class of students after graduation. The graduates were followed for 10 years. The information about the graduates was then collected. The graduates were split into two groups which were successful and unsuccessful based on their goals and the achievement of those goals. The two groups were studied with respect to what common behaviors were shared within each group but were different than the other group’s behaviors.

It was found that, when the ‘unsuccessful’ group encountered a challenge, they concentrated in how to get around the challenge or how to eliminate the challenge, etc., treating the challenge as an obstacle to be dealt with. However, when the ‘successful’ group encountered a challenge they immediately studied the challenge to explore ways in which they could change the challenge into a benefit to them.

So, the response to the cancer and treatments is to find ways to benefit from this experience.

Imaging

There is a process of ‘imaging’ that has produced remarkable results. We know that stress and/or pain depresses the immune system compromising one’s health. Conversely, a positive attitude can strengthen the immune system supporting one’s health. So, how can one move from stress to a positive attitude.

When the stress or pain is visualized as a substance or object, it can be dissipated. For example, suppose there is a particular pain from a mending broken bone. If that pain is visualizes as an object such as a red ball or fire within or some vivid image, then that visualization of that image can be ‘moved’ out of the body into the front of the body where it can be examined more closely. The subject then examines how the object or substance can be changed such as moving the object or substance up and away from the body. This process or variations of it has been very successful in reducing stress and pain. The process can move negative energy out and away from the body.

So, the response to the cancer and treatments is to visualize the general stress of the circumstances and move that energy out and away from the body.

Healing

Imaging is also effective with what is happening within the body. Visualizing the process of healing can enhance the body’s ability to heal. Our bodily systems take queues from what we are thinking and act on them. The negative direction of this process has been well documented. A severely negative attitude can actually lead to physical maladies. Hence, a strongly positive attitude is likely to lead to enhancing the immune system to improve physical health and a good outcome.

So, the response to the cancer and treatments is to imagine the immune system operating at the highest level of function killing cancer cells and nourishing healthy cells.

Activity

Like imaging, a difficult activity can be changed enough to be a positive activity. Treatment of the referred to cancer will involve forty-two trips to Salinas. That’s an hour a half a day in the car. There are a number of activities one could engage while driving. For example, there are books on tape one could listen to. One could listen to a course in learning a new language. One could use a cell earbud and support someone going through difficult times or just connect with friends and relatives. Or, it would be therapeutic to dictate into a cell phone or tape recorder a journal of the experience of treatment and whatever else is going on in life during that period.

So, the response to the cancer and treatments is to use the time in the car productively. I think I will listen to books on tape or possibly inspirational tapes.

Attitude

There are a number of possible outcomes to cancer treatment. Looking forward to the outcome that is preferable accomplishes several things. Firstly, it puts the body into a less stressed and more positive orientation supporting the process and healing. Secondly, choosing to embrace a positive attitude will support new positive ideas to positively influence the entire process. Thirdly, regardless of the actual outcome, the process will be more pleasant to get through with a positive attitude.

So, the response to the cancer and treatments is to consider this period as a learning experience and one that will yield many benefits.

Spirituality

Engaging in prayer, meditation, etc., will take the focus off one’s self and put one at peace with whatever the focus is of the practice. The more peace one experiences, the easier it will be to practice positive orientations.

So, the response to the cancer and treatments is to possibly try to meditate while driving … that is, to take deep breaths, feel the body relax while being fully present to mindful driving.

Exercise

Exercise has powerful benefits. It not only improves the overall health of the body but also improves the function of the brain by increased circulation. The most difficult part of exercise is getting off the sofa in whatever form that takes. It is useful to know the road blocks to find a way around them. One thing that helps is to see beyond the exercise and visualize the benefit. That may be enough to transform mental energy into physical energy.

So, the response to the cancer and treatments is to exercise or add to the exercise routine to be confident that the body and mind is assisted in managing the entire experience.

Diet

Diet goes hand in hand with exercise. The body needs good dietary resources to support activities and mental acuity.

So, the response to the cancer and treatments is to look at the current diet and see if there are improvements that can be implemented.

Life-Style

Each one of the above topics has the potential of transforming the treatment period from a negative experience into a positive experience. From a broader perspective, this cancer has the potential to move a Life-Style in a very positive direction. Any part of the above is useful and all of it can change one’s energy and outlook on life.

So this cancer journey started out as a daunting challenge and ended up as a potentially positive life changer.