Patient Resources

Responding to the situation In our reactivity, we attempt to turn away from the situation by such behaviours as fighting the reality of the diagnosis, denying or disengaging from the reality, or feeling confused and helpless in self-pity. While turning away from what we are suffering from may provide some superficial and transient reprieve, the unaddressed disease, symptoms and emotions will continue to linger and re-emerge whenever the reactive defences crack and collapse eventually. Desperately maintaining the illusion of wellness and distracting from the reality may eventually become the all-consuming obsession, overshadowing the life of wellness that was initially hoped for. Some may at this point vouch for the importance of “positive thinking”. But while positive thinking may be useful in helping patients cope with the illness journey, it does not avert the reality of the diagnosis or its implications. A review of the research evidence does not support the notion that a person’s mental attitude, such as fighting spirit or helplessness/hopelessness can affect the survival from cancer. Indeed, the pressure on patients to engage in “positive thinking” may pile more psychological burden on them. Respond to the situation with some urgency – having such a diagnosis usually requires some life changes that affirm the preciousness of life and time. Waiting for cure, waiting till we feel better, and waiting for others to do their part… wastes precious time and opportunities. There is no such thing as the perfect response, just what is good enough for what the situation asks of us. And if we feel strongly that some issues need to be attended to after the diagnosis of cancer, or some parts of our lives should be changed for the better, or there is something that we need to speak with someone, don’t wait – the diagnosis may just be the wake-up call that you should wait no further.