Dealing With Cancer
This rant is going to be a little different than the previous and tackle a more serious issue (although some would argue that the PMS piece was a serious issue). This rant isn't what you may initially think it is, this rant is about how to deal with a loved one's most life threatening medical problem: Cancer.
When I was just beginning my teens, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and my life was tossed into a turvey as the doctors had given her a maximum of 6 years to live, more likely less. It made me grow up pretty quick and being the eldest of three kids I had to think about the possibilities of a world without a loved one. Here are some lessons I've learned which may help others out there going through the same types of experiences:
- BE REALISTIC: Settle it in your mind that the cancer is a serious thing but it shouldn't consume your life thinking about the possibility of death. Think of the life still left to live and try to make that as pleasant as possible for the person diagnosed with cancer. Ignoring the cancer doesn't help anything. Recognize and turn the negative into a positive.
- POSITIVE OUTLOOK: Maintain a positive outlook. Yes, cancer can be overcome (my mother is an example of that - she's beaten it over 15 years ago now!) But it is important to live life as normally as possible and to have the cancer victim have something to hold on to in life. My mother always says that she fought the cancer because she wanted to see her children grow up. She didn't give up!
- BE PREPARED: While death may be the outcome of the cancer, remember that death is a natural part of our lives and we'll all have to experience loved ones passing at least once within our own lifetimes. They will be in a better place so don't look at death as losing someone. Focus on the great times and experience you gained from the person while they were on this earth.
- SADNESS: Yes, it is okay to be sad.
- NOT CONTAGIOUS: Cancer has not been proven to be contagious. Don't treat a cancer victim as a leper. Avoiding the person doesn't help the person deal with it any better. Be as supportive as you can and try to learn and understand the condition.
- LAUGH: Laughter is, in my opinion, one of the ways our bodies heals itself. It presents positive energy into our bodies and I think most people would probably agree that a happy person who laughs a lot has a better outlook on life.