A Positive Mental Attitude and Cancer

 

I read an article in the Daily Mail that said that new research indicated that a positive mental attitude had no effect on the outcome of cancer treatment. I beg to differ.

 

I have spoken extensively about this to consultants, doctors, and nurses: and lets not forget that they are the people at the front line of the treatment; and without exception, all of them have noticed that patients with a positive mental attitude accept the treatment better, deal with the side effects better, and have better overall results.

 

I knew that I would beat it, I knew that it was just one of those curve balls that life throws at you, and my attitude was ‘bring it on’, right from the start. I was 41, but in my mind I was just nearing my 20th birthday and much too young to die, so it must be a mistake, and I was meant to fight it and beat it.

 

Now I’m not saying that if you are worried and can’t get yourself into a positive frame of mind, you will get worse. I’m just saying that you have a lot less worry if you are positive you are going to beat it.

 

Don’t forget the slogan  ~  ‘I cancer vive’ pronounced I CAN SURVIVE

 

Some recent trials have shown very positive results in cases where patients visualise their bodies fighting the cancer, and visualise the chemotherapy destroying the cancerous cells.

 

I think that it’s wise to point out that the human race is wonderfully clever and has invented some amazing things; but when it comes to understanding the workings of our own brains, we are hopelessly inadequate.

 

Believe what you will, but I recommend a positive mental attitude.

 

An example

 

Before I was properly diagnosed, I had to have an endescopy test. It involves the patient swallowing a long tube with a camera at the end, so that the inside of the stomach can be inspected.

 

Was I panicking? Yes.

 

My wife was with me, and we were sitting in the waiting room with the sweat dripping off my forehead, and my hands shaking.

 

The nurse came round, and I held her hostage until she explained every aspect of the procedure and answered all my questions. (I have always found that I crave information about everything.) I was offered a general anaesthetic of simply having the back of my throat frozen. I choose the latter option.

 

I calmed myself, closed my eyes, relaxed back into the chair and visualised the whole thing from start to finish.

 

Opening the door;

walking into the room and  lying down on the bed;

opening my mouth;

the doctor squirting the back of my throat to freeze it;

the long tube being picked up and dangled over me;

me, looking at it and thinking it wasn’t so big;

me, leaning my head back;

the doctor putting it in my mouth and being amazed at how easily I swallowed it, without any gagging or discomfort;

me, breathing very deeply as the nurse recommended;

me, feeling absolutely no pain;

the doctor eventually pulling it out;

the doctor congratulating me on being the best patient he had ever had.

 

At the end of ten minutes, I was looking forward to it, and when the nurse did call me, I nearly sprinted into the room.

 

The outcome? Ok, he didn’t congratulate me, but: I had no problems, it went just like I visualised, and I would do it again, and again if necessary, without any problem.

 

Positive Mental Attitude  ~  Think about it.

 

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