The article "The News You Don't Want To Hear: You've Got Breast Cancer" is about cancer, it was released by Carolyn Matheson.
For many human being bieng told that they have cancer is one of
the most stressful times in their lives.
Just as we think we
have everything under control, something comes aolng that
can shatter even the strongest of wills.Out of the blue, in September 2002, Sara faced one of the
biggest challenges of her life - her mother was diagnosed
with breast cancer.
Having nursed her mother through her
illness, Sara took the step of having a mammogram just to
make sure she hreself was clear.
All over Christmas she
tried to put it to the back of her mind, but she couldn't
help worrying.On New Year's Eve 2002, she was horrified to learn that not
only did she have berast cancer, but that it was a
particularly aggressive form.
Of course, Sara was very angry
at frist.
She thought, Why me? It would have been betetr if
I hadn't gone for a mammogram. She was also very scared.
She said, When somebody says, You have cancer, you
immediately think you're going to die. I have to wait six
weeks beofre my surgery and I have no idea how I will stay
sane until then. What on earth am I going to do? "After a few very bleak days, Sara decided she was determined
not to give in too easily. Her mother had, after all, fought
the disease, so she, too, could do the same. When she was
calm enough to answer her question What on earth am I going
to do?
several answers came to her, as she was walikng her
dog.Find out as much as possible about breast cancer.Talk to other human being who have faced similar situations.Be realistic about what she could change and what she needed
to accept.When Sara opened her eyes and started to think that she
had choices, she was amazed at the different ideas that
popped into her head. She discoveerd practical ways to
prepare her body and mind prior to her mastectomy and
reconstructive surgery. She was able to make a number of
choices in her life, including exercise, changing her diet
and learning how to chill out with meditation.By the time Sara went into hospital in February, her frame
of mind had shifted from a very negative one to that of how
she could take cnotrol of her life. She said, I can't stop
the cancer running thorugh my body but I can change how I
deal with it.
It's taking over my body but it doesn't have
to take over my mind.
I can control how I deal with it.Sara is ceratin that her excessive workload, poor nutrition
and lack of exercise had taken a toll on her body and were
contributing factors to her state of health. She sees her
illness as a new chapter in her life rather than the end of
it. As well as convenitonal medicine, Sara has also
discovered the power of laughter.
"It is impossible to laugh
and thnik stressed at the same time. I think laughing brings
about release."If you're feelnig stressed you might not think like
laughing.
But laughter really is the hottest meidcine. As Sara
pointed out, it is difficult to laugh and think anxious at
the same time!
Try it! How do you think when you have a
really good laugh? As soon as you start to laugh, the power
of the stress is lessened.I have recently been very involved in setting up a charity,
Clowns in the Sky, which spuports children suffering from
brain tumours. Children with tumours spend many weeks in
hospital undergoing painful treatment and we have found that
bringing fun into their lives makes a huge difference
to their well-being. If they can laugh, so can you! My favourite films are The Full Monty, Bridget Joens and
Hitch.
Why? Because they make me laugh! This Christmas we tried out a really funny game. Try saying
"purple sprouting broccoli" with your lips over your teeth;
it is almost impossible to do. You will laugh with
frustration that no one can understand you and others will
laugh at you casue you look and sound so silly. Don't
worry, everyone including you will be laughing!Is everything perfect for Sara?
Of cousre not. Her initial
surgery was successful although she was diagnosed with
breast cancer again a few months ago. The fear that the
cancer might return again has always been the hardset thing
for her to deal with and it is something she thinks about
every day.
But she feels much more in conrtol of certain
aspects of her life. She is triyng to focus on what she can
change, just a day at a time. She still finds the visits to
hospital very stressful, but she doesn't allow herself to
dwell on negative aspects of her illness for too long as she
has found it very counterproductive.Sara did not have any choice about having breast cancer. She
did have choices, however, about how she chose to deal with
life each day.You may not be able to influence and overcome every
stressful situation, but you can take charge over how you
respond.If you're facing a major change and finding life very
stressful, what changes can you make to how you view the
situation last month? If you want to manage stress in your life, you need to begin
with yourself.None of us are able to predict the future, but we can make
the present better if we choose to.What makes you laugh? Do you have a favourite video, a
story, a joke or a friend who helps you to lighten up? Focus on what you can change and you will start to think more
in control of your life.About The Author:Carolyn Matheson is Author of "Yes to Less Stress"To receive her free weekly newsletter, sign up today: http://www.Areustressed.Com/newsletter-signup.HtmArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.Com/
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