Mental power and cancer.

I can't imagine how anyone could not know

what kind of cancer they had.  That's very strange.   I can't see any doctor putting a patient into tx without telling them what they were being treated for.  Unless the patients had dementia or something of that nature?  Very odd...

But as for it affecting your ability to beat cancer, well...I think all the things you mention are important and will certainly make each day you survive a little more pleasant, but it won't determine whether you live or die.  I've known way too many people who were informed, positive, determined people who died anyway.  That's just the way cancer is.

Interesting

My best mate's dad passed this year from Colon Cancer. He too didn't want to know anything about his condition, size, stage, and he wasn't too keen on the treatments and wouldn't follow the Doctor's recomendations. Chances are he would have died in any case, but a bit of knowledge may have helped him.

When I worked in OBGYN, I chaperoned a lady (proabably mid 60's) having a pelvic. The Doctor, feeling a cuff instead of a cervix asked if she had had a hysterectomy; her reply I'll never forget "I had some kind of surgery down there".  She had no idea that she had her uterus removed. 

Ignorance is bliss?! Maybe, maybe not. 

I just purchased a book 'Mindfulness-based Cancer Recovery'.  Shall see how it reads and report here maybe.

Illness

Some people just don't want to know anything.  They will trust a doctor because he/she is a "doctor" and they must know the best for their situation.  My father didn't know anything about my mother's cancer nor could he tell me really what was wrong with her and he just told me that my mom didn't tell him much, but I'm just not sure my mom asked much either.  People have to know what type of cancer they have because the doctor definitely would discuss it with them and I'm thinking it's much more of them not listening than anything else.  You are right, there are few people that take the disease cure to much to task and forget about their family, friends, jobs and just plain living and focus only on themselves and will spend whatever it takes to find another path, another treatment, another doctor and that is labelled addiction.  This board has helped me tremendously and I'm so grateful for someone steering me here as there is so much knowledge that the others could provide me.

Kim

Well all I can say is that

Well all I can say is that I've read many stories on here about people trying many things, educating themselves,  having faith and being very positive that they would beat it....and they died.    My father on the other hand went through treatment for stage 4 lymphoma 2 times...knows nothing about his treatment, etc...is the least positive person you'd ever meet - and is still here years later.   Sometimes it all seems like a crap shoot.

Geez just think of Ren - if anyone could have made it by determination, will and education it would have been him.

involvement counts

Certainly not knowing anything, taking no interest has more exposure to common place errors and loses some opportunities, series that can rapidly translate into months and years of quality life, lost or not gained.  Despair and depression may be foes that need to be overcome. 

How much involvement depends on the person and circumstances. For some, over the top is doable and useful. Each right answer counts; wrong ones may count several times more or conclude the match. Timing counts too.  In stage IVb, a perfect match might buy a year, or three extra; then you volley again.  In stage II, III a good serve or two upfront might even win a lifetime.  

We deal with a lot of unknowns. Many answers that should have been available from the start, require a snipe hunt first and typically throw the timing part off.  There are usually no guarantees right now.

I feel like this is an

I feel like this is an individual basis.  Some find comfort in knowing and having some "control" in their care while others may find this approach just too stressful.  

Some people are "fanatical" by nature.  If this is who they are, then this is right for them.  What may create stress for some may be comforting to others.  

We are all so different in our life experiences which make us who we are and how we deal with these situations.  There is no right or wrong.  

Our doctors and nurses are hopefully trained well enough to see this in thier patients and adapt to those needs.  

Our outcome depends on so many different factors.  I do not believe it is just one thing.  We are complex beings. 

This disease is just awful and touches too many people, every age, babies to elderly .. it makes no difference ... 

 

Good to hear you are up and about .. getting back to your new normal.  Keep on walking.  My best to you as you start your FOLFOX.

 

 

 

 

thxmiker said:

Pilots and Projectiles

Some people believe they should pilot their lives and some believe they are projectiles.  

 

Some people want to know what their treatment options are and be active in their role in their health. (Pilots)

Some people want their treatment to be told to them. (Projectiles)

 

Life is perspective. I take ownership of my life and it's destiny.  I take an active role in my exercise, and diet.  Feeling this is a vital part of my health.

 

Best Always,  mike

I am like you Mike. I felt

I am like you Mike. I felt like I had to be proactive doing everything I can since day one. I do understand why some choose not to be proactive. Sometimes I feel like putting my head in the sand and not do any more scans but that is not part of my makeup.

I say to eash his or her on.