Power of the mind

[Guest guest]

I copied this a long time

ago. Not sure where I got it from.

What are some of the

characteristics associated with remission and survival that cancer survivors

are reporting?

1. A change from dependency

to autonomy combined with activities, attitudes, and behaviors that promote

increased autonomy, awareness of themselves, others, and their environment,

love, joy, playfulness, satisfaction, laughter, and humor.

2. Facing the crisis, the

despair, the sadness, and the pain and discovering they have the power to find

a new way of life that is fulfilling and meaningful.

3. Taking control of their

lives, (personal, professional, emotional, spiritual, and medical) and living

each day fully combined with a willingness to evaluate their beliefs and

attitudes and change old beliefs and attitudes that are no longer appropriate

or adequate.

4. Becoming comfortable with

and expressing and accepting both their positive and negative

emotions/feelings, their needs, wants, and desires (physical, emotional,

spiritual); the ability to say " No " when it is necessary for their

well being.

5. Having at least one

strong loving relationship-a strong connection to another person, an activity,

an organization(s), changing the quality of their interpersonal relationships

with spouses, friends, family, neighbors, doctors, nurses, etc. in a positive

way, and motivation to help others.

6. Working in partnership

with their physicians and participating in decisions related to their health and

well being.

7. Finding meaning in the

experience of cancer, finding reasons to live, accepting the diagnosis but not

the prognosis, seeing the disease as a challenge, belief in a positive outcome,

and having a renewed desire, will and commitment to life.

8. Choosing activities and

practices that promote increased awareness and reduce stress (imagery, stress

reduction, yoga, etc.); showing renewed spiritual awareness (Soul) that often

results in a spiritual practice (prayer, meditation, religious affiliation,

connection to nature, etc.).

I believe that even if these

things do not hold the disease back, they do improve a person's QOL and should

be considered by men with PCa.

Kathy