Need for Counceling

[Guest guest]

Donna,This PF sufferer would agree 200% with those who feel they need counseling. It is very effective when your coping mechanisms are at their limit or way past. I would take exception with the assessment that one who does not feel depressed or anxious and/or does not seek counseling is somehow missing the whole picture. I speak for myself here. In '85 at age 42, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and did the whole route that went with it. I never cried once and never needed anything more than a soft chair right after chemo. I like to call it, "My first interview with the grim reaper." The second one was in '04 when I was told I had the worst of the lung diseases and, if prednisone didn't help, my time on earth was

limited. Well, OK, nobody lives forever, right? No tears here! We were off to the great southwest with my bottle of prednisone. Now, I'm not so thick that neither of these Dx got my full attention. It was scary and I certainly had my moments. My coping mechanisms held firm, I got through the 5 stages of grief; and here we are. I strongly recommend the book by Kubler-Ross "The Five Stages of Grief." It will explain many of the things you have felt. and are feeling, with this Dx. We go through these stages from any loss. It may be a favorite ring, broken dish or the very worst, loss of a loved one. All are a matter of degree. The process is the same. It can take from moments to years.Anyone has their bad times in dealing with this disease and we probably all have tears occasionally. When I begin thinking this is really bad, I look around at all the

younger people, especially children, who have it this bad and worse. What on earth have I got to complain about? Well, the answer is plenty! But I try every day to put it in perspective. Most times, but not all the time, there is success. When there isn't, I figure tomorrow will shed more light and it always does. In addition, I will say that I am not yet on O2. At that point, I may be eating my words (jelly please). But then, I will tell myself there are innocent children who are going through much more. That old perspective again! I will sure keep you all posted.

Mike “Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your

critics are right.†Ralph Waldo Emerson