19 Kislev, 5773
One of the recurring themes in the medical world is the issue of trust. Optimists tend to do better at healing than pessimists.
Pessimists pretty much close the door on healing possibilities, let alone better moods. Sometimes, pessimists and their confused procrastinating cousins over-focus on collecting information before they make one move in a medically necessary direction.
I tend to quote Dr. Kevin Pho often on Twitter. He's a marvel of "You can do it!" compassion, insight and integrity.
I have another hero with the same qualifications, Dr. Ben Corn. I suggest that you read his take on To Trust, To Heal, especially the last four (short) paragraphs.
Dr. Corn's ideas are consistent with what's written in the EMPOWER Yourself book:
All First Steps are
Difficult.
Beginnings are hard. Change is
difficult. Normal people who really want to take positive steps sometimes find
that they are overwhelmed with fear, sadness, and even fatigue. They know
they're not moving forward. I have good news for such people! It's not a sign of
failure.
If you haven't actually decided
to live past your medical crisis yet, or if your resolve wavers sometimes, work
on accomplishing that task. Set aside time to dwell on the idea. Use whatever
time you can steal from pointless games of solitaire, sitting in the dark
mourning your situation, or an argument that you don't really want to have.
Steal some time RIGHT NOW and tell yourself that you are going to live past your
medical crisis.
Have you made progress, then
felt as if you've slipped backward? You're having a normal reaction to the give
and take of the healing process. Falling down from an uphill climb lets you gain
perspective on what you've accomplished so far. And part of what you'll learn is
that you developed new vistas of courage even as you
trembled.
My friend and former neighbor
Dr. Miriam Adahan created the EMETT (Emotional Maturity Established Through
Torah) system of maintaining perspective in an emotional crunch. In the EMETT
system, Dr. Adahan teaches us that "Emotions rise and fall like ocean waves.
They have a life of their own. It takes practice to gain and to keep control of
our inner turmoil."
If you started to develop or to
strengthen your coping skills and slipped into a state of unhappiness and a
downward slide, I welcome you to the world of reality. It happens to the nicest,
noblest people, King David, Forefather Jacob and Foremother Rachel among
them.
In either case, I suggest that
you focus on the things that are working for you. Air is free. So is sunshine.
Snow decorates the outdoors and your eyes as you look at it. Rain gives life.
Puddles are for squishing. Use your wheelchair, prosthesis or whatever's handy
to make a splash.
Oh – about that fatigue. The
link below is for an article that explains why so many people suffer from
fatigue, starting before or on the day of diagnosis, throughout the treatment
period (of any type) and possibly far into the future. Though it addresses brain
tumors specifically, it is applicable to other diagnoses. Share the article with
families and friends. Help them to appreciate your situation and to adjust their
responses to it: Your Guide to Brain Tumor Surgery Fatigue
All First Steps are
Difficult.
Beginnings are hard. Change is
difficult. Normal people who really want to take positive steps sometimes find
that they are overwhelmed with fear, sadness, and even fatigue. They know
they're not moving forward. I have good news for such people! It's not a sign of
failure.
If you haven't actually decided
to live past your medical crisis yet, or if your resolve wavers sometimes, work
on accomplishing that task. Set aside time to dwell on the idea. Use whatever
time you can steal from pointless games of solitaire, sitting in the dark
mourning your situation, or an argument that you don't really want to have.
Steal some time RIGHT NOW and tell yourself that you are going to live past your
medical crisis.
Have you made progress, then
felt as if you've slipped backward? You're having a normal reaction to the give
and take of the healing process. Falling down from an uphill climb lets you gain
perspective on what you've accomplished so far. And part of what you'll learn is
that you developed new vistas of courage even as you
trembled.
My friend and former neighbor
Dr. Miriam Adahan created the EMETT (Emotional Maturity Established Through
Torah) system of maintaining perspective in an emotional crunch. In the EMETT
system, Dr. Adahan teaches us that "Emotions rise and fall like ocean waves.
They have a life of their own. It takes practice to gain and to keep control of
our inner turmoil."
If you started to develop or to
strengthen your coping skills and slipped into a state of unhappiness and a
downward slide, I welcome you to the world of reality. It happens to the nicest,
noblest people, King David, Forefather Jacob and Foremother Rachel among
them.
In either case, I suggest that
you focus on the things that are working for you. Air is free. So is sunshine.
Snow decorates the outdoors and your eyes as you look at it. Rain gives life.
Puddles are for squishing. Use your wheelchair, prosthesis or whatever's handy
to make a splash.
Oh – about that fatigue. The
link below is for an article that explains why so many people suffer from
fatigue, starting before or on the day of diagnosis, throughout the treatment
period (of any type) and possibly far into the future. Though it addresses brain
tumors specifically, it is applicable to other diagnoses. Share the article with
families and friends. Help them to appreciate your situation and to adjust their
responses to it: Your Guide to Brain Tumor Surgery Fatigue
Stalling prevents you from improving the health of your body and mind. Improve that reality today. Buy the E-book or print edition today for a more upbeat look at your medical, convalescence or disability future. Click on the words EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.
Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. Face Your Future with Optimism.
What Your Family Doctor Might Not Have Told You