It is always amazing to me, how people deal with their diagnosis and/ or treatment. I am not just talking breast cancer but all kinds of health issues that will impact you now and in the future. When I used to work in a hospital setting, I can remember years ago that patients could smoke in their rooms, fast forward and we know that is not a good idea for many reasons one of which if the possibility of cancer. I can remember people coming into the ER with difficulty breathing, shortness of breath and more and either during their time at the hospital or after discharge, you could then find them smoking outside. Today, there is no smoking on our grounds and it is posted and yet family members sit with their loved one during treatment and take a break and go out and smoke and even the patient themselves sometimes do it as well. I do realize that we all have our issues be it smoking, weight, alcohol, stress and so much more and we all have difficulties reigning it in sometimes but doesn't having an illness that impacts your life so, enough to scare you into changing your behavior? The answer, is often, "NO." I also see patients that complete treatment and it may very well be their second or third reoccurrence. Now, I am not saying that to scare you but on the other end , it is amazing to see the resilence and fortitude to push forward and face what is ahead ...yet again. Some patients are angry, and about most everything and it is easy to fall in that trap but also the one on the receiving end of that anger, I have to remember that there is a powerful force that has just knocked down their world and my job is to try and help them to a more positive and informed center within themselves. I don't understand the how's or the why's but I do understand that we all need help during this time. It always amazed me that there were diabetics that were out of control and once they were back into a normal pattern that their diet and how they deal with the diabetes, just feel off into the sunset. How many people do you know that had triple bypass and are back smoking, eating fatty foods, and being couch potatoes to find that 10 years later they are back in surgery for correction of their malady. I am sure that these men and women don't see it from that perspective but I am sure I can't totally understand from theirs either. I know I dodge the first bullet and have come out the otherside but I also know that I don't want to take anything for granted but I am never 100% perfect in dealing with the things I need to either. It is easy to forget what you have gone through once you are feeling better and moving forward. Taking a look from both sides may be helpful and we must always remember that no one decides at 16 or 17 or even 27, that yes I want to get married, have a divorce and oh yes, please throw cancer into the mix too. Bring it all on, no not really, none of us want any of those things but yet we will all face some type of challenge in our lives or in fact, many challenges. All I can say, is that the only tool I have is to try and make it a good day! What is your plan for yourself or other significant other when the challenges come? Take a moment and look at it from a different view. S
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AuthorMy name is Sue Kilburn and I am a clinical nurse breast cancer educator at the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Archives
March 2015
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