From This Moment On: A Guide for Those Recently Diagnosed with Cancer
464
From This Moment On: A Guide for Those Recently Diagnosed with Cancer
464Paperback
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Overview
Open the book to any page and find something of value. Soak up its wisdom in an hour. Or return to it again and again for encouragement and solace. From This Moment On will prove a calm and forthright companion on one of life's most challenging journeys. Cancer is an ordeal, but it is also an opportunity. Exactly what kind of opportunity will be up to you.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780812992243 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Random House Publishing Group |
| Publication date: | 07/24/1999 |
| Pages: | 464 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 1.00(d) |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
From this Moment On is a unique companion that encourages you to courageously confront issues of life and death. An extraordinary book of advice and inspiration, it is the cancer patient's best guide to reclaiming a sense of control over life. Vetted by more than eighty health-care professionals, FROM THIS MOMENT ON merges words and pictures to convey profound ideas in a simple and forthright manner—perfect for those dealing with the shock of a cancer diagnosis.
So, it's official. You've been diagnosed with cancer. This time it's not some family member, acquaintance, or celebrity—it's you.
Like it or not, you've joined the cancer movement. You're one of "them."
More accurately, you're one of us. And from this moment on —
Your life will never be the same.
Some things will be worse and some things will be better — There will be many surprises but also discoveries. In the days ahead, you will find your own way to deal with your cancer diagnosis.
You are a living, breathing, thinking human being and cancer is only an illness. You'll be amazed at how quickly you can wrestle back some power for yourself by saying these words out loud "How I respond to my cancer diagnosis is my choice."
Go ahead. Choose any response you're comfortable with. Cancer is an ordeal, but it is also an opportunity. Exactly what kind of opportunity will be all up to you.
Once you experience the benefits that come from good choices, you will instinctively start behaving in a manner that will make things better for you instead of worse.
In the beginning, you may be desperate for human contact like companionship, hugs, and love. Touch, care, and other acts of loving kindness are immeasurable and precious gifts to receive.
Dealing with chronic illness means dealing with constant challenge. This can be extremely stressful—even more stressful if you're not prepared. What's worse that being unprepared, is the fact that ignorance and avoidance will almost certainly harm you in the long run.
You have some important decisions ahead of you. The more you learn about cancer, the better prepared you will be to evaluate your options and make good decisions for your future.
This is an invitation to live the rest of your life, well.
You deserve kindness, compassion, care, dignity, times of despair, times of denial, and the freedom to live life—on your own terms—in your own way. You also deserve your birthright—access to the enormous well of personal power that is within you. We all have it. Some of us need to reclaim it. If you want to get well, the major contributing factor will be the power of your will.
For the best results: Strive to be optimistic in your outlook, and project your health whenever you can.
The good news is that there's always hope that you will feel well again—lots of people do. If you look, you will find living proof .
Find someone who did the "impossible." Rediscover nature, surround yourself with music, art, pets, people, and objects of love. Seek out mentors and coaches, support groups and heroes. Find people who will provide inspiration, and those who are willing to help you to fight for your health.
Ask around, you might be surprised to learn some of the remarkable things that people with cancer are doing with themselves in order to feel good. While "feeling good" is a process that takes some imagination and some ongoing effort, the results will speak for themselves. Amazing things can and do happen when health care professionals work closely with patients who are motivated to fight for their health, and who are willing to make the effort to do what's required.
We all have a different journey. But at the end of life, if you can claim peace within yourself, without being consumed by doubts, regrets and loneliness, you'll find that your life has meaning. That's what all this talk of healing is about—experiencing acceptance, peace, love, joy, and compassion.
That's it.