Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
GulfWeekly’s columnist Preety Praveen explores the topic ‘The impact of cancer on the mental health of individuals and families living with or battling the disease’, encouraging a positive mindset and emotional support.
We all wish to have a nice day, doing productive things, laughing at a silly joke, and having a sound sleep. None of us want to break this sweet bubble and think of something unpleasant or unpredictable to happen to us or to anyone who is close to our hearts.
Our lives take a 180-degree turn when it comes to health issues. These days, untimely food habits, daily busy routines and stressful lives have become normal and acceptable. And that, I believe, has eventually decreased the gap between diseases and age group. In the past, cardiac arrest was generally prevalent among those aged above 50, now even people in their 30s are affected.
Some health conditions are curable at any point of time, but then there is cancer, and its treatment and outcome depend on the stage when it is detected.
Cancer affects people physically, and the mental trauma of going through the treatment takes away the willpower and positivity as well - not only from the individual battling the disease, but also from their near and dear ones.
The agonising journey starts from the day a person comes to know that they’re suffering from cancer. The ordeal continues as they go through various tests, chemotherapy and surgery, in fact, the agony never ends.
Fear of survival, living a normal life, freedom from medications, anxiety over the possibility of a relapse ... these factors may never allow a patient, or their family, to laugh wholeheartedly during this difficult phase.
A more tormenting situation is for the people who have to take care of their dear ones. Keeping a constant smile, showing a positive attitude, showering encouraging words are no less painful than going through the disease itself.
There’s a saying, ‘Willpower works better than medicine’. And it is true.
It’s unfortunate if someone has to go through this unpleasant phase, but fortunate ones are those who show strong willpower, surrender themselves in the hands of their qualified doctors, take care of their medications, believe in themselves and have the courage to give their lives a second chance.
All this isn’t easy as it seems to be, but undoubtedly possible with a positive mindset and willingness to live.
Family members play a vital role in building up this confidence and courage. Their love and care build a strong bridge between one’s health and the treatment one’s going through.
The most important factor is timely and regular health check-ups. While we plan and prepare for holiday trips every year, we should also set time aside for a visit to hospital. It’s not something we would look forward to, but it definitely should be done without excuses.
I recently got chance to talk to a few cancer survivors and this is what they said:
l I survived because I wanted to survive.
lMy family’s love kept me pushing and here I am today, healthy and smiling.
lIt was painful, but I defeated that pain with my willpower.
lDon’t fear the disease, fear losing in front of it. I’m not only a survivor, but I’m also a winner; because I defeated it.
Never forget … “Tough times never last but tough people do.”
(Preety Praveen is a psychologist and author.)
