Surviving Mesothelioma and Other Forms of Cancer

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People with mesothelioma need to hear about success stories—about others who have survived mesothelioma and other forms cancer.  In addition, they deserve to know that there are things that they can do that will affect their disease in a positive manner. And finally, people with mesothelioma need to learn how to laugh and how to foster the will to live.

The Wonderful Healing Power of Humor

Humor helps in the healing process by bolstering the immune system. 

Not only this, but having a sense of humor can positively influence the healing process.  Here's a real-life example of the importance of laughter and a sense of humor.  

"Your outlook will make a huge difference," my doctor told me, so I decided to do a lot of laughing.  For instance, I could either laugh or cry about being bald.  I chose to laugh. 

My husband Michael is a fuzzy teddy bear type of guy. One day we were both walking by the bathroom mirror, and I said, "Honey, look! It's cue ball and fur ball." 

During this time, I also watched numerous old funny movies and reruns-anything to keep me laughing.  No, cancer's not funny, but life often is, and humor is healing.

Foster the Will to Live and a Determination to Fight Cancer

There are four steps needed in order to foster the will to live and a determination to fight cancer, while maintaining a realistic quality of life.

STEP 1: Curse it.  It's absolutely normal and healthy to be angry about the situation.  Anyone afflicted by cancer, any cancer of any grade of severity, is going to be in a rage about it, whether he or she is aware of this or not.

Anger and rage are energy and, as such, must be discharged lest they become destructive to others or to oneself, creating such secondary maladies as depression, withdrawal, emotional paralysis, or even suicide.

STEP 2: Bear it.  Face the truth, no matter how grim it appears.  This requires ruthless avoidance of all denial, wishful thinking, "woe is me" attitude (feeling or playing the victim of an unjust destiny), or blame of oneself for "having brought the disease upon myself." 

It's paramount that negative thinking be avoided.  To the physical cancer, negativity adds an emotional malignancy and must not be tolerated.

STEP 3: Combat it.  Having faced and accepted your condition and its implications, you have to set out to optimize your chance of recovery--physically and emotionally. Find the best possible medical treatment rather than going with what's easily available, convenient, or suggested by well-meaning friends and relatives or on some of the commercial websites on the Internet. 

Step 4: Laugh at it.  Many individuals who work with cancer patients reflect on the therapeutic significance of laughter and a good sense of humor.  A good giggle can make a patient feel better, both emotionally and physically.  Laughter has the ability to temporarily make cancer pains less noticeable. 

A Mesothelioma Survivor

In June 1997, Mr. Kraus was diagnosed with mesothelioma (a "terminal" cancer) and given only a few months to live.  More than eight years later, he is alive with a good quality of life having rejected surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.  He took an alternative approach to healing his cancer that encompassed mind, body, and spirit.

According to Mr. Kraus, "In my eighth year after diagnosis I remain well.  I have outlived my prognosis by at least seven years and the medical specialist I visited not long ago told me that 'you will be around for a lot longer yet.' 

My survival has been hard work.  The underlying assumption with all that I have done, and continue to do, is a strong belief that our bodies are designed with amazing self-healing capacities."

Alternative Cancer Treatments

According to Bob Davis, "I am a survivor of an extensive and 'incurable' cancer.  In 1996, I was dismissed by conventional medicine and left on my own.  I discovered the world of alternative cancer treatments, a world that I didn't know existed.  In just 10 days from the start of treatment, I was symptom free."

"Usually the time is longer than that, taking two months or so for those who are able to apply an effective treatment to achieve full remission.  I was a fortunate exception.  Since that time I have devoted my time and resources to finding and offering safe, effective and inexpensive alternative cancer treatments."

Surviving Mesothelioma and Other Forms of Cancer:  Conclusion

People with mesothelioma need to hear about success stories—about others who have survived mesothelioma and other forms cancer.  

Furthermore, they deserve to know that there are things that they can do that will affect their disease in a positive manner and they need to learn how to laugh and how to foster the will to live. 

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