Power of Positive Thinking

bclibrary

HI all - still have chemo brain ad don't know how to include my diagnosis and treatment on my page.....Anyway, I am in Stage III now (found 16/17 cancerous lymphnodes...), had chemo, 2 surgeries, and now arou d 1/3 through radiation.

I just wanted to ask ll your wonderful "old timer Stage III ladies" if you have a routine to keep positive and in the day like meditation, etc. I strted listening to Bernie Segal (some of you will remember this Dr from the 70's and 80's) who is a true believer how being positive helps recovery.

I was aastounded at how negative my ONCOLOGIST and SURGEON were about my Stage III diagnosis. I still have to fill out the hospital questionnaires and will mention this -- Of course I thought of all of these comments/replies I could have given afger leaving my appt. I would be the one to say "Well, I have heard a lot of success stories about women with my same diagnosis" and would here things such as "Yes, but there's also a good chance it will spread, too...." or "Well....anything can happen though...." My blood pressure is rising just by thinking about it.

I LOVE that this forum has started so I can come on here and get another shot/whif of hope, joy, and positvity!!

Thank you all to post here!!

Kicks

None of my Drs were 'negative' to me. It wasn't being Stage III that was a 'concern' but being IBC that was. They were very honest but never negative. When I hit a yr post DX and was NED, they all told me that they hadn't expected me to make it a yr - fooled them.. This Aug will be 8yrs since DX and still NED. My TX plan was not what most will do - I did neoadjuvant Chemo, UMX, adjuvant Chemo, rads - not what most do but worked for me and makes a lot of sense.

I have (and did) all my life in live every minute/day/month/etc. to the utmost possible - no matter what that is!

(If I remember correctly it was Dr/Rev Norman Vincent Peale who 'coined' the term 'Power of PositiveThinking' as the title of his 1952 book. 'Positive Thinking' was also used in the titles of other books he wrote.)

I refuse to dwell in the land of Negativity!

YATCOMW

I am out 13 years as of last week.......I totally understand what doctor's have said as they said it to me too......my surgeon was the worst....he honestly should not be seeing patients.....he should be in a research lab somewhere....

Music was my go to......I had certain songs that I could listen to which helped me get out of the funk......you can see a list of other songs in one of the stage III threads.

Other than that I tried to plan a trip with my husband and children......something I could look forward to as often as possible. It distracted me at the same time building memories with my family if anything did go sideways with me.

There are a lot of people doing well......drugs are so much better......don't understand all the doom and gloom some doctors have.....I traveled the US until I found a positive oncologist in Texas (I live in Florida). Best thing I ever did in this journey.

Surround yourself with positive people, good music and family......that's all anyone can do quite frankly no matter where you are in life;)

Jacqueline

Denise-G

My entire medical team was always hopeful to me.  In fact, my surgeon after telling me about my Stage 3, Her 2 Pos, 14 pos node diagnosis, looked me in the eye and said "We can cure you."  I had those words painted on my dining room wall in 9 inch high letters.  I didn't believe her at the time, but I do now. 

It got me through treatment.  They are still a mantra and a prayer to me!!  I look at them all the time and thank God for them!

Find what works for YOU!