JoJo mentioned the above topic, and I had never heard of THESE commndments so a trusty web search revealed the following list. I thought there may be others who had not seen this previously. FYI

Donna


The Ten Commandments for Cancer Survival -
by Paul H. Klein

1. Thou shalt regard the word, "Cancer", as exactly that: a word. Nothing more, nothing less. For its original meaning has changed mightily over the years, as have such words as Smallpox, TB, and Polio, all once dreaded ailments, now non-existent as maladies. And thus, too, shall go thy Cancer. The answer shall come to those who shall be present to hear it. Be present to hear it when it comes.

2. Thou shalt love thy chemotherapy, thy radiation, and thy other treatments even as thyself, for they are thy friends and champions. Although they may exact a toll for their endeavors, they are oft most generous in the favors they bestow.

3. Thou shalt participate fully in thy recovery. Thou shalt learn all the details of thy ailment, its diagnosis, its prognosis, its treatments, conventional and alternative. Thou shalt discuss them openly and candidly with thy oncologist and shalt question all thou do not comprehend. Then, thou shalt cooperate intelligently, and knowledgeably with thy doctor.

4. Thou shalt regard thy ailment as a temporary detour in thy life and shalt plan thy future as though this detour had not occurred. Thou shalt never, at no time, no how, regard thy temporary ailment as permanent. Thou shalt set long-term goals for thyself. For thou will verily recover and your believing so will contribute mightily to thy recovery.

5. Thou shalt express thy feelings candidly and openly to thy loved ones for they, too, are stricken. Thou shalt comfort and reassure them for they, too, needest comforting and reassurance, even as thou doest.

6. Thou shalt be a comfort to thy fellow-cancerites, providing knowledge, encouragement, understanding and love. You shalt give them hope where there may be none, for only in hope lies their salvation. And by doing so, thou providest comfort for thyself, as well.

7. Thou shalt never relinquish hope, no matter how thou may feelest at that moment, for thou knowest, in the deep recesses of thy heart, that thy discouragement is but fleeting and that a better day awaits thee, perhaps tomorrow, perhaps the day after tomorrow - but certainly it shall come.

8. Thou shalt not regard thy ailment as the sum total of thy life but as merely a part of it. Fill your life with other diversions, be they mundane, daring, altruistic, or merely amusing. To fill your life with your ailment is to surrender to it.

9. Thou shalt maintain, at all times and in all circumstances, thy sense of humor, for laughter lightens thy heart and hastens thy recovery. This is not an easy task, sometimes seemingly impossible, but it is a goal well worth the endeavor.

10. Thou shalt have enduring and unassailable faith, whether thy faith be in a Supreme Being, in Medical Science, in Thy Future, in Thyself, or in Whatever. Steadfastly sustain thy faith for it shall sustain thee.

Thank you, Donna, for sharing the entire "Commandments".

I was focused on the two (#4 and #10) particularly for Brandy's concerns, but you're right, it is worthwhile to share the entire Ten Commandments for Cancer Survival to everyone in this Forum.

The first time I read this was while I was waiting in the clinic of my Chemo Onco, during my first-ever visit with a doctor to schedule my chemo sessions. It was encouraging, to say the least, reading this.

Jojo

Absolutely Jojo - thank you for bringing it to our attention. I'm sure many will find that right phrase to help them cope just that much better.

Donna

I read this at Ohio State in the Cancer Center and had forgotten about them, Thanks fo posting these for us. Ole Troubles Jim LOL

I think this list of 10 Commandments for Cancer Survival should be handed out to all diagnosed with cancer. I had never heard of it before. Thanks for sharing it Donna.

Thanks for sharing. I sometimes forget to check my attitude - this helps a lot.

Marlene