You Will Feel Better About Yourself and Your Illness

We all hate feeling powerless. We hate feeling like we are not in control.

And yet one of the first overwhelming emotions that many of us experience when we are told we have cancer is a feeling of powerlessness. One way to dispel that feeling is to take control when and where you can. (It also helps to learn to "let go" in situations where you have no control, sometimes a harder lesson.)

In addition, if you stand up for yourself you will enjoy a better quality of life while you are in cancer treatment—regardless of the medical outcome of your treatment. You will be happier, and you will feel more in control of your life, when you speak up for yourself and when you know you are being heard and your wishes are considered important.

Choosing a doctor and a medical team who listen to you and treat you with respect can contribute enormously to your quality of life. It takes assertiveness to find the right team for you and to establish the type of relationship you want with them. I've just recently had to choose a new doctor, when my medical oncologist of eight years moved to Arizona, so I know what I'm talking about. It was an incredibly tough experience, and I'll be writing about it soon.

@ Jeanne Sather 2006