Most people have probably heard of the saying “is your glass half empty or half full”. If you said ‘half empty’, you are said to have more of a pessimistic view on life; if you said ‘half full’, you tend to have more of an optimistic or positive outlook.
Personally I would go for half full every time. However, I don’t think a positive outlook actually means you permanently wear ‘rose tinted glasses’ and act like everything is fine. I think it just means you approach potentially negative situations in a more positive and productive way. I agree that sometimes it’s hard not to veer into negative thoughts or actions from time to time – I’m human after all! However, I do believe it’s dangerous to be continuously in ‘half empty mode’ as it can potentially have a detrimental effect on your health both physical and mental.
When I was first diagnosed with Neuroendocrine Cancer in 2010, I experienced a whole range of emotions from shock, disbelief and anger followed by grudging acceptance. You can read more about this here: http://wp.me/p4AplF-1W However, those emotions were quickly followed by what I can only describe as determination, tenacity, strength of character and rock solid willpower to face what was in front of me. I cracked on with work as if nothing had happened with only a select few knowing my issue – that was the way I wanted it. I was very much in glass ‘half full mode’. The work took my mind off the cancer whilst I was put through an extraordinary amount of tests and pre surgical treatment (Neuroendocrine Cancer/Carcinoid patients will know exactly what I mean!). Eventually I had taken so much time off for tests and treatment that my secret was out, but as I was about to embark on major surgery and potentially months and months off work, the secret had to be exposed in any case! Not sure what worried me most, the fact that I had cancer or that people now knew the invincible Ronny Allan was not superman after all :-)
After major surgery and a 19 day stay in hospital, I set myself a target to be back at work in 6 weeks – eyebrows were raised. I met this target. In hindsight though, I took a gamble. I was in no fit state to go back to work, I was weak, I was gaunt, I was unfit, my body was still healing. However, the applause I received at work was as good as any of the other medicines I was receiving.
Since then I have made it my mission to keep my mind busy and to stay positive despite having something which is currently not curable. That’s not to say I don’t have bad periods and am 100% physically and mentally coping. As I said above, a glass half full outlook means you can approach potentially negative situations in a more positive and productive way. Like many other Neuroendocrine Cancer patients, I have numerous side effects of both the cancer and the treatment. As a 58 year old, I also have numerous aches, pains and ailments that most people of this age tend to suffer from and it would be too easy to tie all of these in with my cancer.
I’ve spoken to quite a few Neuroendocrine Cancer patients and I try to find out how they cope. I also do this by reading the blogs or websites of cancer patients and if I feel inspired, I will follow their blog or subscribe to their site. Some people tell me they avoid facebook sites or other ‘forum’ mechanisms as they are sometimes too negative and depressing. I know what they mean and have at times been tempted to disengage. However, I’m conscious that some people are very worried about their condition, particularly during the diagnostic phase or pre-treatment. As a 4 year survivor, I’ve learned to filter out or at least try to understand the negatives and I always attempt to inject some positivity and hope into a thread. I’m conscious that my own personal experience is not universal and I would never dream of suggesting that my opinions be substituted for someone else’s. However, I hope that for some people, they can relate to what I have said and take comfort from the fact that there is light at the end of the tunnel even if it currently looks some distance away!
Finally, I am a strong believer that having a positive attitude is potentially life extending for a cancer patient. My glass is half full!
Ronny
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