[Ailist] How to stay positive with cancer?

Wed Nov 12 11:03:28 MST 2008

I want to thank everyone for their comments. I am truly grateful for
everyone's thoughts and suggestions.

Following, below, is content from a recent newsletter I sent out, on my
perspective of the positive side of this experience.

Michael L Schwartz, PE, PMP

President

Positive Concepts, Inc.

Phone: 248 828 7701

Fax: 248 828 7708

Email: MSchwartz at PositiveConcepts.biz

Web: www.PositiveConcepts.biz

Enhancing the positive.

 <http://positiveconcepts.biz/index.htm>  Positive Perspectives

In keeping with our philosophy that all events can have a positive aspect,
this issue of Positive Perspectives will have only one item. This is a
personal story, which I look at through a positive lens:

Cancer -- A positive experience

How, you may ask can Cancer be a positive experience?

In October 2007, I received a Cancer diagnosis. My first thought was: "Oh,
_____!!!! Just great. Wonderful. Fantastic. Just what I didn't need to have
happen."

Well, I got over my initial response. (The specific type of cancer is
irrelevant to this discussion.) It was discovered very early and was a very
slow growing and non-aggressive Cancer. I had several options: Surgery and a
variety of radiation methods. I also had the option of "Wait and Watch".
Being very early, Chemo was not an option for me. 

So, where's the positive part?

Aside from the fact that my treatment appears to be a success, (I chose a
High Dose Radiation treatment, for various reasons) there are several
positive experiences.

First, I found out just how devoted and loyal my wife is to me and how
strong our marriage is. She was with me at every doctor's visit. She stayed
with me, at my bedside, for the two days of hospitalization for my
Radiation. She waited on me, "hand and foot", while I recovered and regained
my strength at home. A very positive experience.

I came to appreciate every day of my life. I am much more appreciative of
all the "ordinary" things we all experience everyday and don't normally give
a thought to.

I am, overall, much calmer. I am much more able resolve difficulties and
conflicts without getting upset about them. Recognizing that getting upset
and angry solve nothing.

I recognize that every day is precious. 

I have a greater sense of urgency about the truly important things in life.
And, to understand what is really not very important.

I have met many wonderful people through the course of my treatment and
recovery that I would not otherwise have known. I do not use this platform
to promote any specific organization, but will make one exception here. When
I was diagnosed, I received some information about Gilda's Club. [Gilda's
Club was founded, following the death of Gilda Radner, by her husband, Gene
Wilder, and her brother, Michael Radner.] Gilda's Club is an absolutely
wonder support organization for anyone touched by Cancer. I have met, been
inspired by, and received great support other Cancer survivors, and the
staff at Gilda's Club - Metro Detroit.

Would I have chosen to have Cancer to experience all of this? - NO! But, now
that I have, I do recognize the positive affects it has had on my life and
my dealings with other people.

Can you find positive effects of seemingly negative events? - YES!

Thoughts to consider:

 <http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/39914.html> I always wanted a happy
ending... Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and
some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle and end. Life is about not
knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it
without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity. 

 -Gilda Radner 

 <http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/21642.html> I base my fashion taste on
what doesn't itch. 

- Gilda Radner 

 <http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/31676.html> While we have the gift of
life, it seems to me that only tragedy is to allow part of us to die -
whether it is our spirit, our creativity, or our glorious uniqueness. 

- Gilda Radner 

A strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder
drug. 
- Patricia Neal

Having a positive mental attitude is asking how something can be done rather
than saying it can't be done. 
- Bo Bennett

If you have a positive attitude and constantly strive to give your best
effort, eventually you will overcome your immediate problems and find you
are ready for greater challenges. 
- Pat Riley

For further information contact us at:
<mailto:Inquiry at PositiveConcepts.biz> Inquiry at PositiveConcepts.biz

To subscribe, reply to  <mailto:Newsletter at PositiveConcepts.biz>
Newsletter at PositiveConcepts.biz with "Subscribe" in the Subject. Please
include your contact information.

To unsubscribe, reply to  <mailto:Newsletter at PositiveConcepts.biz>
Newsletter at PositiveConcepts.biz with "Unsubscribe" in the Subject.

C 2008 Michael L Schwartz. All rights reserved. Sharing Positive
Perspectives is encouraged, in whole or in part, if copyright and
attribution are always included.

-----Original Message-----
From: ailist-bounces at lists.business.utah.edu
[mailto:ailist-bounces at lists.business.utah.edu] On Behalf Of Michael L.
Schwartz
Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2008 1:08 PM
To: ailist at lists.business.utah.edu
Subject: [Ailist] How to stay positive with cancer?

Hi all,

As a Cancer survivor, I regularly attend meetings at Gilda's Club. Gilda's

Club was set-up by Gene Wilder and Michael Radner, following the death of

Gilda Radner to cancer, as a place where anyone "touched by cancer" can go

for support.

In a recent Men's Group meeting, the subject of staying positive came up.

Two items in particular:

1.      How important a positive attitude is.

2.      How can we remain positive with all the "challenges" faced in

recovery.

I think an AI approach could help and I would like to do something of this

nature for my local Gilda's Club.

I am seeking any suggestions as to how to structure this.

The Men's Group typically has between 4 and 10 attendees, and meets for 2

hours.

Alternatively, this could be offered to all members of the local Gilda's. We

would still have about 2 hours. I have seen groups range from 6 to 30+.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Michael L Schwartz, PE, PMP

President

Positive Concepts, Inc.

Phone: 248 828 7701

Fax: 248 828 7708

Email: MSchwartz at PositiveConcepts.biz

Web: www.PositiveConcepts.biz

Enhancing the positive.

_______________________________________________

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