“the
closeness of death brought about an awakening and a disclosure of life and its
value among the women (with breast cancer). Life suddenly becomes more beautiful,
valuable and worth fighting for. The transformation of one’s life
perspective seemed to encourage introspection, resulting in an increased
awareness of personal needs and desires as well as of the meaning of
life. But it also places greater demands on a person to make certain
resolutions, accept greater responsibility for his/her life and to be true to
oneself. The struggle to adopt a new and less limited life paradigm based on
desires and values requires creativity, courage, and creative forces and could
be seen as a sign of the person’s ability to live in health. Supportive relationships
are of decisive importance in the individual’s struggle for a new life. When
one’s previous life style and habits or lack of support prevented the
realization of one’s new resolves, suffering resulted and the patient felt as
if she was stuck in a rut. To be in the flood of renewed openness and
awareness of existence truly challenges the person’s expansive and creative
forces.
From a caring perspective the question
must be raised: are those of us working in health care aware of the width of
experiences and depth of suffering of our patients? In an awareness of the
dialectic between life and death, meaning and meaninglessness that the patients
are living under, it is important that the creative forces the patients are
developing are understood and supported to help detection of sources of
strength and a desire to live. The patient’s increased openness to her own
needs and desires are a valuable aid in the effort to improve her health.
Patients can achieve a balance through an open attitude towards life and
death. It is necessary that nurses [ * ALL HEALTH-CARE PROFESSIONALS * ]
have the courage to enter a caring encounter and support their patient’s inner
demands for authenticity. Nurses need as well to adopt a view of the necessity
of seeing their suffering patients’ creative struggle for balance and health.
In the dialectic, the contradictions and the struggle itself is a hidden
potential for health.”
Arman M, Rehnsfeldt A. Living with breast cancer - a challenge to
expansive and creative forces. Eur J Cancer Care 2002; 11(4): 290-6.
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| Photo: mythyk www.dpreview.com |
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