Spiritual Coping and Cancer

[clearhealthinn]

Do you have religious or spiritual beliefs or practices that help you cope with your disease? Do you think its important to have beliefs or certain practices when battling cancer? Do you think that practicing religion elevates healing in general?

“Religious and spiritual values are important to patients coping with cancer.

Both spirituality and religion have different meanings for different people. Often Religion is defined as a specific set of beliefs and practices, within an organized group. Spirituality can be recognized as a sense of peace, purpose, and connection. Spirituality differs from religion in that is can be found within and outside of organized religions. Most people identify with being either spiritual, religious or a combination of both.

Many patients with cancer turn to spirituality or religion to assist them cope with their disease, this is often referred to as spiritual coping. Many family members of those battling cancer and their care givers also rely on spiritual beliefs and practises.
In some cases it has been shown that therapies that support the spiritual well-being in very ill patients helps improve their quality of life.

Illness, and hardships can often lead people to have religious doubts. Mild cases In some cases patients go through spiritual distress, and feel as though they are being punished by a higher power.

Spirituality is a large part of alternative health. Many of the therapies offered are proven to increase immunity, aid in relieving depression and anxiety. Light, aroma, and sound therapy all help clients to reconnect with themselves spiritually, mentally and emotionally. Studies have shown cancer patients who participate in natural alternative practices as well as western medicine practices showed an increase in over well being.”

[marysue]

I went through what I call a “spiritual crisis” when I was first diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2008. I had just come through a really rough decade of family issues, major financial issues and problems, losing my mother-in-law to lung cancer, my father was battling prostate cancer, Alzheimers and skin cancer all at once. My diagnosis was the “straw that broke the camel’s back” so to speak.

I was so angry at God for “allowing” the diagnosis on top of everything else. To this day, I credit Him with protecting me from a complete mental break down. However, I was so angry that I cast God aside for quite a while. I was raised in a religious neutral home – no practices or particular beliefs. I became a Christian because of the fact that I went to public school at a time when prayer and bible reading were still the order of the day. I had some really good Christian believing teachers that answered a lot of questions. I still didn’t attend any particular church. I converted to Catholicism after I married and we raised our 4 kids in the church. I was what I considered a non-practicing Catholic at the time of my diagnosis. I no longer felt comfortable with being part of the church but still held onto many of the beliefs. That changed with my diagnosis. I honestly did feel like I was being punished and didn’t know what for.

I set my beliefs aside and looked into other religions and spiritual practices for answers. I never did and probably should have consulted some clerical person. I term 2009 “the year of wandering in the wilderness”. In 2009, I discovered a version of the Bible called “The Recovery Bible” at my local library. I found it interesting to read because of all the notations that explained about the problems people face. It mostly was referring to addiction issues but I found that I could apply the principles to recovery from illness as well. I did a lot of self-exploration and reading of who I was, how did I get here etc. basically starting from ground zero. “The Artist’s Way” course by Julia Cameron helped me figure myself out and get me back on track. I have read lots of various material on alternative healing methods as well. So, I think that I’ve come full circle and now as a result of all my “studying” and “research” I’m back to my basic Christian beliefs but have incorporated some new things that are very meaningful. I now think of myself as a “spiritual Christian” rather than one in the traditional sense.

Had I not gone through this crazy process, I don’t think I would have experienced the healing process that I did. For me the bladder cancer journey was a much a mental, spiritual, psychological and emotional one as it was physical.

I feel this journey helped me let go of a lot of anger that I was holding on to. I learned to forgive others and have also let go of a lot of deep seated fears. I’m not afraid of new challenges like before. All in all with all the changes I’ve made, I consider it basically a 180 degree turn. I feel that I’m less judgemental and have a much better understanding of people and how they tick. Things don’t bug me like they used to. I have also learned how to set boundaries and stand up for myself.

I have talked to many cancer survivors of all stripes and diagnosis and many have said they had experiences similar to mine. The cancer journey often is very enlightening and enriching but it is not the way most of us would choose to gain this experience. ((((((HUGS)))))

[Author]

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