There is a certain anatomy to emerging awareness that one has cancer. A frightful experience, only exacerbated by the stress, fear, and anxiety that inevitably accompanies this dreary process.

Once 'signs' develop, many fears are evoked. "What is this?' one may ask. "It's probably nothing serious" one may bargain. All the while, scared to death.

Ultimately one must go to the doctor. It is simply too much to manage without such. Yet, people put this off, and attempt their own newly discovered forms of lifestyle change. All in hopes of making this thing go away.

Never mind that they don't yet know what this thing is.

Doctor avoidance is usually about not wanting to confirm the worst fear. Cancer. Yet, to not get the diagnosis is to live in fear. And, to get the diagnosis is to open the door to possible resolution if the problem.

Once diagnosed, a patient goes through quite a process. Kubler-Ross describes the stages of grief well. Ultimately one comes face to face and to terms with their own mortality. This is important, and something that any counselor should usher their charges toward. In illness or health.

Finding peace with ones' possible terminal illness opens the door to starting to live life in a deeper and more meaningful way than the individual has to this point lived. Stopping to smell the flowers. Embracing the value of family and friends. Weaving an intricate dance of being and doing, all in the name of life.

The anatomy of the cancer diagnosis need not be a stranger to patients, nor medical and other helping persons. A more mindful approach to diagnosis of terminal illness will empower the patient to more effectively manage the stress and anxiety of such an experience.

deorre