Hope is the last pillar of support. In clinical oncology, the author has observed that those who are disheartened, despairing, or lacking confidence in their recovery often do not live long. They may not necessarily die from cancer itself, but rather from a psychological crisis.
Because psychosomatic medicine research has long recognized that "hope" serves as the final point of survival support for individuals; without this support, even the most skilled physician would be powerless. Therefore, I have always told young doctors in professional training sessions that cancer treatment starts with treating the "mind."
The key to treating the mind is to instill confidence and belief in recovery.
Moreover, those who are overly anxious about their recovery, constantly monitoring their test results and counting down the days hoping for improvement, often face more difficulties and may not live as long. Why is this so?
Chronic stress is very severe.
They remain in a constant state of anxiety and restlessness, a condition now referred to as "chronic stress." Chronic stress further exacerbates internal functional dysregulation and can often promote the metastasis and recurrence of cancer.
Initially, everyone used the tapping to encourage one another, adhering strictly to the agreed-upon rhythm.
However, before long, some individuals began to break the rules, often using rapid tapping to vent their emotions, especially around holidays. More and more people joined in, tapping out of frustration, leading to a chaotic and unbearable noise within the prison. Over time, the number of people who died also increased...
Regarding this, Admiral Stockdale observed a pattern: those who had recently arrived in prison typically tapped with a slower, more moderate rhythm, and their probability of survival was much higher.
In contrast, those who had been imprisoned for longer periods, once their tapping rhythm became rapid and erratic, often did not survive much longer.
Thereafter, he frequently reminded his fellow prisoners to remain calm and pay attention to maintaining the rhythm of their tapping. He made an agreement with his companions that they would only tap on the wall at relatively fixed times each day, and everyone would tap peacefully and in order. This practice continued for hundreds of days, and indeed, after this, very few people died.
Therefore, I firmly advocate that when dealing with cancer, it is essential to have a firm belief and confidence in recovery or the possibility of living with the disease. However, it is equally important not to be overly hasty and seek quick results. Cancer is a chronic illness, and being too impatient with the desire for immediate effectiveness can often lead to counterproductive outcomes.
One must neither lose faith in the future nor be blindly optimistic!
It's important to practice positive self-suggestion while also understanding that "haste makes waste." A measured, persistent approach is necessary to achieve the best outcomes and ultimate success. This principle holds true universally.
The treatment and recovery from cancer are no exception!
