Cancer and Faith
Two of the most talked about topics of the today, brought together as one. I was actually at a loss of what to write about, but Cure magazine came in the mail a couple of days ago, and an article about keeping the faith during cancer treatments really interested me. It talks about different cancer patients that leaned on their faith to get them through the difficult times, and even the good times. According to the article faith is defined as “a perceived comfort derived from a connection to something to something larger than one’s self and was correlated with existing measures of religiosity.” (Latour, 2010)
Two of the most talked about topics of the today, brought together as one. I was actually at a loss of what to write about, but Cure magazine came in the mail a couple of days ago, and an article about keeping the faith during cancer treatments really interested me. It talks about different cancer patients that leaned on their faith to get them through the difficult times, and even the good times. According to the article faith is defined as “a perceived comfort derived from a connection to something to something larger than one’s self and was correlated with existing measures of religiosity.” (Latour, 2010)
All my life I attended church, and was taught to keep my faith during the difficult times. I assumed that I had a great relationship with God, and my faith was strong, but that all changed when I heard the doctor say they were 93% sure that my mom had cancer, and when they confirmed it my faith was shattered. My mom was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer, and the doctors and social workers were preparing me for the final moments. Instead of leaning on my church family, I turned to people outside the church to get me through the most difficult part of my life. I met two of the greatest people ever, who would help build my faith and my relationship with God back up, and the lowest moments didn’t seem to be as bad. It has been two years and my mom is still here, and I know that there is someone higher looking over her.
Spending six hours, three days a week, every other week for two years getting chemo treatments, you get to know each other really well. In the beginning it amazed me just how many people relied on their faith to get them through some of the darkest and scariest parts of their lives. They know that no matter what happens here on earth there is a better place awaiting them. One of my favorite people at chemo said it best when she said “if it wasn’t for my faith in God, I don’t think I could get out of bed in the morning.” Now, it doesn’t surprise me at all, I understand now how to use my faith to deal with my new reality.
A survey conducted my Cure magazine shows that 73% of cancer patients polled grew spiritually because of their cancer diagnosis. (Latour, 2010). Also the survey showed that 87% of the people had a religious or spiritual belief system when they were diagnosed. (Latour, 2010)
References
Latour, K. (2010, Spring). Keeping the Faith. Cure , pp. 44-48.
This is a very important topic. One that can pull many emotions from a wide variety of different people. Cancer knows no boundaries and no status levels. You are a courageous, giving individual. Good luck and keep the faith.
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