As a psychologist, I recently came across a very exciting book by the author Emma Bombeck, the title is rather long and suggestive: I want to grow my hair out, I want to grow up, I want to go to Boise...a report book about kids who survived cancer.
The book was admittedly written with the intention to fill a gap in the professional palette: to finally have a work that approaches the subject of chronic, serious illness with humour and optimism.I read many moving and thought-provoking things in the 15 chapters, but I will highlight just one of them, which I heartily recommend to all chronically ill people for consideration.
Let's forget for a moment that the girl who wrote these lines was a cancer patient. That is not the point, it is her attitude to the disease, to treatment, to recovery, and the message contained in these few lines.
"I want everyone who has a serious, chronic illness to learn something useful from it. For me, the saddest thing is when someone goes through chemotherapy, surgery, drugs, side effects, and learns nothing about themselves. My cancer is a gift. "
Jessica, 19
Jessica was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 18, when she was a celebrated tennis player who was only a few days away from her prom.She says that her biggest worry at the time was what colour to paint her nails that day, but her personality has changed dramatically. That's what we call post-traumatic personality development.
Overcoming a major obstacle, trauma Jessica is now a university student, has written a book for teenage cancer patients and leads groups, healthy and happy. She can serve as an example for anyone, it can be done!:-)
I wish you all a nice week!
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