As a psychologist (with stage 4 bowel cancer) I know that most of what we do is about talking to people who have problems and trying to make them feel better, but there is a movement min psychology, positive psychology, that tries to examine things from a more positive angle. Having cancer is not all bad, and it can be beneficial to try and look on the positive side. This might be difficult but it can make life easier and better. It is an approach that I try to take, though obviously it is not always possible. I find it helps that I do not fear death. Death is nothingness, a bit like before you are conceived. I do fear dying, and I don't want to die in pain, but that is another issue. Having a positive attitude means that - as far as possible - you can get on with doing the things in life you want to do. I like to drive and travel, but with chemotherapy I cannot practically leave the country. No matter, I am exploring the UK instead. I look at life as it is now rather than look into the future, which would be depressing. The main way I deal with all these problems is to write about it. I have a blog, and I have recently written a book (Applied Narrative Psychology, Cambridge UP) that focuses on the importance of having coherent stories about life. I initially developed these ideas working with British war veterans.
The blog is at this website if you wish to have a look. It is not all positive, it reflects my moods, how I am feeling, what I think about life and death, and some of the everyday things in life. It helps me a lot.
