The support of others is perhaps never more vital than when we are sick. This allows you to feel cared for in very practical ways especially when you can’t take care of things as you did when you were healthy. When we are surrounded by loved ones the feeling of being loved releases a flood of potent hormones into our bloodstreams which helps the body heal itself. Some people are surprised by the love effecting them so but others were surprised by the amount of love unexpectedly showered upon them, not only by close friends and family but also by long-lost friends or sometimes even people they barely knew. Dane Silva, a kahuna healer from Hawaii sees love as a high-frequency energy that helps the sick person clear out any energetic blockages and restore balance to his or her bodily systems.
Studies have demonstrated that having social connections is more beneficial than exercise, diet or negatively, drinking and smoking. A person with a cancer diagnosis with strong social connections is likely to significantly lengthen their survival time by an average of 25 percent. Joining support groups, either in person or online, connects you with others who are going through similar emotional and physical challenges. There is tremendous benefit to feeling like you are not going through your cancer experience alone. Some people can do this with just family and friends providing support but others really need others who know from their own experience what it is like.
One survivor put it this way, “Cancer was one of the best experience of my life. I learned so much, including one of the major ways I said no to life. I learned that people love. People love to love. It’s inherent in our DNA. They look for opportunities to give but reciprocity requires that there is a receiver for that love to flow. So, I learned how to receive love.” We are blessed by having a strong and vibrant community of family and friends from present to past and from near to far. The Caring Bridge site has been a wonderful way to stay in touch along the way and getting together for a walk, or coffee or getting an encouraging email has been a life savior. I’m deeply grateful for being held by those who love me.
My goals:
Embracing Social Support
Accept offers of walking/talking/engaging
Patient support group
Update January 1, 2016
Our community has been supportive and encouraging in so many ways. I hope to reach out more to be with others in meaningful ways. One avenue not yet explored is discovering a local support group for melanoma patients. I’ve been a pretty solitary and private person but my eyes have opened to how many wonderful people are out there. For me, accepting the bountiful support with gratitude has been transformative.