ROJoson’s Advices on How to Deal with Cancer
(ROJoson TPORs – Thoughts, Perceptions, Opinions and Recommendations)
A blueprint for the next 12 years (2020 to 2032) – Part of ROJoson Phase 2 Intentional Living Plan
Advices (TPORs) to ROJoson Cancer Crusaders with focus on how to deal with the PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESSES of cancer in the various phases of cancer journey but to include a phase of preparedness for cancer development (meaning how to prepare to deal PSYCHOLOGICALLY before one develops a cancer since cancer can affect anybody).
Disclaimer: Will try to avoid specific and absolute advices on the physical treatment of cancer (both conventional medical and non-conventional treatment) as much as possible.
The premises that I will be using for my ADVICES:
Group 1 Premises (World of Cancer and Psychosocial Therapy and Support)
· Living a life with cancer is a journey into the world of cancer.
· The cancer world is full of uncertainties, such as unknown specific causes; always with the possibility of recurrences after treatment; and not knowing the mode and time of exit, to name a few.
· The journey or voyage is rough, with unquantifiable physical pains and psychological distresses.
· Psychological distresses are in the long run more difficult to manage than physical pains.
· There is a need to reinforce the management of psychological distresses in cancer patients in their cancer journey.
Group 2 Premises (Human Existence and Life Living)
· No human beings live forever. All human beings will die. The longest lifespan recorded so far is 124 years in a French woman, Jeanne Calment, 1875 – 1997.
· Nobody can predict when death will occur.
· Nobody can predict how death will occur.
· The global or holistic aims of intentional living is to be as healthy as much as possible; to be productive; to have a peace of mind; to be contented; to enjoy life; to be happy; to reach the realistic longevity targets; and to be ready to face curtain calls (death).
Group 3 Premises (Cancer Realities)
· Cancer can affect ANYBODY.
· Cancer can affect ANY organ in the body.
· VERY OFTEN, the specific cause of a cancer in a particular patient CANNOT BE DETERMINED.
· There is NO ABSOLUTE guarantee of cure in all cancers after treatment of any kind as there is always a possibility of recurrence.
· The aim is COMPLETE REMISSION which means no signs of cancer recurring after treatment.
· The best chance for COMPLETE REMISSION is early consult, early diagnosis and early and correct treatment.
Group 4 Premises (ROJoson Personal Disclosure and Disclaimer)
· I have a limit in my capacity as a coach – I confess I don’t know everything. The best that I can give is my TPORs (Thoughts, Perceptions, Opinions and Recommendations) based on my more than 40 years of experience in managing cancer patients.
· I confess I cannot cure everybody of their cancers. I can only do so much to the best of my ability but I adhere to this realistic and compassionate aphorism in medicine: CURE SOMETIMES, PALLIATE OFTEN, AND COMFORT ALWAYS.
· I am a MINIMALIST physician as opposed to MAXIMALIST and RITUALIST physicians. RITUALIST physicians are those who make medical management decisions based on HABITS and not mainly on CRITICAL ANALYSIS. MAXIMALIST physicians are those who institute medical management that includes a lot of things that are NOT essential and needed by a patient in health restoration and maintenance. MINIMALIST physicians (to which I categorize myself) are those who institute medical management that includes only which are essential and needed by a patient in health restoration and maintenance.
· I use my ROJoson PATIENT MANAGEMENT PROCESS in which there is a structured and systematic way of coming out with a clinical diagnosis as a starting point of problem solving and decision-making; then deciding on indications and types of additional diagnostic tests to be done using benefit-risk-cost-availability analysis; then deciding on the most cost-effective treatment. There is always an extensive explanation to the patients and relatives on the findings, diagnosis and recommendations. After the recommendations, there is extensive discussion and patients and relatives are allowed to make decision without coercion.
· I am a HOLISTIC physician in the sense that, although I am not a psychiatrist, I provide psychological and psychosocial therapy and support to all patients who seek my medical services.
ROJ@20dec17