I often point out the importance of taking care of oneself. I recently visited with a woman for whom it was a matter of survival. She had a cancer arising from the throat and participated in an aggressive program involving daily radiation for six weeks in conjunction with weekly chemotherapy. The side effects of this treatment can be devastating in terms of weakness, fatigue and a decrease in quality of life. The patient lived close enough to our facility that she could have driven in each day. However, she had the insight to shift the odds in her favor and do everything possible for a cure.
She resigned her academic positions. She told her husband and young family, "I love you, but you're on your own because I'm in the greatest fight of my life." She rented a room in a hotel near the treatment facility, ordered nutritious meals, worked out as she was able, and focused on getting at least eight to 10 hours of sleep a night.
As of the last checkup, the patient appears to be cancer free. Which of these actions saved her life? I don't know, but I do know that she maximized the healing potential of treatment by taking care of herself.
Likewise, when you are injured or tired, when you anticipate a stressful time in your life, a light bulb should go on reminding you to: slow down, focus and eliminate distractions.
What did I miss? What advice do you have to share?
参考译文:
我常提到健康的重要性。近日我与一个妇人谈及健康。对她来说这是关乎生死的话题。她是一名癌症患者,曾连续六周接受放射性治疗和化疗。这种疗法的的副作用是毁灭性的,表现为体质虚弱,疲乏无力,和生命衰减。那时我们住得很近,可以随时来往。她洞悉一切般的改变了自己的生活,并为治疗做着一切准备。
首先她辞去了在学院的职位,告诉她的丈夫和家人说,“我爱你们,但是你们要靠自己了,因为我正在为我的人生全力以赴。”然后她在治疗中心附近的旅馆租了一所房子。接下来的日子她订了营养丰富的饮食,如同健康人一样参加工作,每天睡8到10个小时。
最后一次检查发现,这个病人竟然痊愈了。我不清楚到底是哪个环节救了她, 但我知道,她通过好好照顾自己,把治愈的可能性最大化了。
同样的道理,在你疲惫或受伤,当你充满压力的时候,你应该灵光一现:减速,集中精神,并且消除焦虑。
我还有什么遗漏了吗?你还有建议一起分享吗?