Creating Quality of Life While Responding to Major Illness by Susanne M. Alexander Note: The previously announced Relationship Teleseminar with myself and Coach Stephanie Wood has been postponed from March 3 to March 10, 2 p.m. Eastern, because I caught a virus. Please register to join us at http://bit.ly/wYclKm; Details atwww.marriagetransformation.com/speaking_upcoming.htm. From 2007 to 2009, I had the experience of being a caregiver through cancer with my late husband Craig Farnsworth. The experience tested the strength of our marriage. We deepened our love and connection throughout the challenges. Towards the end of Craig's life, we put down in writing the approach we used that we believed gave Craig greater quality of life and likely extended it as well. It helped us stay connected, and helped us connect to others. Our book, which details the approach, "Empowered Healing: Creating Quality of Life While Journeying with Cancer", is now available for purchase as a paperback book (www.marriagetransformation.com/EmpoweredHealing.htm). I've put some information below to encourage you to have an empowered approach to any issues you are dealing with in life. Susanne M. Alexander Overview of Empowerment What does an empowered patient look like? • Has a clear and effective voice with medical staff and caregivers • Makes choices that take into consideration quality and quantity of life • Takes a holistic approach to physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being • Engages with the 20 tools of a Fact-Based, Spirit-Guided approach (see below) • Requests help as needed and accepts help when provided What does an empowered caregiver look like? • Advocates and at times acts as the voice for the patient • Tunes into and helps provide what enhances quality and quantity of life for the patient • Becomes knowledgeable about medical conditions and choices • Provides emotional accompaniment for patient • Handles own holistic self-care What does an empowered healing team look like? • Maintains awareness of the holistic needs of the patient and caregiver • Listens to both the patient and the caregiver • Thinks creatively about what could work well • Engages in communicating with all team members and avoids working in isolation FACT-BASED CHOICES (Integrated with Spirit-Guided Choices) 1: Focus on Being Realistic 2: Seek Knowledge 3: Speak Up 4: Maximize Certainty 5: Choose Integrated Treatment 6: Create a Team 7: Improve the Process8: Ask for Help 9: Choose Where to Be 10: Communicate Well SPIRIT-GUIDED CHOICES (Integrated with Fact-Based Choices) 1: Engage in Prayer 2: Meditate and Visualize 3: Seek Inspiration 4: Experience the Arts 5: Strive to Be Your Best 6: Serve Others 7: Build Unity Through Compl eting and Connecting 8: Expand Love 9: Feel Happy 10: Die (and Live) Consciously "There is a pattern to the personality of long-term survivors. They demonstrate action, wisdom, and devotion in their response to cancer and seek personal empowerment. Empowered Healing coaches and helps you to create a quality of life that gives your body the message to live. When you love your life, your body shows its love too." ~ Bernie Siegel, MD, best-selling author of Love, Medicine & Miracles, Faith, Hope & Healing, and Help Me to Heal,www.berniesiegelmd.com Copyright 2012 Marriage Transformation LLC Marriage Transformation LLC 25241 Chatworth Drive Cleveland, OH 44117 USA 216-255-9301 or 800-501-6682 (US & Can) www.marriagetransformation.com www.bahaimarriage.NET |