Journal Writing for Breast Cancer Patients : Healthymagination

BY Nelly Gupta ? POSTED October 27 2011 AT 11:52 am

Nelly Edmondson Gupta is a breast cancer survivor and health writer. She has written for many national publications, including the Ladies? Home Journal, Weight Watchers, the New York Times and Health Monitor Network.

Breast cancer. I feel numb; afraid? I wrote those words in my journal just hours after getting the diagnosis.

During the following weeks, I found myself pouring out my fears on paper: I?m so scared. I feel as if a bowl has covered my life, shutting me in, shutting out light?

As I moved through treatment, I wrote daily. Often, after pages of dark musings, something lighter would break through?today, the sun is shining and I am aware of a feeling of pleasure. Life is fragile and tenacious. Maybe accepting that duality is key to integrating cancer into my life?

By the time I finished treatment, I?d filled two notebooks. I also learned from researchers like James Pennebaker that getting my thoughts and feelings down on paper could improve my health and even strengthen my immunity.

Then I wanted to share what I had learned. ?Wouldn?t it be useful,? I said to friends, ?if there were a place people with cancer could go ? people who don?t make writing a regular habit ? to get the tools they need to tell their stories and explore their feelings??

It occurred to me that with my 20-plus years of experience as a health writer and editor, perhaps I could create such a place.

Three months later, I was at a cancer support organization leading my workshop, Write On! Twelve people had gathered with notebooks and pens. As they called out words ? nouns and action phrases that described their cancer experience, I wrote them on a large newsprint pad: Tumor, Biopsy, and Undergo surgery. I was surprised when some of the offerings were more upbeat: Courage, Gratitude and Pray.

Next, I instructed everyone to write the word or phrase that felt most personally meaningful at the top of a clean notebook page. ?Using that as a starting point,? I said, ?Write for 10 minutes. Don?t edit yourself, or worry about grammar or neatness. Just keep your pen moving, and trust yourself to go where you need to go.?

As I looked around the room and saw people battling the darkness with words, I realized that none of us has been destroyed. In some ways, in fact, we were stronger than ever.

Writing your cancer journey

You don?t have to be a ?good writer? to use writing as a healing tool. All you have to do is write. Here are some suggestions:

* Carry a notebook and pen in your pocketbook or briefcase so you can jot down experiences and feelings as they occur.

* During chemo sessions or when you?re waiting for appointments, use the time to write.

* Use your notebook to write down questions for your doctors ? and their answers.

CONNECT THE DOTS

To find out more about the benefits of expressive writing, check out the American Psychological Association, and this article from Advances in Psychiatric Treatment. You may also be interested in the healthymagination article, ?Journaling for Health and Peace of Mind.?

Source: http://www.healthymagination.com/blog/journal-writing-for-breast-cancer-patients/

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