Facing Life

Abstract

People assume that working with physically ill patients must be morbid. “Isn’t it depressing?” is a question often asked. Yet most of the work, unless one specializes in terminal illness, is with those who need help in facing life. Because of advances in detection as well as treatment, many who previously would have died now have their illnesses cured or arrested (Cella & Tross, 1986; Clark, Hailstone, & Slade, 1979; Stone, 1975). For example, the five-year survival rate for all sites of cancer combined is more than 50% (National Cancer Institute, 1984). And recurrence is rare after five years for many types of cancer, including Hodgkin’s disease and testicular, endometrial, and cervical cancer.