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3rd Results of Dream/cancer Survey
You will be as surprised as I am at the 3rd results.
After the statistics, I will present your comments, your healing advice, your amazing strength! You offer a powerful image and role model to your loved ones, friends and now to the Internet around the world.
| Male: | 14% |
| Female: | 86% |
| 50+ years of age | 30% |
| 40-49 years of age | 22% |
| 30-39 years of age | 22% |
| 20-29 years of age | 22% |
| 13-19 years of age | 4% |
Occupations:
Two factors are apparent from the following: 1). Although stress may be a factor, the range of occupations does not narrow down which job is more stressful; but 2). 26% of the respondents are in the medical field.
artist
at home mother/homemaker
insurance underwriter
law enforcement
management
management consultant
physician
process mistress
R.N.
R.N. - Administrator
real estate agent
retired
secretary
student
teacher
white collar
writer
Emotions: Who survives cancer - the Giver or the Taker?
I have my own strong personal opinion, but I would really appreciate your answer to this question. Please e-mail me or leave a message in the Conversation Room.
Locations:
| 59% | - suburban |
| 18% | - urban |
| 23% | - rural (same percentage as Survey #2) |
70%...view dreams as the subconscious
27%...view dreams as ESP
27%...believe dreams foretell the future
91%...believe dreaming is a way of dealing with reality (down from 93% in Survey #2)
64%...Do NOT write down their dreams
77%...remember their dreams (same % as Survey #2)
77%...discuss their dreams with others (same % as Survey #2)
Kinds of cancer reported by survey takers:
57% breast cancer/ductal carcinoma 13% cervical cancer 13% non-hodgkins lymphoma 8% Stage IV inoperable adenocarcinoma of lungs and lymph 8% bladder 8% Stage IV inoperable adenocarcinoma of lungs and lymph
Kinds of Treatment:
Perhaps it's a matter of semantics, but I find it surprising that so few respondents turn to healing through psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, counseling, imaging, alternative medicine or meditation. If you have any personal (or professional) observations, please visit the Conversation Room or e-mail me.
| Chemotherapy | 59% |
| Surgery | 68% |
| Radiation | 50% |
| Psychotherapy | 18% |
| Hypnotherapy | 9% |
| Counseling | 32% |
| Support Group and Friends |
55% |
| Religious Belief | 77% |
| Yourself | 73% |
| Other: | Herbal & Nutrition | 32% |
| My art | 5% | |
| candles, incense, touch | 5% | |
| Meditation | 14% | |
| Alternative | 5% | |
| Positive attitude | 5% | |
| Imaging/ psychoneuro immunology |
9% | |
| Stem Cell Harvest & Transplant | 5% |
Do you use dreams and/or imaging as treatment to deal with cancer or stress?
"I visualize orange chakras every day and turn the color orange around me."
"Hypnotherapy and imagery - scrubbing bubbles used in conjunction with chemo drugs to cleanse and reactivate natural immune system. Multi-hued pasteled lavender, blue, pink and violet glimmering ray of light to gently flush out residue of cancer cells and chemo."
"Visual imagery. Christ. A safe place. Candles. Christ. Encapsulation of tumor."
"Used bubbles to represent the horrific sound of radiation rays." "Imaging with Yanni music to chemo (hour ride)" "Imaging ritual to protect good cells from poisonous effect of chemo." Biofeedback techniques during the hospitalization for chemo: the shore, waves, my favorite woodland scenery."
"Polar Bears that ravenously ate my cancer."
"My extended life came before me. No illness due to cancer ever came in between me and my belief that I don't have cancer, so 4 years later I still don't have cancer."
Types of Dreams:
Is it possible that one does not recall dreams during cancer treatment because all of one's energies are focused on surviving, on making it through the hell of surgery, chemo, radiation? Also, less than half of the respondents report dream recall before cancer. The subconscious/dreams seem unimportant to over half of those responding in this survey.
| Pre-cancer dreams: | 41% |
| During cancer dreams: | 47% |
| Cancer treatment dreams: | 23% |
| Post/Survival dreams: | 38% |
| Stress Dreams: | 69% |
| While combating stress dreams: | 47% |
| Post stress dreams: | 47% |
How Has Your Life Changed?:
Don't you find it wonderfully amazing that 3/4 of the respondents' Self-image improved?!! Wow!
| Improved | Worsened | No Change | |
| Career | 27% | 36% | 27% |
| Self-image | 73% | 27% | 0% |
| Relationships | 73% | 9% | 14% |
| Spiritual | 82% | 9% | 5% |
| Your reactions to Life | 82% | 9% | 0% |
| Spouse/Significant Other | 36% | 14% | 36% |
| Parent | 50% | 9% | 36% |
| Children | 68% | 9% | 18% |
| Siblings | 41% | 5% | 45% |
As a result of discussing, remembering and/or writing down your dreams:
Does the following indicate that the respondents have become more aware of the influence of dreams on their waking life?
| Are you better able to cope while dreaming? | 36% - yes |
| Are you more able to cope with stress and/or problems when awake? | 50% - yes |
| Do you feel more connected to those around you? | 50% - yes |
| Have you changed the way you react when awake? | 55% - yes |
How do you see yourself while you dream?
Actor 27% Observer 14% Combination 59%
Describe your reoccurring dreams:
"Chemo brain. Can't remember most dreams."
"Subliminal level dream that was significant in affirming that the cancer was gone."
[My dream that I am] "lost and unable to find the small town that I know well."
Your advice: This is my favorite part of the survey because you've been there. Your comments and feelings are important to share. I promised confidentiality, so I did not include your names below. Frankly, I think each of you should have your name to proclaim what fine advice you're giving. If you want me to include your name beside your quote, please let me know.
"Stay strong and don't accept the fact you have cancer or can't beat cancer with your mind and attitude."
"Never give up. Hope is always there. Positive attitudes mean a lot. The mind rules the body. If you did not have a sense of humor before your cancer, it is beneficial to find one!!!! PRAYER is powerful! The best support you can have is talking to someone who has been there, done that. It is very important to TALK. Vent your feelings verbally or write it out. Refresh your mind."
"Just keep a positive attitude and live it one day at a time. Don't waste days with the negative. Life is precious, so enjoy every moment you are given. We are 'given' each day as a beautiful gift. Don't miss any of the wonders that come with it."
"Write down your dreams even if they seem insignificant. It may surprise you in months to come. Read, listen to and go see Dr. Bernie Seigel. Explore his dream theories and art drawing technique. He explores imagery and relaxation techniques. Practice and conquer relaxation to stay calm and 'breathe' through the fear."
"Call your local cancer society and they can put you in touch with someone who has been there and will reach out to you. . . especially REACH TO RECOVERY volunteers for breast cancer. The Cancer Society gives free wigs, 'Feel Good' makeup treatment, furnishes rides to get you to treatment and even helps with some money toward Rx and necessary equipment when there is no money. Call your local Patient Services Coordinator. They are there to help. DON'T BE AFRAID TO REACH OUT!!"
"Cancer is a gift in an unanticipated way. First of all, people have been trying to show or tell me how much they love me . . . as if they previously hesitated but now wish to do so before I leave them. Also, cancer is a gift in that it makes the rest of my life seem very valuable, however much of it there is."
"Solicit prayer support from those around you. Remember A JOYFUL HEART IS GOOD MEDICINE. Imagine your self well. Be argumentative with your physicians (within reason). Don't take your treatments without some fussiness. Be good to yourself. Read good upbeat material. Don't let anyone put you on a life timetable or meter. Learn to accept help. Get gussied up everyday. Comb your hair, brush your teeth, put on makeup. Take an extra step. Lift that arm a little higher. When you don't feel well - WHINE! If you feel better than you did minutes ago - REJOICE!"
"If you can get up and do one thing or the same thing from yesterday, be happy. Don't let them tell you it's denial. And no, if they have not had chemo or radiation or breast surgery, they don't understand, and tell them so - politely. Do what feels right for you. Most of all, my prayers and encouragement to you."
"I help people look inside of themselves because all the cause of the sickness is coming inside. If you arrange your own problem and keep feeling what your intuition says to you, you are going to be able to heal yourself. That's the philosophy of my life and I instruct the people who come to me and that is for nothing in exchange. God gives me that force and loving care and today I gave it to the people around me."