Beyond Pain: The Search for Hope in the Patients Journey

Abstract

Hope is the foundation of the cancer patients world and it is when the darkness is most profound that hopeemerges as the true reality. Hope remains the patients inner strength, a dynamism that grows more powerfuleven as the physical body weakens. We humans are always hoping for something and The Hope System addressesall levels of the entire cancer experience: physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual. By systematicallylearning how to recognize and honor patients hopes, each of us can support him/her from first diagnosis to lastbreath in a way that is healing and positive for all. Utilizing this simple, powerful tool enables us to tap into thepatient’s ever changing reality, the role hope plays in one’s life while confronting one’s mortality, and be able tolisten, hear and accompany them each step on their final life into death journey.