Being Well (Even When You're Sick): Mindfulness Practices for People with Cancer and Other Serious Illnesses

by Elana Rosenbaum

Maintaining a state of well-being and equanimity in the midst of serious disease is a challenge, but mindfulness can help make it possible. It is a process of bringing a fierce but loving attention to everything that arises in our mind and body. The simple techniques Elana Rosenbaum presents here are the same ones she uses with the people in her practice of mindfulness-based psychotherapy and stress reduction—and that she uses herself as a cancer survivor. These are methods that offer proof positive that it is indeed possible not only to “have a life” while you’re seriously ill, but that the life can include satisfaction, ease, and happiness.

This book includes a downloadable companion 60-minute audio program with seven simple mindfulness practices.

Note: Click a file to play it in your web browser. Right click and save the link if you would like to download it to your computer.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Self Help

144 pages, Paperback

First published June 12, 2012

Reviews

[Gabriel Woods · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author has written this book in a sensitive and understanding manner for people suffering from cancer but also other very serious illnesses in general. I suffer from a Hypersensitive Type 4 Reaction to steroids and a pneumonia vaccine, allergic reactions which are serious. There is also often a secondary injury such as damage to the organs of the body due to the autoimmune response, in my case a heart condition developed. There are further complications in terms of continuous exhaustion and movement such as walking and running is limited.

I and others have a strong psychological component to this type of sickness. It is possible to be angry at ourselves for the body having turned against itself during and after the autoimmune response. I have felt anger toward my body for a long time. Then I make my illness more complicated by being annoyed with myself for being angry with myself!!! I know that being angry with my body will impede my bodies full recovery and reduce any chances of recovering at all. The author teaches how to have compassion toward ourselves and our bodies particularly during serious illness and how to maintain that compassion.

One issue I had with the book is Rosenbaum continually referred to all the people sufferers of cancer and serious illness have to support them especially with family and friends. I know from reading psychological and sociological studies and also from knowledge of cancer patients that often friends and family do not have the resilience to support the suffering of a loved one, not due to being uncaring but it is very difficult for a loved one to see such pain in a person they love spanning sometimes over years. Cancer patients and those with serious illness sometimes report social isolation and even loneliness. I am fortunate to have much support.
When others do not Rosenbaum needs to di0scuss in greater detail what can be done to solve social isolation or loneliness. This reality needs to be addressed.


The author writes often in her book about this psychological reaction to serious illness and cancer linked to a failure of the body to heal, I am using my own words here this is not medical terminology.
As I read the author's book I could feel myself becoming more compassionate to my body and the truth about serious illness. That we can experience and let go of these feelings and thoughts, not to judge ourselves for judging ourselves poorly and how to do this no matter where we are or who we are with. This is a great relief to me.
Overall this is a very well written book. The concept of mindfulness exercises and practice is very well explained.

I am Gabriel Woods author of the Golden Age Desolation

[Terry Pearson]

Elana is a wonderful teacher and guide; her luminosity shines in every page. She teaches us how to thrive even in the midst of cancer. She is an inspiration to all. As Jon Kabat-Zinn says in the foreword: Mindfulness is a way of being, as in "well being" and in "being well".
Elana guides you in the cultivation of mindfulness and in befriending what is deepest and best and most healing in yourself.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a lovely read. Elana is both encouraging and empathetic. I am so appreciative that she catered mindfulness practices towards severe illness, as there are certainly some specific issues we all face in the midst of illness. While my illness is not terminal, I still found it very easy to relate to. I felt she touched many topics that were very significant and brought love and compassion into them. Unique and powerful. I'd read it again :)

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well written overview of strategies, life stories.

[Patricia Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book for anyone faced with physical challenges

[Mayumi Amargo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elana Rosenbaum writes in an understanding tone. She makes mindfulness personal. Her experiences with suffering, pain, and death add warmth through becoming more mindful. She provides realistic techniques to becoming more aware emotionally and mentally during trying times.

[Julie Murkette · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don't need to be seriously ill to appreciate this lovely book.

[Mommyhungry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good but brief intro to mindfulness and illness, in the vein of Toni Bernard's more in-depth How to be Sick.