Not In Denial – Embracing Acceptance And Hope In Health Challenges
- Aug 28, 2024
- 5 min read
Teisha Rose, is a health and wellness mindset specialist, founder of Hurdle2Hope®, author of 'Life Interrupted' and host of the podcast ‘Wellbeing Interrupted’. Teisha uses her experience with multiple sclerosis and stage four breast cancer, along with social worker expertise, to empower individuals with chronic illness and their support network.
I was taken aback when someone expressed concern that I might be in denial – how could they see my hope as denial?
I live with hope. But that does not mean I am in denial about my diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and stage 4 breast cancer. But that does not mean I have surrendered my hope for the future.
If you're confused by how these feelings can coexist, you are not alone. This article explores the nuanced interplay of denial, acceptance, and hope. I want to shed light on what these concepts truly mean for those of us living with health conditions.
What does being in denial with a health condition really mean?
You may see images of me on Instagram, embracing life on our new 100-acre property. The smile is genuine—I truly love my new life here. However, this does not mean I am in denial about my health situation. Here’s why:
According to Psychology Today, denial is a defense mechanism where individuals refuse to acknowledge objective facts or experiences. It’s an unconscious process that serves to shield a person from discomfort or anxiety.
Despite my optimistic outlook, I have never ignored the signs or symptoms of my condition. From the moment I noticed a lump in my breast, I actively sought medical help, adhered to treatment plans, and engaged fully with my healthcare providers.
Yet, you will not hear me describe my conditions as "incurable" or refer to my cancer as "terminal." I deliberately avoid dwelling on the survival rates of stage 4 breast cancer, choosing instead to focus on my evolution and growth.
Instead, what you will see me doing is exploring natural therapies. This approach is not about denying my condition but about challenging how we think about and treat health conditions. I focus on the holistic connection between mind, body, and spirit, which enriches my quality of life and informs my treatment choices.
For a deeper dive into my personal experiences with navigating these feelings, listen to Episode 30 of my podcast, 'Wellbeing Interrupted': Why I Am Not in Denial About My Health Condition.
What does accepting our illness really mean?
Living with MS for over 25 years has shown me that acceptance is often interpreted differently among those with health conditions, and even within the wider support network. Some view it as passive resignation, tinged with hopelessness. Comments like, “What’s the point of trying anything new? We know the statistics. We know we are going to die with stage 4 cancer,” illustrate this perspective, suggesting that acceptance is the end—a surrender to the inevitable that strips away personal agency and hope.
However, I view acceptance differently. To me, acceptance means acknowledging the reality of your situation so that you can take effective action. Had I not accepted my diagnosis of stage 4 cancer, I might have avoided necessary treatments or surgeries, severely impacting my chances of survival.
In this sense, acceptance is not about passivity. It's about empowerment. It means saying, "Yes, this is my situation, but I am not just going to sit here and wait for the worst to happen." I refuse to relinquish all power to my conditions. Instead, I focus on what I can control right now, which allows me to recognise and tap into the impact I can have on my future. My experience with MS has taught me that being actively involved in my medical treatment, exploring natural therapies, and making conscious lifestyle choices helps me shape my journey and maintain hope.
Let’s remember, accepting our condition is not a signal that we are giving up. Instead, it is a commitment to engage more fully with life, knowing that our growth and evolution will help us impact our future. This provides the hope needed to keep moving forward.
To explore how acceptance can coexist with an active, hopeful approach to living with chronic conditions, check out Episode 32 of 'Wellbeing Interrupted': Why Accepting Your Diagnosis Doesn't Mean Giving Up Hope.
How active acceptance fuels hope
Hope naturally arises from actively accepting our health conditions. It’s not about exerting force or relying on blind faith, simply hoping for the best without acknowledging reality. Instead, hope emerges as the inevitable outcome when we take charge of what we can control.
This approach is not a naive denial of the severity of our health conditions. Rather, it represents a profound belief that by engaging actively with our present circumstances, we are shaping our future. It underscores that hope is born from action and awareness, not from avoidance or wishful thinking.
This understanding should serve as a powerful motivation to explore all available avenues for managing your illness—whether through conventional medical treatments, natural therapies, or lifestyle adjustments. Knowing that no matter what the future holds with your condition, being an active participant in your own life is never a wasted effort.
Engaging fully not only improves your health outcomes but also alleviates symptoms and bolsters your emotional and mental resilience. This contributes to your growth and builds resilience, regardless of potential relapses or setbacks.
Conclusion: Your growth and transformation ensure hope
If you actively accept your condition, focus on the present, and continually seek new methods to embrace life and live well, you will inevitably grow and evolve.
Consider how living with your condition has not just changed you physically but has deepened your understanding of what is truly important in life. Has it shifted you away from living on automatic pilot? Have you become more spiritually awakened?
This is your evolution, your growth.
And it is this growth that should fuel all of our motivation to keep working on ourselves and to continue evolving. It ensures that when the next challenge arises, our response will be different because we are different. We're not just surviving; we're thriving, reshaping our future with every step we take.
Whether you're navigating a health condition or part of the support network, continue challenging your thinking by signing up to the Hurdle2Hope newsletter. Explore fresh perspectives and empowering insights, so we can all continue to learn and grow together.
Read more from Teisha Rose
Teisha Rose, Health and Wellness Mindset Specialist
Teisha Rose is an innovator in health and wellness mindset, transforming personal challenges with multiple sclerosis and stage four breast cancer into a platform for empowerment. As the founder of Hurdle2Hope®, author of 'Life Interrupted', and host of the 'Wellbeing Interrupted' podcast, she has developed the transformative Hurdle2Hope® Roadmap. This offers mindset insights and strategies not just for those living with chronic illness, but also for health professionals and caregivers, significantly enriching the global health and wellness community.
