Dr.Reese Patterson was diagnosed with metastatic stomach cancer in 1987. After a total gastrectomy (removal of stomach), he was told he had a life expectancy of 12-18 months due to the spread of his cancer. He lived for another 34+ years and passed from other causes at the age of 95 in 2022. While surviving, he produced many documents and counseled cancer patients on a daily basis. Here are a few of his tenets in documenting the shared survival effort he had with other patients. As you will read, he understood that the effort did not promise the benefit of a longer life, but it certainly opened the possibility for it and, in the meantime, it enhanced the quality of life.

We will share 3 of the traits at a time. Please send your responses and reflections as you read these. We look forward to everyone sharing their thoughts in a future discussion group as well.

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What is a successful cancer patient?

One definition of a successful cancer patient is one who has learned how to improve the quality of his/her life, despite the fact that their longevity may not be increased.

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What can we learn from these successful cancer patients and what traits do they share?

• Understand the need to be gentle with yourself and to pace yourself.
• Change old patterns of thinking and doing that are stressful and self-destructive.
• Learn to unconditionally love and accept yourself without judgment and also to unconditionally love and accept others without judgment. This helps create an inner peace of mind that is so essential for the healing process, and free from needless distractions.

“These and many other things I have learned from ‘successful’ cancer patients.”
– Reese Patterson, M.D.

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As you reflect on these insights, we look forward to everyone sharing their thoughts in a future discussion group.