An Excerpt from If Joan of Arc Had Cancer
by Janet Roseman
Welcome to the wisdom of Joan of Arc. Perhaps you are in the process of treatment, healing, or taking care of someone who is seriously ill, and seeking tools of empowerment for yourself or for someone you love. Life is never the same after a diagnosis of cancer, and feelings of vulnerability and anger are understandable and very common. However, the opportunity to change life for the good can also be a part of that truth. Joan of Arc can be your guide as you reclaim your personal wisdom in the shadow of cancer because discovering your personal wisdom is fundamental to your journey.
I believe that the key to this process is the remembering and resurrection of one’s personal power in all realms: mind, body, and spirit. These areas are too often overlooked by healthcare professionals who have received little training in the psychological and spiritual aspects of illness. As a result, they are more comfortable focusing on treatment protocols. They fail to realize that this is not enough for you, the patient and the human being sitting in front of them. Sacred conversations can occur when you feel safe enough to share the deepest parts of yourself with your physician and other healthcare providers in order to discuss all the dimensions of illness and subsequent healing. When these discussions take place, you and your medical team can create an opening together toward heartfelt connection that can be meaningful for all of you. This book can help you explore your new self and resurrect the powerful woman that you are, who happens to have cancer. Cancer may be your diagnosis, but it is not your definition.
As a medical educator and former clinician working with people with cancer using integrative medicine techniques, I truly understand the psychological, spiritual, and physical toll that a cancer diagnosis can extract. Over a decade-long journey with my mother, who had a rare cancer, and my father, who was also diagnosed, I had the privilege of accompanying them as their health advocate through the doors of countless hospitals, doctors’ offices, and recovery rooms across the country. In addition, my experiences with clients in healing sessions have taught me a great deal. I have worked with many women, listening to their stories as they shared their cancer journeys with me. I cherish those moments, and I appreciate their willingness to allow me to see inside their world and to learn how their medical experiences transformed their lives.
My wish is that during this life-altering time, you will discover messages from your “truest self,” gain insight, and be provided with sustenance and wisdom with Joan of Arc as your companion. This book can help you access your internal courage, activate your own healing process, and honor your unique journey. Admittedly, accessing internal courage during the trauma of diagnosis and treatment is difficult; however, your courage is silently waiting beneath the surface, ready to be unearthed when you are ready.
Excerpted from the book If Joan of Arc Had Cancer. © Copyright 2015 by Janet Roseman. Reprinted with permission from New World Library. www.NewWorldLibrary.com