A story of restitution
cancer, pain
CANCER, CHRONIC PAIN
Sophie's story is one of restitution. Her restitution is not limited to the absence of pain, but also includes the establishment of new meaning in her life. She has gained a reflective grasp of what she has lived through. The choice of restitution rather than chaos as the dominant narrative element relates to her story's turning point: “It probably was what my doctor told me: “There is a chance you never will get any better, but if you do, it is a bonus.” Well living with that uncertainty—will I get any better or not?—that's frustrating. But after that, I started thinking this is as good as it gets. This is all I can expect. I was no longer waiting and hoping for something better. It was impossible to find peace that way.”Being a cancer survivor requires accepting some level of illness. Sophie has accepted her illness after having received help in doing so: “I started getting help from the clinic for chronic pain. They have a different way of thinking and know what I am going through.”