- With Mayo Clinic oncologist
Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
Edward Creagan, M.D.
"The magic of the electronic village is transforming health information. The mouse and keyboard have extended the stethoscope to the 500 million people now online." — Dr. Edward Creagan
The power of the medium inspires Dr. Edward Creagan as he searches for ways to share Mayo Clinic's vast resources with the general public.
Dr. Creagan, a Newark, N.J., native, is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hospice medicine and palliative care. He has been with Mayo Clinic since 1973 and in 1999 was president of the staff of Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Creagan, a professor of medical oncology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, was honored in 1995 with the John and Roma Rouse Professor of Humanism in Medicine Award and in 1992 with the Distinguished Mayo Clinician Award, Mayo's highest recognition. He has been recognized with the American Cancer Society Professorship of Clinical Oncology.
He describes his areas of special interest as "wellness as a bio-psycho-social-spiritual-financial model" and fitness, mind-body connection, aging and burnout.
Dr. Creagan has been an associate medical editor with Mayo Clinic's health information websites and has edited publications and CD-ROMs and reviewed articles.
"We the team of (the website) provide reliable, easy-to-understand health and wellness information so that each of us can have productive, meaningful lives," he says.
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Stress blog
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Aug. 10, 2011
Focus on the light at the end of the tunnel
By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
| Need more help? |
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If the stress in your life is more than you can cope with, get help right away.
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Reading the blog comments, it's clear that many of you are struggling with issues of caring for others in the face of adversity and at great personal cost. I have a great respect for your commitment, and I want to share with you a coping technique that's helped me.
It's based on the idea that if you can see a light at the end of the tunnel, you can endure just about anything. To use the technique, tell yourself, "OK, this is a bad situation. I didn't wish for it, but I can focus my energies on resolving this problem for a certain period of time." Then decide how long, whether it's 10 days or a hundred. In other words, create an end point and keep it in your sights. Consider this story.
The English Channel is 23 miles of punishing water considered nearly impossible for a swimmer to navigate. However, a woman swimmer attempted it and got within 2 miles of this incredible achievement when she became confused and discouraged. Enshrouded in fog, she signaled that she wanted to quit. She was hauled out of the water and onto the boat. Only a few minutes later, however, the fog cleared and the shoreline came into view. The despondent swimmer said if she'd only known how close she was, she could have marshaled that extra energy to finish.
So it is with all of us. If we can visualize a goal, if we can tell we're making progress, however modest, we can almost always find the will to go the distance.
7 comments posted
September 17, 2011 10:41 p.m.
To Steve ....no meds
- Sandra
September 17, 2011 10:37 p.m.
Courage is moving forward despite the fear. It is not strength. It is spiritual., also. Never give up. Yes, it can get worse. The more valuable you are in God's eyes, the harder evil try's to take you down, and out!
- Sandra
August 27, 2011 9:05 p.m.
I love this short uplifting article.
- Steve
August 17, 2011 8:30 p.m.
My son has schizophrenia. Not all stress problems have a light at the end of the tunnel.
- Mia
August 14, 2011 10:03 p.m.
wow..indeed,if we have the goal and the courage to reach that goal no matter how hard and discouraging it may seem, we'll surely attain/get it.. i believe that hard works always have a positive outcome.. To Dr. E. Creagan, i am soo inspired with all of your blogs.. i hope you'll post more.. always looking forward for every new blogs you're posting here.. =)
- gwenah
August 12, 2011 1:49 a.m.
Dear Dr. Edward, It’s a great pleasure to read your blog. I find your post very informative. This is a pretty inspiring article as it shows how powerful the mind is. This simply made your readers realize that the difference between successful and unsuccessful people is the will to actually succeed.
- Ruby
August 10, 2011 9:09 a.m.
this is a hypertension question. i have been on meds for 20 years. a change of lifesyle has allowed me to get off the meds (and my chloesterol meds). a lot of exersize and good diet which led to wieght loss ect...I am now 47 years old, 6' 215lbs. Good build. I have been off my High Blood Pressure meds for 3 weeks and my numbers average 140ish over 82ish. They were around the 120 over 80 range when i was on the pills. My doctor is recommending that i go back on the pills. I want a second opinion. What do you think?
- steve
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