Praskovya's Initial Denial

1. Denial, the first and most common stage used while being diagnosed after an illness or following confrontation. As stated by Kubler “ this initial denial was truth for those patients who were told outright at the beginning of their illness as it was true for those who were not explicitly and who came to conclusion on their own or a bit later on” (37). The first words of patients who have been diagnosed by an interruption in their life are “No, not me” can relate to how a person may react and it’s usually in shock, and will ask themselves why them? Or why not somebody else? Or, the words “it’s not true” relates to how an individual prolongs their denial that they are sick, and wait to see the side effects of the illness in order to see the
Ivan responds to his question that he was okay and that there was nothing wrong with him. Ivan stated “it’s a good thing I’m a bit of an athlete. Another man might have been killed, but I merely knocked myself just here; it hurts when it’s touched, but it’s passing already, it’s a bruise” (33). Ivan tried to deny that fact that he was hurting, that he felt discomfort, but did not want to make real in his head. Two connections that can be made from the Kubler and Tolstoy books is how Ivan and Mrs. K both did not want to admit that they were ill. Ivan tried to live his life as he usually did even though the side pain was interrupting his daily activities. The truth came later on after his pain worsened. On the other hand, Mrs. K knowing of her illness, prolonged her denial by attending a faith healer, and believing she was healed, which proved she was in
Acceptance is a stage when patient is neither depressed nor angry about their life. Kubler states “Acceptance should not be mistaken for a happy stage. It is almost void of feelings. It is as if the pain had gone, the struggle is over, and there comes a time for the final rest” (110).During this time the patient has no feeling towards their situation because they know their ending, and understands they cannot change it. An acceptance of knowing that they will go and they want to go in peace. Acceptance is established in the Tolstoy book. For example, Tolstoy states “he was sorry for them, he must act so as not to hurt them; release them and free himself from these sufferings” (62). Ivan had come to terms of his life and he knew it was the end to his. He was not afraid of death because there was no death, all he felt was no pain only peace. The connection two the Kubler and Tolstoy books is how they both explained the feeling of acceptance with not feeling angry or depressed, feeling no emotion but a relief of not having no more pain just joy to not feel