September is Blood Cancer Awareness month. So, just in the nick of time, here are a selection of facts about Lymphoma, a condition I’ve become all too familiar with over the past couple of years… What is Lymphoma?Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system, forming … More What is Lymphoma?
Here are five more tips for helping someone with cancer. To read the first five, click here for Part 1. Gifts will brighten their day Thoughtful gifts are always a great way to brighten someone’s day and remind them that they’re not alone. Here are some ideas: Personalised gifts: Gifts that focus on healing and resting: … More How to Help Someone with Cancer (Part 2)
I know what it’s like to be a cancer patient, but I don’t know what it’s like to help someone through treatment. It must be awful to watch a loved one suffer, and not be able to do the one thing you want to do most – take the cancer away from them. The only … More How to Help Someone with Cancer (Part 1)
We’re approaching summer seasonWhere we all see valid reasonTo enjoy the sun between the cloudsAnd get away, escape the crowds The days are long, they will be hotWe’ll haunt the local beauty spotNo one will have thought of that!I’ll pack the suncream, chairs and hats In traffic’s grip we sit and sighEngines revving, time ticks … More No one will have thought of that!
Thoughts on Confronting Cancer in your Twenties A decade of transition and uncertainty If you had to pinpoint one word to define your twenties, it would probably be transition. I have friends who are in full-time education, full-time work, full-time work and part-time education, living alone, living with friends, living with family, renting, meeting with … More On Young Adults & Cancer
I had two old friends and I dumped themAnd now I feel really quite badMy two bosom pals, for years and for yearsWithout them I’m feeling so sad Supportive wherever I wentSo loyal, dependable, kindFaithful, accepting, trustworthy, braveOur bond was steadfastly entwined So now you can see why I’m grievingTrue friendships are golden and rareWhy … More My friends were made for walking
I feel a hunger growing from a tiny little seed,I know I must act quickly lest the feeling does impede,My ability to shop and pay for food which guarantees,I’ll arrive back to my flat with something nice to eat for tea. Maybe an Italian, or something from that realm?Cheesy pasta, veggies, fish – I feel … More What should I have for tea?
Reflections on Six Months in Remission Welcome to Remission Station When you were plucked from your life and dumped onto the cancer train all those months ago, you were mad. Your life was ticking along just nicely, thank you very much, and to return to that life you’d have to undertake a gruelling journey to … More Advocacy, Overwhelm and Balancing Worlds
‘Eat the Frog’ is a productivity technique, coined after Mark Twain was quoted saying: “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.” But for most of us, including … More For those who don’t eat frogs…
Apart from having cancer in the first place, the cancer experience felt like my worst nightmare. In fact, it was my worst nightmare. Shortly after my diagnosis, I quickly realised that cancer is LOUD. It felt like the cruellest diagnosis for a highly sensitive, overthinking, introvert like me. As a society, we’ve collectively decided that cancer is … More Cancer for introverts
Laura writes... 