- November 18, 2020
- Cancer blog
By Gary Maavara
If you’ve been following my blogs, you know that I’m Gary, I have cancer, and I have been sharing some of the lessons and insights I’ve learned along the way. So far I’ve posted the first nine points in my list of lessons. Here are my last two points, but who knows, maybe there are more to come. I hope you will share too, since we are all in this cancer club together.I’m also sharing some special photos from my personal portfolio. Let’s start with the photo today.
#10 Miscellaneous Stuff (in no particular order)
- Share your experience. I was helped enormously by people who had been through the cauldron. Some of these people have died and I remain in enormous debt for how they helped me. They died knowing it.
- Drink a lot of water.
- Get SAXX underwear or another comfortable brand.
- The hospital double gown tactic: put the first one on like you would a coat, tie it, and then put the second one on back to front. This means that you don’t need to tie the second one. This sounds simple but I watch people struggle all the time. I have spent 106 days at the hospital over the last 41 months so I have lots of experience on this.
- Speaking of clothing, wear casual cotton clothes without buttons etc. to appointments where you will be examined or treated. This sometimes means no need for a hospital gown. A button shirt can take forever to undo when you are doing it with a medical professional waiting for you. Bring layers. Chemo is cold. Wear long sleeves to cover the test tracks.
- Say thank you. Often.
- Be patient and park your ego. Big egos don’t do well in a hospital gown.
- Have fun when you can. Maintaining a sense of humour can help ease the hurt.
#11. And Finally … Live Your life
Remember that you are loved.
And remember that your loved ones are struggling too so help them as much as you can.
But whatever happens keep living your life. Never give up. You are stronger than you think.
