Fight review is at the end of this blog.
When I was diagnosed with cancer, I felt a whirlwind of emotions. Fear, uncertainty, and anger swirled around me, threatening to overwhelm. But amidst the storm, I found a surprising anchor: humour. It may seem counterintuitive, but laughter became my unexpected ally in the fight against cancer. The Power of Positivity A positive mindset is often touted as crucial in battling any illness, and cancer is no exception. But for me, it was more than just a suggestion; it was a necessity. I knew that dwelling on the negative would only exacerbate my fears and drain my energy. So, I made a conscious effort to focus on the positive aspects of my situation.
I reminded myself of the love and support I had from my family and friends. I appreciated the good days, the things I was able to do, and the simple joys of life. I even found gratitude in the challenges I faced, as they forced me to grow and appreciate the things I often took for granted.
Humour as a Coping Mechanism.
Humour, as it turned out, was a powerful tool in cultivating a positive mindset. Laughter has been scientifically proven to reduce stress, boost the immune system, and improve overall well-being. For me, it was a way to lighten the mood, distract myself from the pain, and connect with others on a deeper level.
I found humour in the most unexpected places. A silly meme, a funny movie, or a witty remark from a friend could turn a difficult day into a more bearable one. I even learned to laugh at myself, finding humour in my own awkward moments and mishaps.
Sharing Laughter with Others.
Laughter is contagious. When I shared my humour with others, on Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms it not only lifted my spirits but also brightened their day. It created a sense of connection and camaraderie, making me feel less alone in my journey.
The Importance of Self-Care
Humour, while powerful, was not enough on its own. It was essential to combine it with other self-care practices. I made sure to get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly. I also took time for myself to relax and unwind.
These self-care activities helped me maintain my physical and mental health, making it easier to cope with the challenges of the situation. They also provided a foundation for my humour, ensuring that I had the energy and resilience to laugh through the tough times.
A Journey of Resilience
My journey with cancer was not always easy. There were days when I felt overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty. But with the help of a positive mindset and humour, I was able to navigate the challenges and emerge stronger.
I learned that laughter is not just a coping mechanism; it is a way of life. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always something to smile about. It is a testament to the human spirit's resilience and ability to find joy in the face of adversity.
Through my experience, I have come to believe that humour is a powerful tool for healing. It can help us cope with pain, find meaning in suffering, and build stronger relationships. So, the next time you find yourself facing a challenge, remember the power of a smile. Laughter may not cure cancer, but it can certainly make the journey a little easier.
So, who won, me or my tumour?
Well, my journey started with me having a heart attack in a foreign country. A country we had to leave as there was a potentially dangerous hurricane fast approaching. After a 14 hour flight, I got home. The following day I went to my Doctor, who immediately sent me off to hospital. I was admitted, and then the fun began.
After some tests and various scans a team of Doctors came to see me and confirmed that I had had a heart attack, but had not done any real significant damage. However, the CT scans showed a mass above my lung, which needed to be investigated. All Change. I now go from Cardiac to Oncology I have more tests, more scans.
The mass is strangling my lung and an operation is needed. I was asked by the surgical team to sign my consent for said operation, with the allowance to, if at all possible to remove the mass. I of course agreed. I had nothing to lose.
Now, I had to wait a few weeks for my operation, because my heart needed to heal. Following the heart attack, it was not quite strong enough for a major operation. Those weeks were the hardest. Because I knew this thing inside of me was growing and was strangling my lung. I was now feeling the effects. However I kept on smiling, I kept making jokes, but I also listened to my body. If I needed rest, I took it. If I was in pain, I did what was necessary. I saw a few clients because that’s me, but I took it easy.
The day of the operation came, and I was ready. Well, as ready as I would ever be. I was first on the list, it was going to be a long op. 6 hours later I wake up with tubes inside of me, one of which I’m not telling you where that was going. wires attached to monitors and smiling staff around me. “Welcome back” I was given some sips of water and told to rest. Well, I wasn’t going anywhere was I. I was moved to a room in Papworth and to be honest I don’t really remember much of that day after that.
The following morning, the Doctors did their rounds and told me they were very happy with how the operation went, and once the lung is fully reinflated All the added extras will be removed.
Let’s get ready to rumble.
In the red corner. Tumor. Weighing in at no idea, and in its corner: pain and suffering
In the blue corner. Jon. Weighing in at 10st, and in his corner: Love and support from friends and family, humour and a very positive mindset.
Round One. Tumour comes in hard and takes a real strangle hold of the lung. Jon realises he’s got a fight on his hands, and still feeling the effects of the heart attack doesn’t have much of a fight in him… Round 1 to Tumour
Round Two. Following a scan and Jon sees the tumour for the first time, he realises that if he doesn’t fight, he isn’t going to see Christmas. Jon finds that inner strength to change his mindset. He hits back with sharing his journey on social media and in blogs. Not for sympathy, but to show that a positive mindset can help you heal and battle whatever life throws at you… Round 2 to Jon
Round Three. Jon is lifted by his friends and family and by many online friends who he had never met but their words of support and positivity gave him the lift that he needed. Jon started making jokes at his own expense, he flipped every negative into a positive and he found an inner strength that he didn’t even know existed… Round 3 to Jon
Round Four. Tumour puts Jon in hospital and causes a lot of pain. Tumour puts Jon down… Round 4 to tumour
Fifth and final round. Tumour thinks it has done enough. Jon and the support of Doctors and nurses has other ideas. Jon once again bounces back, his positive mindset, his humour and the support he was given, gives Jon the strength to kick that tumour out and into a bottle to be placed on the shelf in Addenbrooks Hospital where it can’t do anymore damage.
AND THE WINNER IS
JON
(with the skill, and support of both Royal Papworth hospital and Addenbrooks Hospital)
Thank you All.
Hopefully there will be NO rematch.
A positive mindset can help you through illness in many ways, including:
Practicing gratitude: Being grateful for the good things in your life can help you focus on the positive, which can lead to better mental and physical health. You can try keeping a gratitude journal.
Surrounding yourself with positive people: Spending time with people who are optimistic can help you see how to tackle negative situations in a balanced way.
Practicing mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. It can help you reduce stress and anxiety.
Engaging in positive self-talk: Replace negative thoughts with encouraging affirmations to promote self-confidence and reduce stress.
Maintaining your daily routine: Prioritizing your mental health and staying grounded can help you maintain a positive outlook during difficult times.
Making small goals: You can try making small goals and focusing on quality of life.
Managing symptoms: You can try to manage as many of your symptoms as possible.
Letting the illness make you stronger: You can try to let the illness make you stronger.
Until next month.
Stay strong, stay positive, and smile and appreciate all that you have.
Have a great month
Jon x
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