johndabell Nil By Mouth? Nil Desperandum
What is it like to be permanently nil per os (nothing by mouth)? I’ll tell you. Being nil by mouth is horrible. If you were someone who enjoyed food, cooked,…
No Obstacles? No Progress
If you find yourself walking a road without obstacles, pause. Not to admire the view but to question where you’re going and whether it matters. Because chances are, that obstacle-free…
Chronic Optimism And Incurable Cancer
Chronic optimism is not your everyday, “think positive” slogan. It’s deeper, stronger, and far more stubborn than that. It is optimism that has set up camp inside you and refuses…
10 Truths About Cancer And Happiness
They said “incurable.” They meant the cancer. But too many people hear that word and think it applies to joy, laughter, hope, love, purpose – it doesn’t. You can still…
Chronic Courage: The Quiet Force Behind Surviving Head and Neck Cancer
When you live with head and neck cancer, courage isn’t a one-off act. It’s not a single moment of bravery under the spotlight. It’s not a cinematic scene where you…
The Stoic Pharmacist’s Medicine Cabinet of Virtues
Cancer patients get all sorts of medication given to them when they are going through treatment. But for anyone going through this so-called ‘journey’ then you are going to need…
Optimism Is Contagious — But You Have to Be Willing to Catch It
They say optimism is contagious – and it is. But like any contagion, it needs a willing host. Optimism won’t spread where misery is on life support. You can be…
Cancer and Cancellation: Why They Feel Strangely Similar
Have you ever been cancelled? Being “cancelled” has become a buzzword in our culture – a way to describe when someone is abruptly cut off, silenced, or ostracized. It’s usually…
Nature – The Unofficial Cancer Therapist
They say nature is healing. And it most certainly is. I say it’s also highly qualified — my unofficial doctor, counsellor, and personal trainer all rolled into one. No appointment…
The Purple Patch Mindset: Thriving in the Bright Moments
In sport, a ‘purple patch’ describes a run of form – a streak where everything seems to click, and you can do no wrong. It’s a beautiful phrase, evoking colour…