November 28, 2011

Lists

A good barometer for my overall level of well-being is my attitude towards post-it notes. As I have written here before, I went off to-do lists and post-its and spreadsheets and planning soon after being diagnosed with bot bot cancer.

This was quite a surprise (to me especially) because I love lists. Lists are so structured and clear and organised. I learnt to use them because I don't have a particularly good memory for general stuff (but I can however tell you the Latin name given to the common wombat).

Post-it notes are back. I don't remember when it happened, but all of a sudden I found myself writing things down that I needed to remember to do and that weren't related to cancer. Buy soy milk. Email Kim. Water parsley. Call Nancy back.

People with cancer know that things drop off general to-do lists when in the throes of trying to stay alive. Staying alive is, after all, the biggest to-do. I haven't wanted to put anything else on my list since January.

But now I am nearing the end of treatment and have started to appreciate small things again: things that I would have previously thought were a waste of my precious time, things that 'didn't matter'.

Having post-it notes back in my life is nice. Those little coloured squares are a sign that I am, once again, thinking of a world with me in it.

8 comments:

  1. I can't tell you happy reading the last line makes me. I've only ever thought of a world with you in it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Welcome back and don't leave again!

    Jian

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is it!! "Normal life"...hard to believe it comes back....slowly then quickly. I'm so glad post-it notes have reappeared for you!~ Kelly Q

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yeah for post-it notes. Post away.

    ReplyDelete
  5. As an obsessive list maker myself...welcome back to the club. The list gnomes have heaved a massive sigh of relief Ben.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Seeing that to-do post-it really puts things into perspective.

    Focusing on staying alive is definitely the frame of mind to be in. You'll have the life you want :)

    I subscribed to your blog, looking forward to seeing further positivity.

    You've got a great name if I don't say so myself.

    ~Ben Bravery (from New Zealand)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Haven't checked your blog for awhile - glad to see your still "fighting the bastard" as my brother-in-law put my journey. Now thinking F... I hope I don't have a clot, just when I thought I was getting on top of it all. Maybe we are just battlers - are we need to stay in battle..... I'm happy to surender ... but only to future good health. Happy New Year Ben .... may it be a year of improved health and continuation of a better quality of life. Teresa xo

    ReplyDelete