How Writing Through Cancer Helped My Wellbeing
Cancer has been a part of my life for a long time. I first saw its clutches upon my grandfather who died from terminal cancer when I was 11. We were close, and cancer left an empty space in my heart and an empty chair in the corner where he used to sit. Then cancer came knocking on my own body as a 19 year old who had just embarked on university. But when cancer calls, you answer. You can’t ignore it. As much as you want to. After postponing my studies and swapping my late night lectures for long days of chemotherapy, I was in remission and started back again the next academic year. Ten years went by and I seldom thought about cancer coming back. I took the doctor’s orders and went and lived my life. Until cancer came knocking again as a 29 year old. Only this time, it knocked on the house of a young family. My husband, son and newborn daughter would experience its unwelcome visit.
During all of this suffering, I found solace in pen and paper. The sound of typing with the satisfying tapping of keys brought comfort as I blogged through the trauma. As a writer, I often process pain and thoughts through words. But I don’t believe you need to be a writer to experience the benefits that writing can bring to your wellbeing.
Whether you are walking through a cancer diagnosis, journeying alongside someone who is, or maybe you are experiencing your own struggle with mental or physical health, I am sharing a few different ways in which writing has helped me. Maybe it can give you some practical ways to work through the pain. Even if you are in a great place, I still commend to you the practice of writing for your wellbeing. There are sure to be trials in life, and if you can start working on it now, you will be ready to continue on when the darkness descends.
Keep a Journal
I have kept journals since I was a teenager on and off. But during cancer, I would turn to the pages of a journal writing my fears, anxieties, and hope on its pages. I turned my thoughts into prayers where my words were brought to God in desperation and anguish. I kept a smaller notebook which I called ‘My Book of Mercies’ where I would bullet point things to be thankful for. When I felt so sick and weak, I could still find a bird to give thanks for, a kind nurse who spent time reassuring me, or fresh bedding. At the back of the book I would bullet point the things I was most scared of and my darkest thoughts. I didn’t put them there because they were less important. They were written there so I could acknowledge the very real pain and worry I felt, but still spend time dwelling upon the many wonderful things I could at the front. Whether you keep a regular journal to document your days, a gratitude journal to help focus on positive things, or a prayer journal, I maintain this is such a helpful way to process thoughts and feelings in both difficult and more joyful times.
Try Blogging
Ok, blogging was basically like an online journal back in 2011. I set up my first blog then which is still running today. But I appreciate the term and technology has moved on a bit. Much like Facebook once being a genuine social media site to keep up with friends, but now it’s like an awkward family member constantly going on and on about a variety of different topics that we can’t keep up. Blogging is also now used much more in business and provides an income for many.
I set up a blog in order to let others know more about my cancer journey all at once so I didn’t have to repeat myself over and over again. But also to share my faith through suffering. That was my motivation then and it carries on over in that space today. Blogging gave me a space to process, to share with others who could journey with me so I didn’t feel so alone, and it was a way to remember the different obstacles I overcame.
Maybe for you, blogging could be an opportunity to share a hobby, an interest, a space to document your experiences, or the start of a business. It’s a creative outlet. There are many ways to learn how to do it and there are many different ways to go about it. I love blogging still (can you tell?). It’s an opportunity for me to express myself online through the written word and share my passions with others. After a long day of looking after the family, I look forward to coming here and typing away. It’s a rest for my mind and a real joy.
Write Handwritten Letters
When I was in hospital for my second diagnosis, I took some fancy letter writing paper with me. Doctors told me that I would be feeling my strongest at first, but as I had the high dose chemotherapy, I would feel weaker and weaker. I knew I would be in hospital for at least two weeks and this was during Covid so visitors were not allowed. I decided to start strong by doing something different whilst I had the energy. Handwritten letters. Writing letters seems like a lost art, but it’s so rewarding. To receive a letter (that isn’t a bill or an appointment!) is such a surprise. To write them is a way to let someone know you are thinking about them. It also means as you are thinking about them, you may not be so focused on yourself and your struggles in that moment. Much like reading a good fiction book can transport you elsewhere, so writing a handwritten letter can bring your mind to focus on another. How could you encourage them? If it’s too painful to actually send a letter to someone, you can still write a letter. But maybe file it away or simply dispose of it after it has been written. The process of writing can bring some healing. It can also provide momentary respite from the battlefield that wages war in the mind. Plus, it’s all offline. Bonus.
Other Ways Writing Helps
Although I didn’t do these things during cancer treatment, writing has given my imagination the chance to express itself in several ways. I strongly encourage you to find what works for you and go for it! Here is a small selection of other ways to get writing to make difference to your wellbeing.
Write poetry - I loved making up rhyming poems when I was younger and just have fun with language. There are so many ways to write poetry though, so explore what works for you.
Parodies! - Writing your own funny lyrics to well-known tunes was a staple for belly laughs when I was a teenager. Be a bit whimsy and go for it!
Creative writing - Be bold and create a short story, start that novel, focus on writing a well-written paragraph thinking about the words you choose, and maybe have a play with different characters and settings. Express what is going on in your mind onto the page. If you’re a film buff, why not have a go at writing your own screenplay? Bring the moving picture in your mind onto the page.
Join a writing group - If you are able, consider joining a writing group for encouragement and to meet others. Some meet over Zoom and others meet in person. Writing can be isolating, but you can learn from one another and support each other on the journey.
Read good writing - Spend time reading a good book. Having a break from digital devices is a bonus if you can. Being immersed in the words of other writers can inspire your own creativity and writing, help you to think upon other things outside of your immediate struggles, and bring moments of mental respite.
