It is always useful to remember in life that there is always someone worse off than you. Always someone who has it worse.

Not in an ‘I’m glad there’s someone suffering worse than me’ kind of way. I mean I don’t want anyone to suffer. Especially not from anything really bad. It’s hard to hear of people struggling. But there is always someone who has it worse. Probably many people.

Bit of a depressing thing to think about but I come across people who lose limbs to their sarcomas, or who find out their chemo isn’t working, or who have terminal cancer, or who have had to spend more time in the hospital, or who have chemo for longer, or who are given very low chances of beating their cancer. In terms of hectic-ness of chemo, us osteosarcoma people have some of the most extensive chemo, so we mostly win on that, but still there are positives to be found. It’s also a bit of a badge of honour! Most people are shocked when we explain our chemo schedule.

And that’s just in the cancer realm! That’s not even delving into chronic illnesses like MS, or even more obscure illnesses/diseases that are rare and no one knows much about.

You can really get bogged down if you start to think about all the people who are suffering in the world. So don’t dwell. But just remember although things seem bad sometimes, it definitely could always be worse!! Though that’s not to say lesser problems and worries than those deemed ‘most severe’ aren’t worrying or legitimate. This is not to discredit the ‘every day’ sort of problems that bother us.

Time and time again I am reminded of how lucky I am. Not only because of the fact that really everything is going smoothly so far in the grand scheme of things, but also because of all support I have – how incredibly wonderful, understanding and supportive work has been (don’t know what I would do without their amazing attitude through all of this), and how great all my friends, nurses, acquaintances, friends of friends, family of friends, friends of family, Twitter and Instagram followers etc. have been. How my parents have come over to visit and are coming back for the surgery! Wow.

Everyone is ‘stronger’ than they think. I’m not particularly strong, I’m just handling things as best I can. As everyone is. Sometimes you have some days where it all seems to get the better of you. And that’s not ‘weak’, and you don’t have to try and be ‘strong’ all the time. Just acknowledge the bad days, accept them for what they are, feel sorry for yourself for a bit, have a bit of a whine, then try to pick yourself up and remember that the worst times will be followed by better times in some way, shape or form. Be determined to make the most of what you’ve got.

Much love to everyone, and I hope you’re all going ok with everything you’re dealing with. Life can be funny at times, but it’s good. I really like it, I think I’ll keep it around.