This is a cross post of @clodaghdowning/my-palliative-care-journey by @clodaghdowning.Who knew I'd be chauffeured to a wholistic massage because I am in palliative care?

(Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)Throughout my life, I remember hearing about Palliative Care in hushed tones about a Mr. or Ms. So-and-So and their serious cancer diagnosis. The sheer dread and gasp of it. ‘Oh no! they’re on the last train ride to God knows where’ or if I were feeling particularly religious, ‘this poor f*(ked soul is about to meet their maker! And thank God it’s not me!’

This is a cross post of @clodaghdowning/i-got-you-this-what-to-get-your-friend-who-has-cancer by @clodaghdowning.What to get your loved one who has cancer- practical guide.

(My past life as an actress and filmmaker, 2012, courtesy of the Sunday Independent Newspaper)If I had a euro for every scented candle I have received over the last three years, I ‘d be able to book a flight to the Caribbean. Usually, the well-wisher hands said candle to me with the words, “I didn’t know what else to get you.” Honestly, I now tell anyone coming to see me not to bring gifts, I just want to see you and have a laugh or two. I am now at the point where I want to tell visitors to bring their “I didn’t know what to get you” gift back home with themselves. I know you probably think I am being ungrateful, but I cannot stand scented candles or trinkets for that matter. I think it is better for these things to go to someone who likes them, instead of me. In researching for this blog, I heard of many similar stories from other patients and if it’s not a scented candle it is that they get too many flowers, and they have nowhere to put them. For some it is the heartbreak of getting a jar of expensive cream or perfume which they will never be able to use as chemo has wreaked havoc with their skin’s sensitivity. So, all of this gave me the idea to write this blog. Now, every patient is different. For example, I can wear my favourite perfume but there were times when I could not. The following suggestions are just that and because they are pure products, they should work for any patient.

This is a cross post of @clodaghdowning/alternatives-or-additions by @clodaghdowning.How many cures has a cancer patient been told about? Read about it here!

This is a cross post of @clodaghdowning/alternatives-or-additions by @clodaghdowning.A post in my own words about the plethora of remedies or cures for my cancer.