As the intro to my blog establishes, despite the catchy title, I am by no means an expert on any of this Cancer stuff - especially not the medical matters. But having gone through a 3-month isolation and WFH period after my stem cell transplant (Q1-2018), I feel I can at least anecdotally share some of the insights that I observed during that period.
- I know that the end of this is unknown, but there is an end eventually. Let's take the next 4-6 weeks as a stay-cation of sorts. It's not a sentence or a punishment or an over-reach by a totalitarian government; it's an opportunity, if we can find the benefits among the bleakness. Yes, it's a little longer than two weeks in Cabo, but there is a very real light at the end of this seemingly long, dark tunnel.
- Go find that "To Do" list that you have (or have always carried around in your head). Now's the time to knock off some of those projects around the house that you just can never find the time for - now you have it. Clean out the junk drawer (I'll bet you find some of those little bottles of hand sanitizer - they're like gold); throw out all of the mismatched Tupperware that doesn't have it's own cover; binge watch all of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." The arranging and cleaning brings its own marvelous sense of accomplishment, and "Mrs Maisel" is just plain marvelous.
- Stay in your typical work week routine. Get up at a reasonable time (ok, sleep-in a little). Exercise or something active if you can around the house (you are allowed to go out and walk around, feel the sunshine on your face, or generally commune with nature in close proximity to your home, but not others). Shower, shave, floss/brush your teeth, put on some make-up and get dressed (not just sweats, Alex!). Eat a regular lunch and a proper dinner like you normally would. Just try to retain the old normal as you acclimate to the New normal.
- Really do the quarantine and social distancing thing. It's a small price and temporary inconvenience to potentially help flatten the curve as we ride this out. I did it back then for my own personal medical needs and health. This is even more important - it's for the good of you and everyone else.
- And if I may offer one other insight, specific to the moment we are living through - stay away from the news (or at least watching it all day long). News channels exist to make money, and "sensational" sells. No matter which way you chose to lean, lean away from endless body counts and hyperbole, and watch a Rom-Com or something. You may rue the decision to sit through all of "You've Got Mail" - but at least you won't be more scared.
I know this is all info that is being blasted at us via every method of communication; so nothing really new here. IMHO: I thought I'd share what I found to be helpful (from my first-hand experience), and I found to be manageable - with little to no effort or sacrifice. Because after all: it is all about me, myself and i-solation. (Though technically - isolation is for sick people, where quarantine is for separating healthy people from sick people).
