What IS that grey pachyderm in the corner?

The thing about elephants is that it's very hard to hide them. You can stand them by the wall and put a lampshade on their heads, you can get them to pretend to be coat stands, using their trunk as a hook, you can get them to lie down and imitate an occasional table; but at some point, their true nature will become apparent - and will almost certainly frighten everyone in the vicinity who isn't expecting the trumpeting and ear flapping that accompanies the elephant's arrival.

Today, the elephant made a reappearance. This time, it was loitering in Ikea, next to a sign that read "Macmillan Nurses". The Macmillan nurses were out and about trying to raise awareness of their work. Nobody was stopping to talk to them so, when they asked me if I could spare a minute, I replied, "Yes, of course. I've had cancer and I think you do wonderful work."

Now, you would think someone working for Macmillan nurses would be used to meeting cancer patients, wouldn't you? However, as soon as I made that comment, the smile froze into place and it became obvious that there was an elephant behind me! We had a brief chat and, as I left, having said they could send me details of their work if they wished, I was told, "I do admire your attitude. It's wonderful that you're so cheerful."

The elephant and I quivered at that - why wouldn't I be cheerful. There are two things you can do if you've got - or have had - cancer; firstly, you can give up and wait to die. Secondly, you can give a cry of "Carpe diem!" and get on with it. My advice is to take the latter route, no matter how tempted you are to follow the former. If you recover, great! If you don't, there really isn't any point in being miserable for your last days, months or years.

But I have to admit that it's very satisfying to see the look on the faces of those people who say things like, "Cheer up - it may never happen" to you as you pass them and they think you look glum. A well placed, "Actually, it already has. I've had / I have cancer" causes the elephant to reappear and to loom over them as they back away, horrifed... It may not be kind, but it is so worth it!

Thoughts for today, then?

1. Remember that the majority of people you talk to find elephants quite worrying


2. Ignore their fear and enjoy your life


3. Sometimes - just sometimes - let the elephant loose deliberately and watch the results...