“You’ve gotta be your own guardian-angel. I’ve become mine. Practicing meditation, breathing and yoga help boost my body’s defences, strengthen immunity, calm my fears and ease my stress.”
#schutzengel in Essen Germany – photo by howlzap Cologne

The chemo treatment on Wednesday made me feel like a bladder-cancer-warrior-with-wings! It was the forty-first session and more than a little odd having it in Corona times. I feel like a warrior because strength and stamina are most definitely needed for this bladder cancer treatment, check-up, and recurrence marathon. There are always new challenges and things rarely unfold as expected.

With wings because I feel blessed by my guardian-angels (Schutzengel in German) to be able to have treatment now. I believe it’s not always possible for everyone needing it a) due to Corona and b) there is still a BCG shortage disrupting schedules for many depending on country and availability.

It’s strange how my mindset about treatment has changed; at the beginning I was focussed on getting through it, but in the meantime I’ve accepted that it is how it is and it’s never going to be “over”. The absolute best I can hope for is no more recurrences, a ceasing of treatment sometime and less frequent check-ups eventually.

I’ve learned that guardian angels aren’t just outside, they’re within us too.

You’ve gotta be your own guardian-angel. I’ve become mine. Practicing meditation, breathing and yoga help boost my body’s defences, strengthen immunity, calm my fears and ease my stress.

May you / your guardian-angels be watchful and strong in these challenging times too!