Chester Freeman

As a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, I recently gleaned three new insights from my oncologist and phlebotomist.

Two dear friends have introduced helpful items to me, such as a chemo jacket since I became cold in the treatment room.

I’ve recently started on chemotherapy pills instead of infusions and the bitterness reminds me to accept not only the bitterness of the pill, but in life too.

As I visit the cancer center for chemotherapy to treat my CLL, I can’t help but take note of how different cancer may look in each person.

During chemotherapy for my chronic lymphocytic leukemia, I try my best to appreciate the positive aspects of life, like flowers and friends.

During my chemotherapy treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, I had a supportive group of people surrounding me.

I had a friend who was diagnosed with the same bladder cancer as me, though our experiences were extremely different.

After reflecting on my own experience and speaking to others who also had cancer, here are 12 things I’ve learned about dealing with the disease.

I was experiencing a painful side effect from radiation therapy, but when the staff dressed up like characters from “The Wizard of Oz,” I became grateful for their willingness to brighten my day.

I developed tuberculosis — a rare but dangerous effect of certain bladder cancer treatments.

Laughter helped me get through many of cancer’s uncomfortable situations, including a recent MRI, where I was laughing despite not being able to move.