When people talk about “little wins”, they often mean the obvious things: getting through a difficult appointment, reaching a treatment milestone, or ticking something off the list that once seemed impossible.
But sometimes a little win is much smaller than that.
Sometimes it’s simply getting home.
After my unexpected hospital stay, I was allowed home yesterday evening — and that, in itself, felt like a huge victory. I’m still finding my feet again and rebuilding my strength – although it currently feels like a mission to go down two flights of stairs to the washing machine, and then back up again – but I’m trying to notice and appreciate the little things along the way.
One unexpected little win was losing 2kg during my hospital stay. I’m definitely not recommending this as a new weight-loss strategy (and I sincerely hope never to repeat the experience!), but I have to admit I was quietly pleased when I stepped on the scales.
Another little win happened this morning – and it involved something as simple as a yoghurt.
Before my hospital admission, I had bought a pack of yoghurts and had one left sitting patiently in the fridge. A couple of weeks ago, I had tried one, and although the cool, smooth texture was actually quite pleasant, it tasted of absolutely nothing. Not unpleasant… just completely devoid of flavour.
This morning I tried the final yoghurt from the pack.
And it was delicious.
A small thing, perhaps, but after weeks of strange tastes, metallic flavours and food becoming more of a challenge than a pleasure, actually tasting something properly again felt like a tiny celebration.
Sometimes the little wins really are little.
And then came another little win — although this one felt much more special.
#LittleLifts
When I got home, there was a brown cardboard box waiting for me on the doorstep. Although I knew it was on its way, I cannot properly describe the joy I felt as I opened it.
Inside was the most thoughtful collection of little gifts, carefully chosen to make chemotherapy just a little bit easier.
The box was tightly packed with goodies: calming herbal teas and hot chocolate, sweets to help with the strange metallic taste that chemotherapy can bring, and plastic cutlery because metal cutlery can sometimes make food taste unpleasant – especially when you have a sore mouth.
There was nourishing natural skin cream, lip balm, toothpaste and a soft toothbrush, sleep mist to help with relaxation, practical items such as bamboo pocket tissues, and even a notebook and pen. A tote bag was also included – a simple but thoughtful addition, and one I know will come in very handy for carrying the many things that now seem to accompany me to chemo sessions and hospital visits.
None of these things on their own are huge, but together they sent a very powerful message:
You matter.
You are cared for.
You are not alone.
I was genuinely touched by the kindness behind this box. It made me feel valued and supported at a time when treatment can sometimes make you feel like you are just a collection of appointments, test results and side effects.
Little Lifts is a charity providing gift boxes to people undergoing chemotherapy, surgery or radiotherapy for breast cancer. Each box contains carefully selected items designed to help ease treatment side effects and provide emotional support during what can be an incredibly difficult time.
At present, NHS hospitals in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire automatically provide Little Lifts boxes, while people elsewhere in the UK can apply online. The charity’s ambition is to provide a free Little Lifts gift box to every breast cancer patient in the UK.
If you would like to find out more about Little Lifts, or support the amazing work they do, please click the button below (opens in a new tab):
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