Maybe this idea will help others…
I am a keen birdwatcher and on the day of diagnosis which came out of the blue, my lovely husband and I went to a local nature reserve and I put a big line under my current birdlist and started a new one. All the bird species I could see in the time from diagnosis to when I’m well enough to go back to work and continue with my ‘normal’ life. After some deliberation I decided to call the Big Pink List.
It helped enormously to get through the waiting time for surgery (mastectomy). We managed to get away for a few days and visit the East coast and so I’m now on 109 species. It helps getting my motivated to get outside and visit places. I am now 2 weeks post surgery and am planning my next trips.
I’m sure this can be adapted to other lists - but anything that keeps you positive through this incredibly tough journey must be good!