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When I was undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer about eight years ago, it was really important that I stay away from other people, especially large groups. The chemotherapy drugs I was on made me more susceptible to infections, so I was already in the hospital quite a bit. I got bladder infections, kidney infections, you name it. I even got the MRSA ¡°superbug¡± once.

But I was still so tired at that point that I was fine with going to bed at 8:30 every night and only getting to visit with small groups of family and close friends. I didn¡¯t feel isolated because I was recovering. And, once my treatment was over, I was back to go, go, go. I was always busy and never at home.

Then came the 2019 novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19.

Social distancing has hit me really hard. I¡¯m a very social person, so I¡¯m not good at being alone. But, I have found a few ways to bring myself some peace of mind, even when I¡¯m on my own. Here are four of them.

Taking sensible steps to protect myself

I¡¯m already at a higher risk of contracting contagious diseases because of everything I¡¯ve been through. If there¡¯s something going around, I¡¯m usually the first person to catch it. So, I was already taking sensible precautions like washing my hands frequently in my day-to-day life.

But if I were to get COVID-19, it would be very, very difficult. Some of the long-term effects of cancer treatment already make it harder for my body to fight off an infection. I have asthma, too, so that¡¯s a double-whammy. That¡¯s why I do everything the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends ¡ª and then some.

For instance, I¡¯ve been avoiding people. I started working from home as soon as this virus became a pandemic. Now, if I go out for a walk, it is just around my block a few times, avoiding any and all people. If I have to go somewhere else, I wear gloves and a mask, and bring disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer with me.

I get my groceries delivered, and I wipe down all the containers before putting them away. When I get restaurant food delivered, I take it out of the original packaging and reheat it in the microwave. Because of the advice I got from another cancer survivor, I¡¯ve even started dropping my keys in a separate bowl and disinfecting them before putting them back in my purse. I wash the clothes I left the house in as soon as I get home.

Some of these strategies may sound a bit extreme. But as a cancer survivor, I can¡¯t be too careful. And this way, I know I¡¯m doing absolutely everything I can to keep myself safe and healthy.

Practicing more ¡ª and better ¡ª self-care

Normally, I wouldn¡¯t have time to do things like cook or . But now, it¡¯s like, ¡°OK. It¡¯s 5:30, and I¡¯m done with work. I can¡¯t go anywhere or do anything. So, what do I do now?¡±

My solution has been to go online. I¡¯ve been very pleasantly surprised by the amount of free wellness support that¡¯s available ¡ª especially to cancer survivors. I¡¯ve done yoga classes, meditation and , among other things. It seems like there are activities available literally at any hour.

I¡¯ve also been finding a lot more time to cook, which I love to do. Now, my challenge is to find recipes for the stuff I already have in my fridge or freezer. I was eating really well and working with a personal trainer before the coronavirus pandemic. So, I »å´Ç²Ô¡¯³Ù want to eat junk. Now is not the time for me to get lazy.

One habit I haven¡¯t changed is waking up at a normal time and putting on makeup. I feel like that¡¯s a way of staying accountable, since I¡¯m working from home. I feel better when I look good. And I want to look like my normal self. Besides, joining a video meeting right after rolling out of bed would not be pretty!

Deepening old relationships -- and forging new ones

One unexpected ¡ª and ironic ¡ª benefit of social distancing is that in some ways, it¡¯s bringing me much closer to people.

I have one sister who lives in San Francisco, another who lives in New York City, and a brother, sister-in-law and niece who live in Tokyo. Before COVID-19 started, we only talked every once in a while. Now, we talk almost daily. We¡¯re always checking in on each other.

I¡¯ve also gotten to know some of my dance classmates better. I¡¯ve been taking country western dance lessons for about a year. But that¡¯s a very contact-driven hobby, so obviously, we can¡¯t do it right now. Still, we all crave that connection, so we¡¯ve started doing happy hours through Zoom where we play fun games to get to know each other better, and we plan to host a Zoom where we¡¯ll line dance at our own homes. I¡¯ve met kids and pets and gotten to know people better. It¡¯s been really fun and an unexpected surprise.

My older friends and I have gotten creative in how we socialize, too. I had a coffee date recently via FaceTime. My friend and I sat and talked in just the same way we would¡¯ve if we¡¯d been at a coffee shop together. It was great ¡ª and not only because I feel less alone when I¡¯m connecting with others. I wouldn¡¯t necessarily have gotten up that early on a weekend, without anything to do or anywhere to go. But meeting up with her got me up early, and I worked out virtually right afterwards. That was exactly what I needed, because otherwise, I might¡¯ve slept in. And one thing I »å´Ç²Ô¡¯³Ù want to do is use this as an excuse to be lazy.

I¡¯ve met some new people through online tools, too. In one, someone picks a movie and we all stream it and watch it together, and communicate silently through the app. I¡¯ve also been seeing some new faces in MD Anderson¡¯s Adolescent and Young Adult Program. After its monthly support group went online, other survivors started showing up, who maybe weren¡¯t willing or able to come in person.

Savoring memories of good times and anticipating new ones

The last thing I¡¯ve been doing to maintain my sanity is savoring good memories. I turned 40 on March 6, and I had a giant birthday party. Social distancing wasn¡¯t a thing yet, so I got to see a lot of my friends. About 80 people came and celebrated with me. We had an amazing time that I will never forget.

Little did I know, that party would prove to be my own (and many other people¡¯s) ¡°last hurrah¡± ¡ª at least, for a little while. I created a scrapbook to remember it, then shared a collage and video montage of it on social media. Now, I¡¯m imagining all the new memories I¡¯m going to create, once this coronavirus is behind us.

Social distancing isn¡¯t going to be over tomorrow, or even next week. And it¡¯s easy to get depressed if you stay immersed in the news or »å´Ç²Ô¡¯³Ù take steps to take care of yourself. But I am a very positive person, and that¡¯s how I plan to stay. That¡¯s why I am collecting all of these strategies now, so I will have lots of options down the road ¡ª and for as long as I need them.

Find COVID-19 resources and learn how MD Anderson is responding to the pandemic.