Ally McLaws tells us about the change in his wardrobe during his journey with Cancer.

Forgive me for I may be about to sin in regard to political correctness:

It seems many women require significantly more wardrobe space than your average bloke ...

Much of this extra capacity is needed for the various size options that come and go like the tides.

There are the big jackets, jumpers and jeans ... Then those rather neat tops and trousers and the slinky dresses that must be retained for aspirational targets such as summer holidays or that big wedding. And there’s the third wardrobe: a mixture of utility and practical stuff that is middle-sized comfort stuff… neither small or large or desperately flattering or worrying either.

For all my adult life (until very recently) I have needed only one wardrobe. 18 months ago, that began to change. I initially thought it was quite nice to see some weight loss - I thought it was because I walking more and drinking less alcohol.

But when the pounds kept falling off, I suspected something wasn’t right.

Cancer was diagnosed. I lost almost three stones in as many months and I wasn’t big to start with. My clothes fitted like those on a scarecrow. New holes were made in my trouser belt. I was like a child wearing his older brother’s hand-me-downs that I’d eventually grow into!

Laura started to buy me some new t-shirts, bright colours (and significantly smaller sizes)... to lift my spirits and lift the mood music of my attire. I even got reduced waist trousers and even smaller pants that didn’t hang like the sails of a giant yacht on a dead calm day. Suddenly I had a “wee wardrobe” ... and a “medium” wardrobe. 

I was going to ditch the “medium stuff” to a charity shop but wanted to remain

positive ... yes, it was a terminal diagnosis but treatments could still work in the interim and I might I regain weight again…maybe just one more time? Then a few months ago I developed brain tumours and was prescribed heavy doses of steroids – this puffed me up me up and gave me the appetite of a horse. Not only has the skinny wardrobe gone into mothballs, my “medium” sized stuff is now unable to fasten. Baggy jogging bottoms and a pair of elasticated waist utility trousers come to hand most days and my t-shirts are suddenly lumpy!

Laura might surprise me with a few new items in the days ahead – and so the third wardrobe of “big” stuff will come into being complete with extra-large t-shirts and pants that don’t dig in!

I have heard many women say: “I’m determined to get back to the small wardrobe one day…or die trying!” In my case, to use the very small stuff again, will mean something very much less aspirational.

We would like to send our condolences to Ally McLaws family and friends after his passing. We were privileged to receive his insightful blog pieces and he will be sorely missed. 

For more stories like this, visit the link here or why not visit our online information service My Light for further support.