Told to AtoneI never know how people will respond to information about us having blood cancer. When we talk about it and share our experiences, I’d like to say that most responses... By Maria Valente3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments19 comments
You got problems too?There are times when I feel comfortable enough to share my diagnosis and my symptoms with someone. I’ve been treating this chronic myeloid leukemia for ten years now and often... By Maria Valente2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments11 comments
No One Stares When You Got Some Hair“You don’t look sick!” I’ve been told over and over again. Most of my pain is not readily visible. My oncologist had told me that I had won the “cancer... By Maria Valente2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments13 comments
Lowered ExpectationsI got the most marvelous advice from a friend recently in just three simple words: lower your expectations. We were talking about time and how we spend it. Ten years... By Maria Valente4 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments23 comments
Fat vs FitPeople are often surprised when I mention that I am a cancer patient. People say, “You don’t look like a cancer patient.” But what does that mean? I’m not too... By Maria Valente2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments9 comments
Santa BabyWhen I went to elementary school I was not a big fan of Santa Claus. My neighborhood was diverse. We had social housing, low-income housing, and some lovely and pricey... By Maria Valente3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments11 comments
Chemo Failure (Part 2)In case you missed it, check out Part 1 of this series! It had been five years of chronic myeloid leukemia. I started one TKI oral chemotherapy, then a chemo... By Maria Valente2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments16 comments
Chemo FailureI’m a chemo failure. It was 2012 when I was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia. I soon found out that fighting leukemia is complicated. For me, this disease is always... By Maria Valente3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments16 comments
We've Come a Long WayI look at my calendar and I see a day to celebrate just about anything! I do have some favorites. January 1st is National Hangover Day for us Canadians -... By Maria Valente2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments5 comments
My WingmanLiving with cancer. We talk about how to manage it, how to work around it, and how to be happy in spite of it. Recently a friend of mine did... By Maria Valente2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments19 comments
Just RelaxI was talking to a cancer agency social worker when she said, “So, what do you do to relax?” I ran through the list of the things I do to... By Maria Valente3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments18 comments
Cancer Courage and When It FailsThere's a certain type of courage to facing cancer. It's a very individual experience. Leya Elijah’s article, The Pressure to be Brave, really got me thinking. What is Cancer Courage?... By Maria Valente2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments13 comments
Basic, Easy On The Tummy Chicken StewChemotherapy can wreak havoc on the appetite. The best recipes for me are the ones that are versatile with ingredient changes that match what my stomach can tolerate at the... By Maria ValenteBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments12 comments
Rash Decisions: CML and the Skin I'm InHave you had skin issues with your chemo? In 2012, I started oral chemotherapy for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). As my body slowly began to accept the treatment something was brewing underneath... By Maria Valente3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments24 comments
Steak and Capicola WrapsChemotherapy can wreak havoc on the appetite. The best recipes for me are the ones that are versatile with ingredient changes that match what my stomach can tolerate at the... By Maria ValenteBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments5 comments
Cue Vampire (Part 2)Read Part 1 of Paula's story: Cue Vampire. The immunologist was speaking. I could hear the words, but I couldn’t process them. I felt numb. Cold and numb like, well... By Maria Valente3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments9 comments
Cue VampireWithin three years of daily oral chemotherapy, I was wearing wide-brimmed hats, long sleeves, and large-rimmed sunglasses. I was losing pigmentation, or so it seemed to me. I was turning... By Maria Valente2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments14 comments
My Furry Companion: The Support of AnimalsI’ve never been without a pet. Until recently. It’s a lonely feeling. Something is missing and I search for it in little creaks and noises when my mind is wandering... By Maria Valente3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments22 comments
Infections and Informed ConsentRecently a friend of mine and I were talking about how to navigate relationships. It’s a conversation that more and more people are having, but to cancer patients, it’s a... By Maria Valente3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments21 comments
From Emotional Regulation to Emotional AcceptanceI’ve been a cancer patient for eight years so far. That’s eight years of balancing symptoms, appointments, tests, treatments, and side effects. Being a cancer patient is a part of... By Maria Valente3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments12 comments