Celebrating My First Cancer-Free Birthday
I was so excited to turn 25 years old. I was about to move across the country to start a …
Living
A New Outlook on the Holidays
The holidays can be quite frustrating. While everyone is running around, you’re maneuvering how to ensure your treatment isn’t …
Being You & the New Normal (Volume 1)
One of the things I hear most from people who have blood cancers (and probably all cancer) is that …
Fear and Worry
After I was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 2009, I watched my white blood cell and lymphocyte counts …
When Insurance Coverage Dictates Cancer Therapy
Financial distress or financial toxicity is a term used to describe the financial problems experienced by cancer patients because of …
Going Home After Transplant: Challenges from Ridiculous to Real (Part 2)
Check out Part 1 of Ronni’s series on life after transplant, Going Home After Transplant: Not a Piece of …
Survivor’s Guilt
This is something that I really struggle with and it never seems to get any better. I’m fine and then out …
Health Update Elevator Speech
When I was in high school, I had surgery on my knee which required I wear a brace over my …
Glossary of Terms for Advanced Care Planning
Perhaps you are thinking about situations where you may not be able to make decisions about your own health care. …
Cancer Patients May Experience Post-Traumatic Stress
A cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship are fraught with numerous stressors and challenges. Research has been done to look at …
Ask the Advocates: The Diagnosis
Welcome to part one of Ask the Advocates! Feel free to post your own answers to the community question in …
Choose to Live
A routine blood test revealed a slightly elevated white blood cell count. “No problem,” said the physician’s assistant, “it’s probably …
Giving Up on Exercise… Again
I’ve written before about how I’m mental about my weight. I know I am. It’s a work in progress. …
Thoughts About the Loss of a Loved One or Friend
Several months ago, I received a sad email notifying me that a fellow nursing colleague had passed away. Rosemary was …
The “Wicket” List
Ah, the bucket list. Almost all of us talk about it, but usually in the “if I won the lottery” …
What is a Living Will?
The word “will” can seem loaded when mentioned in casual conversation, and it might seem morbid to talk about or …
Words of Wisdom?
Journey. Battle. Fight. Warrior. War. Purpose. Survivor. Test. Beast, which is my personal favorite. The list of words used to …
After Treatment, Figuring Out My New Healthcare Routine
After completing my chemotherapy, I was uncertain as to who I should see for routine health care. Routine healthcare …
Going Home After Transplant: Not a Piece of Cake (Part 1)
When it was time to go home after my stem cell transplant, my doctor said, “Back to work in …
Thankful for Cancer? Not Yet
I had a friend call me about 3 months into the start of my chemotherapy treatment to catch up …