Please Don't Ask Me How I'm FeelingYou wouldn’t think a cancer survivor would get upset by being asked, “How are you feeling?” Or that they would be bothered...reactions10comments
Having a Life AgainThe last 7 weeks have been amazing. I’m on my new drug and I am able to have a life! I’m not...reactions2comments
Helpful Tips for a Patient Receiving a Chemotherapy InfusionReceiving chemotherapy can be a frightening experience. Even as a nurse with many years of clinical practice, I really did not know...reactions2comments
Keep Your Friends Close and Your Cancer Friends CloserThis journey has been so eye-opening to me in more ways than I can count. I've learned a lot about myself, but...reactions17comments
Worrying About Results for the First TimeFor the first time in over 11 years, I worried about blood test results, which was a strange place to be. I’m normally...reactions1comment
OverloadMy long-term memory is still pretty decent (I think). I can still solve a quadratic equation using formulas I learned almost 50...reactions2comments
Thinking Like a Child: A Strategy for Dealing with AdversityA few years ago, I found myself dealing with the adversity of cancer. I was feeling totally exhausted after chemotherapy and was...reactionscomments
AML on My Radar for More Than 15 YearsBack in my newspaper days, when telling someone what beat I covered, I would say something like, “I have arts and entertainment.”...reactions2comments
By the NumbersGrowing up I always liked numbers. In high school, I’d get bored and watch the clock and on a sheet of paper...reactions6comments
The Big ClimbIf you’ve read my past posts you’ve seen me mention The Big Climb where we trudge up the stairs of the tallest...reactions5comments
My Three Day RuleA few days ago, my son sent me a text at 2:00am. He’s in college, and I know he’s been busy with...reactions5comments
Learning to Appreciate Life with All its Ups and DownsSome days this diagnosis feels like I am sitting on death row, waiting for execution day to arrive. Every time I start...reactions6comments
The Relief of a Phone CallOut of the blue in 2007 around 6 months after my diagnosis and being taken off Imatinib and waiting to go onto...reactions1comment
Fighting and Giving Into FatigueI’m not good at being tired. As I write this, I’m struggling to stay awake. I have things to do and stories...reactions12comments
What to Say and Do for a Cancer PatientCancer is such an awkward topic. What do you say to someone who has just been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness? How...reactions3comments
Blood Cancer Anxieties: Financial StressIn this series, we discuss causes of anxiety for those facing a physical illness like blood cancer and its side effects. Phrases...reactions8comments
The FearToday we’re going to talk about fear. Anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer, anyone who knows a loved one or friend...reactions10comments
From Passive By-Stander to Empowered Partner (Part 2)A diagnosis of cancer is life-changing. My family and friends insisted I seek a second opinion from a myeloma specialist, which is...reactions2comments
Port of Entry ClosedOnce my treatment plan was in place, the first step was a port-a-cath. My oncologist casually mentioned that the port procedure was...reactions6comments
12 YearsWell, I can’t really believe it. The 19th of January marked 12 years since my diagnosis. 12 years since I got *that* phone...reactions1comment
