Living

In this series, we discuss causes of anxiety for those facing a physical illness like blood cancer and its side effects. Phrases in quotes are the words of our community...

Today we’re going to talk about fear.  Anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer, anyone who knows a loved one or friend who has been diagnosed, or even anyone who...

A diagnosis of cancer is life-changing.  My family and friends insisted I seek a second opinion from a myeloma specialist, which is a doctor who only treats myeloma patients. I...

Once my treatment plan was in place, the first step was a port-a-cath. My oncologist casually mentioned that the port procedure was scheduled. I was overwhelmed by my recent diagnosis...

Well, I can’t really believe it. The 19th of January marked 12 years since my diagnosis. 12 years since I got *that* phone call. 12 years since my life was never...

Authors note: This is the second part of a two-part series. Here we discuss ways to improve the sex life of couples dealing with bloodcancer. Check out What About Sex?...

As a cancer patient receiving chemotherapy, I experienced not just the symptoms of the disease but also suffered debilitating fatigue. Taking a shower was like doing a day’s work. This...

In “Love, Medicine and Miracles,” the surgeon Bernie Siegel writes about a group of “exceptional cancer patients” whose positive attitude helped them heal. When I read it while in the...

Who would ever think that a discussion of whose cancer is more relevant than another’s would be had, yet we see this happen many times. Did you know there were...

Numerous stressors are faced by a cancer survivor. Add to that family discord and the result can be disastrous. I experienced this first hand when that combination factored into my...

Editor's note: This article discusses the author's experience with a friend's suicide, which may be triggering to some readers. A heartbreaking thing happened so many years ago that when I...

Someone I loved died from cancer recently. I don’t like to think about death. But sometimes it gives us an opportunity to reflect. My Loved One’s cancer was a hard...

As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a teacher. I have fond memories from a very young age of playing “school” with my dolls.  My...

BelongSynonyms: affiliation, acceptance, fellowship Some of us won’t admit it, but in reality, we spend a large time of our lives developing an outer image of who we are and...

“Throw yourself onto the court,” the tennis coach was saying. We were practicing serve and volley. The idea is that you get a head start by being part-way into the...

Author's note: This is the first of a two-part series. Here we discuss the practical side of sex for couples dealing with blood cancer. We’ll cover ways to improve your...

Now that 2019 is upon us, it has me thinking.  It’ll be my first post-cancer year.  Which means, succinctly, I’ll be a “cancer survivor.” Yes, that thing that all people...

I’ve been on my new drug for a week. And I can’t believe it, but I still feel like me! I’m drinking far less caffeine. I’m not needing to eat...

The mound of hope, pain, and uncertainty is high for so many. There are so many things we can count our blessings on, in light of circumstances. When I open...

A cancer diagnosis feels like a bleak winter. My diagnosis came just after my 44th birthday at the end of the summer. I had my biopsy, and the diagnosis came...