Living

I’ve read Blood-Cancer.com’s “A Moment to Reflect” a few times now. In case you don’t remember, it’s the piece that the editorial team wrote that looks back on 2018. It...

Well, I know you won’t believe it if you have read many or any of my blogs.  But, I feel happy!!!!!  I have been treatment-free for a week and the...

Over the last, well, coming up for 12 years, I have constantly been astounded by people’s kindness and generosity towards me. Especially from those who don’t really know me. You sort...

Palliative and hospice care help to provide relief for patients from the symptoms and the stress of serious illness. Both involve teams of doctors, nurses and professional care givers. A...

On August 3, 2017, I was officially given my buff for the Myeloma Tribe. Yep, that’s right, I was now in my battle to be a “Survivor" of multiple myeloma;...

I’ve told this story before, but I believe it is worth repeating.  Prior to my multiple myeloma diagnosis in 2008 I was a passive by-stander on my health care team. ...

I had heard about the ritual of ringing the bell after chemotherapy is complete, but until I was immersed in cancer treatment myself I didn’t really understand the significance. I...

Living with cancer sucks.There, I said it.I remember when I only had to deal with the occasional cold or flu. Where the heck did leukemia come from? I used to...

You might think your junk drawer is full of, well, junk, but its contents can actually reveal a lot about you. I don't actually know what to make of all...

Cancer, like many diagnoses, means that you’re going to be devoting a lot of time to talking with doctors and medical professionals. Spending that long with anyone, doctors or not, means...

When my doctor presented my treatment plan to me in 2003, he asked if I wanted to be enrolled in a trial for something he called a hole plugger. He...

Have you ever wondered what the deal is with people wearing surgical masks? Could it be that everyone has a weak immune system or is something else going on? I...

Chemotherapy can often result in fatigue, nausea, and sleep disruption. From a personal perspective, I experienced debilitating fatigue and questioned my oncologist as to whether massage would help. At that...

10 years ago I had just graduated from the University of Edinburgh with my ‘fake degree’. A general arts degree. It means nothing. My diagnosis and having to take a...

Has your sleep ever been interrupted by constant thoughts? I liken it to repeated thinking about events of the day, worries or “what ifs”. This can be similar to a...

No one told me to expect a long recovery after completing chemotherapy treatment. Or if they did, I somehow mentally blocked it out. In any event, I expected to be...

Normally around Christmas and New Year, I become a bit maudlin, melancholy and reflective. I suppose a part of that is natural. Winter is officially here. The days are short...

I have bad luck with oncologists. I’ve been a blood cancer patient for almost 11 years. I was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma from a biopsied lymph node near my hip...

People love to talk about my hair now that it’s been growing back. I think a lot of people are trying to be nice when they start these conversations, but...

Once the fear of the cancer diagnosis subsides, the telling begins. I told my mother and my husband right away, but I kept it for myself a little longer. I...