Living

A cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship are fraught with numerous stressors and challenges. Research has been done to look at stress in cancer survivors and it's often been found that...

A routine blood test revealed a slightly elevated white blood cell count. "No problem," said the physician's assistant, “it's probably just a cold or flu bug.” A few months later...

I’ve written before about how I’m mental about my weight. I know I am. It’s a work in progress. I’m so much better than I used to be. It doesn’t...

Several months ago, I received a sad email notifying me that a fellow nursing colleague had passed away. Rosemary was the one of several colleagues who had been diagnosed with...

Ah, the bucket list. Almost all of us talk about it, but usually in the “if I won the lottery” kind of way. They include all those things that most...

I know we talk about fatigue a ton here, and rightfully so. It’s one of the worst side effects of any disease, and cancer gets it in spades. The disease...

The word “will” can seem loaded when mentioned in casual conversation, and it might seem morbid to talk about or even unnecessary for the average person to think about. However...

Journey. Battle. Fight. Warrior. War. Purpose. Survivor. Test. Beast, which is my personal favorite. The list of words used to describe our cancer experience is endless. I’m ok with all...

After completing my chemotherapy, I was uncertain as to who I should see for routine health care. Routine healthcare includes annual checkups, medical tests, immunizations, and occasional sick visits. My...

I had a friend call me about 3 months into the start of my chemotherapy treatment to catch up and see how treatment was going. During this conversation, he started...

This month has been full of firsts for me!  Feeling good on a chemotherapy, worrying about blood test results, and, making a friend in my clinic! I have been going...

It’s time to talk about pain. Ugh, yeah, I said it. That four-letter word that we all despise that can make everything so much more, well, everything. Even though it...

As cancer survivors, many of us have experienced fatigue. I have also experienced insomnia, or difficulty falling asleep. A good night’s sleep is important to promote rest and help allow...

Okay let me start off by saying, I’ve met many people over the past 9 or so years that have meant well; however, their delivery was a bit questionable, to...

It happens every September. I don’t think I was really aware of it until I became involved with a charity over here called Bloodwise (formally Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research). This...

People who know me have heard me say this a lot: cancer is an emotional disease as much as it is a physical disease. For me, one of the emotions...

So, as many of you know, I’m single now, and sort-of, kind-of, searching for a new relationship.  I’m not going at it full steam, but I’m not kickin’ the idea...

We have experienced many challenges in our “battle” to deal with cancer. So, what is next as a cancer survivor? I personally try to enjoy all of life’s moments. Still...

It is natural for leukemia patients to worry about an upcoming stem cell transplant. I worried plenty. The whole concept was momentous and mysterious. A lot of excitement surrounded the...

I rarely feel like an ill person. Well, unless I have a cold but that only happens once or twice a year. And I think it’s good to get a...