Living

The initial response to the diagnosis of blood cancer can be overwhelming. I remember feeling in denial. This could not be happening. I never had any symptoms. Anger followed. I...

Honestly, I’m unsure where I left things off regarding writing about my back. To summarize, I’ve been dealing with a bad back for a couple of years, along with my...

Anyone who reads articles on our site here at Blood-Cancer.com probably sees a lot of recurring themes. One is how important support is for a cancer patient. But what are...

There is a first for everything, and today is no exception. Usually, I would create a video for you all. I love the videos because you get to see my...

You know, with the holidays approaching again (geeze, it seems like they come every year, doesn’t it?) I think it would be good to review some of the situations that...

Let me ask you a question here, in a safe, judgment-free zone. What are your thoughts on cannabis? Cannabis can be quite the buzzy topic among blood cancer patients (pun...

One fall day when I was a sophomore at Vassar College, my boyfriend Tim and my friend Pam and I went to a nearby dog pound “just to look.” I...

I’m sure many can relate and even say that blood cancer can be compared to some type of board game. Whether you’re playing Chutes and Ladders or Connect 4, you...

Let’s face it, as much as the holidays can bring joy and fun, they can often be utterly exhausting! And for those of us living with blood cancer, those worn-out...

Being taken care of. It’s part and parcel of living with blood cancer. Whether it's family, friends, home health aides, or even the chemo place medical staff, cancer almost always...

Sometimes the support you find when diagnosed with blood cancer comes from unexpected places. Nine years ago, it was unchartered territory for me when I learned I had a rare...

And another Blood Cancer Awareness Month has gone by. Another World CML Day has gone by. And for the second year in a row, I basically forgot about it. And...

If you ever find yourself in an emergency situation, such as the need to visit the emergency room, I’ve learned from experience that a little advanced preparation goes a long...

I am so amazed that people consider blood cancer to be the "good cancer." I will never forget one of the first times I spoke openly about my chronic lymphocytic...

I’ve had the opportunity to take part in some amazing experiences while and after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma a decade plus ago. It’s only been a few years now...

As a mom, you are a natural caregiver. From the moment you realize a new life is on the way, to seeing the first glimpse of that new little person...

You are a cancer warrior! You are a survivor! You are a fighter! You are a one-eyed-one-horned-flying-purple-people-eater! When you have blood cancer, it seems like everyone is always telling you...

Well it is that time of year again. No, not the Holiday season - it’s not quite time yet! Even though I am already seeing holiday-themed commercials, I am still...

The other day, I was walking down the street, choking back tears, stopping and starting and stopping again. I was trying to finish a text to my nurse practitioner at...

Getting the news I had blood cancer was a bit of a shock. And while I did not know it at the time, my not-so-good news would evolve into many...