Articles

I used to say that my blood-cancer-sister Patricia Jempty, who called herself PJ, was my doppelganger, or double. I think that’s what she called me many moons ago when she...

Somewhere along the line, everyone comes face to face with overwhelming obstacles in their lives, along with full-blown life crises. It could arrive as a single event like a broken...

In the face of blood cancer, building a strong support system can make a world of difference. This compilation features advice shared by members of our community in a recent...

There’s been a lot of talk lately about having our cancer diagnosis minimized, and I have to say that I have experienced it myself and know many people have. Why...

A cancer diagnosis is a definitive change catalyst. After receiving their news, patients often find their lives bouncing through tumultuous change, particularly at the very beginning of their cancer journeys...

As a writer, some of my best ideas and thoughts arrive at unexpected times. Such was the case today when I was driving home from occupational therapy. This is my...

I’m very lucky in that I have an amazing support system. It’s something that was very apparent from the moment I was diagnosed. Friends taking me to the hospital. Visitors...

When I was a kid, needles were terrifying! It was common for me to kick, scream, and fight when told I needed a shot or blood draw. Yes, this actually...

Today has also been really hard for a variety of reasons. My toddler has needed a lot of attention and focus after spending 3 nights with her father. Things with...

I had the pleasure of attending this year’s ACPM (American College of Preventive Medicine) conference in Washington DC. In a nutshell, ACPM’s main mission is to modify the healthcare system...

I have heard some people say non-Hodgkins follicular lymphoma (FL), is the “good” kind of cancer. I mean yes and no.    I don’t think there is any “good” cancer. With FL...

It is easy for others to forget the chronic nature of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), but I do not have the luxury of forgetting. In October, I will mark the...

You came uninvited, at the worst of times, Bringing with you mountains too steep to climb. I hate you for the fear, the hurt, the tears, For how you touch...

Recently I've had the pleasure of going through yet another hurricane in my lifetime. I was raised mainly in Florida, so hurricanes are a normal occurrence. But since moving to...

There comes a time when we realize that some things in life are not working. For me, that deep awakening occurred following a series of traumatic episodes. Strangely enough, a...

It took me 6 months of training to prepare my mind, as well as my mind and body for a race. I’m so glad I signed up, and I must...

September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month. If you are on this site, you likely either have blood cancer or know someone who does. On thing is for sure: we all...

Have you ever felt judged for having cancer? There’s a red flag I’ve noticed that tells me when a conversation might not go over well. It starts with a simple...

Dealing with blood cancer is challenging enough without facing misunderstandings and misjudgments. Here’s my story of being perceived as non-compliant to treatment, and what I did about it. When I...

As cancer patients, we often have to come to grips with “the new normal.” For us, it starts soon after diagnosis. Eventually, and probably, the sooner the better, we have...