First Chemo MemoryI am ready. I grab my bag, stuffed full of books, warm socks, lip balm, nausea pops, good luck charms, and a blanket as I sit in the passenger seat...Reactions0reactionsComments11 comments
Taking ActionIn my family, three people have gotten cancer. First, it was my mother. For her, it started with cervical cancer which was cured. Then a few years later she developed...Reactions0reactionsComments7 comments
A Strategy to Handle the Uncertainty of the Future of a Cancer SurvivorWe are motivated to find meaning in our lives. This is especially true in the aftermath of a cancer diagnosis. I can remember struggling with the uncertainty of the future...Reactions0reactionsComments10 comments
The Joy of the Cancer NerdI have a confession to make: I’m a big nerd. Specifically, I’m a big cancer nerd. I could go by other names. Cancer geek. Maybe cancer anorak. Some say those...Reactions0reactionsComments7 comments
Not Your FaultI recently read a post by one of our members. It seems her family, and in particular, her parents implied that it is somehow her fault she has cancer. The...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Staying Positive, Being HonestAs I think back upon all the things people have said to me since my diagnosis, ‘Stay positive!’ is one of the most common. It is often said with the...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
Chemo Brain is RealWhen it comes to long term side effects, one of the most prominent term I hear the most is chemo brain. After reading up on this epidemic by a study...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Improved Tennis Game: Unexpected Benefit of Light Therapy for Skin (Part 2)There was good news and bad news when they went from using one arm to two in the procedure called ECP, or extracorporeal photopheresis for graft-versus-host disease of the skin...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
The Cancer TornadoSaturday, April 24. 1993, Catoosa, Oklahoma, was hit by a deadly tornado. Catoosa is my second hometown. I started teaching for Catoosa Public Schools in 1978 right out of college...Reactions0reactionsComments7 comments
The Biopsy Experience for Blood Cancer DiagnosisDepending on a patient’s symptoms or abnormal lab values, the physician may consider a biopsy in order to examine the cells and make a definite determination of the diagnosis. Frequently...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
From Rare to CommonTreatment for multiple myeloma has come a very long way! It was a little over ten years that this rare condition was considered incurable... but is it? I along with...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Pamela Won't Let PV Define HerI first met Pamela, age 64, when we worked together starting about 30 years ago. Long after we had both moved on to other jobs, and in her case, another...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
A Dose of LaughterLiving with a chronic health condition can take a toll on your mental health. Life often seems full of the things you cannot do anymore, the ways the disease compromises...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
'Alphabet Soup': Explaining ECP for GVHD of the Skin (Part 1)When I tell people that I had four stem cell transplants, I have to start with the basics if they don’t know about blood cancer. I explain what a stem...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
The Social of it AllHere we are at full speed of everything surrounding us. In our particular case, it's cancer, emotions, and technology. Yes, technology because where would we truly be without our phones...Reactions0reactionsComments7 comments
Social Distancing Spurs Telehealth SurgeThe technology needed for virtual healthcare has been around for decades. But virtual care has not been widely used in the United States until recently. The recent public health emergency...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Nature's Impact on Our Physical & Mental HealthThere is growing evidence that spending time in nature can help people feel less depressed, anxious or stressed. Maintaining our connection to nature can improve one’s quality of life and...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Surfing The Emotional Waves Of Cancer and Your Angry RaccoonCancer is such a mercurial illness. One day, things could be looking great, and the next, the entire diagnosis could change. It’s like the roller coaster at the county fair...Reactions0reactionsComments18 comments
How to Monitor Your Health with At-Home DevicesAt-home monitoring can help you better manage chronic health conditions. It can also aid in your recovery after medical procedures. Using this technology, you can regularly record your health data...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Privacy Concerns When Going VirtualTelehealth has become a popular way to see a doctor. Today, you can get many health services remotely. And, some studies show you may get better care at a lower...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments