Giving Yourself A Break. And A Break.Cancer is such a monumental, life-altering experience that it can be difficult not only to get through it but to return to “normal” afterwards. Normal. It’s a word that takes...Reactions0reactionsComments16 comments
'Queen of Rashes' Not a Title to DesireA reader pointed out that in my post on going home after transplant, part two, I said I had a bad rash but never said what it was from and...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
DocsplainingI recently came across a great hashtag on Twitter: #docsplaining. It comes from the word “mansplaining.” That word has been around for about 10 years now, and is used to...Reactions0reactionsComments9 comments
Feeling Tired AgainI feel tired again. My legs hurt. I’ve had to cancel something because I just don’t have the energy for it. I don’t want this to start happening. I was hoping that...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
It's All About the Little ThingsOne of the things that helped my daughter, Crystal, feel special, loved, and was such a huge comfort to her through a very difficult time was all the support she...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Glass Bottomed BoatI recently posted a blog on my personal site, titled “Lessons Learned on the Way to Gili T”. It is in 2 parts and can be found at effcancerblog.com. (Sorry...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
The Positive Effects of the Practice of GratitudeThe positive effects of practicing gratitude can quickly create a positive mindset and change how your brain works. Researchers found that when we think about someone or something we really...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Hi! I'm Crystal and I Had Cancer (Part 2)In Part 1 of this story, I talked about my new job as a broadcast meteorologist. It was a morning news position which was the exact opposite of my previous...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Chia HairOne of the possible side effects of chemotherapy is hair loss. I prepared myself with a pre-chemo haircut. I cut my hair chin length from below the shoulders to ease...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Double Dose and Still Feeling GoodI have been on a double dose for two weeks and I’m still feeling good. This has come as a bit of a surprise. Always wondering when the day is going to...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Making Olympic Sized PlansIn 1976, I was 15 years old and that was my first real appreciation of the Olympics. It was the start of Edwin Moses’s domination of the 400-meter hurdles. He’s...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Many Options, and Much Confusion, in Neuropathy Treatment (Part 2)Editor's Note: It is recommended that you speak to your healthcare team before starting, stopping, or changing the dose of any medication. The drugs to treat neuropathy fall into two...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
No More PoisonI’ve often thought my leukemia could be traced back to a seven-year period when I endured a chronic level of intense stress. I, of course, had no knowledge of actual...Reactions0reactionsComments24 comments
Growing After the Trauma of CancerIn the light of traumatic experiences and adversity, it is so easy and common to pay attention to the hardships we endure during these times. It’s so important to open...Reactions0reactionsComments13 comments
Running AgainI WENT RUNNING AGAIN AND IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!! I haven’t been running in so long and I miss it and it was so amazing to be able to go! Also, as...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
If I Didn’t Have to Wear Clothes“I’d feel so much better if I didn’t have to wear clothes.” This was my response to a new healthcare provider yesterday when asked me how I was doing. He looked at...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Fun in the Sun with MyelomaSummer is around the corner and so is the sun. I’m a winter baby but I do like some aspects of what summertime brings… well, all but one...the rays of...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
Blood Cancer Anxieties: Isolation & MisunderstandingIn this series, we discuss causes of anxiety for those facing physical health conditions. Phrases in quotes are the words of our community members across various conditions on what it’s...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
Always Waiting... Always with HopeOver the last 11 and a half years, I have been on 5 different types of oral chemotherapy. Been back on one of them twice, and back on another 3...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
Animals & CancerAnimals can be so amazing! I’ve had dogs and cats my whole life. In fact, I've had many other animals, too. They’ve all been fun and were part of our...Reactions0reactionsComments17 comments