Articles

One 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...

I 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...

The 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...

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...

One 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...

I 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...

In 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...

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...

I’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...

In 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...

I 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...

“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...

Summer 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...

In 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...

Over 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...

Animals 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...

Scanxiety.  It’s a term that entered my vernacular around the same time as anaplastic large cell lymphoma.  Its definition may seem obvious – the anxiety that comes along with the...

I was overwhelmed anticipating my first appointment with my oncologist. Even as an experienced RN, I was totally out of control and fearful. Bringing a notebook and writing all questions...

I realized I had been writing for Blood-Cancer.com for a couple of months now and never properly introduced myself! Hi, I’m Crystal! I joined the Blood-Cancer.com community about a year...

Is getting enough sleep an issue for you? It is for me. At night, the distractions of the day aren’t there to defend me against my thoughts. Making matters even...