I wrote yesterday about things that people said to me during my cancer journey and in the time since (though one could argue that it’s all the same journey). I wanted to talk about it a little more. I don’t think people are intentionally being mean or dismissive or any other unpleasant thing. I think … Read more
12 years ago, I began the process of sorting through symptoms and getting tests done that led to a cancer diagnosis. In that 12 years, people have said some really stupid and/or hurtful things. (Not intentionally. But still.) My cancer wasn’t some sort of gift. It wasn’t given to me so I could learn a … Read more
I wrote the other day about how I believe it’s prudent to be mindful about what we purchase, use, eat, drink because of negative health implications. It’s easy to be overwhelmed because there are so many carcinogens (and that says nothing of all of the crap that’s causing other adverse effects.) So if we know … Read more
Four years ago, I wrote a post on Facebook about cancer prevention. It’s full of frustration. Wrapped up with the frustration—though not so evident in the writing—is a solid dollop of “I get it.” A month ago, I lost a good friend to cancer. In the month since then, I’ve learned about three more diagnoses … Read more
I was 31 when I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It was around then that support groups for young adults with cancer and survivors of cancer were starting to pop up. I learned about one called I’m Too Young for This (some years later renamed Stupid Cancer). No idea how I learned about it, but … Read more
A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to present two sessions at my school district’s Wellness Expo—one on Motivation and Mindset, and one on Sugar. I’ll post here what’s essentially the transcript for each, editing for reading as needed. I was allotted an hour for each session, and while I didn’t talk that … Read more
I hope that one day, I can tell my grandkids about what I went through for treatment for lymphoma, and they can look at me wide-eyed, staring in disbelief at how archaic the treatments were. In the mean time, for the too many people I know (and countless more I don’t know) who are fighting … Read more
Some of my healthy habits were in place before my ride on the cancer bus; some were a result of it. Not having cancer again is one of my motivations for many of the choices I make. “Everything gives you cancer, so why bother?” is common, and I hear you, and I understand your frustration. … Read more
People mark cancer-related anniversaries in different ways—diagnosis date, end of treatment date, “cure” date, etc. Today marks 11 years since I completed chemotherapy. I have written quite a bit about my cancer experience in my book fetus; I’ll share some of it here as we go. While I was going through treatment, I kept a … Read more