Martha lives in Illinois and was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in January 2015. She has a husband and three children, ranging in age from 12 to 18, a dog and a lizard.
Necessary Comfort: Dogs Provide Unconditional Cancer Support
How a dog provides unconditional love, comfort and life lessons in caring for this patient with stage 4 cancer.
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Cancer, Weight and 'The Blame Game'
Breast cancer links to weight, diet and exercise are all over the news, but remember this: You are not to blame.
My Lists Of Small Joys: 'Minute Mindfulness'
Living with cancer means more than letting the negative go, it means finding a way to take in the happiness of right now. This cancer survivor calls it "Minute Mindfulness."
Hearing The Patient's Voice
Why this breast cancer survivor thinks more oncologists should be listening carefully to patients on social media.
The Deep Breaths Within Resiliency
Getting back up matters when cancer knocks you down, but so does pausing for reflection.
Being A Friend
The power of friendship within the world of metastatic cancer has hit home for this survivor.
'Chronic' Metastatic Breast Cancer Is Not A Thing
At 42,000 US deaths a year, the push to call metastatic breast cancer "chronic" is premature.
Finding My Tribe
I didn't see how alone I was with cancer until I found purpose and friendships with advocacy.
'What Can I Do?'
How a single phone call can change cancer outcomes and improve patient lives.
Trying To Trust My Body
When the physical effects of cancer make it harder to do things, you can still find a way to move forward.
'There's An App For That!'
Create a digital health binder, improve communication, find clinical trials and get connected with three free mobile apps.
Scanxiety: The Brain Edition
In metastatic breast cancer, the brain MRI is often a special request for what you don't want but truly need.
Putting Yourself First
How to build good self-care habits for a better life with cancer.
Moving Better With Cancer
How physical therapy restored this cancer survivor's quality of life.
False Hope And Cancer Cures
Why it matters when hope isn't really hope at all (and tips on reading articles about cancer research).
Jumping Into a Cancer Conference
Meeting others, learning tips, hearing from docs: breast cancer patients have it all when they get together.
Cold Weather Tips For Peripheral Neuropathy
Winter can aggravate this chemotherapy side effect that causes hands and feet to feel numb, tingly and painful.
You Can Improve Cancer Care
Three ways this metastatic breast cancer patient has made research participation a part of her life.
Plan B For The New Year
Real resolutions to make 2019 feel like a year of finally putting away unachievable goals from the past.
Loss, Love and Metastatic Cancer
Cancer has led me to men and women who grabbed onto life but died anyway.
My Month Of Scanxiety
Four years' worth of high-stakes scans have made me an expert in four excellent ways to ease intense anxiety.
Stumbling Through The Holidays
Emotions are not an either/or proposition when it comes to metastatic cancer.
Left Boob Gone Rogue
A psychiatrist mom with metastatic breast cancer shares her thoughts about cancer and life in a lovely new book
Turning Up The Volume
Metastatic breast cancer advocate goes to Washington DC to tell her own story and push for more research to be directed toward metastatic disease
9-Step Plan for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Sometimes that product or campaign does good, but sometimes it doesn't. Here's how to sort through the pink marketing
Kids and the Cancer Talk
A breast cancer patient's go-to resources for starting and continuing the cancer talk with your kids
A Few Thoughts On Olivia Newton-John
The words celebrities use carry an enormous amount of weight.
Finding Balance in the Extremes Of Cancer
A few thoughts and simple methods for finding a way to get back to the center of a life that includes all the emotions
Are We Tying Scientists' Hands?
Positive results, clinical utility, curtailed curiosity – has the desire for good news slowed the path to a cure?
I Can Do It Myself: Maintaining Autonomy During Cancer
As a person with metastatic cancer, I've surrendered a lot of my autonomy. Pay attention when I say I don't need your help.