Blogs

I learned that self-advocacy is not about proving an oncology wrong or deciding that one drug is better than the other. It’s about speaking up for what you think is right.

While I wouldn’t say that my cancer-related hospital stays were fun, I did my best to maintain a positive attitude and make the best of them.

Sometimes, hundreds of pages of cancer information still just doesn’t connect with the person who needs it.

I’m happy to be alive and thankful for all that I have, but cancer and the COVID-19 pandemic has taken so much from me, physically, emotionally and financially.

While waiting for my daughter to get a prophylactic cancer surgery, I sketched a cartoon that I hope will get people talking about hereditary cancer risks.

People who have never experienced cancer may think that life continues as normal after treatment is done, but that’s far from reality.

After being diagnosed with Lynch syndrome, a hereditary cancer syndrome, I saw my imperfect situation as an opportunity to educate and connect with others.

After being diagnosed with cancer and taking a look at all the stuff I accumulated, I began to think about my priorities in life.

The way I see it, double the cancer diagnoses means double the victory.

I am amazed at how a song drenched in hope emerges out of the fog when I need it most during cancer.

When all is said and done what is important to me was that we did all we could to save her. And when that failed, we did all we could to make her passing as peaceful as possible.

After going through cancer, I better recognize my triggers for heightened anxiety.

As a breast cancer survivor, it’s not only my duty to help the newly diagnosed, but it’s also my responsibility to heed the advice of seasoned champions.

Since I’ve become a patient and advocate, my social media algorithm now mostly shows cancer-related content. Here’s an open letter to said algorithm, or as I call it, “Algo.”

I’ve met too many people who were told that they were too young for cancer before being diagnosed.

While I decided to tell friends, family and even TSA agents about my cancer, others are much more private about their diagnosis, and I wonder why.

In part of the “Star Wars” saga, a character mentions that rebellions are built on hope. After being diagnosed with cancer, I’ve realized that the same is true for patients with the disease.

Here are a few ways I stay grounded throughout cancer.

I’ve had three colonoscopies within five years and am still colorectal cancer-free.

I've learned that with cancer, there’s a difference between cathartic venting (a natural stage of grief) and falling into a victim mindset.

Cancer-related decisions put strain on relationships between myself and family members.

A common — but toxic — flower is being used to treat cancer.

My oncology team works together to take great care of myself and other patients.

When I was in the throes of cancer, I didn't know how to answer well-meaning people who asked, "How you doin'?"

When my daughter was going through cancer treatment, we often heard the beeping of her chemotherapy IV. But recently, the memory of that sound was replaced with something much happier.

I’ve had many colonoscopies over the last two decades, so here are my tips for preparing for and going through the procedure.

Cancer took so many experiences away from me, yet I sometimes feel guilty that I survived and others did not.

After undergoing a bone marrow transplant for my leukemia, I started to have some odd symptoms, and sent wacky texts to my loved ones.