Blogs | News

A Bucket List? Even A Poor Guy Like Me Can Dream!

May 4th 2021

By Ron Cooper

A cancer survivor recalls how he never considered a bucket list until his diagnosis in 2014. And although he knows he can’t afford to buy a Ferrari and cruise through the Alps, he’s OK with changing course and going with something much smaller.

Throwing Gasoline on the Cancer Fire

May 3rd 2021

By Khevin Barnes

A seven-year cancer survivor writes how the disease is a delicate balancing act and how secondary illnesses can fuel the cancer fire.

Honesty is the Best Cancer Policy

May 2nd 2021

By Debbie Legault

A caregiver notes how honesty is the best policy when taking care of someone with cancer. She also discusses how she’s grateful that her daughter’s cancer experience happened before the COVID-19 pandemic so she could be there for her.

Embracing Summer Swimsuits Without Silicone Prostheses as a Breast Cancer Survivor

May 1st 2021

By Bonnie Annis

Summer poses challenges for those who have undergone mastectomy. Learn how one breast cancer survivor found a way to embrace breastlessness while still feeling feminine.

Writing ‘Morning Pages’ Helps Get My Mind Right Each Day

April 29th 2021

By Steve Rubin

A cancer survivor shares a journaling method that he has found to be beneficial to his mental health.

My Dark Cloud: Dealing with A Pet’s Cancer Diagnosis

April 28th 2021

By Marissa Holzer

A person with metastatic breast cancer discusses the emotional experience of learning that her dog, Heidi, was diagnosed with cancer.

What Is Loss?

April 27th 2021

By Jane Biehl Ph.D.

A cancer survivor describes her interpretation of a quote about loss by philosopher Marcus Aurelius.

The Infertility Ache of Cancer

April 26th 2021

By Danielle Ripley-Burgess

A colon cancer survivor recalls how she made peace with being infertile as a result of cancer treatments.

Years Later, the Decision to Walk Away from Aromatase Inhibitors Has Worked for Me

April 24th 2021

By Bonnie Annis

“It’s been almost seven years since I made the decision to stop taking aromatase inhibitors and I’m happy to report I’m feeling great,” writes a cancer survivor. “There are no more unwanted side effects. The decision to stop taking the medication was right for me.”

Patients with Long-Lasting Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Need More Attention

April 23rd 2021

By Martha Carlson

A patient discusses her experiences with long-term side effects from cancer treatment and details her frustration with the lack of focus on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with advanced cancer.

What I Have Learned Helping Friends Through Health Scares

April 22nd 2021

By Steve Rubin

Finding the balance between offering support and guidance while at the same time not overwhelming people going through health scares isn’t easy, writes a cancer survivor. He notes that although it may take some practice to get right, it is an important skill for cancer thrivers to get down.

Experiencing a Double Whammy: Chemo and COVID-19 Fog

April 20th 2021

By Jane Biehl Ph.D.

A cancer survivor describes what “chemo fog” is and writes how many people are now experiencing a double whammy — “pandemic fog.”

I Am a Strong Believer of Giving Patients with Cancer Hope

April 19th 2021

By William Tseng, MD

For the patient with a rare cancer, such as sarcoma, finding hope can be especially problematic, writes a cancer surgeon. Making patients hopeful, he writes, about their medical journey is as important as the medical components of treatment.

I Never Expected to Be the Caregiver with Cancer

April 18th 2021

By Marissa Holzer

The month of March has not been kind to this person living with metastatic breast cancer. Here, she recalls what it has been like to become the caregiver with cancer.

How I Wish You Could Have Seen It All

April 17th 2021

By Erica Finamore

A wife pens a letter to her husband on the first anniversary of his death from cancer about all the things he’s missed — from the big dates to the boring days, such as just watching TV with their dog.

Learning to be a Kinder Person After Cancer

April 16th 2021

By William Ramshaw

A cancer survivor and former military service member writes how he used to be short with people, demanded things be done his way and often made others feel little — that is until his cancer diagnosis. Here, he shares how his experience with cancer taught him to be kinder to others.

Managing the Stress of Medical Leave and Insurance Forms

April 15th 2021

By Steve Rubin

Navigating medical leave and insurance forms can be nerve-wracking and feel high stakes for some, writes a cancer survivor. Here, he offers advice on how to manage that stress.

Cancer’s Side Effects Are Always in the Rear-View Mirror

April 14th 2021

By Debbie Legault

No matter how far you think you’ve gotten away from them, cancer’s side effects are always in your rear-view mirror, writes this caregiver.

I Was 38 and Things Were Going Great, That is Until I Had a Cancerous Lump

April 10th 2021

By Marissa Holzer

A person living with metastatic breast cancer shares a poem regarding how her life changed in an instant, and how she continues to push forward even though her disease is extensive.

Cancer is a Stark Reminder of the Importance of the Little Things

April 9th 2021

By Jane Biehl Ph.D.

A cancer survivor recalls an experience from early on during the COVID-19 pandemic and reiterates how more than a year later, she thinks about those little things.

What Cancer Survivors Should Know About Tattoos

April 8th 2021

By Bonnie Annis

Some cancer survivors mark the end of their treatment by getting tattoos, but could that body art cause potential health risks? Here a cancer survivor — who has more than 10 tattoos — shares her perspective.

Caregivers Can Experience Survivor’s Guilt, Too

April 7th 2021

By Debbie Legault

Survivor’s guilt is not just felt by individuals who overcome a deadly disease like cancer, writes a cancer caregiver. She explains how she has experienced it too but knows that not all caregivers are as lucky as her.

Navigating the Long-Term Effects of Cancer Treatment are Reminders of a ‘New Normal’

April 6th 2021

By Felicia Mitchell

Sorting out symptoms as survivors age can be challenging, writes a cancer survivor. She notes that survivors have special needs that they need to be aware of to make the most of their “new normal.”

Cancer Treatment Sucks, Even When it Works

April 5th 2021

By Kelly Irvin

It makes sense to take stock of cancer treatment — its physical, emotional, and spiritual cost, and what people want out of life going forward. Here, a patient with cancer writes how It’s OK to say, “Cancer treatment sucks and I hate it, even when the big prize, our buddy NED, has taken up residence in our bodies.”

I Am Still Me, Regardless of My Disease

April 3rd 2021

By Marissa Holzer

A person with metastatic breast cancer writes about how she just wants to be “normal” again and for people to stop pitying her.

Thanks to COVID-19, I Have Missed the Little Things

April 2nd 2021

By Jane Biehl Ph.D.

A cancer survivor writes about all the little things she has missed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those little things — such as going to a diner and connecting with friends — are now appreciated more than we ever would have imagined, she writes.

Downloading the Details During a Cancer Journey

April 1st 2021

By Bonnie Annis

What happens when health is affected by an unexpected illness such as cancer? Does their quality-of-life decline? Here, one survivor writes how she used the gift of recording the details of her journey to better her life after a cancer diagnosis.

Playing the ‘Role’ of a Cancer Survivor

March 31st 2021

By Khevin Barnes

A playwright with male breast cancer examines some beliefs that may influence our survival.

Although it’s Impossible to Eliminate Uncertainty in Cancer and in Life, it’s Possible to Live With it

March 30th 2021

By Martha Carlson

A patient with metastatic cancer writes about how the unknowns of her disease have shaped her life and health experiences, and how she has learned to live with that uncertainty.

Patients With Cancer Are The CEO of Their Care Team

March 29th 2021

By Steve Rubin

A cancer survivor recalls some experiences he had along his journey and reminds others to be the CEO of their care team, as it’s their life on the line.

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