The tech I use to manage cancer
Note: This will be most useful to folks with an iPhone, though there are some Android tools listed as well. Quite unapologetically, I am...
Leveling the field
Trigger warning: I do talk about my prognosis, death, and dying. If that’s not something you’re in the headspace to take in, stop reading...
Bellaversary
One year ago today, I stood at the door to my cancer centre and rang the bell. It marked the end of twelve grueling...
Stoicism, cancer, and happiness
Throughout my experience with cancer, which spans a decade to days gone by when my mother was staring down her disease, I've had to find ways to keep moving forward through some of the most difficult days of my life.
The path is often challenging and surefootedness is never a guarantee. There are detours, unexpected water features, and shoe-sucking muck. It's never known what lies ahead, even if you're somewhere you've been before.
A Tribute to the Young Carcinomie
A Tribute to the Young Carcinomie To the parents, real and would-be, who've had their choices stripped by cancer, whose special memories are tainted...
Happy Cancerversary to Me
An entire year has elapsed since I was diagnosed with colon cancer.
The cancer experience is esoteric in nature. Only so much can be conveyed through storytelling and art, but I will do my best to share why this day is not a joyous one for me.
Cancer and the Holidays
Once again it's that time of year where friends, family, and colleagues get together to celebrate the holidays, imbibing in such abominations as eggnog and snacking down on abhorrent recipes of fruitcake.
A Staring Contest with the Reaper
I was diagnosed with stage IIIC colon cancer as an elder millennial—thirty-four when I received the news—and facing my mortality so directly was not something I'd ever done before.
The Five Tiers of Hope
One of the quick lessons that you learn when you're diagnosed with cancer is just how important it is to hold hope as you navigate the gauntlet of tests, scans, and treatments.
For those living with cancer, hope is a concept that can change rapidly and unexpectedly. When cancer becomes metastatic, hope looks a lot different than it does with less advanced cancers.
Lessons from Cancerland
When I was attending the Gathering of Wolves, I really wanted to learn more about what people experience so that I can include some of the thinking in my advocacy work, which is quickly becoming more than supporting and engaging with people on social media.
For this piece, I've also drawn from conversations I've had with people in support groups and on social media.
I'm not going to attribute the lessons to specific people out of privacy and respect, but I do think a lot of these are valuable to share.