Coping with Women's Cancers
In Part 1—Chemotherapy, we entered Diane’s story as she was undergoing pre-operative chemotherapy for lobular breast cancer. In this post, we will take a close look at how Diane’s journey began a year ago last month and how she is currently preparing for surgery by getting second opinions while her body recuperates from chemo. This is a cautionary tale… Continue reading Diane’s Story – Breast Cancer: Part 2–Diagnosis
The Foundation for Women’s Cancer reports that in 2015, it was estimated that 98,280 women would be diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer and about 30,440 would die from the disease. The breakdown for the 5 types of gynecologic cancer from the American Cancer Society last year was as follows, in alphabetical order: Estimated new cases Estimated deaths Cervical cancer… Continue reading September Is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month – Information & Stories Within
Mammary gland at 40x under lab microscope (Accessed July 2016) © MicroscopeWorld 2015 Beginning with this post, we will be following the progress of my friend Diane, who is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer and has generously agreed to tell her story. Along the way, we will provide reliable information and resources to help others… Continue reading Diane’s Story – Breast Cancer: Part 1–Chemotherapy
Taking place under the tagline ‘We can. I can.’, World Cancer Day 2016-2018 will explore how everyone – as a collective or as individuals – can do their part to reduce the global burden of cancer. Just as cancer affects everyone in different ways, all people have the power to take various actions to reduce… Continue reading World Cancer Day – February 4, 2016: Start of a 3-Year Campaign
As I prepare to publish a special post in honor of my son’s 31st birthday tomorrow, I pause to remember his father on the first anniversary of his death on July 17, 2014. IN MEMORIAM – HONORING A VIETNAM VET On the eve of my son's 30th birthday last month, his father passed on to the… Continue reading Repost: My Son’s Father’s Story – Lung Cancer
Dear Readers, Several times on this blog I have mentioned Emily, a young woman posting as “SeeGirlLive,” who said she was dying of both uterine and colon cancer. I followed her story for more than a year and was often brought to tears from sheer heart-wrenching compassion for her plight. To my shock and dismay,… Continue reading Important Announcement: A Heartless Hoax Exposed
On Friday, December 13th, 2013, I had a total robotic hysterectomy for what turned out to be Stage 1B, Grade 3 endometrial adenocarcinoma. One year later, after vaginal brachytherapy, colposcopies, and repeat Paps, I am . . . if not fancy free, cancer free. And I know how lucky I am. My journey with cancer has acquainted… Continue reading My Story – Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: Year Two Starts Today
An Autumn Peach Reviewing my past year with uterine (endometrial) cancer, I am grateful for and thank everyone for their support. Also wishing my sisters with all gynecologic and breast cancers the very best this fall season. October 10, 2013: A year ago today, my reading group met to discuss The Book Thief by Markus Zusak,… Continue reading My Story – Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: An Autumn Peach
IN MEMORIAM – HONORING A VIETNAM VET On the eve of my son's 30th birthday last month, his father passed on to the next place. Sadly, estrangement had kept us from knowing he was even ill and had been battling lung cancer for two-and-a-half years. I am omitting names in what follows to respect the privacy of my… Continue reading My Son’s Father’s Story – Lung Cancer: The Loss of a Co-Parent
The Patient Path 