Coping with Women's Cancers
If, like me, you are a fan of redemption movies—and of Bill Murray—then today you tuned into AMC and watched Groundhog Day...again...and again...and again.... My favorite part of this time-warp movie comes near the end, when Phil (also the groundhog’s name) Connors finally gets it. He starts living in the ever-present moment, the only way… Continue reading But what happens on February 3rd?
Still Life: Basket of Peaches by Raphaelle, Peale, 1816 Display Peach for Uterine Cancer Yesterday, June 14, 2016, I saw my regular gynecologist at the 30-month mark post-hysterectomy for uterine (endometrial) cancer. I thought the “no-Pap policy” discussion had been lain to rest . . . but not quite. You Can Say Anything If You Smile Since… Continue reading My Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer Story: Two-and-a-Half-Year Checkup–Pap or No Pap?
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
This is the teacup (from China) that my childhood friend, Sandee Kline, used the last time she visited my house on October 18, 2009. She died of leukemia less than a year later. Read her story here. An interesting associated story that meant a lot to Sandee is here. Please vote for Sandee’s cup in… Continue reading My Friend’s Story – Leukemia: Please Vote for Her Story to Raise Awareness of Blood Cancers
“Enchanting” - Peach flower on teal background—the colors of gynecologic cancers Two weeks is long enough to wait for lab results—in fact, it’s too long. When I saw my regular gynecologist on February 18, the first time since my hysterectomy, we discussed my ongoing vaginal discharge. He took cultures for bacteria and yeast and did yet another… Continue reading My Story – Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: Positively Peachy
On Valentine’s Day 2014, I finished my vaginal radiation treatments (brachytherapy) for uterine cancer. My total robotic hysterectomy was performed on December 13, 2013—which turned out to be a lucky Friday. Although my endometrial adenocarcinoma was stage 1b, grade 3 (stage 1a, grade 1 would have been better), all lymph nodes and peritoneal fluids were negative for cancer… Continue reading My Story – Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: Post-Valentine Anniversary
If, like me, you are a fan of redemption movies—and of Bill Murray—then yesterday you tuned into AMC and watched Groundhog Day . . . again . . . and again. . . . My favorite part of the movie is near the end, when Phil (also the groundhog’s name) Connors finally gets it and… Continue reading What happens on February 3rd?
Still my favorite story of all time, A Christmas Carol was published 171 years ago, on December 19, 1843. Click the book to view the only existing manuscript version of the novella. See it in person at the (J. Pierpont) Morgan Library & Museum in New York. Do take a look—it’s a treasure. On that same date last… Continue reading Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: Post Christmas 2014 Reflections on “Christmases Yet to Come”
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
Reposted from December 6, 2013. SANDRA CRESPY KLINE 12-6-52 — 9-27-10 I met Sandee Crespy when we were both seven years old. We were in the same second-grade class at Ziegler Elementary School in Northeast Philadelphia. Although we had almost distinctly opposite personalities and, on the surface, not much in common, we nevertheless went through four… Continue reading My Friend’s Story – Leukemia: In Memoriam on Her Birthday–Two Last Cups of Tea
The Patient Path 