The first time I sat in an oncology exam room, my mind went blank. All the questions I practiced in the car vanished. The pain that scared me most suddenly felt hard to describe. I walked out with new orders and new worries, but without the one thing I really wanted: to feel heard. That…
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How I Talk to My Kids About Cancer at Different Ages
The day I first heard the word Cancer attached to my body, the whole room changed. Sounds grew thick. Time slowed. All I could think about was my children and one burning question: How do I tell them? Talking to kids about cancer asks so much of a parent. Your own fear sits in your…
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Making decisions after a cancer diagnosis
The words land first. “You have cancer.” The room still looks the same, but nothing feels the same. You may hear the doctor talking, see lips moving, yet inside, everything goes quiet. Then the questions rush in at once. What now? What do I choose? How do I stay standing? In that moment, cancer diagnosis…
Read moreWhat I Wish I Knew Before My First Chemo Infusion (A Patient’s Checklist)
No one forgets their first chemo infusion. The sounds of beeping pumps, the weight of the recliner, the cold snap of the alcohol swab on your skin. It can feel like stepping into a different life in a single day. You may know the date and time on your calendar, but your heart still asks,…
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Handling Decision Fatigue in Cancer Treatment: Tiny Choices That Protect Your Energy
Some days, cancer feels like a full-time job of choosing. Which treatment? Which doctor? Which side effect is “worth it”? Even, what should I eat for breakfast when my stomach already hurts? When the choices stack up, the brain starts to shut down. That heavy fog, the “I can’t decide one more thing” feeling, shows…
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