By Wednesday of my first chemo cycle, I cried in the shower because I dropped the soap. Not because of the soap, of course. My body ached, my mind felt foggy, and my heart carried a quiet fear that this was my new normal. By Friday, I felt like an empty shell. I knew I…
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At the end of 6 years, I have given up on the idea of arriving someplace. There will never be a time when I understand everything and can live without fear. I expected to get to that place. I thought that after 6 years, I would have it figured out. I have not. Maybe that is the first thing I want you to know.
At the end of 6 years, I have given up on the idea of arriving someplace. There will never be a time when I understand everything and can live without fear. I expected to get to that place. I thought that after 6 years, I would have it figured out. I have not. Maybe that…
Read moreStaying the Course Through Cancer: Real Courage Beyond Forced Positivity
People love to say, “Just stay positive,” when you are in treatment. At first, I tried to do that, to keep a brave face and a smile no matter what was happening. Over time, I learned that forced positivity is not the same as real courage. What has kept me going is something quieter and…
Read moreTactics for Tough Days: Practical Strategies for Managing Cancer Treatment Side Effects
Some days stretch longer than you ever thought possible. You do your best, yet a wave of nausea or a heavy fog in your mind pulls you under. If you’re undergoing cancer treatment, or love someone who is, you know this truth already. Side effects don’t come with an instruction manual. They show up when…
Read moreTactics for Tough Days: Practical Strategies for Managing Cancer Treatment Side Effects
Some days stretch longer than you ever thought possible. You do your best, yet a wave of nausea or a heavy fog in your mind pulls you under. If you’re undergoing cancer treatment, or love someone who is, you know this truth already. Side effects don’t come with an instruction manual. They show up when…
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