Living As A Cancer Survivor - Celebrating Kobe Bryant
We are all sophisticated beings. We all have many admirable traits that make us valuable. None of us is any more important than anyone else. Skin color does NOT matter. How healthy you are, does NOT matter. Who you VOTE FOR DOES NOT MATTER! How athletic or smart you are, does NOT matter.
Read moreLiving As A Cancer Survivor - Turning Pain Into a Positive
Before depression sets in, the first thing you need to understand is that not all of the changes are negative. While the stress, anxiety, and fear are all expected, cancer can also help other areas of your life that the patient/survivor can for an advantage.
Read moreLiving As A Cancer Survivor - Honest Evaluations Can Hurt
Former NFL Coach Bill Parcells says, "You are what your record says you are." Well, if that's the case, then the results are apparent. I want everyone to understand that I'm the last thing that someone would call a success. I have to prove myself every day as well.
Read moreLiving As A Cancer Survivor - Confusion By Cancer
There are thousands of products out there that identity with cancer, but none of them should be confused with "treatment." Greed is everywhere. Predators are seeking people like you to "sell" you on the latest thing (diet, exercise, potion, powder, pills, shakes, etc...). Please don't fall for it.
Read moreLiving As A Cancer Survivor - Ghosts of Christmas Pasts & Hope for 2020
Whenever I visit families on the pediatric cancer floor, I see that look and feel that presence. Whatever you may be feeling this Christmas and whoever you are celebrating with this new year, please take a moment to pray for the other society that exists. I never could imagine such despair existed, but it does.
Read moreDecember 17-24, 1990 - Surviving My First Round of Chemo
Was surgery a choice instead of chemotherapy? If I wanted to deal with a much more deadly, aggressive form of Rhabdomyosarcoma a few months down the line, then no, it wasn’t a choice.
Read moreLiving As A Cancer Survivor - December 12, 1990
Twenty-nine years ago, I was on my way to Sloan Kettering at this time. I had no idea what my future was going to hold. I had been diagnosed with a terminal form of cancer that was supposed to end my life in six months.
Read moreLiving As A Cancer Survivor - The Joy of Giving
Why is Christmas so special? Outside of the obvious (the celebrated birth of Jesus Christ), which often is overlooked, the incredible joy you feel when you give is what makes this a wonderful holiday.
Read moreLiving As A Cancer Survivor - Thanksgiving 1990
A portion of today’s blog can be found below
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! - Before I begin, I want to take this time to wish everyone the Happiest Thanksgiving imaginable and that the good Lord bless and keep all of you.
Thanksgiving 1990 was a change for me (not nearly as drastic as the next 28 were), but that year was the first spent without both my mother and father together. Earlier that year (September), they had split, and I was living at home with my father while my mom stayed with my oldest sister and her husband.
Read moreLiving As A Cancer Survivor - From Tiers to Tears - Part 2
Any relationship which one relies on the other financially can cause resentment. It can also create the one who needs assistance to feel shame. I did. Never again will I put the burden of my health issues on anyone else. I am limited, but not useless. It is essential to me that I be financially independent, even if I die trying.
Read moreLiving As A Cancer Survivor - From Tiers to Tears - Part 1
I have not been myself these last few months. I've been angry, short with people, overly sarcastic, and redundantly cynical. That is not the person I am. I always had a positive outlook on life. The only time I get to be myself is when I'm on the radio for six hours during the week.
Read moreLiving As A Cancer Survivor - Memes' Well?
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I apologize if I come off as a "Dougie downer." I care about results. Too often, we ignore the suffering of those close to us that need help. It sucks to be a burden. It is humiliating to be so ashamed of one's financial situation that you choose to stay home because you don't want to make others feel guilty. Those people don't need memes; they need help. Giving those people a scripture verse doesn't make you a better Christian. It makes you a phony.
Read moreLiving As A Cancer Survivor - "Late" Effects
Below is a portion of today’s blog
The American Cancer Society has announced that children treated with chemotherapy are experiencing "late" effects, which resulted in complications.
Read moreLiving As A Cancer Survivor - Losing Your Identity
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Cancer survivors face many difficulties as they deal with the challenges treatment provides them. I didn't want to believe that any of those side effects because the thought of them was depressing and scary.
Read moreLiving As A Cancer Survivor - Personal Tragedy
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Death is something none of us can avoid. It can show itself in an obvious way or in a similar way. The hope you get from someone who inspires the best of you because of their love and imagining your life with them can also create part of you to die if that ends. Not being able to pay bills and allowing your mind to destroy any positive thoughts is another example of death you can face. Since many of those situations involve children and those you are responsible for, that also can trigger destructive thoughts that cloud your mind.
Read moreLiving As A Cancer Survivor - Exhaustion
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Unfortunately for me, the treatment forever changed my life. Chemotherapy & radiation and the effects it had on me created the ultimate oxymoron. On the one hand, it saved my life, yet on the other hand, it created all the damage I live with every day.
Read moreLiving As A Cancer Survivor - Hope?
We all need a place to find hope. We all need the promise that today - whatever good or bad might come of it - will provide hope for tomorrow. Without hope, we have nothing to look forward too, especially during hard times.
Read moreLiving As A Cancer Survivor - Our Pets
Below you will find a brief section of today’s blog
I think therapy animals should be available at every cancer hospital. The love an animal gives you is much different than a human. They understand a side to us that humans never will. They accept us, and their entire day can be made just from our being in their presence.
Read moreLiving As A Cancer Survivor - Scars
The only way we can deal with our scars is to share them with others. Cancer will lie to you and make you feel you are alone. You are not. You never know how your story can change the life of someone else unless you reach out.
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