Health | Mesothelioma | Cancer

It’s interesting. Since my own diagnosis, my view of cancer and cancer treatment has changed. I think many of us have thought of cancer as an “all or nothing” disease for a long time. We are either cured or we aren’t. We survive or we don’t survive. Our cancer is either gone or it’s there. [...]

I’m feeling very grateful tonight. Grateful that I am part of the cancer community. I am grateful for those of you I’ve met and corresponded with and talked to on the phone. Those I’ve met in person in my community. Just since publishing my web site I’ve communicated with over 220 appendiceal cancer patients. I [...]

When is it over? I remember having that thought often. I was so psyched to “beat it”, to survive my cancer. When could you officially declare that you’d won the battle and relax? I had always assumed the 5 year mark was the definition of “cured” in the cancer world. Everyone talked about 5 year [...]

I’m sorry I’ve not posted recently. Life gets busy and sometimes it seems there are too many priorities. I’ve been working lots, plus getting ready for the holidays. My todo list has grown…I need to better organize my time! I believe I read that you should post to your blog about 3 times a week….in [...]

In Indiana legislation recently went into effect increasing the tax on cigarettes 44 cents per pack. I actually was part of a group that lobbied for the tax increase with the American Cancer Society, though we’d requested a $1 per pack increase. I actually went to my state capitol and spoke to my state legislators.

I’ve been a part of the community of cancer patients for 8 years now. I’ve communicated with hundreds of cancer patients via my web site, cancer survivor events, conferences, walks. I’ve noticed common themes arise in the cancer community. Things I thought were unique to my experience are not.

This past week end, I attended my niece’s 13th birthday party. It was a really big deal (over 100 guests in attendance), with great food and a DJ. We all had a great time.

In 1969 Elizabeth Kubler-Ross published her classic book, “On Death and Dying”. I was required to read it as a class assignment in nursing school. The book outlined the five stages of grief and loss of someone who is dying. In later years, these stages of grief and loss became known to be associated with [...]

T oday marks a new start for two online cancer forums. Real Cancer, Real Lives has moved to a biweekly schedule, due to recent lack of submissions. Minerva’s hosting this week’s carnival. Please check it out, and consider writing or hosting if you have anything to say on the matter.

I communicate with many cancer patients now as a result of having been in the cancer world for several years. I so appreciated the wisdom that fellow patients have articulated and sent my way this week.