It was another inspiring, motivating trip to Washington, DC to advocate for improved cancer care and prevention programs. Last week I journeyed to our nation’s capitol with almost 500 cancer advocates from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. We were there for advocacy training and to meet with our Senators and Representatives to improve
I’m sorry that I’ve been a little quiet on the blog lately. I’ve been recovering from unexpected surgery to my leg. Many of you know that I’m a bone cancer survivor. Along with aggressive rounds of chemo, I underwent a limb salvage surgery (thankfully) that removed and replaced most of my femur, knee and upper
From the moment I was diagnosed with bone cancer at 21, cancer advocacy has been a driving force in my life. Cancer is the one thing I think about every day, spurring a range of emotions, sometimes multiple at once (that makes for interesting moments). I have been a cancer survivor for almost longer than
Fourteen years ago, my dad died from multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer of the blood. He was in his mid-50s. The ache of missing him never leaves, the tiny hole in my heart still empty. I miss everything that is him, even the faults. And for the longest time, I felt responsible for his death.
In a few short weeks, I will recognize (and celebrate) the anniversary of the end of my treatment from bone cancer. Twenty years since I walked out of the hospital, bald, skinny, nervous of what the future held for a young adult cancer survivor, and incredibly hopeful and excited for a new chapter and chance
A fellow cancer survivor friend recently completed her treatment protocol (yea!) and asked me how to face life after cancer. This started a conversation about the “new normal” after cancer. It generated a swirl of questions and thoughts for me on navigating this journey. Being diagnosed at 21 years old significantly changed my life, and
When I started treatment for a bone cancer diagnosis at the end of my senior year in college, I was grateful to meet other cancer patients who shared their experiences, tips and lessons. While nothing can completely prepare you for the wild ride called cancer, it helped to have some knowledge to lean on, and
Some people may read my headline and think of course I would advocate for cancer survivors because I am a cancer survivor. That’s not the entire reason why I advocate for people facing cancer, including caregivers, family members, friends and others. I don’t advocate because I feel obligated as a cancer survivor, I do it
Christmas is quickly approaching, as it does every year (my dear mother pointed out to me). I do like the lights, music and fun of this season, even if I never seem ready for the colder temperatures, early dark evenings and busy preparations for the holiday season. 2 Christmas was always a special time during
